15 Reasons Truck Campers Are Better Than RVs

If you’ve been considering purchasing a truck camper, or even building a DIY truck bed camper yourself for traveling and camping, you’re in the right place!

At this point we’ve been camping and traveling out of a truck camper for years, and we’ve now been doing it longer than the years we spent traveling in an RV and 5th Wheel Camper.

After reflecting on our adventures and the benefits of the various truck camper builds and setups we’ve used, we came up with 15 reasons why the decision to use a truck camper instead of an RV was the right choice, and it’s likely the right choice for you too!

1. Go More Places and Have More Adventures in Truck CamperS!

The biggest advantage to camping, road tripping, and traveling with a truck bed camper is that you can go places - incredible breath-taking places - that most RVs simply cannot go.

demonstrating driving a truck camper off road, something you cannot do in an RV

Off Road Locals & Trails - When we started truck camping and traveling (or Overlanding) a whole new world of off-the-beaten-path locations opened up to us!
Most of these incredible places require a high-clearance vehicle or 4WD to get to, while others are simply down forest service roads or trails too narrow for an RV to even get into (let alone be able to get turned around).

Park Road Restrictions - A number of National Parks have road-use restrictions on larger vehicles that complicate (or completely inhibit) your ability to enjoy these beautiful locations, like the tunnel restrictions at Zion National Park or Going to the Sun road in Glacier National Park’s 21ft vehicle length limitation.
But if you’re traveling in a truck bed camper, no problemo!

Cities - Driving in and around cities in an RV can be an absolute nightmare!
We’ve taken our old Sunrader (a relatively small class B RV) through New York City, Philadelphia, Boston, Washington D.C., San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle. And the challenges of navigating traffic, low bridges (ahem, Connecticut we’re looking at you), and finding suitable parking for an RV were anxiety inducing.
But in a truck camper you can enjoy these incredible cities with far less hassle.

Beaches - if you’re hoping to drive onto a beach with an RV, it’s far more likely that you’re going to need some vehicle recovery gear.
And while there are a few places where RV beach camping is permitted, most will have restrictions preventing it. Instead you’ll be forced to post up at an RV park, sometimes miles from the beach.
However, in a simple truck camper, you’re far less likely to experience these complications and far more likely to find free camping right on the beach (more on this below)!

2. More Access to Free Camping!

The second biggest reason why you should consider a truck bed camper over an RV is the amount of free camping options that owning a truck camper will give you access to.

Increased Access to Public Lands
- Millions of acres of public lands are only accessible from roads that would prove difficult, or likely impossible, for a standard RV or 5th wheel to traverse.
  In a truck bed camper, especially one with 4 wheel drive, you can access these less inhabited and usually FREE campsites!

Easier Stealth Camping
- We’ve saved literally thousands of dollars over our years of traveling by stealth camping. And while it’s possible in a standard RV, it’s a LOT more evident what you’re up to if you’re stealth camping in a big RV or bumper-pull camper.
  But, depending on the truck bed camper you choose, you’ll be able to blend in much more easily.

If you want to know all the ways we’ve saved tons of money by free camping, be sure to check out our Ultimate Guide to Free Camping!

3. Truck Campers Get Better Fuel Economy

This is largely dependent on the truck bed camper you select for your adventures, but generally you’re going to see better fuel economy with a truck camper than dragging a big RV around.

We personally saw an average increase of five miles-per-gallon by switching to a truck bed camper, which for our rig is an incredible 38% increase in fuel economy!

4. Less STUFF, and Easier Access to Gear

One of the biggest things we noticed after traveling in an RV and 5th Wheel was all of the STUFF we ended up hauling around the country, simply because we had the space for it!

I’m sure, like us, you want to travel for the adventure and camp for the experience of being out in nature - not being out in nature with all your stuff. A truck bed camper will force you to bring less, and do more!

Plus having less stuff means you can organize your truck bed camper more efficiently than an RV, making it faster and easier to access the gear you need for your adventures.

And since the camper is always on your truck, your food and gear is always with you when you need it. No, “Oh shoot we left [insert much needed gear item here] back in the camper!” or “I wish we would have packed [insert yummy food or snack] for this adventure.”

5. Truck Campers Fit in Standard Parking Spaces

This may not sound like much, but the ability of a truck bed camper to fit in a standard parking space is definitely an advantage!

Until you’ve tried to find a space big enough to to park an RV or 5th wheel in Yonkers, NY (been there 🤪), or had to blast right by some of the most beautiful pull-offs along Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park because your rig is too long (done that 😭), you won’t know the true agony of traveling with an RV.

6. Stops Are Easier with a Truck Bed Camper

Another reason to travel via truck bed camper is that even simple stops like filling up with fuel or going through a fast food drive-through are infinitely easier.

Most RVs, bumper-pull campers, and 5th Wheels exceed the common 9ft height limitation of standard fast food drive-throughs, forcing you to find a (oversized) parking space and go into the restaurant every time you want a quick burger or coffee on the road.

And while most gas stations are designed for larger vehicles, some - especially in cities - are nearly impossible to get into with a big RV or 5th Wheel. But with a truck bed camper it’s a non-issue.

7. Truck Campers Are More Flexible (More Spontaneous Routes & Adventures)

It’s easy to be spontaneous on an adventure with a truck bed camper. If you see a random forest service road or trail that you want to explore you can easily change your plans and check it out on a whim.

