Articles by Mello Mike

About Mello Mike

Mello Mike is an Arizona native, author, and the founder of Truck Camper Adventure, one of the leading online resources for truck campers and off-grid travel. An RVIA Level 1 Certified RV Technician, Mike has been RV’ing since 2002, restored several Airstream travel trailers, and brings more than two decades of hands-on experience in RV repairs, upgrades, inspections, and consulting. Before launching Truck Camper Adventure full-time, he served 24 years in the U.S. Navy, retiring as a Chief Warrant Officer 3 (CWO3) with a background in communications. Today, Mike and his wife, Karen, explore the country in their custom adventure rig, “Godzilla,” an Elevation Off Grid Black Edition Ford F-550 outfitted with a Bowen Customs bed and Kingstar KRUZR 8 truck camper.

BREAKING: Kingstar Unveils Massive KRUZR 12 Flatbed Camper with 90-Gallon Fresh Water Tank

October 15, 2026

The new KRUZR 12 takes Kingstar’s luxury truck camper lineup to another level with a separate shower and bathroom, enormous off-grid electrical system, expanded storage, and a spacious new interior. We spoke with Kingstar CEO [read more]

Outfitter RV Celebrates 25 Years of Building Affordable, Adventure-Ready Campers

October 14, 2026

In an industry where truck campers are getting bigger, heavier, and increasingly expensive, Colorado-based Outfitter RV continues to follow a refreshingly simple philosophy: build a quality camper, equip it with the essentials, offer plenty of [read more]

Rugged Mountain’s Granite Platinum Camper Packs 1,200 Watts of Solar

October 12, 2026

Rugged Mountain RV has gone all-in on composite construction with the Granite Platinum, a premium hard-side slide-in truck camper that combines a full-composite structure with serious four-season capability, large holding tanks, and an impressive factory [read more]

For Sale: Rare 2014 Livin’ Lite Camplite 8.6 All-Aluminum Camper – $15,000 OBO

October 10, 2026

If you know Livin’ Lite campers, you know why they’re so difficult to find on the used market. This 2014 Livin’ Lite Camplite 8.6 is an exceptionally rare, high-quality, all-aluminum truck camper from an era [read more]

Yokohama GEOLANDAR A/T XD: A Tough All-Terrain Tire for Truck Campers?

October 9, 2026

Truck camper owners looking for a tough, commercial-grade all-terrain tire have another option to consider. Yokohama Tire has introduced the GEOLANDAR A/T XD, an all-terrain tire engineered specifically for full-size pickup trucks and commercial vans. [read more]

How OVRLND Campers Builds a 220-Pound Pop-Up That’s Made to Last

October 5, 2026

In an outdoor industry where bigger often seems to be better, OVRLND Campers is taking a decidedly different approach. The Flagstaff, Arizona-based truck camper manufacturer isn’t chasing rapid expansion, opening dealerships across the country, or [read more]

PRICE DROP: 2026 Arctic Fox 865 Short-Bed Camper, Off-Grid Beast – $42,000

October 3, 2026

Not your average truck camper—built for those who would rather camp beyond the hookups than spend their adventures plugged into an RV park. This nearly new, custom-ordered 2026 Arctic Fox 865 short-bed truck camper has [read more]

SOLD: 2019 Arctic Fox 990 Camper: Four-Season, Onan Generator – $23,750

October 3, 2026

THIS LISTING HAS SOLD. Looking for a proven four-season truck camper with the space, tank capacity, and equipment needed for serious off-grid travel? This 2019 Northwood Arctic Fox 990 is offered for $23,750 and comes [read more]

For Sale: 2004 Palomino Maverick M-1000SL Camper: Slide-Out, Wet Bath, New Roof, $11,500 OBO

October 3, 2026

Looking for an affordable, fully equipped truck camper that’s ready to hit the road? This 2004 Palomino Maverick M-1000SL offers a surprising amount of living space and comfort in a package designed for an 8-foot [read more]

Tickets Now on Sale for the 2027 Truck Camper Adventure Quartzsite Rally

October 1, 2026

Tickets are now officially on sale for the 2027 Truck Camper Adventure Quartzsite Rally, and if last year’s turnout is any indication, this one is going to be huge. Scheduled for February 10-14, 2027, at [read more]

