Think you know truck campers? It’s time to find out. Take our official test, and see how your truck camper knowledge stacks up. Get your number 2 pencils out now!
Welcome to the Truck Camper Knowledge Test. This quiz is built from the best advice Truck Camper Magazine has to offer. Think of it as a friendly hazing ritual, except with fewer zip ties and more axle ratings. Whether you’re a grizzled full-timer or a truck camper tenderfoot, it’s time to separate the payload pros from the payload posers.
Below are questions derived from the newbie articles in Truck Camper Magazine. The questions cover the basics and should be easier than closing a Torklift Fastgun. Of course, we threw a few humdingers in to make this interesting.
With a piece of paper and a number 2 pencil (remember those?) or the digital device of your choosing, write down the question numbers and your corresponding answers. On Tuesday, we’ll reveal the answers.
Ready? Good! Let’s begin.
If you’d rather print out this test than take it on a screen, click here.
1. What is the most important number to check when determining the weight-bearing capacity of a specific truck?
A) Towing capacity
B) Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR)
C) Payload capacity
D) Fuel economy
2. Where should a truck camper’s center of gravity fall when mounted to a truck?
A) Behind the rear axle
B) In front of the front axle
C) Over or in front of the rear axle
D) Anywhere if tie-downs are secure
3. What is the best way to verify your specific truck’s payload capacity?
A) Check the towing guide
B) Look up the manufacturer’s curb weight
C) Search Google for the answer
D) Check the yellow “Tire and Loading Information” sticker on the driver’s side door jam
4. Which factor most commonly reduces a truck’s payload capacity below what buyers expect?
A) Fuel tank size
B) Four-wheel drive option
C) Engine, cab, and trim level options
D) Color and wheel package
5. Why do slide-out campers typically weigh more than non-slide models?
A) They require more insulation
B) They are longer and wider
C) Slide mechanisms and structure add weight
D) They include more tanks
6. Which of the following is a major benefit of a pop-up truck camper compared to a hard-side camper?
A) Lower profile and better fuel mileage
B) Higher insulation value
C) More interior space
D) Larger fresh water tanks
7. What is RAWR (Rear Axle Weight Rating)?
A) Maximum weight allowed on the rear axle
B) Curb weight of rear wheels
C) Weight distribution with trailer
D) Payload subtracted from GVWR
8. Why might a crew cab short bed have less payload capacity than a regular cab long bed?
A) Shorter bed
B) Smaller wheels
C) Heavier cab and trim level
D) Lower suspension rating
9. Which of the following pickup truck types generally offers the highest payload capacity?
A) Half-ton gas
B) Three-quarter ton diesel
C) One-ton single rear wheel diesel
D) One-ton dual rear wheel gas
10. Why is it important to account for passengers and gear in payload calculations?
A) They affect fuel economy
B) They increase total towing capacity
C) They contribute to the total weight
D) They increase tire wear
11. Which of the following are key benefits of a long bed truck for truck campers?
A) Easier maneuvering and better turning radius
B) Higher payload capacity and more camper floor plan and model options
C) Better off-road capability and camper fitment
D) Lower insurance rates and overall cost of ownership
12. Why are non-slide campers preferred over slide-out models by some hard side truck camper enthusiasts?
A) Lower weight and fewer mechanical systems
B) Larger holding tanks and battery storage capability
C) Bigger windows and better insulation
D) More interior cabover room
13. When does a truck camper’s weight exceed the manufacturer’s published weight?
A) When camping at high altitude
B) When options, aftermarket accessories, and cargo are added
C) When the camper is off the truck
D) When the mattress, windows, and appliances are removed
14. Which part of a truck is not going to degrade from being overloaded with a truck camper?
A) Engine
B) Rear suspension
C) Front brakes
D) Windshield wipers
15. When matching a truck and camper, what is one reason why it’s recommended to choose the camper first?
A) Campers are more expensive than trucks
B) It’s often easier to find a truck to match a camper than vice versa
C) Camper models are limited
D) Trucks have standardized payload capacities
16. What is the primary reason for weighing your fully loaded truck and camper combination?
A) To determine fuel efficiency
B) To ensure compliance with payload, GVWR, and GAWR limits
C) To estimate resale value
D) To adjust tire pressure
17. What does GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) represent?
A) The weight of the truck alone
B) The maximum allowable weight of the truck and all its contents
C) The weight of the camper alone
D) The towing capacity of the truck
18. How can aftermarket accessories affect your truck’s payload capacity?
A) They have no impact
B) They can increase payload capacity
C) They add weight, reducing available payload
D) They improve fuel efficiency
19. What is the weight of a gallon of water, which must be considered in payload calculations?
A) 5.5 pounds
B) 6 pounds
C) 8.34 pounds
D) 10 pounds
20. What are the potential effects of operating a truck beyond its rated payload capacity?
A) Improved stability
B) No noticeable change
C) Reduced handling performance and longer stopping distances
D) Better fuel efficiency
21. Suspension enhancements are designed to improve handling, but do they increase a truck’s legal payload capacity?
A) Yes
B) No
C) Only with manufacturer approval
D) Depends on the product
22. For trucks that don’t come standard with a sway bar, what is a common benefit of installing a sway bar on a truck carrying a camper?
