Ralph with his 2001 Lance 845 and 2006 GMC 2500HD

Ralph has kept a simple and informative web site detailing his campground experiences from the perspective of a truck camper. His website is appropriately named Ramblin' Ralph’s RV Roamings . Truck Camper Magazine caught up with Ralph and talked with him about his truck camping hobby.

TCM: How did you get into truck camping?

Ralph: Well, I decided I wanted to do some RVing. I wanted something small, not one of these big things. I bought my 2001 Lance 845 in October of 2005. And I found a 2006 GMC 2500HD two-wheel-drive about sixty miles away at a reasonable price. I put airbags on it and it seems to handle fine. The whole thing has exceeded my expectations.

TCM: What do you like to do with your truck camper?

Ralph: I like to go to music festivals. I also like fish. I mostly go stream fishing for trout. I travel by myself, which has worked out great. I really enjoy the whole experience. I’ve never run into any sort of problem.

TCM: Have you done any modifications to your rig?

Ralph: I have a 125 watt solar panel and a second battery in front of the wheel area. That worked out well. If you open the access door in the camper you’re looking at the battery. I’ve never run out of electricity, but I’m not a heavy user.

TCM: What do you like about the music festivals?

Ralph: I’ve been a musician since I was a kid. I take my instruments when I travel. And I do some songwriting. At the festivals, musicians get around their campsites and jam. I’ll join them. I also keep a little voice recorder in the truck and record ideas for songs.

TCM: What are your plans for this year?

Ralph: The first of May I’ll start traveling again. I’ll spend two months in California and then head up the west coast. In the later part of June I’ll go into Oregon and Washington. Then I’ll head east into Montana and visit my cousin. After that I may go to Yellowstone.

To see Ralph's campground reviews, visit his web site at www.hogtimemusic.com/nomad/whereivebeen.htm .