Short bed truck camper, slide-up truck camper and mid-size truck camper campers are small sleepers designed to sit in the bed of a full size and even some mid-sized pickup trucks. They come in a variety of sizes for various bed lengths such as long bed, short bed, mid-size camper and super-short camper.
When looking for the best short bed pickup camper, you need to consider your budget. Obviously, the price goes up with the size. A big camper needs to be fueled from an outside tank and the smaller camper tanks can fit into most standard truck tanks. Fuel is added to the tanks via a gas or propane source and is stored in a steel or aluminum canister for easy access. The propane powered systems come with an outdoor tank to store your fuel as well as holding space for an emergency tank drain.
Fuel and camping supplies are very important considerations when selecting your camper for truck camping adventures. You must have at least a 3-gallon fuel tank on board for every adult camper and an empty tank is recommended. Some of the standard features on the smallest camper include built-in and universal cup holders, a shower, a waste compartment, a sink, a bench, a seating area and a sleeping area. These features can cost more but are far more comfortable than the benches and sleeping bags provided by some truck camper manufacturers. Some of the top-of-the-line camper manufactures include: Bobcat, Continental, Hillel, J. Perrin, Kipor, Sundance and Windhaul.
If you are planning to do any sort of off-grid living, there are other considerations.Off-grid living includes staying in a tent in a remote location, without truck bed camper electricity or water. There are some excellent opportunities to do this with a camper designed to be a true off-grid camper. The top brands to consider for off-grid camping trips include: Eureka, Kelty, and Plano.
Camper manufacturers with a long history in truck camper construction method include: Onan, Kipor, Diamond, Sundance, and Furman. The reason that these companies have been successful for many years is that they consistently provide customers with high quality products. In fact, many customers find their second hand models to be even better than the original models. One thing that they all have in common is that they use solid, heavy duty truck bed campers with locking lids to provide the best possible camper protection.
Most modern day truck bed camper construction methodologies use either the same types of materials that the pioneers originally used, or the same types of materials that are used in contemporary campers today. However, it is not uncommon for an Alaskan camper to use lightweight aluminum framing and aluminum side rails in place of the heavy duty steel framing that was originally used. However, many campers prefer the Alaskan construction method because of the way campers can now install curtains and waterproofing systems. Alaskan campers can also install a wide variety of custom accessories including modern lighting, overhead grills, built in electric windows and more.
A major advantage of the Alaskan construction method is that campers can set up permanent sleeping areas without worrying about ventilation. For instance, there are some Alaskan camper dealers who can set up your entire floor plan with an attached bathroom, including an outbuilding with a hot tub. This feature allows you to have two different sleeping areas in one small cabin. Many Alaskan campers prefer the Alaskan design, because they can purchase their equipment at a local dealer and bring it home to enjoy without any modifications. There are even some Alaskan campers who like to buy all of their equipment in one trip, but still have the option to make minor modifications to the complete floor plan at any time.
Other unique and interesting features available on Alaskan campers include solar panels, fire pits, waterproofing systems and more. A camper with a large solar panel on the roof can provide all of the electricity needed by the camper and its occupants. Similarly, a fire pit can provide a nice cozy area to spend time around the campfire with the family. Other popular features of a portable power station include an emergency weather station, an emergency flash lights and plenty of storage space for camping supplies