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HomePayload

Payload

Truck Campers

Phoenix Stealthy Mini Camper Raises Bar in Growing Mid-Size Market

January 12, 2026
When it comes to pairing a lightweight, low-profile camper with a mid-size truck like the Toyota Tacoma, the options are surprisingly limited. Many campers exceed the Tacoma’s modest payload, while others lack the comfort and [read more]
Truck Camper News

Overland Expo West Program to Include Truck Camper Adventure’s Mello Mike

April 25, 2025
Overland Expo West, the premier overlanding event in the U.S., returns to Flagstaff, Arizona, May 16–18, 2025. As the original and largest event in the Overland Expo series, West is widely regarded as the “grandfather [read more]
Boot Camp

How to Raise the Payload Rating of Your Truck

November 25, 2024
When it comes right down to it, the pickup truck is built to really do one thing—haul cargo. It’s the raison d’etre. Yes, some people use them to tow, but hauling cargo is what pickup [read more]
Buyer Guides

The Truth About EV Trucks and Truck Campers

September 30, 2024
If you live for the great outdoors, you want a truck and a camper as rugged and capable as you. While it’s true that an EV truck burns cleaner, is it up to the task? [read more]
Boot Camp

Hard-Side Vs Pop-Up: Which Truck Camper is Better?

July 8, 2024
When it comes to RVs, everyone knows the truck camper reigns supreme for boondocking, off-road travel, and reaching remote campsites. But before you buy one, it’s important to understand the key differences between hard-side and [read more]
From the Editor

Truck Camper Fail: Don’t Travel Like This! EVER!

January 8, 2024
Have you ever seen a truck and camper combination that made you cringe or shake your head in disbelief? I think we all have at one time or another. Check out this recent photo of [read more]
Trucks

Ford F-Series Takes Best-Selling Truck Title for 47th Consecutive Year

December 29, 2023
Today, the Ford Motor Company, announced that it has sold more than 700,000 F-Series trucks in 2023, making it the best-selling truck in the United States for the 47th consecutive year. Moreover, the F-Series truck [read more]
Boot Camp

Truck Camper Center of Gravity: Getting it Right

August 7, 2023
There’s no doubt about. When it comes to matching a truck with a truck camper, the center of gravity is often overlooked. Sure, it’s important that the truck’s GVWR and payload rating are up to [read more]
Trucks

Max Truck Camper Payload Ratings of the Chevy Colorado Pickup

August 4, 2023
With a maximum payload rating of 1,836 pounds, the Chevy Colorado is an outstanding choice when it comes to hauling a small truck camper on a mid-size truck. But before you buy, it’s important to [read more]
Trucks

Elevation Off Grid’s Black Edition F550 is Not Your Grandpa’s Pickup Truck

July 17, 2023
After surveying numerous attendees at the Truck Camper Adventure Rally, two things seem to bite truck camper newbies more often than not: underestimating the weight of the camper and underestimating the payload rating of the [read more]
Trucks

Max Truck Camper Payload Ratings for the 2023 Toyota Tundra

July 7, 2023
Fresh off a 2022 redesign, the 2023 Toyota Tundra is an superb half-ton pickup with a number of endearing qualities, including a lush interior, a smooth ride, and a user-friendly “infotainment” system. Unfortunately, it’s the [read more]
Trucks

Max Truck Camper Payload Ratings of the Chevy Silverado 1500

June 16, 2023
You can’t go wrong going with the 2023 Chevy Silverado 1500. Consumers have a plethora of powertain offerings including a 310-horsepower turbo four-cylinder, two V-8 engines, and a Duramax turbodiesel with 495 pound-feet of torque. [read more]
Trucks

Max Truck Camper Payload Ratings of the Chevy Silverado 2500HD

May 5, 2023
The Chevy Silverado 2500HD is an outstanding choice when it comes to hauling a large truck camper on a 3/4-ton pickup truck. Available in single, double, or four-door crew-cab body styles, heavy-duty Silverados can be [read more]
Boondocking

