Blog Posts

Oct 26, 2021

Customizing your truck bed into a personal camping setup can allow you to install personalized features, travel flexibly, and create convenient access to all your gear and supplies.

By Hearst Autos Research

Customizing your truck bed into a personal camping setup can allow you to install personalized features, travel flexibly, and create convenient access to all your gear and supplies.

What Is a Truck Bed to Camper Conversion?

Truck bed to camper conversions allow you to use the back of a pickup truck for camping. Typically, conversions include a bed platform, room for storage, and window privacy options. How you choose to customize your camper is up to you, and your specific choices can depend on the length of your truck bed, your camping preferences, and your budgetary or time restrictions.

Some of the benefits to converting your truck bed into a camper, include:

Convenience: Keeping all your gear and supplies in the back of your truck allows for easy and quick access.

Security: With a topper and lock, all your gear is secured and stored away for safekeeping. Sleeping in your truck rather than a tent can also provide more protection from elements, wildlife, and passersby.

Comfort: With customizable features and a mattress, you can design your truck build-out with your own comfort in mind. Mattresses are often more comfortable than traditional sleeping pads and your truck bed topper can protect you from adverse weather or intruders.

Flexibility: Having your truck outfitted for camping gives you flexibility while traveling. You'll be ready for many circumstances and have convenient access to a comfortable and safe sleeping option.

How To Convert Your Truck Bed Into a Camper

Disclaimer: The guidelines in this story are general and not meant to replace instructions for your specific vehicle. Please consult your owner's manual or repair guide before attempting repairs.

Converting your truck bed into a camper takes thoughtful planning, equipment, and supplies. You can buy fully assembled camper options for your truck. Typically, however, custom build-outs take several steps:
Get a Camper Shell

To make a camper out of your truck bed, you'll need to get a topper or camper shell for your truck. This is often the most expensive part of your build-out. Try to consider factors that could matter to you like access, locks, and window placement. Make sure the shell is compatible with the make, model, and year of your truck.

Types of shells you can get include:

Fiberglass shell: Fiberglass, while relatively expensive, is a sturdy and lightweight option.

Aluminum shell: Aluminum shells are a popular choice for commercial contractors.

Fabric shell: Fabric toppers can be more affordable and easier to store.

Cab height shell: Some camper shells stay a uniform height and match the dimensions of the truck's cab.

These can be more compatible with low-clearance spaces, but they may make for a tighter fit inside.

Raised roof shell: Raised roof shells can give you more space to move around inside your truck bed. They sometimes, however, exceed the clearance allowances of some drive-thrus, parking garages, and covered roadways.

Take Your Measurements

Once you have your truck bed outfitted with a correctly fitting topper, you're ready to begin your build-out design.

Take measurements of the inside of your truck bed, including the height, width, and depth. Also measure the height of your wheel wells, as your platform will probably rest on top of them. If you have pre-existing gear like totes, stoves, or toolboxes that you want to leave space for, take measurements of these items, too.

Design the Platform

You can use pen and paper, free online programs, or purchasable design applications to draft your layout. How you choose to design your setup is up to you.

It's helpful to consider:

Access: Once you lay your mattress on your platform, it might limit the ease with which you're able to retrieve your items. Consider keeping gear you'll need frequent access to, like camp stoves, water, and clothing, in cubbies near the tailgate so you wont have to move the mattress to access them.

Your height: Lie down in the back of your truck to determine how much space you need to sleep comfortably. If you plan to sleep with a partner, consider their dimensions as well.

Complexity: A single sheet of plywood with supports for around the wheel wells and the middle of the board can be sufficient for some build-outs. Others might want complicated storage options and increased functionality.

Support: Regardless of your design, you'll want to support the underside of your platform, particularly in the middle and on either side of the wheel wells. Consider building your platform in three sections: one box for either side of each wheel well and the main platform with supports near both the cab and the tailgate.

Acquire Materials and Tools List

The next step is to collect all the supplies you need to complete your project. You'll need: