Ashleigh Romero
The amount of headroom in a truck camper varies depending on the model and the height of the user. Some people report having ample headroom to sit up, stand, and even engage in wild-n-crazy sex, while others report having to stoop, bend their heads, or be unable to sit up at all. The headroom in a truck camper seems to be especially important to those who enjoy reading in bed, as well as those who spend a lot of time inside their vehicles due to inclement weather or personal preference.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Minimum headroom to sit upright in bed | 32" to 33" |
| Minimum headroom to sit upright in bed (for long-torsoed humans) | 35" to 36" |
| Minimum headroom to sit upright in bed (with a thick mattress) | 36" |
| Minimum headroom to sit upright in bed (with a thick mattress and a sloping wall) | 40" |
| Minimum headroom to sit upright in bed (with a thick mattress and a horizontal wall) | 36" |
| Minimum headroom to sit upright in a standard-height Chevy Express | 35" |
| Minimum headroom to sit upright in a standard-height Chevy Express (for long-torsoed humans) | 41" |
| Minimum headroom to sit upright in a high-roof van | 59" |
| Minimum headroom to sit upright in a high-roof van (for long-torsoed humans) | 64" |
What You'll Learn
Sitting up in bed to read
Variations in Truck Camper Headroom
The amount of headroom in a truck camper can vary significantly from one unit to another. Some people may find that they have plenty of clearance to sit up straight, while others, especially those with longer torsos, may need to bend their heads or adjust their posture. This variation in headroom can be influenced by several factors, including the design of the camper, the thickness of the mattress, and the presence of any sloped walls or shelves.
Factors to Consider for Reading in Bed
When considering the amount of headroom needed for sitting up in bed to read, it's essential to think about your personal preferences and body proportions. If you have a longer torso, you may require more space between the bed and the ceiling. Additionally, the thickness of your mattress can make a difference. A thicker mattress may compress when you sit on it, reducing the available headroom. It's a good idea to measure the distance from a seated position on the mattress to the ceiling and ensure you have enough clearance.
Solutions for Limited Headroom
If you find yourself in a truck camper with limited headroom, there are a few solutions you can consider. One option is to remove any under-bed storage platforms or lower the mattress to gain a few extra inches of headroom. Additionally, you can use pillows or straps to create a more vertical back support, especially if the wall at the head of the bed slopes inward. Some people also choose to read while sitting at a dinette table or in another part of the camper where there is more headroom.
Benefits of Adequate Headroom
Having adequate headroom in your truck camper can significantly enhance your comfort and overall experience. It allows you to move around more freely, especially when performing tasks such as cooking, cleaning, or getting dressed. Additionally, it provides more storage options, as you can utilize the wall space for cabinets or shelves. While some people may prioritize stealth or fuel efficiency and opt for a lower-clearance camper, having the extra headroom can make a big difference in how you utilize the space.
In conclusion, when considering the headroom in a truck camper, it's important to think about your personal preferences and activities. If sitting up in bed to read is important to you, ensure that you have sufficient clearance by measuring the distance from your seated position to the ceiling. While some adjustments and workarounds are possible, choosing a truck camper with ample headroom can provide a more comfortable and enjoyable experience during your travels.
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Sleeping arrangements
When it comes to sleeping in a truck camper, headroom can vary significantly depending on the model and design. Some people may be comfortable with limited headroom, while others may prefer more spacious accommodations. Here are some factors to consider when thinking about sleeping arrangements:
Height and Torso Length
Individuals with longer torsos may require more headroom to sit upright comfortably. In one instance, a person with a longer torso mentioned that they required 35 inches from a firm seated surface to avoid bumping their head, with a preference for 41 inches to feel truly comfortable. Another person who is 6 feet tall mentioned that they had plenty of headroom in their standard-height Chevy Express.
Mattress Thickness
The thickness of your mattress will impact the available headroom in your truck camper. Consider the thickness of your current mattress or any future plans to upgrade to a thicker mattress when designing your sleeping platform.
Sleeping Position
Think about your typical sleeping position. If you like to sit upright in bed to read or watch TV, you will need more headroom than someone who primarily sleeps lying down. Some people have mentioned using pillows or a headboard strap to provide back support when sitting up in bed.
Storage Requirements
If you plan to store items such as bikes or other gear underneath your sleeping platform, you will need to allocate additional height to accommodate those items. A high-roof van may be a better option if you require more vertical storage space.
Personal Preferences
Ultimately, the amount of headroom you need in a truck camper depends on your personal preferences. Some people may be content with limited headroom, while others may prioritize having ample space to move around. It is recommended to test out different options before making a purchase to ensure your comfort.
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Height of mattress
The height of a mattress in a truck camper can vary depending on personal preference and the available space in the truck bed or cab. It is recommended to leave a minimum of 24 inches between the top of the mattress and the ceiling to ensure sufficient headroom. However, for taller individuals, following a simple measuring technique can help get the spacing just right. Lie down sideways in the area the bed will go, and then measure the distance between your upper arm and the roof. This will ensure enough space to sit up comfortably without bumping your head.
Common mattress heights tend to be around 4.5 inches, 5.5 inches, 8 inches, and 10 inches thick. However, custom mattresses can be made to almost any depth upon request. For example, custom foam mattresses can be ordered to fit precisely into the available space, accommodating any size, dimension, or shape.