Wendes’ Amazing Host Camper Has 1,720 Watts of Solar Power

May 1, 2023
Looking for some inspiration on how to build your solar power system for your truck camper rig? Look no further. At a whopping 1,720 watts, Lance Wende, and his wife, Flo, have built what is [read more]
Trucks

Max Truck Camper Payload Ratings of the Chevy Silverado 3500HD

April 28, 2023
The Chevy Silverado 3500HD is an outstanding choice when it comes to hauling a large truck camper on a one-ton pickup truck. Available in single, double, or four-door crew-cab body styles, heavy-duty Silverados can be [read more]
Trucks

Chevrolet to Debut Silverado HD ZR2 Off-Road Pickup Truck in 2024

April 13, 2023
Chevrolet just released details of its 2024 Silverado HD ZR2—the brand’s flagship heavy-duty off-roader—as well as the 2024 Silverado HD ZR2 Bison. Both the HD ZR2 and HD ZR2 Bison bring race-proven technologies and enhanced [read more]
From the Editor

Is the Eagle Cap 1165 Too Big and Heavy for a One-Ton Dually?

March 13, 2023
Is the Eagle Cap 1165 truck camper too big and heavy for a one-ton dually? After surveying several Eagle Cap 1165 owners at last month’s Truck Camper Adventure Quartzsite Rally, the answer might surprise you. [read more]
Trucks

Max Truck Camper Payload Ratings of the Ram 1500 Pickup

March 10, 2023
Car and Driver calls the Ram 1500, “the best driving and most comfortable” half-ton truck, and we agree. Enhancements including a split-folding tailgate, a giant 12-inch infotainment screen, and an impressive 12,750-pound max tow rating. [read more]
From the Editor

Insurance Covers $17k Repair to Pavel’s Broken Ram 3500 Frame

February 6, 2023
You’ve seen the photographs and read the article by now—the Pavel’s 2020 Ram 3500 buckled in two with a 2020 Eagle Cap 1165 mounted on back. The disaster occurred during a recent trip to Baja, [read more]
Trucks

Max Truck Camper Payload Ratings of the Ram 3500 Pickup Truck

February 3, 2023
The Ram 3500 heavy-duty lineup is a superb choice when it comes to hauling a large truck camper on a one-ton pickup truck. In 2023, the Ram 3500 HD offers an upgraded 12.3-inch digital instrument [read more]
From the Editor

Overloaded Ram 3500 Dually Results in Truck Camper Disaster

January 23, 2023
  Michael Pavel, the proud owner of 2020 Ram 3500 dually and 2020 Eagle Cap 1165, was exploring Mexico’s Baja with his wife, when they noticed a loud, “creaking sound” coming from underneath their truck. [read more]
From the Editor

Hellwig’s New Hitched and Haulin Podcast Features Mello Mike of Truck Camper Adventure

December 24, 2022
Hellwig Product’s new Hitched and Haulin podcast, hosted by Mike Hallmark, features Michael Smith (Mello Mike) of Truck Camper Adventure (TCA), an online magazine focusing on overlanding and off-grid exploration in truck campers. In the [read more]
Trucks

Max Payload Ratings of the Jeep Gladiator Mid-Size Truck

December 8, 2022
My, how time flies. It seems just like yesterday when FCA introduced the Jeep Gladiator in 2018. Sure, the off-road pickup lacks the requisite payload to haul a large, slide-in truck camper, but that’s okay. [read more]
Trucks

Max Truck Camper Payload Ratings of the Ford F350 Super-Duty

November 11, 2022
The Ford Super Duty lineup is an outstanding choice when it comes to hauling a large truck camper on a one-ton pickup truck. In 2023, the Ford F350 Super Duty gets entirely new exterior and [read more]
Trucks

