About Us

Where Adventure Meets Independence

Truck Camper Adventure began with a simple idea: share the freedom, excitement, and practicality of exploring the backcountry with a truck camper.

Founded in 2012 by Michael Smith—better known throughout the community as Mello Mike—Truck Camper Adventure started as a personal blog documenting life on the road. What began as a passion project quickly grew into something much bigger. By 2015, the site had evolved into a full-fledged online magazine dedicated to truck campers, overlanding, and off-grid adventure.

After retiring from the U.S. Navy as a Chief Warrant Officer (CWO3) and spending more than a decade managing projects in the civilian world, Mike decided it was time for a new mission: building an independent voice for the truck camper community.

Built the Hard Way

Success didn’t come overnight.

In the early days, there was plenty of skepticism. Some competitors and manufacturers weren’t thrilled about a new, independent media outlet entering the space. But Truck Camper Adventure stayed focused on one thing: serving the community.

Through hard work, honest reporting, and a commitment to supporting the industry, the site steadily earned the trust of readers, manufacturers, and advertisers alike. Today, Truck Camper Adventure reaches nearly 3 million readers annually and partners with more than 30 industry-leading advertisers and brands—all while maintaining some of the most affordable advertising rates in the business.

What Makes Us Different?

We’re not here to promote only the companies that advertise with us.

We cover the entire truck camper industry—from major manufacturers to small startups—regardless of who buys advertising. Our mission is to provide readers with useful, trustworthy information that helps them make informed decisions and discover new adventures.

Even more importantly, our reviews are based on real ownership experiences. We believe the best insights come from people who actually use the products they write about, not marketing departments.

If It Rides on a Truck, We Cover It

Hard-side. Pop-up. Slide-in. Chassis-mounted. Truck Topper. It doesn’t matter.

If it’s a truck camper and it rides on a truck, we’re interested.

Our focus is on truck campers built for exploration, self-sufficiency, and life beyond the pavement. We regularly cover overland events, new camper releases, gear reviews, vehicle upgrades, and the equipment that helps adventurers travel farther and stay off-grid longer.

Get Away From the Campground

That’s more than a slogan—it’s our philosophy.

Truck Camper Adventure is dedicated to exploring public lands responsibly and encouraging outdoor recreation that connects people with the places that make North America special.

You won’t find endless campground rankings or cookie-cutter travel lists here. Instead, you’ll discover remote destinations, scenic backroads, hidden campsites, and practical advice for exploring the outdoors in a truck camper.

Whether you’re crossing desert trails, navigating mountain passes, or camping beside an alpine lake, we’re here to help you make the most of the journey.

More Than a Website

Truck Camper Adventure isn’t just an online publication—it’s a community.

Every year we host gatherings and rallies that bring truck camper enthusiasts together to share stories, learn from one another, and create lasting friendships. From our annual rally in Quartzsite, Arizona, to occasional 4WD caravan adventures across the American West, we believe the best memories are made around campfires and on the trail.

Honest Reviews. Real Experiences.

One of the things we’re most proud of is our commitment to independent reviews.

We don’t operate on a “pay-to-play” model. Products are reviewed because they’re relevant and interesting to our audience—not because a company purchased advertising. This approach allows us to remain a trusted resource for truck camper owners and prospective buyers alike.

We also welcome contributions from experienced owners who want to share their firsthand experiences with trucks, campers, gear, and upgrades. The community’s collective knowledge is one of our greatest strengths.

Our Mission

Truck Camper Adventure exists for one reason:

To inspire, inform, and support people who want to explore the outdoors with a truck camper.

We remain politically neutral and focused on what unites us—adventure, public lands, responsible recreation, and the freedom that comes from taking the road less traveled.

If your idea of a perfect weekend involves dirt roads, remote campsites, and waking up somewhere unforgettable, you’re in the right place.

Welcome to Truck Camper Adventure.