Living Full Time in a Truck Camper

I backpacked halfway across the country this summer, from California to Canada on the Pacific Crest Trail with my dog Chloe Rue. Then I moved across the country in the other direction, (from Oregon to Vermont). After the time I spent galavanting around the United States, there has been a space of time where writing, socializing, working and communicating has been kind of difficult compared to how it was before the trail. It’s a period that some call post trail depression, and others call a reality check. In addition to this extra difficulty moving around regular life, a lot of people talk about their variety of adventures but don’t mention the financial piece behind it. Unfortunately, on our hike I had to put some money on “the plastic” and now I’m working hard to pay off the debt.

That is part of the reason why after coming off the trail, Seth and I moved in together into our little red truck camper. We decided to try full-time truck camper life while we’re recovering from the financial stress of the trail. Before setting out on our adventure I solo – lived in the truck camper with Chloe and later added Freyja into the mix. Having 2 dogs and one human in 150 cubic feet (14 square meters) was already pretty tight. When we added another human to the mix… Well it turned into an adventure ~~tail~~ ~~tale~~ tail that Chloe Rue would absolutely wag about.

Our Set Up

I have a massive truck (an F350) that used to pull around a 28 foot (8.5 meter) RV when I traveled around the country alone. I know, I think I went backward- solo camping in a 28 foot RV space, family growing in a 6 foot camper space- but honestly, it works for me. The truck is supported by drawers (that I made myself because I struggled to find the right height) for extra under floor storage. There is a small space on the sides of the camper (between the camper walls and the truck bed sides) where I have totes for outdoor storage. Inside, I have under-bed storage, and made smart use of the one lonely closet, and teeny food storage that is available through use of the container store recommendations.

We do have running water to a sink and an outdoor shower that comes from a water tank. Our toilet does not fit easily anywhere inside, and stays outside- so we try to find a place that has a bathroom and avoid using our toilet in general. We have propane heat, however, due to condensation issues I installed a teeeeny tiny woodstove with the chimney set up to go through the window, so it can be removed easily in the summer months. We have our bed over the cab, and a small couch. Our refrigerator runs from propane, as does our stove. I bet you’re predicting a problem with this setup as you read it too.

As for electricity, the camper is solar-powered. The battery is a pretty small, nonlithium standard battery and lasts about 3 days without sun before it needs to be plugged in for power. It can plug in anywhere and really absorbs just about any sun that it can find.

My partner Seth, does have his own vehicle. He works at a different location than I do. Plus, having a smaller vehicle makes a quick trip to town, or a date night much easier than bringing the camper along for the drive.

Outside we keep long leashes available for the dogs. I have a couple of backpacking fold-up chairs that we will set out so we can enjoy the view; but honestly, I will often sit and relax on the endgate of the truck too. I have dreams about upgrades, like installing an awning or maybe having a little hot tent/gazebo situation so we can hold a space when we are dispersed camping. I have a lot of upgrades I am dreaming about, but for now, I just sit on the end gate of the truck while reading a book, watching our dogs play, and looking out at the beautiful world we live in.

If you are craving more information about what our set up looks like, I have a video on my youtube channel, linked right here!

The Highlights of Camper Life

Free Camping

There are SO many perks to free camping. Ever since I first found out how amazing it is to explore off the grid (while leaving NO trace and cleaning up some pretty narly garbage-filled spaces) I have had a hard time at standard campgrounds. There can be some weird stuff that happens in the National Forest though. I’ve been blocked in by homeless folks wanting gas money, I’ve woken up at 3am by bright headlights to the same person leaving before 5am; I’ve had people park RIGHT next to me when there is plenty of space elsewhere, and I’ve found some spots that were totally trashed, vandelized and had glass on the ground (which is not good for dog paws).

Then again, I’ve woken up to a beautiful heard of elk waltzing past, not a care in the world. I’ve seen a moose and a baby moose grazing at dawn with the mountains in the background. I’ve had peaceful rivers rushing past my window lulling me to sleep, I’ve been able to let my Chloe dog run and explore, and I’ve hiked some of the quietest, most peaceful scenes I’ve ever imagined.

Also- it’s free! The spots may be hard to find, and hard to get to, but in both Oregon and Vermont (and really across the United States) I have had the opportunity to stay the night for free in the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. I LOVE free camping. I savor it. If you’ve never done it, try it (safely please). It is truly my favorite part of full-time life.

Hike the Dogs (instead of walk the dogs)

One thing I love about dispersed camping is the number of quiet trails you find on the way. It is my favorite activity to park close to trails and spend every morning at sunrise exploring the area. Some spaces (Bristol Wilderness in Vermont) do not even have established trails! You just walk into the woods, navigate safely (I like to follow a river out and back) and enjoy the morning. I love finding a new place to hike the dogs and never tire of the same old, same old route.

Get Outside!

I’ve always found that after a long day at work, it is hard for me to get outside. But when we are living in such a small space, that outside time is truly, genuinely the most peaceful time of my day. Instead of sitting indoors watching Netflix, I play with my dogs, sit by a creek, drop a line into a river and fish, read a book, write on my laptop, and really just engage with whatever is outdoors. I even love outdoor showers, when the stars are bright and the water is warm. It gives me a place to do yoga where I can meditate on the wilderness; a comfortable space to breathe and live. If you’ve ever felt like you are addicted to a screen, just move to a place where you don’t have cell reception most nights. It will bring you a sense of peace that is unimaginable.

