Welcome to the 2010 Truck Camper Magazine Buyers Guide, the most current and accurate source of truck camper information available. Check it out!
The truck camper manufacturers have been separated into hard side manufacturers and pop-up manufacturers. Click on a manufacturer's logo banner below to go to that manufacturer's Buyers Guide page. For more information on choosing a truck camper, check out our Newbie Corner.
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Introducing the 2010 TCM Buyers Guide
After two months of development, we are very excited to debut the 2010 Truck Camper Magazine Buyers Guide. The Buyers Guide has been developed to make your camper research and selection process faster and easier.
The data in the Buyers Guide was gathered from the manufacturer's websites and current brochures and then verified by the manufacturers for accuracy. Any missing information was completed with the help of the industry making the Buyers Guide the most complete, current, and accurate source of truck camper information available.
Manufacturer Dry Weights
The camper dry weights posted in the Buyers Guide have been provided by the manufacturers. Having been to every manufacturer’s facility, it is our experience that the manufacturers are accurate with their reported dry weights. What you need to be careful about is that (a) each manufacturer has different standards and options that are included or excluded from their dry weight measurements and (b) very few truck campers leave the manufacturer without additional options. That said, you should be able to order a “base dry weight” camper from the manufacturer that matches the camper dry weights stated in the Buyers Guide.
As for options, again be careful. Many of the manufacturers have lamented to us about the weight of options and how they are the true culprits of the expanding weight of truck campers. Be sure to add in the weight of each additional option into your calculations. As with everything, the little numbers can add up quickly.
Standardized Wet Weights
A major goal for the Buyers Guide was to give our readers standardized wet weights for every camper. To accomplish this, we developed a camper wet weight equation that includes the manufacturer's stated camper dry weight, full fresh water weight, full hot water weight, full propane tank weight, battery weight, and 500 pounds for your stuff. Here is an example wet weight equation:
Northern Lite 10-2 CD SE: dry weight, 2,980 pounds + 36 gallons fresh, 300.2 pounds + 6 gallon full hot water heater, 50 pounds + 2x 20-pound full propane tanks, 40 pounds + 2x batteries, 130 pounds + stuff, 500 pounds = 4,000.2 pounds
To standardize the wet weight equations for every manufacturer and camper, we used the following standard weights for water, full propane tanks, and batteries:
The weight of one gallon of water: 8.34 pounds
The weight of a 30 pound / 7.5 gallon propane tank: 55 pounds full - 28 pounds empty = 27 pounds of propane
The weight of a 20 pound / 5 gallon propane tank: 38 pounds full - 18 pounds empty = 20 pounds of propane
The weight of a battery: 65 pounds (based on the weight of a Lifeline GPL-27T battery)
Perhaps the most controversial part of this will be the 500 pounds of “stuff”. The 500 pounds is for the owner's stuff: themselves, gear, food, and clothing. That may seem high or low, but it gives you a clear starting point for your own “stuff” weight calculations.
Your Feedback
We are publishing the 2010 Buyers Guide fully realizing that there are improvements to be made. That’s where you come in. Please email us you feedback on our 2010 Buyers Guide to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Thank you.