Truck camping has become increasingly popular in recent years as many intrepid adventurers realize just how perfect trucks are for camping and overlanding. Unlike a car or SUV, you can build an entire array of camping gear into your truck bed without pulling anything behind you or removing anything from the cab.

Not only that, but the average truck these days is a crew cab, which means you also have room on your roof.

What are the benefits of having a self-contained camping vehicle in your truck? For one, it means that anywhere your truck can get to can be your camping spot. If you're pulling an RV, you're pretty limited on where you can camp. This is just one of the reasons why truck camping has taken off.

Let's take a look at the basics for how to get started with truck camping and some of the great Enthuze gear you can snag as you complete your build.

Truck Camping Options

When camping with your truck, you have a few options. The first thing that comes to mind is probably a camper shell. While this can make things easier, it's not mandatory. Let's look at the options.

Camper Shell or Canopy

The pros of using a canopy or camper shell are that it's a sturdy and secure option that you can customize with a sleeping platform, organizing accessories, and other “comfort” elements that suit your needs. A camper shell is semi-permanent, which is mainly due to the fact that it's not easy to remove, but that also means you're ready for adventure at any time.

Roof Top Tent

Roof top tents for trucks are typically mounted on bed racks, but they can also be mounted on a truck topper if you have one. A roof top tent is also less permanent than a camper shell, so if you want to remove it from your truck, it won't take nearly as much effort or storage space as removing a camper shell.

Roof top tents present a nice middle ground between getting a camper for your truck or the more basic method of camping directly in your truck bed or on the ground.

Enthuze offers a two-person and four-person rooftop tent along with tent annexes that further increase your camping space. If you don't already have a bed rack for your pickup truck, you'll need one to install a tent over the truck bed.

Ground or Bed Tents

The great part about a truck tent for your bed is that it's typically the easiest and most inexpensive way to start camping with your truck. The tent goes directly into the bed of your truck and keeps you off the ground.

You can also supplement it with an annex or ground tent. You can also camp with your truck using only a ground tent and using your bed for other supplies.

Sleeping Gear

Once you've decided on your truck camping method, it's time to choose your sleeping gear. We know from personal experience that this is the one area where you definitely don't want to skimp. There's nothing worse than being in the middle of nowhere with uncomfortable sleeping arrangements. The sleeping gear you choose should be comfortable and warm.

Start with choosing a mattress or sleeping pad. You have a few options here, including an inflatable mattress or a memory foam mattress. One thing about memory foam mattresses is that the thicker they are, the better. You'd be surprised at how quickly a seemingly thick memory foam mattress can start feeling whatever's beneath it. So, however thick you think you need, you probably want to go a few inches thicker.

After choosing a mattress, you'll generally want to get a sleeping bag as well. If you live somewhere that's warm year-round, you might choose to pass on a sleeping bag in favor of regular bedding like blankets.

However, if you camp anywhere it gets cold at night, a sleeping bag is a must. The best sleeping bag should have the proper temperature rating for where you'll be camping and synthetic fill is usually the better choice to resist moisture.

We could go into a much longer dissertation on everything for camping in your truck, but arguably the most important things to consider are:

• What you'll be camping in
• Your sleeping arrangements
• Cooking gear

Those are the basics for truck camping success.

Food Prep & Cooking

Unless you want to subsist on dried food for your camping trip, the first thing to consider is where to store your cold food. You could get a cooler, but then you'll have to worry about ice and how long it will last. A better choice is a portable refrigerator like the Enthuze models for 30L and 50L.

Camping refrigerators are easy to move and use. You can also invest in a solar pack for your camping fridge to increase your power options.

The next thing to consider is your camping stove. Like your sleeping arrangements, this is a good place to splurge on a quality two-burner stove. Finish setting up your camping kitchen with basic cooking utensils, serving items and dinnerware.

 

Top 10 Tips For New Truck Campers

1. When putting together your first collection of camping gear, consider practicality and comfort over cost and adjust accordingly. Some initial costs might hurt, but your camping experience will hurt a lot more if you skimp in these two areas.

2. If you plan to sleep in your truck bed, whether with a camper or tent, make sure to measure the tightest spot. You might find that you don't have as much room as you thought, which means you're likely better off investing in a roof top tent.

3. Always pack extra clothes and blankets, extra water, and extra fuel. It's better to have more than not enough.

4. Organize your gear and tools so that the things most often used are the easiest to access.

5. While you don't need 4WD to go camping in your truck, it will limit your camping spots. It's worth mentioning that most avid truck campers use a 4WD truck.

6. Plan to invest in a separate GPS system that uses a satellite signal as you never know when your phone will lose service.

7. If the terrain you are traveling over is muddy or sandy, bring gear to get unstuck like recovery straps and a winch.

8. Similarly, make sure you have a basic repair kit for your truck and a first-aid kit for the humans.

9. Carry a full-size spare tire on your truck. Getting stuck on the road with a donut is one thing, it's much worse to be stuck off-road with one.

10. Have a plan to dispose of waste and leave the wilds like you found them.

Get started on your truck camping adventure today by equipping yourself with top-quality Enthuze gear, including off-road accessories, recovery gear, roof top tents, portable fridges, and much more.