Max Truck Camper Payload Ratings of the Ford F250 Super Duty

November 4, 2022
The Ford Super Duty lineup is an outstanding choice when it comes to hauling a large truck camper on a 3/4-ton pickup truck. In 2023, the Ford F250 Super Duty gets entirely new exterior and [read more]
Trucks

Max Truck Camper Payload Ratings for the Toyota Tacoma

October 21, 2022
While the third generation Toyota Tacoma is getting a bit long in the tooth, the import remains a top seller among mid-size trucks. More than 248,000 were sold in 2021, more than double than the [read more]
Trucks

Max Truck Camper Payload Ratings for the Ford F150 Pickup Truck

October 7, 2022
The best selling vehicle in America for over 40 years, the Ford F150 is an outstanding choice when it comes to hauling a light truck camper on a half-ton pickup truck. But before you buy, [read more]
Trucks

Chevrolet to Upgrade 2024 Silverado 2500HD-3500HD Pickup Trucks

September 28, 2022
Chevrolet just announced that its 2024 Silverado 2500 and 3500 HD models will feature a number of powertrain, interior, and towing upgrades. Trucks impacted by the 2024 upgrades include the 2500HD and 3500HD models in [read more]
Truck Camper News

US Top 10 for Catalytic Converter Theft Includes Ford and Chevy Trucks

July 7, 2022
  If you own a Ford F-series truck, you might want to keep a closer eye on it. Carfax recently published a nationwide top 10 list of vehicles targeted for catalytic converter theft and Ford [read more]
Trucks

Ford Fined $19.2M for Overstating Payload, MPG Numbers

May 26, 2022
Best in-class payload? When it comes to buying a Ford truck, think again. In news that hits close to home for many truck camper owners, the Ford Motor Co will pay $19.2 million to resolve [read more]
Buyer Guides

Best Half-Ton F150/1500 Trucks for Max Camper Payload

April 4, 2022
Remember when the payload rating of the half-ton truck was only 1,000 pounds? Well, those days are long gone with the payload ratings of some half-ton trucks exceeding 3,000 pounds. This is good news for [read more]
Buyer Guides

Best 3/4-Ton F250/2500HD Trucks for Max Camper Payload

March 7, 2022
Remember when the payload rating of the 3/4-ton truck was only 1,500 pounds? Well, those days are long gone with the payload rating of some 3/4-ton trucks exceeding 4,000 pounds in 2022. This is good [read more]
Buyer Guides

Best One-Ton F350/3500HD Trucks for Max Camper Payload

February 14, 2022
So you’re looking to buy a one-ton truck to haul a large truck camper. You’ve come to the right place. When it comes to hauling a large truck camper, the one-ton truck is best because [read more]
Boot Camp

Why the Payload Rating is Important for Truck Campers

January 24, 2022
Payload, payload, payload. When it comes to buying a truck to safely haul a truck camper nothing is more important than the payload rating of a truck. Unfortunately, too many shoppers focus on bed size, [read more]
Trucks

Solving the Truck Camper Payload Puzzle

June 18, 2021
In an earlier article I outlined the payload differences between the Chevy Silverado 2500 and 3500 HD, the primary differences being the leaf springs, tires, and rims. As needs change—like when choosing a larger, heavier [read more]
Trucks

Ford F-150 to Include Onboard Payload Scale

April 28, 2021
Ford continues to up the ante with its top-selling F-150 by offering three new technologies this summer, including an onboard payload scale that will help owners stay within the payload rating of their truck. In [read more]
Boot Camp

Taking the CAT Scale Truck Camper Challenge

August 17, 2020
After spending over a week thoroughly testing every system in our brand-new Bundutec Roadrunner truck camper, it was time to finally take the CAT Scale challenge. Getting your rig weighed tells you a lot. The [read more]
From the Editor

