A Guide to Winter Truck Camping

Setting Up Camp: Winter Shelters

When embarking on a winter truck camping trip, you’ll need adequate shelter to stay warm, dry, and safe from the elements. A solid foundation is the most crucial part of any winter camping setup, as adverse weather and cold temperatures can pose significant risks to comfort and safety. Explore these shelter options, which offer adequate weather resistance and security.

RealTruck A.R.E. MX Classic Series Truck Cap

Arguably, the best shelter for winter truck camping, aside from a slide-in truck camper, is a high-top truck cap or camper shell. The RealTruck A.R.E. MX Classic Series truck cap is one such option, featuring a durable fiberglass construction and a high-top roof for superior headroom. The MX Classic also offers various add-ons geared toward camping, including a carpeted headliner, sliding front window for pass-through cab access, integrated LED lighting, and a full-height rear door, all designed to enhance your safety and comfort. 

With the camper’s rigid fiberglass construction and integrated perimeter seals, excessive moisture and wind won’t stand a chance of penetrating your truck’s bed. Ventable side windows also enable the safe use of propane-powered accessories, such as small heaters and camp stoves. 

Features: 

• Mid-high roof design provides additional headroom and cargo capacity

• Reinforced roof provides ample load capacity for roof-mounted accessories

• Designed with recessed areas for additional styling and strength

• Low-filled resin fiberglass construction with polyester resin fiberglass laminate

• Aluminum-framed front picture window

• Front vista glass

• Aluminum-framed recessed side sliding window with screens and corner fascia

• Heavy-duty aluminum-framed rear door features a recessed fit, contour strip, and composite single T-handle

• Factory-grade lock cylinder ensures maximum security

• Optional full fiberglass walk-in rear door

• Optional Rival™ LED Light Bar

• Automotive-grade paint-matched exterior finish

• Optional UV-stable OTR textured exterior finish

• Limited lifetime warranty

• Proudly Assembled in Ohio

RealTruck GoTent

Assuming the weather isn’t too chilly, the RealTruck GoTent™ is a solid addition to a winter camp setup. The truck tent’s hardshell design prevents moisture and snow from accumulating on the tent fabrics during travel to your destination. Once opened, the waterproof Oxford fabric tent body maintains isolation from the elements. 

Multiple zippered mesh windows and interior pockets allow for customizable storage and temperature control. An integrated synthetic fiber floorboard supports a 2-inch-thick memory foam mattress for superior comfort and insulation. Setup and tear down are quick and easy, which comes in handy in poor weather conditions. 

Features: 

• Rugged stainless-steel frame

• Lightweight aluminum hardshell

• Durable and waterproof Oxford fabric tent body

• Weighs just 169 pounds in total 

• Dimensions: 7-ft. x 4.3-ft.  x 5.25-ft.  

• Synthetic fiber floorboard adds structural strength and supports a 2-in. high-density foam mattress

• Windows include zippered mesh screens

• Integrated interior storage pockets

• Stainless steel hinges and gas-charged struts allow easy setup

• A sturdy telescoping ladder makes tent entry a breeze

• Integrated T-slot rails accommodate various gear mounts and accessories

• Includes universal mounting brackets for installation onto any cross-bars

• Limited lifetime warranty

Amenities: Warmth and Comfort

With primary shelter established, it’s time to hone in on comfort. Winter truck camping can pose several challenges, particularly in terms of comfort—namely, warmth and sleeping provisions. Fortunately, RealTruck carries several accessories to offset cold temperatures and rough sleeping conditions.

RealTruck Rampage 12 Volt Car Heater

Staying warm is one of the biggest challenges of winter truck camping. Fortunately, accessories like the Rampage 12-volt car heater enable you to quickly heat small spaces, such as the interior of a camper shell or tent. 

This compact car heater must be hard-wired into your vehicle’s electrical system. With its built-in fan and 300W heating element, the Rampage 12-volt car heater can efficiently warm up your shelter to weather the chilly night ahead. 

• 12-volt back seat heater with fan

• For cars, trucks, or SUVs

• Instant warmth and circulation

• 300-watt car heater

• Swivel-mounted bracket

• Will wire easily to your vehicle

• Limited 1-year warranty

Airbedz Lite Truck Bed Air Mattress

If you’re planning to sleep under the protection of your truck’s camper shell, you’ll need to optimize the bed floor for sleeping. That’s where truck bed air mattresses, like the Airbedz® Lite, come into play. This innovative mattress features precise cutouts to fit around the wheel arches, providing a large, flat sleeping surface for maximum comfort. 