13-Year Review: The 6.7L Cummins Diesel—What We Love and What We Don’t

September 30, 2026

When you’re hauling a 3,000-pound truck camper, an engine doesn’t get much opportunity to hide its shortcomings. Mountain grades expose a lack of power, long descents test the braking system, and thousands of miles carrying [read more]

Acela and Soaring Eagle Team Up on the Verreaux, a Wild Jeep Gladiator Camper with a Wetbath and More

September 28, 2026

The Jeep Gladiator has always been an intriguing platform for truck campers. Its combination of four-wheel-drive capability, solid axles, and relatively compact dimensions makes it a natural for backcountry travel. Unfortunately, there’s always been one [read more]

Beyond the Pavement: The 2027 Adventurer 80RB Camper Finds Its Element

September 24, 2026

There are places where paved roads disappear, cell signals fade away, and the only sounds are the wind through the pines and a crackling campfire beneath a sky filled with stars. Those are the places [read more]

BREAKING: Kimbo Campers Announces Major Restructuring and 2027 Return

September 21, 2026

After more than a decade of building its distinctive riveted-aluminum truck campers in Bellingham, Washington, Kimbo Campers is preparing to leave its longtime home and temporarily pause production as part of a major restructuring of [read more]

How Gary Matos Built the Ultimate Four Wheel Camper Hawk+ Pop-Up

September 21, 2026

Some truck campers spend more time plugged into campground power pedestals than exploring the backroads they were designed to conquer. Gary and Gretchen Matos think that’s a shame. Over the past 15 years, the Oregon [read more]

2007 Northstar Laredo SC Truck Camper for Sale – $8,900

September 19, 2026

Looking for an affordable, well-cared-for Northstar truck camper without spending a fortune? This 2007 Northstar Laredo SC is worth a serious look. Priced at just $8,900, this hard-side slide-in has been stored indoors in a [read more]

New Tiger Panthera 4×4 Camper Packs 1,200Ah of Lithium and 78 Gallons of Water

September 17, 2026

Forty years after Tiger Adventure Vehicles began building rugged 4×4 campers, the Georgia-based manufacturer is celebrating the milestone with something new—the all-new Panthera 200. Designed for Ford F-350 Super Duty trucks and loaded with the [read more]

Better Sleep, Less Condensation: Why Froli Is a Smart Upgrade for Your RV

September 16, 2026

There’s no doubt about it, a good night’s sleep can make or break a truck camping trip. You can have the perfect campsite, a million-dollar view, and enough battery power to run a small neighborhood, [read more]

What Happened When an Elk, a Ditch, and a Kimbo Camper Collided

September 14, 2026

Most truck camper stories are filled with mountain passes, hidden boondocking spots, breathtaking wildlife encounters, and unforgettable adventures. Delani Kaufman’s story has all of that—and then some. But woven into thousands of miles of backcountry [read more]

SOLD: Like New 2022 Scout Kenai Camper – Loaded, Indoor Stored – $28,500

September 12, 2026

THIS LISTING HAS SOLD. Looking for a clean, lightly used Scout Kenai that’s already outfitted for off-grid adventures? This 2022 Scout Kenai has spent almost its entire life stored indoors and is in excellent condition. [read more]

Meet Old School Truck Campers: Retro Campers Starting at Just $13,900

September 7, 2026

There’s something refreshing about a truck camper that doesn’t try to be everything to everybody. At a time when new truck campers routinely arrive loaded with touchscreens, massive lithium battery banks, elaborate entertainment systems, and [read more]

Midland’s Tiny ClipTalk Radio Could Be the Perfect Tool for Hiking and Camping

September 4, 2026

For truck campers, staying connected isn’t always as simple as pulling out your cell phone. Whether you’re spotting a friend backing into a tight campsite, directing a truck through a rocky obstacle, coordinating a recovery, [read more]

Meet Bobzilla: How Robert Hallock Built the Ultimate Host Cascade Camper Rig

September 3, 2026

Some people spend their weekends replacing a faucet or hanging a new shelf inside their truck camper. Robert Hallock spends his weekends redesigning entire RVs. If a cabinet doesn’t provide enough storage, he rebuilds it. [read more]

Phoenix’s L2 “Black Beauty” Might Be the Most Refined Camper Yet

August 27, 2026

If you’ve spent any time around the truck camper world, you know that the best designs rarely happen overnight. They evolve. Every camping trip uncovers a better way to organize gear, make the bed more [read more]