In an RV, bumper-pull camper, or 5th-Wheel, random stops and routes feel more like a chore than an adventure. You have to know if there will be room to turn around with your rig if the route ends up being too difficult - OR you have to find a secure location to park your bumper-pull camper or 5th wheel before you can go exploring in your tow vehicle.

Again truck camper FTW!

8. Truck Bed Camper Insurance Advantages

Depending on your state regulations and your insurance provider, typically a truck bed camper can be added to your existing homeowner’s insurance policy at home and/or your truck’s auto insurance policy while on the road for a nominal amount.

RVs, bumper-pull campers, and 5th Wheel campers require their own separate policies, which are much more costly. Plus they often require separate license plates, taxes, and registration fees.

9. Truck Campers Aren’t a Huge Thing to Store When Not in Use

Depending on the truck bed camper you choose to buy or build, it will likely just live on your truck full-time. Or if you do choose to remove it when not in use, a truck bed camper requires far less storage space than an RV or camper trailer.

When we had both our 5th Wheel RV and our Class B Sunrader, they were a big extra thing in the driveway taking up space and were a bit of an eyesore. Plus, if you don’t have your own space to store your RV then you’ll be forced to pay someone else to store it for you - no bueno!

10. You Can Still Tow Stuff, and Use Your Truck Like a Truck

Using GFC truck camper to haul lumber, showing truck bed campers are more versatile than RVs

Want to take a fishing boat on your adventure? Or a couple ATVs? Want to use a trailer to help your friend move, or grab a load of mulch? As long as your truck’s payload capacity and tow rating allow it, you can do it all with a truck bed camper!

And depending on the truck camper you choose, you can still use your truck like a truck. We routinely make quick trips to haul lumber, top soil, and mulch home from the store with our truck using the Go Fast Camper. (In our opinion, it’s one of the best truck campers for maintaining the usability of your truck).

While you can technically pull vehicles and boat trailers behind an RV on road trips, who would want to? You’d be making an already long, awkward, and cumbersome vehicle even more so!

11. more Security While Traveling In a Truck Camper

In a truck bed camper your gear is always with you, adding to the security of your setup. When you go exploring, and when you sleep, you’re with both your rig and your gear.

Unlike in a 5th wheel RV or bumper pull camper trailer, because you’re separated from either your tow vehicle when sleeping, or your camper and gear when you’re out exploring in your tow vehicle.

And while there are many ways to improve camping security, a truck camper makes it much easier.

12. Truck Bed Campers Are Overall Less Expensive

Not only is the purchase cost of a truck bed camper lower than that of other RVs - heck, you can build a DIY truck camper for a few hundred bucks over a weekend like we did (twice actually) - but the cost of ownership is lower too!

Save Money on Camping - like we discussed earlier, truck campers allow you access to more free camping locations, saving you tons over costly RV parks, and you can often use the parking areas of tent camping sites for cheaper than full hook-up spots to save money at developed camp sites.
Lower Insurance Costs - we touched on this above too!
Better Fuel Economy - higher MPGs, means you can stretch your travel budget further!
Less Stuff - with the finite amount of space in a truck bed camper, you don’t accumulate a bunch of useless gear because...well you don’t have room for it - thus saving you money.
Less Maintenance - truck bed campers have less moving parts to maintain than an RV - no additional axles, brakes, or tires needing replaced or serviced and fewer locations to develop leaks.

13. Truck Campers are Faster, Safer, and Easier to Drive

Because truck bed campers are lighter and take up the same footprint as a standard vehicle, they’re much faster, safer, and easier to travel in.

You can travel at highway speeds, and navigate heavy traffic, construction zones, and parking lots much easier, and braking is faster and more efficient in a truck camper - all adding up to a safer driving experience versus an RV.

14. Truck Bed Campers Force Adventure!

Without all the amenities of home or the excess interior space of an RV, truck bed campers force you to get outside more, go for hikes, and find other adventures - which is the whole point of traveling and camping in the first place!

15. Truck Campers Have Everything You Need, and Nothing You Don’t

Despite not having the space of an RV, a truck bed camper, when outfitted with the right gear and customized to your liking, can be nearly as comfortable and share much of the same amenities.

Climate Control - If you’re truck camping in the summer there are ways to stay cool, and if you’re interested in winter camping in a truck bed camper there are easy ways to stay warm too!
Bathing and Hygiene - Staying clean in a truck camper doesn’t have to be a chore! There are plenty of ways to bathe while camping, and we’ve got a simple DIY camping shower that works great in our truck camper.
Sleeping - A truck bed mattress can be as comfy as at home.
Cooking and Food Storage - With a good 12v Camping Fridge and a well stocked Camp Kitchen Box in your truck bed camper you’ll be covered.
Using the Bathroom - There are a variety of portable camping toilets to make using the bathroom while camping in a truck bed camper a more comfortable experience too.
Powering and Charging Devices - There are several ways to have a portable power supply or dual battery setup in your truck bed camper that can meet your power needs and charge your devices while camping or traveling.

There you have it - the 15 reasons why truck bed campers are better than RVs for camping and travel!

Though we’re under no delusion that truck bed campers aren’t without their challenges (see our post on the 5 Challenges of Truck Bed Camping), they're the best mode of travel if you’re seeking adventure in the great outdoors.

So if you’re interested in purchasing or building your own DIY truck bed camper, we’ve got two resources to help you start your own truck camping adventures: check out our post on

Everything You Need To Know About Truck Bed Camping - this guide will cover everything you need to start truck camping today!
The 25 Best Lightweight Small Truck Campers - this detailed guide will help you select a truck camper that’s right for your specific truck, needs, and adventures.