A) Increased payload capacity
B) Reduced side-to-side body roll
C) Improved fuel economy
D) Enhanced acceleration
23. What is a wet bath in a truck camper?
A) A bathroom with separate shower and toilet areas
B) A bathroom with a combined shower and toilet area
C) An outdoor shower setup
D) A bathroom without a sink
24. How does a dually (dual rear wheel) truck benefit camper hauling?
A) Decreased payload capacity
B) Improved stability and higher payload capacity
C) Reduced traction
D) Increased turning radius
25. What does a typical 30-gallon water tank weigh when full? Answers are rounded to the nearest tenth.
A) Approximately 180 lbs
B) Approximately 75 lbs
C) Approximately 250 lbs
D) Approximately 100 lbs
26. What is the purpose of airbags in a camper setup?
A) Replace leaf springs
B) Help level the truck under load
C) Increase GVWR
D) Support sway bars
27. What’s the legal maximum height for an RV or camper in the US and Canada?
A) 12 feet 6 inches (6.4 meters)
B) 13 feet 6 inches (4.2 meters)
C) 14 feet (4.3 meters)
D) 16 feet 2 inches (4.9 meters)
28. What’s the downside of ignoring rear sag?
A) Cosmetic only
B) Uneven tire wear and unsafe handling
C) Reduced engine power
D) Affects 4WD engagement
29. What does DRW stand for?
A) Direct Rear Weight
B) Dual Rear Wheel
C) Diesel Ready Weight
D) Double Reinforced Wheel
30. When truck camping, what does “boondocking” refer to?
A) Camping on pavement
B) Camping off-grid with no hookups
C) Using generators
D) Towing without braking
31. Which 12-volt system requires the most power in a camper?
A) Water pump
B) Compressor refrigerator
C) Electric jacks
D) Roof fan vent
32. What are the benefits of lithium batteries in campers?
A) Cheaper than lead-acid and AGM
B) Safer in high heat and freezing temps
C) Higher usable amp-hour capacity and lighter weight
D) Built into solar panels and roof racks
33. Which insulation type is most common in truck campers?
A) Spray foam
B) Fiberglass batts
C) Closed-cell foam board
D) Bubble wrap
34. What causes condensation buildup inside campers?
A) Too much insulation
B) Interior humidity and cold surfaces
C) Open windows
D) Airflow from vents
35. What’s the function of an enclosed and heated basement in a 4-season truck camper?
A) Adds extra sleeping space
B) Stores extra propane
C) Protects water tanks and plumbing from freezing
D) Improves tire clearance
36. What is a risk of using a camper’s plumbing system in freezing conditions without freeze protection?
A) Cracked or busted water pump
B) Cracked or busted water lines
C) Cracked or busted toilet valve, outside shower, and dump valves
D) All of the above
37. Which is true of a cassette toilet compared to a black tank system?
A) Requires a permanent dump station
B) Has a larger capacity
C) Able to dump into a standard toilet
D) More expensive
38. What’s the purpose of rubber bed mats under truck campers?
A) Reduce rattling noise
B) Prevents the camper from sliding and reduces abrasion
C) Trap heat in the bed
D) Add weight for traction
39. What is shore power?
A) Charging from solar
B) Drawing power from your truck alternator
C) Plugging into household or campground 120-volt AC power
D) 12V DC from camper battery
40. What is a charge controller used for?
A) Managing propane use
B) Regulating solar panel input to batteries
C) Controlling shore power flow
D) Boosting alternator output
41. What is a battery isolator used for?
A) Separates truck and camper batteries while dry camping
B) Connects propane sensors
C) Grounds the inverter
D) Turns off the solar from charging the batteries
42. What is the ideal method to store a camper long-term off the truck?
A) Hanging from garage rafters
B) On a slope
C) On its jacks only
D) On camper stands or blocks with jacks down
43. What’s the legal maximum width for an RV or camper in the US and Canada?
A) 80 inches (2 meters)
B) 96 inches (2.4 meters)
C) 102 inches (2.6 meters)
D) 106 inches (2.7 meters)
44. What’s the benefit of using a weight scale (like a CAT scale) for your truck camper setup?
A) Tune your shocks
B) Ensure you are within axle and total weight limits
C) Check MPG
D) Adjust tire tread
45. What maintenance step helps avoid camper roof leaks?
A) Clean black tank
B) Apply RV wax
C) Inspect and reseal roof seams annually
D) Leave it alone
46. What system is most likely to drain a battery fastest when dry camping?
A) Lights
B) 12-volt compressor refrigerator
C) Furnace fan
D) Water pump
Bonus: According to Truck Camper Magazine, what’s the best truck camper?
A) The one that costs the most
B) The most popular brand
C) The one that fits your needs and matches your truck
D) The one you find on a top 10 list
A huge thank you to the readers who helped us put this together and gave us feedback. On Tuesday, we’ll reveal the answers.
If you’d like to print out this test, click here.