Tennessee Truck Campers Builds a 500-Pound Hardwall Camper for Under $10,000

August 24, 2026

Truck camping has always been about freedom. It’s about turning down that lonely Forest Service road simply because you’re curious where it goes. It’s waking up beside a mountain lake, brewing coffee as the sun [read more]

Rugged Mountain Granite 8 Brings Big Camper Thinking to a Compact Composite

August 20, 2026

For years, Rugged Mountain RV has built a reputation by thinking big. Really big. The Idaho-based manufacturer has become synonymous with luxurious composite flatbed campers featuring expansive interiors, residential finishes, massive battery banks, and enough [read more]

Outpost’s New 8.0 Camper Adds Full Wet-Bath Without Breaking 2,000 Pounds

August 19, 2026

There’s a new Outpost in town—and this one comes with a bathroom. Outpost Campers has officially unveiled the 2027 Outpost 8.0, a bigger, roomier, and considerably more capable sibling to the popular Outpost 6.5. The [read more]

How Elevation Off Grid’s Luxury Super Trucks Are Redefining Truck Camping

August 18, 2026

Walk around any Overland Expo today and one trend becomes immediately obvious: there are a lot more Class 5 luxury super trucks than there used to be. Not long ago, Ford F-550s and Ram 5500s [read more]

How Bowen Customs Became the Hottest Truck Camper Bed Builder in America

August 14, 2026

Walk through Overland Expo Pacific Northwest and you’ll quickly realize you’re surrounded by some of the most impressive adventure vehicles in North America. Towering expedition trucks sit beside compact overlanding Tacomas. Pop-up truck campers share [read more]

Inside the Transformation of Four Wheel Campers: What’s Changing and What’s Next

August 12, 2026

Walk through the doors of Four Wheel Campers today and you’ll find a company that still embraces its rugged, adventure-driven roots while quietly undergoing a significant transformation behind the scenes. At the center of that [read more]

Kimbo’s Innovative Aluminum Campers Reach Major Production Milestone

August 10, 2026

Six hundred campers. For a small, independent manufacturer building handcrafted aluminum truck campers in Bellingham, Washington, that’s an impressive milestone considering the company was founded in 2016. When Kimbo Campers recently rolled out its 600th [read more]

RADICA Reinvents Truck Camping With Hard-Shell Aluminum Topper and East-West Sleeping

August 6, 2026

Every now and then, a product comes along that makes you stop and ask, “Why didn’t someone think of this years ago?” That was exactly the reaction many outdoor enthusiasts had when they first laid [read more]

LiquidSpring’s Tru-Earth Leveling Lets Truck Campers Leave the Leveling Blocks at Home

August 5, 2026

If you’ve spent any amount of time camping with a truck camper, you know the drill. Pull into camp. Get out. Stack leveling blocks. Pull forward. Back up. Restack the blocks. Repeat until your refrigerator [read more]

Omnia Brings Wood-Fired Flavor to the Campsite with New Stovetop Pizza Oven

August 3, 2026

Few campground meals generate more excitement than homemade pizza. The aroma of baking dough, bubbling mozzarella, and sizzling pepperoni has a way of bringing everyone to the picnic table. Unfortunately, making great pizza while camping [read more]

The Supertramp Paragon: A New Benchmark for One-Ton Expedition Campers

August 3, 2026

When Supertramp Campers unveiled the Paragon early this year, it immediately caught the attention of truck camper enthusiasts looking for something different. Built on a Ford F-350 4×4 platform, the chassis-mounted composite camper packs expedition-level [read more]

PRICE DROP: 2023 Northstar TC 650 Off-Grid Camper for Half-Ton Trucks – $17,900

August 1, 2026

520W Solar • 320Ah Lithium • Nomadic Cooling A/C • Only $17,900 If you’re looking for one of the most capable lightweight pop-up truck campers on the market, this 2023 Northstar TC 650 is ready [read more]

Dragonfly Energy Expands Its Reach with Acquisition of Dakota Lithium RV Batteries

July 31, 2026

If you’ve been shopping for lithium batteries over the past few years, you’ve almost certainly come across two familiar names: Battle Born Batteries and Dakota Lithium. Until now, they were competitors. As of this week, [read more]

