Ashleigh Romero
If you're thinking about buying a truck bed camper, you'll need to consider the weight. Truck campers can weigh anywhere from 1,000 to 5,000 pounds, and this weight will impact the size of truck you need, its cargo-carrying capacity, driving performance, handling, and gas mileage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Weight range | 1,000-5,000 pounds |
| Dry weight | 700-4,200 pounds |
| Wet weight | Depends on the added elements |
| Length | 6-20 feet |
| Sleeping capacity | Up to 4 people |
| Retail price | $10,000 to $70,000+ |
What You'll Learn
Truck camper weight ranges
Truck campers are small trailers that fit in the bed of a pickup truck. They are much smaller than most types of campers or trailers, but they still weigh a significant amount. The weight of a truck camper varies depending on various factors, and it's important to ensure that your truck can safely accommodate the camper's weight.
Weight Factors
The weight of a truck camper can range from as little as 1,000 pounds to as much as 4,000 or even 5,000 pounds. The weight is influenced by several factors, including the construction materials, size, features, and amenities.
One of the biggest factors affecting weight is the type of walls the camper has. Soft walls, typically made of canvas, are much lighter than hard walls constructed from materials like fiberglass, carbon fiber, or metal.
Another factor is the presence of slide-outs, which are available only on hard-walled campers. Slide-outs increase the interior space but also add significant weight. Additionally, larger campers will generally weigh more than smaller ones.
Amenities and features such as electrical systems, beds, kitchens, and bathrooms also contribute to the overall weight of the camper. The more features included, the heavier the camper is likely to be.
Dry Weight vs Real Weight
When considering the weight of a truck camper, it's important to distinguish between dry weight and real weight (also known as wet weight). Dry weight refers to the weight of the camper as it comes from the factory, without any additional equipment or cargo. Real weight, on the other hand, includes the weight of the camper with all the equipment and personal belongings loaded inside.
On average, the real weight of a truck camper is around 1,500 pounds more than the dry weight. Therefore, when determining if your truck can accommodate a camper, you need to consider both the dry weight and the expected real weight to ensure it doesn't exceed your truck's payload capacity.
Truck Weight Capacity
To determine if your truck can handle a particular camper, you need to understand its weight capacity ratings. These ratings include the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), which is the loaded weight of the vehicle set by the manufacturer. There is also the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR), which represents the load-carrying capacity of a single axle system, with separate ratings for the front and rear axles.
Additionally, you can use a commercial truck scale to determine the actual weight of your truck. By subtracting this weight from the GVWR, you can calculate the payload capacity, which is the amount of additional weight your truck can safely carry.
Choosing the Right Camper
When choosing a truck camper, it's crucial to consider not only the weight but also the dimensions and center of gravity. The camper should fit securely within the truck bed, and the center of gravity should be above or in front of the pickup's rear axle.
Additionally, you should consider the type of truck you have and its payload capacity. Half-ton trucks, for example, may have limitations on the weight of the camper they can safely carry and may be more suitable for pop-up campers or lightweight models.
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Dry weight vs real weight
When it comes to truck campers, weight is a critical factor. The weight of a truck camper will determine the size of truck you need, the cargo-carrying capacity, the driving performance, the handling, and the gas mileage of the truck.
The weight of a truck camper is typically given as a "dry weight" or a "real weight". Dry weight is the weight of the camper as it comes from the factory, with no additional equipment or cargo. Real weight, on the other hand, is the weight of the camper with all the equipment installed and cargo loaded.
Dry weight is an important number to know when determining if a truck camper will fit within the payload capacity of your truck. However, it's important to remember that the dry weight is often not the true weight of the camper when it's ready to hit the road. Many people are surprised to find that their truck camper weighs significantly more than the dry weight listed in the brochure. This is because the dry weight often doesn't include factory-installed options, dealer-installed accessories, propane, water, personal belongings, food, linens, tools, and other peripherals. All of these items can add up quickly and significantly increase the weight of the camper.
To calculate the real weight of a truck camper, you can start with the dry weight and then add about 1,500 lbs to account for equipment and cargo. This will give you a more accurate idea of the actual weight of the camper when it's loaded and ready to go.
It's important to consider both the dry weight and the real weight when choosing a truck camper to ensure that it is compatible with your truck and safe for travelling.
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Truck weight capacity ratings
When determining the weight capacity of your truck, it's essential to understand the difference between dry weight and real weight. Dry weight refers to the weight of the camper as it left the factory, without any equipment or personal items. Real weight, on the other hand, includes the weight of the camper with all the gear and belongings you plan to bring on your camping trips. On average, the real weight of a camper is about 1,500 pounds more than the dry weight.
