Wow, what a whirlwind the Overland Expo 2024 season has been for us at OEV! As we look back at all of the conversations we’ve had at our booth this year, one thing is clear: truck campers are hotter than ever. Our campers drew crowds like never before, and we couldn’t be happier.
But here’s what excited us: the endless questions from seasoned overlanders and newbies alike. From “Will this fit on my truck?” to “What makes your campers different from everything else we see here at the show?” We heard it all.
So, we’ve rounded up the top 6 questions that were asked at our booth. Whether you’re a long-time OEV enthusiast or just starting to explore the world of truck campers, we’ve got something for you.
1. What's the difference between the slide-in, flatbed, and chassis-mounted truck campers?
Slide-in Truck Campers:
Well, as the name implies, the slide-in camper like our Back Country 5.85 and Back Country 6.85 slides into your truck bed and secures to your truck using our custom brackets.
What is unique about our mounting process is how we use your existing bed bolts that hold your truck bed to the chassis/frame of your truck. During the installation process, we remove the bed bolts and then use them to secure our brackets to the chassis of your truck, providing a mounting point for the Derringer torklifts to hook on to and, therefore, securing your camper to your truck’s frame without pulling on the sheet metal of your truck bed.
Pro: Easily removable for flexible truck use
Con: Limited by truck bed size, but we’ve got space-maximizing designs!
Best for: People wanting versatility without committing to a permanent truck modification.
Flatbed Campers:
Our Hudson Bay or High Country models fall into this category, and it’s a game-changer for space.
To start we remove your truck bed and mount our Aluma Tray flatbed to your truck’s chassis. The Aluma Tray is isolated from the chassis using polyurethane isolators, ensuring we alleviate metal fatigue. To further ensure isolation, we also have polyurethane mounts that isolate the camper from the tray. The camper is then secured to the Aluma Tray by four Derringer Torklifts.
The great thing about flatbed campers is that you can still remove the camper and use your truck as a truck with the additional space of a flatbed.
Pro: More living space! The flatbed campers have a side entrance and a larger footprint, which allows for a larger dinette, indoor shower, toilet compartment or wet bath, larger kitchen, and more storage.
Con: It’s a more permanent setup with the modification of your truck bed into a flatbed, but the extra space is worth it for so many reasons.
Best for: Individuals and families looking for more living spaces and amenities.
Chassis-mounted Campers:
The chassis-mounted campers have grown in popularity over the years, with people wanting a permanent camping rig for extended travel. Our Hudson Bay, High Country, and Summit truck campers fall in this category, and they are available in various sizes, configurations, and layouts.
All of our chassis-mounted campers are secured to your truck using our custom-made brackets and subframe, which is isolated from the chassis.
Pro: Super stable and often more spacious than other options. These campers also have more options for heating and cooking fuel sources. Plus pass-through options depending on the model you choose.
Con: Not removable, so your truck becomes a dedicated camper.
Best for: Those committed to the full-time overlanding/travel lifestyle.
2. What truck do I need for each type of truck camper?
We get this question a lot, so here’s a quick guide:
Slide-in Truck Campers:
Compatible with most pickup trucks, from mid-size to heavy-duty.
Flatbed Truck Campers:
Designed and built for full-size heavy-duty trucks
Chassis-mounted Truck Campers:
Typically heavy-duty cab chassis trucks like F450, F550 or Ram 4500 & 55
Remember, at OEV, we’re all about finding the perfect match between your truck and our campers. It’s like dating; we want to make sure you and your camper are compatible before you commit!
3. Can my truck handle the weight?
This is crucial, folks, and we can’t stress it enough. We want you to have amazing adventures, not roadside nightmares! Here’s our guide to making sure your truck and our camper are a match made in Overlanding heaven:
Payload Capacity: Your Truck’s Carrying Superpower
We always start here when helping customers choose the right OEV model. It’s the maximum weight your truck can safely carry, including passengers, cargo, and yes, one of our awesome campers.
Pro tip: check your driver’s side door jamb for this info.
GVWR and GAWR: The Dynamic Duo of Weight Ratings.
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating): This is your truck’s absolute weight limit, including its own weight plus everything you load into it.
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating): This tells you how much weight each axle can support.
Think of it like this: GVWR is your overall budget for a shopping spree, while GAWR is like having separate budgets for your front and back pockets. At OEV, we design our campers with these limits in mind, but it’s always good to double-check.
Finding Your Truck’s Specific Capabilities:
1. Check your owner’s manual – it’s not just for collecting dust!
2. Look for those stickers we mentioned in the door jamb or under the hood.
3. If all else fails, call your truck’s manufacturer.
Potential Modifications:
Sometimes, we see customers who need a little boost to handle one of our larger models. Some options include:
1. Upgrading your suspension: We can recommend some great aftermarket options.
2. Adding airbags: These can help level your truck and improve stability with our campers.
3. Beefing up your brakes: Because stopping is just as important as going!
One last OEV insider tip – don’t forget to factor in the weight of water, gear, and all those cool camping gadgets you’ll inevitably accumulate. We’ve seen many customers surprised by how quickly it all adds up!
Please refer to a dealer near you for further consultation during this process, and they can help direct you in the right direction.
4. What comes with the camper?
This is a big question with many answers depending on the model of camper you are looking at, but in short, every camper will come with a comfy mattress, a battery management system for proper charging, a freshwater tank, a kitchen, and a dining area. Of course, as we mentioned, the options vary based on the model, so please reach out, and we will get you a detailed list of the model you are interested in.
5. Can you camp in cold weather?
Yes! Our campers are built using composite hard walls with an R8 insulation value and an R4 insulation value on the pop-up material. We have customers camping in winter conditions with both the hard-side and pop-up models; however, the water system is NOT designed for freezing temperatures, and you will need to winterize the system. Please remember that if you were to camp in cold weather and freeze the water system, causing damage, this would not be covered under warranty.
6. What makes your campers different from everything else on the market?
Built to Conquer. Built to Last.
At OEV, we’re not just passionate about truck campers—we’re obsessed with engineering the most rugged and reliable units on the market. From our chassis-mounted Summit to our slide-in Back Country model, every camper embodies our commitment to expedition-grade quality and durability.
Our innovative design combines:
– Composite walls for superior insulation and strength
– Aluminum exoskeleton for unmatched structural integrity
– Powder-coated aluminum furniture for longevity
– Marine-grade starboard cabinet doors to withstand harsh conditions
This unique blend of materials results in a camper shell that’s not only the strongest available but also built for long-term durability. Whether you’re tackling rough trails or embarking on extended journeys, our campers are designed to withstand the elements and the test of time.
Quality Components
We’ve partnered with industry leaders to equip our campers with top-tier components:
– High-performance water heaters
– Efficient furnaces
– Advanced battery management systems
– And much more
There’s nothing in our campers that will rot or deteriorate after challenging off-road adventures. We stand firmly behind our slogan: “Built to Conquer. Built to Last.” It’s not just a catchy phrase—it’s our commitment to providing you with a truck camper that’s ready for any expedition, no matter how demanding.
Experience the difference of a truly expedition-ready truck camper. Please feel free to contact us or one of our dealers for more information and to start the process of ordering your next and last truck camper you will ever need!
Authorized OEV Dealers:
California – Tiny Rig Co.
Colorado – 10X Campers & Gear
Oregon – Technique Vehicle Outfitters
Nevada – Zero Declination
Montana – Dark Horse Outfitters
Texas – BTR Outfitters
New Jersey – OK4WD
Quebec. – Overland Campers Quebec