r/TruckCampers

I don’t see many small trucks with campers on here so I’m sharing my ‘93 Toyota Pickup, 4x4, manual, 22RE with 2011 FWC Fleet model with fridge, sink, shower, stove, furnace, exhaust fan, and hot water. The truck is stock except for some beefed up struts and rear springs.

It’s been on the truck since 2011 and I recently drove it from WA to Cabo San Lucas, BCS without issue. It’s obviously underpowered but really the only time you notice is going up hills. I often camp on the beach and it drives just fine through deep sand in FWD.

Obviously this setup isn’t for everyone but for those of you that are interested in tiny trucks with campers this is for you

I am selling my truck and camper because Im a 70 year old woman and longer have the physical wherewithal to manage its preventative maintenance. I am looking for a buyer with mechanical and carpentry skills who will appreciate the bulletproof utility of this 10th-generation F-150 and a truly unique, lightweight custom camper. This setup is perfectly balanced, CAT-scale verified, and ready for its next caretaker. I have all the documentation of work done on the F150 since 2014 when I purchased it with a new engine and transmission.

THE TRUCK: 1998 Ford F-150 Supercab Lariat (2WD, 4.6L V8)
Mileage: 290,000 total (Engine and Transmission replaced at 140,000 miles—150k on current drivetrain, 95% highway miles). Drivetrain features a replaced engine and transmission with only 150k miles on them, completely receipt-backed."
Ownership: 3rd owner since 2014. Meticulously maintained, rust-free body.
Recent Maintenance (Last 2 Years): Four new Michelin Defender tires (Costco), new valve cover gasket, catalytic converter, fuel filter, AC lines, spark plugs/coil pack, sway bar links, and fresh differential/transmission fluid flushes. Full synthetic oil changes every 4 months.
Upgrades for Hauling: Upgraded brakes, 500-lb extra leaf spring, and Timbren bump stops so the truck rides completely level. Equipped with a rear-facing camera, JVC sound system, and signal mirror extensions.
Known Issues: Heater core is currently bypassed (no dashboard heat), one cigarette lighter plug is non-functional but two extra 12 volt plugs have been added. ABS was disabled 10 years ago.

THE CAMPER: Custom Marine-Built Rail-Sitting Micro-Camper
Design: Built in 2018 by a marine carpenter. It sits directly on the bed rails (similar to a Project M or Tune camper), keeping the center of gravity low and aerodynamic (yields 16–18 MPG on the highway).
Weight: ~1,100 lbs. Fully loaded with passengers, water, and gear, it weighs 5800 lbs (under the truck's 6,000 lb GVWR).
Power System: 200W solar panel system, solar charge controller, 100 Ah Interstate lead-acid battery, 110V battery charger/converter, 750W inverter, fuse box, USB ports, and full interior LED lighting, 110 outlets (both 12V and 110V shore power lines).
Interior Features: North/South full-size bed with slide-out extenders (72" length), dual MaxAir fans, storage cabinets, and a basic sink basin setup. Window AC THAT USED TO BE ON BACK DOOR HAS BEEN REMOVED BUT IS AVAILABLE.
Important Maintenance Note: Built lightweight using 1/4” plywood and styrofoam insulation. It requires regular weatherproofing/ Sealing touch-ups. It is currently dry inside, though a heavy downpour can cause a small amount of rail leakage into the far-left corner of the truck bed floor onto the Bed liner. It had a rear roof patch repair because of a small leak at the center rear of the truck. We never got wet because it was not in a seating or sleeping area. It is currently not leaking and for the last three months has been completely dry.
Included Extras: The original builder had a full plumbing system, hot water heater, outdoor shower, 5000 BTU window AC, microwave, and TV/DVD player installed. I removed these to save weight, but some of these components are included uninstalled with the sale if you wish to rebuild the interior.

Please note that this custom rig was built using ultra-lightweight 1/4” plywood and styrofoam to stay strictly within half-ton weight limits. It requires continuous, vigilant preventative maintenance including routine inspection and regular caulking/sealant touch-ups.