To calculate your truck's payload capacity, you need to know its Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). The GVWR is the maximum allowable weight of the vehicle, including the truck itself, fuel, fluids, passengers, and cargo. By subtracting the curb weight (the weight of the truck without a driver) and the weight of passengers, fuel, and fluids, you can determine the remaining payload capacity available for your camper and other cargo.
It's worth noting that truck campers come in different types, such as hard-sided and pop-up campers, and the weight can vary significantly between them. Pop-up truck campers, also known as soft-walled campers, tend to be lighter due to their retractable canvas walls. In contrast, hard-sided campers with slide-outs will be heavier due to the additional space and amenities.
When choosing a truck camper, it's crucial to consider not only the weight but also the dimensions and the center of gravity. The camper should fit securely within the truck bed, and the center of gravity should be above or in front of the rear axle to ensure stable towing.
Additionally, it's important to consider the impact of adding a truck camper on your truck's handling and performance. A truck with a camper becomes top-heavy, affecting its manoeuvrability and braking capabilities. Therefore, it's essential to drive with caution, allowing more distance for braking and reducing speed when driving on uneven surfaces or turning.
In summary, when considering a truck camper, carefully review the weight capacity ratings of your truck and choose a camper that fits within its payload capacity. Always opt for a truck with a higher payload capacity than you think you need to ensure safe and efficient transportation.
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Camper construction materials
The weight of a truck bed camper can vary from 1,000 to 4,000+ pounds, with some even weighing 5,000 pounds. The weight depends on factors such as the size, construction, and features of the camper.
Truck bed campers are constructed using a variety of materials, with the two main forms of construction being "stick-n-tin" and "laminate".
Stick-n-Tin Construction
The "stick-n-tin" construction method involves laying aluminium over a wood frame. The wood framing consists of 2 x 4 specially treated wood studs, while the exterior sidewalls are made of corrugated aluminium siding. The interior wall surfaces are made of vinyl panelling, and the roof is supported by wooden trusses. This construction method is affordable, durable, easier to repair, and flexible. However, it is heavier and more prone to water damage.
Laminate Construction
The "laminate" construction method involves laying fibreglass over an aluminium frame. The aluminium frame is made of square aluminium tubing welded together, while the exterior walls have flat fibreglass panels sealed with a thin lamination material. This construction method results in a lighter-weight camper that is easier to clean and less susceptible to dents. However, it is more expensive and prone to de-lamination, where water intrusion causes the plywood/luan backer and adhesives to let go of the exterior fibreglass panel.
Other Materials
In addition to the frame and exterior walls, other materials used in truck bed campers include:
- Wood or aluminium roof trusses
- Aluminium or fibreglass siding
- Fibreglass or vinyl windows
- Aluminium or fibreglass doors
- Styrofoam, fibreglass, or spray foam insulation
- Polyisocyanurate, extruded polystyrene, or expanded polystyrene for laminated RV sidewalls
- Azdel, a lightweight building material found in laminated RV sidewalls, providing structural support, sound reduction, and thermal insulation
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Camper slide-outs
Slide-outs are only available on hard-walled campers, and they add a significant amount of weight to the camper. They also increase privacy and make the small space feel more comfortable. However, it is important to note that a camper with slide-outs cannot be towed with the slide-outs extended.
When choosing a truck camper, it is crucial to consider the weight of the camper and ensure it does not exceed the payload capacity of your truck. The weight of a truck camper can range from 1,000 to 5,000 pounds, and factors such as the construction materials, size, and amenities will influence the weight.
Some popular truck campers with slide-outs include:
- Host Campers Mammoth: This luxurious camper has a dry weight of 3,955 pounds and features three separate slide-outs, multiple seating areas, a large kitchen, and a lowered side entry door.
- Lance 1172 long-bed: Weighing over 4,000 pounds, this camper offers ample space and amenities.
- Northern Lite 10-2EXCD: With a weight of 3,265 pounds, this camper provides a spacious and comfortable environment for camping.
- Adventurer 910DB: Weighing in at 3,447 pounds, this camper offers a balance between weight and amenities.
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Frequently asked questions
Truck bed campers weigh between 1,000 and 5,000 pounds dry weight. The weight depends on factors such as size, construction, features, and whether the camper has soft walls or hard walls.
Dry weight is the weight of the camper with nothing in it, as it came from the factory. Real weight is what the camper weighs with all of the equipment in it, which for the average RVer clocks in at around 1,500 lbs.
A slide-in camper is a hard-sided RV that sits fairly high in the truck bed. A pop-up truck camper is one that expands upwards once you need to utilize the living space. Pop-up truck campers are ideal for people who want to go off-roading as they have less height, weight, and length than other RVs.
The lightest truck camper on the market is the SCOUT YOHO, which has a dry weight of 958 pounds.
Yes, a half-ton truck can carry a camper, but you must be careful not to exceed the truck's gross vehicle weight rating. A pop-up camper is ideal for this size of truck due to weight limitations.