BundutecUSA’s New Roan Blends Big Comfort Into a Compact Pop-Up Camper

July 30, 2026

Sometimes the best ideas don’t start with a blank sheet of paper—they evolve from listening to customers. That’s exactly how the new Roan from BundutecUSA came to life. Instead of reinventing the wheel, founder and [read more]

Kenyon Grill Review: The Grill That’s Perfect for Lithium-Powered Campers and RVs

July 29, 2026

When most truck campers think about grilling at camp, they picture lugging around a propane bottle, checking fuel levels, and hoping the campground hasn’t posted another dreaded “No Open Flames” notice. During much of the [read more]

Ford 7.3L Godzilla Review: Why This Big-Block V8 is Great for Towing and Hauling Campers

July 27, 2026

I’ll admit it. I used to be one of those diesel snobs. You know the type. We’d gather around the campfire swapping torque figures like fishermen exaggerating the size of their latest catch. We’d nod [read more]

For Sale: 2024 Toyota Tundra SR5 + 2024 Four Wheel Camper Hawk ($70,000)

July 25, 2026

Turn-Key Adventure Rig • One Owner • Fully Equipped • Ready for Baja, Alaska, or Anywhere In Between $70,000 for the Complete Truck & Camper Package Adventure-ready and priced to sell! If you’ve been searching [read more]

For Sale: 2026 Phoenix L2 Custom Deluxe – Fully Loaded, Off-Road Camper ($64,000)

July 25, 2026

If you’re looking for a premium, four-season pop-up truck camper that’s built to handle serious adventures without sacrificing comfort, this 2026 Phoenix L2 Custom Deluxe deserves a close look. Custom ordered and exceptionally equipped, this [read more]

Outfitter Apex 8 Review: 25 Years of Perfecting the Four-Season Pop-Up Camper

July 23, 2026

Walk through any campground, Overland Expo, or backcountry trailhead and you’re almost guaranteed to overhear one of truck camping’s oldest debates: hard-side or pop-up? Hard-side owners will tell you nothing beats solid walls, roomy interiors, [read more]

Why the Four Wheel Camper Hawk+ is the Most Capable Flatbed Yet

July 20, 2026

Walking through the Four Wheel Campers factory showroom in Woodland, California, it’s immediately clear which camper is attracting the most attention. Positioned prominently on the showroom floor is the Hawk+, a side-entry flatbed pop-up camper [read more]

For Sale: 2023 ORU Designs Bruin Pro Camper – Full Size 6-6.75 ft Bed ($12,000)

July 18, 2026

ORU Designs Bruin Pro Camper – Full Size 6-6.75 ft Bed | Baja Designs Squadron Pro Lights + Custom 3rd Brake Camera | Near Napa, CA For sale is my lightly used ORU Designs Bruin [read more]

The Heart of the Camper: Choosing the Perfect Kitchen in a Host Mammoth or Yukon

July 16, 2026

Host Campers has built its reputation on producing some of the largest and most luxurious hard-side truck campers on the market. Designed for F-350/3500 DRW pickups and higher, each model is engineered with comfort, storage, [read more]

This DIY Aluminum Truck Camper Looks Like the Airstream We Wish Existed

July 15, 2026

As truck camper enthusiasts, we’re always on the lookout for exceptional DIY builds. Sometimes we discover them while traveling. Other times they pop up on social media. And every now and then, a true gem [read more]

BREAKING: onX Offroad Introduces onX SOS RV Emergency Rescue Service

July 14, 2026

Anyone who has spent enough time exploring remote trails knows that the unexpected eventually happens. A mechanical breakdown, medical emergency, rollover, or even getting stranded far from cell service can quickly turn a fun weekend [read more]

Quality First: How New Leadership Is Rebuilding Trust at Lance Camper

July 13, 2026

Few names in the truck camper world carry as much weight as Lance. For decades, the California-based company built a reputation for producing some of the most respected truck campers in North America. Mention the [read more]

AT Overland Shrinks Big Adventure with New Mid-Size Aterra Truck Camper

July 9, 2026

When AT Overland unveiled its full-size Aterra slide-in camper in 2025, one question immediately started echoing through the overlanding community: “What about us mid-size truck owners?” At the 2026 Overland Expo Pacific Northwest, AT Overland [read more]