How To Get Your Camper Ready To Travel
It’s that time of year again; time to get your truck camper out of storage, cleaned up, mounted, and back on the road—or off-road if that’s where your adventures will take you. Here are some recommended preventative measures, inspection and packing tips, and other prep work that you can do before a trip that will help keep your focus on the sights and not camper or truck maintenance.
Get Preventative
There’s a long list of preventative measures truck camper owners should perform before the season’s first trip to avoid having to deal with them later in the wild where access to resources can be iffy. These include everything from checking that your truck and camper insurance is current to inspecting the roof for punctures to ensuring the side mirrors are extended and secured. Also check that the camper’s windows, vents, solar panels, batteries, appliances, heating and air conditioning, toilet, shower, tanks, generator, fire extinguisher, slide-outs, locks, wireless camera systems, navigational devices, and all other components are clean, intact, well-secured, and operational.
Hire A Pro
While it’s certainly your prerogative to perform oil and filter changes, check fluid levels, inspect hoses, and more on your own, it pays to have a professional mechanic thoroughly inspect the truck, as well. Checkpoints should include such things as checking if the transmission fluid needs to be flushed and changed, electronics are working, and that wiring isn’t loose or frayed. Also check that the shocks, air springs, brake components, stabilizer bar (if used), filters, lights, turn signals, and other components are in good working condition, and replace them if they aren’t.
Tire Treatment
Your truck’s tires will undergo considerable stress just from bearing the combined weight of your truck, camper, and supplies. They’ll also take a beating when going off-road. That’s why before and during trips, you should check that the truck tires (and trailer tires if you tow one) are inflated to the proper levels and aren’t showing excessive wear. If so, replace them. Additionally, rotate the tires if due, and make sure you have a functioning spare onboard. If traveling off-road, investing in all-terrain tires will provide enhanced traction and potentially enhanced puncture resistance, depending on the model.
Make Necessary Adjustments
Similar to the stress that weight and off-road travel puts on tires, the same is true of other suspension system components. Regardless of the road conditions you’ll travel on, however, have the shocks, struts, joints, and other components checked and replaced if necessary before leaving. Also consider upgrading to a heavy-duty suspension system or adding a stabilizer bar if you haven’t already to provide better handling, reduce swaying, and provide a more comfortable driving experience overall.
Tiedowns, Turnbuckles & Towing
Check that the tiedowns and turnbuckles you’re using to anchor your camper to the truck are in good physical condition and tightly secured with the proper tension, or else risk the camper shifting around in the truck bed and causing damage. Placing a padded mat on the truck bed can help prevent sliding and scratches. If towing a UTV, boat, or motorcycle on a trailer behind the truck, make sure your truck has the payload capacity and gross combined weight rating (GCWR) to safely haul all the weight you’re carrying and towing to avoid damage to the tires, axles, etc.
Prepare For Emergencies
Even if you know how to fix a slew of truck- and camper-related problems on your own, it won’t help without the proper tools available. Besides an emergency roadside kit, consider packing an air compressor, wrench and socket sets, screwdrivers, clamps, and any specialty tools your equipment requires. A winch rated to handle your truck camper’s weight, heavy-duty tow straps, a tire repair kit, traction mats, and jumper cables can also come in handy, as can packing extra fluids, hose repair tape, engine belts, and other parts and materials.
Miscellaneous Items
Besides clothes, food, toiletries, and other personal items, it’s a good idea to pack a portable weather radio, a generator, mobile device chargers and cords, a lantern and flashlights, a fire extinguisher, extra keys, a folding shovel, an axe, a saw, a water hose, extension cords, operator manuals, and a navigational system in case you get into a jam.
Find Your Truck Camper
RVUniverse.com has a big selection of new and used truck campers for sale every day, including models from leading manufacturers such as Lance, Northwood, nuCamp, Palomino, and Travel Lite.