With a camper in place, start lowering it onto the pickup bed. Start with lowering the rear end until a couple of inches from the ground, then lowering the front until the top of the camper is resting safely on the truck bed, and the jacks are out of the ground. This is an excellent way to learn how to lower and raise a camper.
There are numerous methods of mounting a camper to a truck bed. Some of these methods include bolt-on installation, folding down the camper as it is mounted, and bolting it up with truck bed rams, or with a manual transmission (Mesotheline, etc. For some people, however, the ease of use for these truck campers is not worth the investment. Some campers require more clearance, and a better quality of work for assembly. Others just want a simpler, easier to install camper.
If you do decide that you want to purchase a camper after you have done a lot of camping and sleeping outdoors, be aware that some camper manufacturers make a version of their truck bed camper for those who prefer to purchase their own campers, and who like to build their own truck camping adventure. In many cases, these manufacturers will have kits that include all the material needed for a camper assembly. The advantage of this is that you don’t need to purchase a second hand truck bed, or wait for one to be sent to you. It is also nice to know that if you aren’t the crafty type that you can leave the job to someone else to do and just worry about assembling the rest of the truck camping equipment.
Most camper manufacturers will include the material for framing the truck campers in their kits or tell you that you can buy your own framing materials from the dealer or distributor of the bedding and siding products. Be sure to ask about the thickness of the frame material, especially when you are making your own framing. The thickness is important, because it determines how much of the weight of the entire assembly can be supported by each side of the camper. The more the load is supported, the more level and solid your framing will be. The thicker the material, the more stress relief the frame receives, allowing it to be stronger and more resilient to harsh weather conditions, such as winter frost.
If you choose to purchase a ready-made truck camper, the manufacturer should camper portable toilet provide wiring and electric connections to the 12-volt power source. The wiring and electric connections must be appropriate for the truck camper electrical systems you have chosen. Many camper electrical systems are designed for both 12-volt and 110-volt power sources. Be sure the power cord and outlet leads are compatible with the power source you will be using. For your peace of mind, purchase an electrical tester to make sure everything is in good working order before you take your motor home.
Fiberglass and inflatable models of campers are available in a variety of sizes and come in many interesting colors. The fiberglass design is strong and durable, and can be painted to blend into the truck or decorate with decals or fabric. Both sizes of the inflatable type are buoyant and lightweight. Because the fiberglass and inflatable designs are lightweight, campers with a fiberglass body can be folded and packed into tight spaces, whereas the fiberglass models cannot be folded and held in place permanently. Because of this, the inflatable RV camper is great for those looking to spend a lot of time camping in the wilderness, because the only limitation is how much packing can be done before the trip.
If you are looking to maximize the interior space of your camper, then you should look at the optional accessories available to you. One of the most popular accessories that double as storage for your camping gear is the lift jacks. Lift jacks allow you to raise the bed of your truck, so that your items, like sleeping bags and outdoor gear, don’t have to be stored in the bed of the truck. Lift jacks can be used to raise the bed by as much as sixteen inches, so that you can be able to access all of your gear without having to disassemble everything.
Another accessory that is great for a camping trip is a dual battery backpack electric charger. These chargers can be used to charge your laptop or other electronic device, so that you don’t need to bring any extra batteries with you on your trip. The charger will plug into an outlet on the front of your camper, so that you won’t have to worry about an outlet not being present. A popular choice is the charger that offers both AC and DC output, so that you can charge both your electronic devices and your cell phone at the same time. These chargers are also great for charging an iPod or other portable music device while you are out hiking in the great outdoors. You may want to consider these accessories if you plan on going camping for long periods of time outdoors