A truck camper shell is an affordable choice that will elevate your camping experience while allowing you to experience RV life in a completely new way. A truck camper shell is your best option if you enjoy both and have a tight budget. The affordability, adaptability, and simplicity are arguably the biggest advantages. It will alter your way of life in ways you never imagined.
What is a Truck Camper Shell?
We will quickly explain what a “Truck Camper Shell” is for you if we assume that you don’t really understand what it means.
It is comparatively simple. To avoid confusion, whether someone in North America refers to a slide-in or a cab-over, they are both referring to any recreational vehicle that can be transported in a pickup truck’s bed.
What’s It Like to Live in One?
A Great Economical Solution
A camper shell is a fantastic, affordable option that will increase the utility of your truck. Even if your budget is tight, it will help you get a taste of an RV trip. Its low cost, wide range of applications, and ease of use set it apart.
Share Experiences With Other Truck Campers
Most importantly, meeting with other truck campers and exchanging stories helps you feel a sense of community. You’ll have the opportunity to visit locations you had no idea existed.
Pack Everything You Need into a Small Space
The fact that you can fit all of your necessities into a small area makes it simple. Sleeping arrangements in camper shells can be as basic as a sleeping bag and pad or as complex as futon mattresses, slide-out drawers, and built-in heaters.
Challenges of Living in a Truck Camper Shell
Restricted Space
You will need to maximize every square inch of available space because there won’t be much of it. Utilizing additional storage options will help you overcome this issue.
Condensation
Condensation is another possibility if you reside in a truck camper shell. This is due to the fact that your truck canopy’s ventilation is frequently ineffective, so you’ll need a waterproof truck camper shell.
Weather
Sometimes the weather can be unpredictable, especially when traveling. The good news is that water won’t damage your belongings by seeping into the truck topper if you choose a watertight camper shell.
How to Live in a Truck Camper Shell
Inspect Your Camper Shell’s Roof and Seals
You have heard this before, but the phrase “out of sight, out of mind” has some truth. When performing upkeep on your truck camper, be proactive and look for any issues. This is especially true for your camper shell’s roof and seals.
Poor weather stripping and seals frequently result in moisture leaking into RVs and camper shells. Therefore, you should check the seals around your windows and roof every three months.
If you notice broken or loose pieces, water stains, or cracks, you almost certainly have a sealant problem. If so, we advise that you take your camper shell off and seal it again.
Check Batteries
If you take good care of your batteries, they should last three to five years. You still need to check them frequently. The last thing you want is a dead battery because if it leaks, it will ruin your camping plans and cost you money to fix.
It is crucial to keep an eye on deep-cycle batteries because they start to lose their power after three to four years. The best way to avoid battery damage is with proper and secure storage.
Water System Checks
Water is your most precious resource when living in a truck camper shell, so keeping it clean and free of obstructions is your top priority.
Regular water system flushing is also required to prevent obstructions that could lead to pricey repairs.
Run Your Generator
Your generator may need to be replaced years before it absolutely must if you let it sit idle for an extended period of time. To keep your generator’s internal components functioning at their best, you should run it for 15-20 minutes at least once a month once it reaches its normal operating temperature.
If you don’t do this, your generator might corrode or rust and eventually stop functioning properly.
Take a Good Cooler
Lunch meat, vegetables, fruit, and other foods should all be kept cold. Therefore, it is wise to include a cooler in your camper shell for necessities. To ensure that your primary battery doesn’t run out, you can even purchase a small refrigerator that is powered by a second battery.
Once more, how is life in a truck camper shell? You can travel to far-off places while having a cozy place to rest, eat, and other necessities if you live in a truck camper shell. You are not required to pitch a tent and spend the night outside.
Conclusion: A Cost-effective Option
It’s enjoyable to live in a truck camper shell. It has advantages and disadvantages, just like any other lifestyle decision, but you can be sure that it will give you a completely different perspective on life. Even when you have a limited budget, this is a fantastic economical solution that will allow you to live somewhat like an RV.
As if it were a typical home, you will treat it accordingly. You use it to clean, cook, and sleep. If you want to live permanently in a truck, there is no option better than a camper shell setup.
Now all you need to do is locate a premium camper shell outfitted with all the standard amenities you require, and you’re ready to go!