Having owned both a truck camper and a camper van, a common question we get is “which one is better?” Today we’re tackling the truck campers vs. camper vans debate! In this article we break down the different advantages of truck campers and of camper vans. We also share which one we think is better, and why we choose a Scout Kenai!

Why should you trust our opinion? Most people who write about the differences between truck campers vs. camper vans haven’t actually experienced living in both – but we have! In 2020 we bought an empty cargo van and transformed it into our dream house on wheels, complete with an off-grid power system, full indoor shower, and tons of counter space for working and cooking. But our needs changed, and in 2024 we surprised everyone by selling our beloved camper van and getting a Scout Kenai truck camper.

We’ve clocked thousands of miles on the road in both a truck camper and a camper van, which means we can share an in-depth perspective on both types of campers. Below we share our thoughts on truck campers vs. camper vans!

Truck campers vs. camper vans 

Below we share the advantages of camper vans, as well as the advantages of truck campers. Then we discuss which one we think is better. Finally, we wrap up this article by sharing why we specifically choose a Scout for first truck camper.

Camper van advantages

Also known as class B motorhomes, camper vans are self-contained units ready for adventure! They often use a Ford Transit, Ram Promaster, or Mercedes Sprinter cargo van as a base. Based on our experience with our own camper van, below are some advantages of camper vans over truck campers. 

4 advantages of camper vans over truck campers

• More homey feeling. A lot of truck camper models can feel a bit stark and sterile inside. Because many people cover their walls with wood paneling or fabric, I find many camper vans (especially self-covered ones) feel more “homey.”
• They’re easier to park (depending on your truck model). One of the things I miss most about our campervan is how easy it was to park! We had a Ram Promaster 2500 with a 159” wheel base, which was relatively narrow and fit easily into a regular sized parking space. We now have a Ram 3500 with an 8 foot bed. Not only is our truck significantly wider than the Promster, but it’s also longer, meaning we don’t fit into standard parking spots.
• Easier to modify certain elements. Vans generally have more space below them for mounting external elements, like gray water tanks and a shower drain. This is much more complicated to do with a truck camper.
• No need to exit the vehicle to get into your camper. A big benefit of camper vans is that you never have to leave your vehicle. If you pull up to a sketchy rest stop you don’t need to exit your vehicle (truck) to get into your living space! In a camper van you can also easily grab snacks or pee while someone is driving.

Truck camper advantages

Truck Camper magazine defines truck campers as “a demountable recreational vehicle (RV) that is loaded and unloaded from the bed of a full-size or mid-size pickup truck.” They typically come in two versions – pop up campers and hard sided campers. We own a hard-sided camper!

Below we share some advantages of truck campers vs. camper vans.

5 advantages of truck campers over camper vans

• Wider, roomier, and more private. Our truck camper feels significantly wider and more ‘open’ than our van, which is a nice change! Because we’re also sitting MUCH higher off the ground when we’re in the camper it also feels much more private, and less like people are constantly peering into our home. It also feels more secure, since a thief would need to get through our tailgate and a locked door (or climb on our truck to access a window) in order to break in.
• Straight walls make modifications easier. The curved walls of camper vans are a pain to build around. Truck camper mods are simpler!
• Can be cheaper than a comparable camper van, especially with 4 wheel drive. We don’t currently have time to do a full camper build again ourselves. We found that buying a brand new truck and a pre-built truck camper was significantly cheaper than buying a pre-built van with the same features as our old one. Plus, 4 wheel drive is standard on many truck – cargo vans with this feature are pricey and often hard to find!
• You don’t have to listen to your house rattle when driving. I do like the newfound peace and quiet, but not knowing what’s happening in the back of the truck does sometimes make me anxious! 
• You can take the camper off the truck. This one is HUGE for us. Because we can drop the jacks and take the truck camper off the truck, we are able to use our truck bed to haul things, or leave the camper behind when exploring. This also means that if our truck has major issues we aren’t tied to it forever, and can move on and use our camper with a different vehicle. This peace of mind is huge!

What’s better – truck campers vs. camper vans

When it comes to the debate of what’s better, truck campers vs. camper vans, my answer might surprise you – neither! I truly think that what is better depends on your unique needs and use case, and that can change over time. 

Overall, I find truck campers to be more versatile. However, camper vans also have some advantages, as discussed above. Some of these advantages have big implications for life on the road, especially for full time travelers. For example, for solo female travelers camper vans have some advantages in terms of safety, since you don’t have to get out of your car to get to your camper after you park for the night. At the same time, however, I think truck campers are harder to break into than a van (especially if you still have your tailgate on), so that gives me more peace of mind.

We’ve been really happy with our decision to move from a camper van to a truck camper. We’ve loved being able to use our truck for “truck things,” like hauling wood from Home Depot. I also appreciate the peace of mind of having 4 wheel drive, and being able to separate the camper from the truck if we ever have issues with the vehicle. We’re still working on a good shower system for our truck camper model, and do miss our full built in shower from our van. That aside, our truck camper has been a great fit for us, particularly since we hope to grow our family. 

Why we chose a Scout truck camper

There are lots of truck camper models on the market, so why did we choose a Scout Kenai ? See below for 5 reasons we choose a Scout truck camper!

• Modular, easy to modify design. Scouts are simple, making them relatively straightforward to modify. So far we’ve added gray water, a 13 gallon interior fresh water system and fill port, additional storage under the bed, a gasoline powered heater, and a Trelino composting toilet.
• Off-grid 4 season travel capability. We used our campervan in all 4 seasons, and wanted to have the same flexibility with our truck camper. Scouts are designed for 4 season travel and staying off grid.
• No fluff. A lot of campers come with features we don’t want or need, like black water tanks, microwaves, and TVs. Those features don’t appeal to us. Scouts are one of the few options on the truck camper market that cuts the fluff and only gives you the essentials!
• Lightweight, narrow, and nimble for off-roading. A lot of truck campers are HUGE and HEAVY! Even though we got the largest camper model Scout offers, it’s still smaller than many of the other options on the market. The camper is relatively lightweight for its size and, unlike many other options on the market, it doesn’t overhand the sides of our truck, making it easier to navigate narrow and overgrown forest service roads.
• They look awesome. Functionality aside, Scout campers look cool because of their simple and sleek design. While this isn’t the only reason you should buy a Scout it definitely doesn’t hurt, either!

I hope you found this overview of truck campers vs. camper vans helpful! Looking for more information about our truck camper and camper van? Click here for blog resources, or check out our Instagram @gwynandami!