This rig is sold strictly as-is. It is perfect for a buyer with basic carpentry or DIY skills.

Serious inquiries only. If you have the tools, the skills, and the desire for a highly efficient, custom-tailored travel rig, please reach out. Clean titles in hand.

If there is a better community to help me, please let me know!

My current set up which was working just fine for 2 years and now isn't. What I have: Topo Topper Rincon with solar gland installed from their factory ready to receive solar and partial positive and negative wiring on the underside of the roof available for hookup with wire extension to the battery. Version 2 of the Pecron E1500LFP. I have a alternator charge eTaker F1000 that has two imports, one for alternator and one for solar with one out that goes to a battery. I never plugged anything in to the solar and my alternator charger set up was working flawlessly for 2 years. The Version two needs a XT60 to 5 prong aviator adapter to plug in to the battery which i purchased from Pecron. Has been working great. Note, important, this Pecron version uses two plug ins for DC. One is high voltage, one is low voltage plug in. The high is 32v-95v and the low is 12-18v. This is important for what's ahead.

Recently, I got myself in a situation where i was parked for 4 days using the fan, lights, fridge cooler, heated blankets and it drew the battery down. It would have been perfect to have solar to trickle charge. So, I got a renogy 200w panel. installed it on the roof. Plugged it in the solar glad that goes through the roof. Like this. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Vrbgify-Durable-ABS-Solar-Dual-Cable-Entry-Gland-Weatherproof-Fit-2-sq-mm-6-sq-mm-Cables-for-RV-Campervan-Boat-Solar-Project-369SA04-427D/335096961

I butt spliced in to the cables with matching cable gauge. Ran it 17' to the battery. Spliced in the XT60 plug to the xt60-5 prong adapter. The Pecron displayed it recognizes that plug in but didn't charge. Okay. I remove the splice and use my volt meter to check the charge. All looks fine to me... coming in around 33v late in the afternoon. Makes sense. I checked it later in high sun and it was about 40v. ChatGPT says maybe some losses through the internal MPPT controller. It is not triggering the charge requirements likely because it is coming in too low which makes sense because the Vmp of the solar panel is 31V. I looked up the stats on the panel. So it's operator voltage isn't triggering the MPPT controller. It's not enough voltage. And it's TOO much for the low voltage plug in 12-18v. GRRRR. 

Note: my gauge goes from 10awg, to 12awg to 16awg. I was worried about this but my electrical engineering coworker said my voltage drop won’t be enough to worry about and my run is mostly 12awg with a small 1ft section of 16awg. That won’t contribute to any significant drop he said. I checked on my volt meter and confirmed this.

So i am about to leave to camp for the weekend. I hook my previously working alternator set up BACK in to the adapter. Turn the car on... it's not charging. WTF. I check the adapter cable for continuity. It's fine. I check the voltage coming in from the cables from the eTaker and alternator charger. Reading a strong 40v. WTF. I do a hard reset. Turn the battery off. Hold the AC on button for 20s. I plug it in to AC plug in to get the click for it to reset the battery safety precautions. It charges great from the AC. I plug the DC plug in from the alternator that again has previously worked for years... not working. Recognizes the plug, but still doesn't charge. 

So what do I do? I explore the lower voltage DC input of 12-18v. I get a 100w panel. I check the Vmp this time it operates around 19-20v. DAMNIT. I am shooting this annoying gap! So what do i do... I get a volt limiter. https://powerwerx.com/mppt-150w-solar-charge-controller This MPPT limiter specifically. It is compatible with LifePO4 and fits my volt range at 14.5v output. Great!

Just tried it this morning and it doesn't work. Still doesn't recognize the charging but recognizes the plug. What is wrong?? My guess? Something in the MPPT controller internal to the Pecron isn't opening back up to charging from the DC. I have reached out to Pecron for support and I have not heard back in a week.