When choosing a mattress thickness, it is important to consider factors such as body contouring ability, reduced pressure on major joints, and available headroom. A thicker mattress generally provides more support and comfort. However, in pop-up campers, the mattress should not be too thick, as it may cause the camper to bump their head on the ceiling. Therefore, pop-up camper mattresses usually cannot be much thicker than 5 to 6 inches.
Additionally, semi-truck mattresses tend to have thinner profiles than standard mattresses, with a recommended thickness of between 2 and 10 inches. Ultimately, the height of the mattress in a truck camper depends on individual needs and preferences, ensuring a balance between comfort and sufficient headroom.
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Height of camper
The height of a camper varies depending on the model and type. Some people prefer to have more headroom, while others are comfortable with less. Here are some factors to consider when thinking about the height of a camper:
Purpose of the camper
For some people, a camper is simply a place to sleep, while others may spend more time inside cooking, reading, or entertaining. If you plan to use your camper for activities that require more space, such as standing up or sitting up in bed, then you will need more headroom. If you are taller or have a longer torso, you will also need more headroom to be comfortable.
Type of camper
The type of camper you choose will also affect the amount of headroom you have. Pop-up campers, for example, may have less headroom than hard-sided campers. Some campers have a cabover section that provides additional headroom, while others have a basement that raises the overall height of the camper. If you plan to store items such as bikes inside your camper, you will need more height to accommodate them.
Personal preference
Ultimately, the amount of headroom you need in a camper is a matter of personal preference. Some people are comfortable with a low ceiling, while others feel claustrophobic. It is important to test out different campers before making a purchase to ensure that you will be comfortable with the amount of headroom. You may also want to consider the height of the bed platform and the thickness of your mattress, as these can affect the amount of usable headroom.
Examples of camper heights
To give you a better idea of the height of campers, here are some specific examples:
- One person with a standard Chevy Express van mentioned that they have 35" from their seated position to the roof, with an additional 6" of preferred clearance, for a total of 41". They are 6' tall and have a longer torso.
- Another person with a high-top van mentioned having 36" from the floor to the bottom of their mattress, and an additional 36" from the top of the mattress to the ceiling. They are 5'8" tall.
- A user with a 2011 Adventurer 910FBS truck camper mentioned that they have enough headroom to sit up, but the angle of the wall at the head of the bed requires the use of pillows for comfortable reading.
- Someone with a 2017 F350 Platinum DRW truck and a camper mentioned that they have 8' of headroom in the main part of the camper and 41" in the cabover section.
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Space for storage
If you're looking to maximise storage space, consider the layout of your bed. A platform bed can provide storage space underneath, but this will reduce headroom. One solution is to sleep with your feet towards the front of the camper and use a pull-toward-the-rear-type bed, which will give you more headroom while still allowing for storage underneath. Another option is to forgo a platform bed and use a simple air mattress, allowing you to sit upright under the shell when the weather is bad.
If you're happy to store your items outside the sleeping area, you can get away with less headroom. One option is to build a half-length platform at bed-rail height, providing a comfortable backrest while leaving plenty of room for your feet and storage underneath. Alternatively, you can raise the bed higher and use the space underneath for storage, but this will reduce your headroom, so make sure to measure carefully.
Overall, the amount of headroom you need will depend on your personal preferences and how you plan to use the space. If you want to be able to sit up comfortably in bed, you'll need more headroom. If you're happy to just lie down, then less headroom will suffice.
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Frequently asked questions
The amount of headroom in a truck camper varies depending on the model and type. Some people report having as little as 32 inches of headroom, while others have up to 8 feet. The average seems to be around 33-41 inches, but this can depend on factors such as the thickness of your mattress and whether you have a high-roof or pop-up model.
Yes, it is possible to sit up in a truck camper, but it depends on your height and the amount of headroom. Some people report being able to sit up fully with room to spare, while others have to bend their heads or sit up straight with only a few inches to spare. If sitting up in bed is important to you, look for a model with a high roof or pop-up feature, and measure the distance from the top of your mattress to the ceiling to ensure you'll have enough clearance.
Opinions vary on this question. Some people say that headroom is critical for comfort, especially if you plan to spend a lot of time inside the camper or need to stand up to cook, get dressed, or move around. Others say that they rarely spend time inside the camper except for sleeping, so headroom is not a big concern. Ultimately, it depends on your personal preferences and how you plan to use the space.
Yes, there are a few alternatives to consider if you want more headroom but don't want a high-roof truck camper. One option is to look for a model with a pop-up or tilt-up roof feature, which can provide extra headroom when needed without permanently increasing the height of the vehicle. Another option is to consider a camper with a basement, as these models often have higher roofs and more headroom in the cabover section. Finally, you could also consider raising your bed platform to increase headroom, but this may reduce storage space and require extra steps to get in and out of bed.
The best way to know if a truck camper will have enough headroom for you is to test it out before you buy. Measure the distance from the top of the mattress to the ceiling, and consider factors such as your height, torso length, and whether you plan to sit up in bed or only use the space for sleeping. Keep in mind that the front of the cabover section may slope inward, which can affect your ability to sit up or lean against the wall.