A Question About GM’s Truck Camper Loading Sticker

August 12, 2019
We recently received this email from reader Dean Herold of Dousman, Wisconsin about the “Truck Camper Loading Information” sticker that came with his truck… Mike, I own a 1992 Airstream Excella that weighs around 7,000 [read more]
Trucks

2020 Ford Super Duty to Feature Several Upgrades and New 7.3L Gas V8

February 8, 2019
The Ford Motor Company recently announced improvements to its F-Series Super Duty 2020 trucks to include new gas and diesel engines, an all-new 10-speed automatic transmission, chassis upgrades, exterior and interior design updates, and smart [read more]
From the Editor

Mello Mike’s Truck Camper Musings and News – Jan 2019

January 7, 2019
Truck Camper Adventure is proud to present Mello Mike’s Truck Camper Musings and News, a quarterly editorial and news brief about truck camper life and happenings in the truck and truck camper industries. 1. A [read more]
Truck Camper News

K-Z Suspends Production of Livin’ Lite Aluminum Truck Campers

August 7, 2018
KZ RV has suspended production of all Livin’ Lite brands until further notice. Livin’ Lite, headquartered in Shipshewana, Indiana, is the manufacturer of ultra lightweight truck campers, tent campers, travel trailers, and toy haulers. Livin’ Lite’s Camplite [read more]
Trucks

2019 Ford F-150 Limited Gets Raptor’s High-Output EcoBoost V-6

July 27, 2018
The Ford Motor Company just announced that the 2019 F-150 Limited will be a lot more powerful thanks to the addition of Ford Raptor’s high-output 3.5L EcoBoost V-6 engine. The upgraded V-6 will still displace [read more]
Truck Campers

In the Spotlight: Host Mammoth 11.6 Triple-Slide Truck Camper

February 12, 2018
After living in a truck camper full-time, we’ve come to appreciate the finer things in life like elbow room and storage space. In many truck campers being built today, these essentials are lacking. Our current [read more]
Trucks

Ford Adds New 3.0L Diesel to 2018 F-150 Lineup

January 15, 2018
Ford officially announced the release of an all-new 3.0L Power Stroke turbo diesel V6 for the 2018 Ford F-150 pickup truck. The long-awaited diesel, engineered by the same team that built the 6.7L Power Stroke [read more]
Trucks

2018 Ford F-Series Super Duty to Deliver More Torque and Power

December 5, 2017
Ford Motor Company just announced that their 2018 lineup of F-Series Super Duty pickup trucks will be more capable than ever—thanks to a newly upgraded 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel engine. “Super Duty customers expect the [read more]
Truck Camper News

Truck Campers Banned in Mexico?

October 26, 2017
You may have heard by now that truck campers are being turned away at the Mexico border. Is this true? Unfortunately, yes. But the reason appears to be a misunderstanding of Mexican law by Mexican [read more]
Truck Mods

Truck Mod: Adding a Leaf Spring

July 3, 2017
Is your truck camper rig sagging too much in the rear or in need of extra sway support? If the answer is, yes, then you’ll want to check out this article by Michael King who [read more]
Trucks

Grading the 2017 Ram Power Wagon

June 22, 2017
Time sure flies. Its been 12 years since Ram re-reintroduced the Power Wagon, the company’s purpose-built, 3/4-ton off-road pickup, to the public. The truck enjoyed an uninterrupted run in popularity from 1946 to 1981, when [read more]
Truck Camper News

Ram Announces New ‘RV Match’ Two-Tone Truck

March 24, 2017
Ram Truck unveiled a new exterior color shade for its Laramie Longhorn line of pickup trucks at the recently completed Dallas Auto Show. The new color, dubbed “RV Match Walnut Brown,” will serve as the [read more]
Boot Camp

Top 6 Suspension Upgrades Every Truck Camper Owner Should Consider

March 2, 2017
The suspension system is vital to the ride and safety of your truck camper rig. The suspension includes not only your truck’s wheels and tires, but also your truck’s springs, shocks, and steering. All are [read more]

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