Choosing your adventure vehicle is a huge decision. Both van and truck camper conversions are popular among adventurers, but they serve different purposes depending on your lifestyle and travel preferences.
Let's break down the differences to help you decide which suits your lifestyle and adventure preferences best.
A truck camper offers unmatched flexibility. Since it mounts on a pickup truck, you can detach the camper and use the truck separately, whether you need a work truck or a daily driver. The truck bed allows for easy hauling of gear or other essentials.
For those who enjoy off-road travel, a 4WD truck is necessary, especially since truck campers are often smaller and have a lower center of gravity compared to most high-roof van conversions. Compared to a pickup truck, sprinter vans aren't as comfortable off-road, and they tend to feel more wobbly during the drive.
With a conversion van, everything is integrated into one vehicle. Many vans (the Mercedes Sprinter and Ford Transit are the most popular) are easier to drive around urban settings. Vans tend to be more maneuverable in cities, but their off-road capability is limited compared to a truck camper. Camper vans prioritize urban travel from the factory, even with thousands of dollars worth of suspension upgrades they can still just be close to the capability of a stock pickup truck.
Truck campers generally offer less interior space than a camper van but compensate with versatility. However, some truck campers offer more headroom than a standard van conversion. For example, the Supertramp Campers Flagship LT gives you a 6’9” ceiling height. You can find truck campers built for any truck manufacturer, though the most popular are Ford, Ram, GM and Toyota.
Depending on your truck's make and model, you can tow additional gear or even explore some creative DIY storage add-on options. Another great option for additional storage is a full bed replacement with something like a Bowen Customs Camper Bed. This replaces your normal truck bed with a modified flatbed with additional storage boxes on the sides.
Many truck campers utilize a queen-sized bed along with windows to maximize space, often with features like a rear dinette for dining. You also have the flexibility to utilize the cab-over space for sleeping or storage.
The high-roof van conversions are perfect for those who prefer a roomy feel, and they often come with built-in amenities like a kitchen, bathroom, and more. While truck campers are great for rugged trips, a camper van comes ready for those who want a more comfortable living space. You’ll also notice that many van builds are designed to retain the factory seating and provide ample storage.
Supertramp Truck Campers come equipped with many of the same amenities you'd find in more luxurious van setups, including a sink, stove, hot water, and kitchen. So, if you're after the comforts of home, truck campers can provide that as well.
If you're considering off-road adventures, a truck camper is hands down the better option over a camper van. Trucks are inherently built to handle rougher terrains and offer better ground clearance than a typical van. Trucks designed for off-road exploration can access areas a van simply cannot. Truck campers also come with features that make them more durable for rugged travel, while vans are typically better suited for highway driving.
While some van conversion models, like the Mercedes Sprinter, are equipped for mild off-road conditions, they lack the same rugged build as a truck camper. Things like suspension designs, frame designs, and maximum tire size are a few reasons that vans cannot handle the same terrain as a truck camper. Center of gravity also comes into play here; a van will be less stable on larger obstacles and off-camber terrain.
If your adventures are more pavement-bound, a van will get you where you need to go, but if you're looking to go deeper into nature and farther off the beaten path, a truck camper will give you a better off-road experience.
A truck camper offers more storage thanks to the truck bed and higher payload capacity, making it ideal for hauling gear like bikes and kayaks. Most trucks, depending on their make and model, can handle heavier loads than vans. Detaching the camper from the truck chassis adds flexibility for daily driving or extra hauling.
A camper van has less storage and lower payload capacity. While van build-outs maximize available space with under-bed compartments or roof racks, they can't match the hauling ability of a truck camper. If you’re traveling light, a van may be sufficient, but for more gear, a truck camper is the way to go.
If you already own a truck, a truck camper is the obvious and more affordable choice. You don’t need to buy a whole new vehicle, and maintenance is simpler as you only have to care for the truck when the camper is detached. Plus, you can sell the truck separately from the camper if needed.
A camper van has higher upfront costs and may require more expensive maintenance since the van itself includes both living quarters and the drivetrain. Additionally, maintaining a van means any issues with the vehicle affect your entire home on wheels. In contrast, a truck camper can be removed and installed on a different platform if the vehicle repairs are too costly, or if you would just like to upgrade the vehicle in the future
A truck camper can be installed on a variety of truck make and model options, giving you greater flexibility in customization. You can add features like external solar arrays or hitch mounted accessories. Truck campers are also designed to utilize the available space efficiently, so while they might be smaller, they are highly customizable.The Flagship LT has an optional upgrades list to help suit different use cases and aesthetic design preferences.
For those interested in a DIY approach, converting a van gives you the option to design your own interior from scratch. This means you can customize pretty much any feature, but with that freedom comes the task of fully researching and understanding things like installation guidelines and how weight will impact your ride. In the last four years there are seemingly endless numbers of custom van builders who can do upfitting or even provide a completed camper van. There are countless options to choose from for interior finishes and layouts but they all do fit into the same van sized footprint.
The choice between a truck camper and a camper van comes down to how you plan to travel. If you’re looking for flexibility, off-road capability, and more storage, the truck camper is a great option. It allows you to detach the camper when needed and use the truck for daily driving or hauling.
On the other hand, if you prefer an all-in-one vehicle for urban or campground travel that rarely finds a dirt road, the camper van offers more comfort and ease of use.
No matter what, both options allow for incredible travel experiences—it's just about finding the right fit for your lifestyle. Supertramp’s truck campers are designed to provide the versatility and adventure-readiness that many travelers seek. Whether you need off-road capabilities or a comfortable living space, we can help you make the right choice for your next journey.
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