The pop-up truck camper community has some vital information for the truck camper manufacturers. Here are detailed answers revealing exactly what they want in a modern pop-up camper.
In a few days an industry leader will come to an office doorway and say to a colleague, “I’ve been thinking about the TCM survey.” Moments later, the course of truck camper design history will change.
Water coolers, SolidWorks stations, and boardroom tables are already reverberating with debate over the survey results. While some of the responses agree with what a particular manufacturer is doing, other data points are in conflict. Even more interesting, some of the responses will open product directions they might not have considered, or thought were not of commercial interest. Let the truck camper history making begin.
Here are the results of the pop-up survey. The survey comments will be posted later this week.
POP-UP RESULTS: 2016 Ultimate Camper Survey
The pop-up survey results are listed in the order the survey questions were asked. There are a total of 52 pop-up questions spread out over three parts.
To see Part 2 of the pop-up survey results, click here.
To see Part 3 of the hard side survey results, click here.
1. What weight (fully wet and loaded) would you prefer for your next truck camper purchase?
| POP-UP CAMPER |
| Under 1,000 pounds – 9.06% |
| 1,000 to 1,500 pounds – 29.53% |
| 1,500 to 2,000 pounds – 30.71% |
| 2,000 to 2,500 pounds – 16.54% |
| 2,500 to 3,000 pounds – 7.87% |
| 3,000 to 3,500 pounds – 1.57% |
| More than 3,500 pounds – 1.97% |
| No preference – 2.76% |
2. What floor length would you prefer for your next truck camper purchase?
| POP-UP CAMPER |
| Short bed: Under 5 feet – 1.18% |
| Short bed: 5 to 6 feet – 8.27% |
| Short bed: 6 to 7 feet – 24.80% |
| Short bed: 7 to 8 feet – 17.32% |
| Short bed: 8 feet or longer – 9.06% |
| Long bed: 8 to 9 feet – 24.41% |
| Long bed: 9 to 10 feet – 10.24% |
| Long bed: 10 or longer – 3.94% |
| No preference – 0.79% |
3. Would you prefer a rear entry door or side entry door for your next truck camper purchase?
| POP-UP CAMPER |
| Rear entry door – 83.73% |
| Side entry door – 16.27% |
| No preference – 0% |
4. Would you prefer a basement model or non-basement model for your next truck camper purchase?
| POP-UP CAMPER |
| Basement model – 23.62% |
| Non-basement model – 44.49% |
| No preference – 31.89% |
5. Would you prefer a soft-wall pop-up or a hard-wall pop-up for your next pop-up truck camper purchase?
| POP-UP CAMPER |
| Soft-wall pop-up – 44.71% |
| Hard-wall pop-up – 38.43% |
| No preference – 16.86% |
6. What type of pop-up mechanism would you prefer for your next pop-up truck camper purchase?
| POP-UP CAMPER |
| Mechanical pop-up mechanism – 12.55% |
| Mechanical pop-up mech. w/gas strut assist – 25.49% |
| Electric pop-up mechanism – 32.16% |
| Hydraulic pop-up mechanism – 12.94% |
| No preference – 16.86% |
7. Would you prefer a push-out tent room for your next truck camper purchase?
| POP-UP CAMPER |
| Yes – 19.29% |
| No – 66.93% |
| No preference – 13.78% |
8. What frame material would you prefer for the next truck camper that you purchase?
| POP-UP CAMPER |
| Wood frame – 4.74% |
| Aluminum frame – 45.85% |
| Composite frame – 14.23% |
| Wood-stuffed aluminum frame – 5.93% |
| Molded fiberglass shell – 14.23% |
| No preference – 15.02% |
9. What siding material would you prefer for next truck camper you purchase?
| POP-UP CAMPER |
| Aluminum siding – 24.31% |
| Fiberglass filon siding – 22.35% |
| Molded fiberglass shell – 29.02% |
| No preference – 24.31% |
10. What size fresh water tank would you prefer for the next truck camper you purchase?
| POP-UP CAMPER |
| Under 10 gallons – 7.87% |
| 10 to 20 gallons – 30.31% |
| 20 to 30 gallons – 33.86% |
| 30 to 40 gallons – 16.54% |
| 40 gallons or more – 6.69% |
| None. I do not want a fresh water holding tank. – 2.36% |
| No preference – 2.36% |
11. What size grey water tank would you prefer for the next truck camper you purchase?
| POP-UP CAMPER |
| Under 10 gallons – 24.80% |
| 10 to 20 gallons – 33.86% |
| 20 to 30 gallons – 16.93% |
| 30 or more – 1.97% |
| None. I do not want a grey water holding tank. – 19.29% |
| No preference – 3.15% |
12. What size black water tank would you prefer for the next truck camper you purchase?
| POP-UP CAMPER |
| Under 10 gallons – 20.24% |
| 10 to 20 gallons – 22.62% |
| 20 to 30 gallons – 8.73% |
| 30 gallons or more – 1.19% |
| None. I do not want a black water holding tank. – 42.86% |
| No preference – 4.37% |
13. What propane tank capacity would you prefer for the next truck camper you purchase?
| POP-UP CAMPER |
| One 10 pound tank – 11.51% |
| Two 10 pound tanks – 18.25% |
| One 20 pound tank – 30.56% |
| Two 20 pound tanks – 25.4% |
| One thirty pound tank – 3.97% |
| Two thirty pound tanks – 2.78% |
| None. I don’t want propane tanks. – 4.37% |
| No preference – 3.17% |
14. What battery holding capacity would you prefer for the next truck camper you purchase?
| POP-UP CAMPER |
| One battery – 20.16% |
| Two batteries – 63.64% |
| More than two batteries – 11.46% |
| None. I do not want a battery. – 1.19% |
| No preference – 3.56% |
15. What type of camper jack system would you prefer for the next truck camper you purchase?
| POP-UP CAMPER |
| Tri-pod camper jacks – 5.51% |
| Mechanical camper jacks – 19.29% |
| Hydraulic camper jacks – 7.87% |
| Wired electric camper jacks – 17.72% |
| Wireless remote electric jacks – 38.58% |
| No preference – 11.02% |
16. What type of entry step system would you prefer for the next truck camper you purchase?
| POP-UP CAMPER |
| Scissor steps – 32.54% |
| Bumper steps – 38.89% |
| No preference – 28.57% |
17. Would you prefer an extended rear storage bumper, or a standard rear bumper for the next truck camper you purchase?
| POP-UP CAMPER |
| Extended Rear Storage Bumper – 39.76% |
| Standard Bumper – 41.73% |
| No preference – 18.5% |
18. Would you prefer a permanently attached shore power cord or a detachable shore power cord for the next truck camper you purchase?
| POP-UP CAMPER |
| Permanently attached cord – 18.65% |
| Detachable cord – 64.68% |
| No preference – 16.67% |
19. What exterior amenities would you prefer for the next truck camper you purchase? Please check all of the amenities that you would prefer.
| POP-UP CAMPER |
| Exterior LED lighting – 86.17% |
| Ladder for roof access – 50.2% |
| Roof rack – 47.43% |
| Outside shower – 71.15% |
| Sewer hose compartment – 45.06% |
| Entry assist handle – 69.96% |
| Cable television connection – 27.67% |
| Exterior propane connection – 43.87% |
| Black tank flush – 32.41% |
| Side awning – 67.59% |
| Rear awning – 56.52% |
To see Part 2 of the pop-up survey results, click here.
To see Part 3 of the hard side survey results, click here.