Go Anywhere

I love that I have a large truck, because it can drive places that many smaller vehicles cannot make it safely. In Oregon, I would drive up the mountain a way to one of my favorite spots along a river. I was allowed to catch up to 5 trout (I did not catch a single one), and I loved my time savoring the trees and being off-grid. No one else would drive up that road in the winter for safety reasons, but it was fully paved with campsites all along the side of it. One day I had to move a HUGE ball of snow out of my path to pull into the site but it was worth it. It lay next to a stunning waterfall that cascaded down, went under the road, and merged with the river. I would stay there for about 7 days at a time. In most national forests, we are allowed in one place for 14 days within a 30-day period. Even if noone would know we were there, as there was no way a ranger was going to make it through those roads, I like to respect the rules of the forest as much as I can. Other rules though- like closed gates in a National Park- those are clearly subjective, and definitely a tale for another day.

Small Spaces Destroy Consumerism

When I lived at a rental unit in Oregon for a couple of years, I could not believe how much STUFF I had collected. I lost my 28-foot camper home in the 2020 Oregon fires and lost everything that was inside of it. That space of time after that experience meant a time where it was hard to get rid of things. You lose them all, and you’d think I would be like, “yeah, I didn’t need all of that anyway”. For me it was the opposite, where I would cling on to the things I had because I knew what it was like for it to all be gone at the drop of a hat.

After I had downsized my rental unit in Albany, I realized that I really don’t NEED things in my life. I actually now detest having so much stuff, because life feels more simple when I just have what I need. I get to use what I have and move forward being resourceful with it all. In a small space, everything you purchase needs a place where it belongs. Thankfully, in about 150 square feet I have all that I need to get by. This was further reinforced by backpacking the PCT when everything I needed was tied to my back. Use what you have, instead of buying more things. It is not only incredibly refreshing, but a major perk for the camper life.

The Trials of Camper Life

All of those perks are great, but the life does not come without trials. In fact, I think it’s WAY harder to live in a camper than it is to live in a house. There are so many aspects to think about, and so many small things that have to be remembered to stay comfortable.

ALWAYS fill propane in time. I recommend a sensor that tells you when it is time to refill. I also recommend listening to that sensor when it tells you that it is time to refill.
Driving on National Forest roads is not for the weak
There will be more drive time if you don’t work remotely
RV showers are much different from real showers- get a gym membership, it is worth having the real shower
Laundromats and quarters… enough said
You will be refilling your water tanks constantly, and digging holes to dump your gray tank
You have to remember to charge all devices when you are plugged into a power source or have a sunny day
People will STARE at you… just all of the time
You really have to think about where you plan to poop every day
The camper is too tall for Taco Bell
If you try to drive through the Taco Bell drive thru, you will regret it
Four mammals in one tiny space
We have a small fridge that turns off when there is no propane
Our camper occasionally “Throws Up” when I take hard turns meaning EVERYTHING spills
Finding a place to dispose of trash ethically is tricky
Changing your camping spots all of the time can be wearing
It is hard to find places with cell reception- which is a pro and a con

Okay so this list is LONG. It really is, but there are a few things that would not be listed, if we would make some upgrades; specifically our battery and our fridge. Many full-timers use a fridge that runs from their solar power, instead of propane. When you have a SOLID solar battery system, your fridge will run forever. It is a fantastic concept. We would also not worry as much about charging electronics in the camper if we had a better battery. While I have a list of cons, most of these are part of the fun. I LOVE driving on national forest roads. Those roads are the backcountry at its finest with potholes, random piles of snow in the winter, gravel to paved to gravel and back- well it’s fun to four wheel a bit on my opinion.

While gyms, laundromats and sniffspots (or dog parks if it’s your preference) have their cons, they are also an AWESOME opportunity to meet people. I have met some incredible humans simply by doing the chores I would have to do every day anyway.

I admit, when we full-time in the camper, we like to splurge once a month on a nice place to stay. We like to stay at a hotel, or an airbnb where we can do some of our chores, take a real shower, enjoy a quiet laundromat or laundry service. We like to have a place where the dogs can just play in the backyard or hangout inside. The thing about it is this- if we spend 300 dollars on a nice place, once a month and maaaaybe we have to charge up at a campground that is 30$ a night once a week- that is still less than 500$ for housing. I was paying 2,000$ per month in Oregon for rent. When it comes to cost, the free camping life is SO ABSOLUTELY worth it. Now if you’re being all plushy, and not wanting to rough it by staying at a campground, it is not necessarily that much more cost-effective. Though, you also have a lot less problems with access to water, showers, laundry and electricity at campgrounds. I personally prefer the quiet mountains and the rushing rivers to have people 3 feet away from my truck camper. Though I usually can handle it once a week or so.

Is the Full Time Truck Camper Life for You?

I believe that it takes a special person to enjoy living in a truck camper full-time. If you are someone who loves to be outside, you will flourish. If you are good about remembering to get propane, fill up on water, and schedule those days when you need to charge up in advance- that is all VERY helpful when it comes to the camper life. If you are someone who works remotely, you will need to be very attentive to your cell reception where you are camping, as most rural areas do not have access to reception. I would try it out for a season, and see if you like it by renting a van or a truck camper.

The camper life is for me. From snowboarding weekends to hiking adventures; road trips to just going on a day hike somewhere new; exploring a new town that is nearby or maybe seeing a natural event (like the migration of Eagles in Oregon, or Canadian Geese in Vermont); there is so much to experience in this wonderful world. Today, for my situation after coming off the Pacific Crest Trail: the truck camper life is for me.

Chloe Rue wants to know if you’ve ever stayed in a truck camper? Maybe you’ve traveled by RV. What are your favorite things about the adventure, or what would you add to the list of cons you might experience? As we always like to say, many happy trails and happy tails to you all.

Barking Embarkers

Living Full Time in a Truck Camper

Our Set Up