The mattress’s high-quality PVC construction makes it highly durable. If punctures or damages compromise the air seal, Airbedz includes a patch and glue kit for a permanent fit. Airbedz includes a storage bag with a shoulder strap for practical storage and transportation. 

Features: 

• Constructed from high-grade PVC with a flocked top

• 2 sizes to fit 6–8-ft. beds 

• Portable DC air pump with 16-ft. cord that plugs into a 12V socket

• 12-inch-thick mattress with air coil system

• Patented design fits over and around wheel wells

• Storage bag with shoulder strap included

• Includes a patch kit and glue

• Limited 1-year warranty

Food: Storage and Cooking

Everyone needs to eat and drink, especially when you’re burning off calories quickly in the cold. Nothing will warm you up faster than a bowl of soup or a warm meal. Check out RealTruck’s solutions for food storage and camp cooking.

Hitchfire Cook Station

The Hitchfire Cook Station is a one-stop solution for storage and outdoor cooking. Featuring a large 38-inch by 24-inch storage platform that doubles as a food prep area, the Hitchfire cook station is perfect for transporting coolers, chopping veggies, and more. Once you’re ready to cook, the Hitchfire swings into a comfortable position using the intuitive dual-swing arm. One side of the cook station features a slide-out propane burner, while the other produces a slide-out sink basin for use with gravity-fed or rechargeable faucets. 

Get storage, cooking convenience, and a sizable prep surface with the Hitchfire Cook Station, backed by a 2-year warranty. This outdoor accessory mounts easily to any 2-in. hitch receiver. 

Features: 

• Constructed out of steel in a black finish

• 38-in. x 24-in. storage and food prep surface

• Dual swing direction

• Slide-out sink basin and single burner stove

• Fit into any standard 2-in. receiver hitch

• Removable rails and integrated mounting points

• Simple installation

• 2-year warranty

Dometic CFX3 25 Powered Cooler

Even in cold weather, safe food storage is crucial for minimizing food spoilage and the risk of foodborne illness. When winter camping, we recommend bringing a high-quality cooler, such as the Dometic CFX3 powered unit. This powered cooler can serve as a traditional cooler or deliver refrigeration from AC, DC, or solar power sources. 

Featuring an easy-to-use TFT interface, a high-efficiency VMSO3 compressor, and a 40-can capacity, the Dometic CFX3 25 is the perfect compact cooler for a weekend outing. Dometic backs the CFX3 25 with a respectable limited lifetime mechanical warranty and a 5-year electrical warranty. 

Features: 

• High-gloss TFT LCD user interface

• Protected from damage by fender frames

• With aluminum handles, this unit is easy to carry

• Flexible power options by AC, DC, and DC solar power

• Power is maximized by VMSO3 compressor cooling technology

• This single zone cooler can hold up to 40 cans or five 1.5-liter bottles

• Dimensions: 22.4-in. D x 16.51-in. H x 13.46-in. W

• Limited lifetime mechanical | 5-year limited electrical warranty

Traction: Suspension, Tires, and Recovery

Lastly, winter truck camping can pose an issue beyond warmth and comfort, namely, off-road capabilities. Cool, wet weather can welcome slippery conditions, including snow, slush, mud, and slick rocks. As a result, you’ll need to outfit your truck with capable suspension and tires to conquer the challenging terrain. And if your vehicle fails to conquer obstacles under its own power, it’s essential to bring adequate recovery gear.

RealTruck Superlift Leveling Kits

While tall suspension lifts can look aggressive and improve off-road performance, a Superlift leveling kit is a solid option to boost ride height while keeping your truck’s center of gravity relatively low, especially with a top-heavy camper shell or roof tent. These accessories, comprising heavy-duty materials, help to level out a vehicle’s stance by increasing the front ride height by one to three inches. The added height not only looks great but also improves ground clearance and fender clearances for oversized, off-road tires. 

Superlift leveling kits are built to last and engineered for easy bolt-on installations. All orders are application-specific, ensuring a perfect fit for your vehicle. Superlift backs its leveling kits with the peace of mind of a limited lifetime warranty.

Features: 

• Lifts the front of your truck for a level appearance

• Allows you to add oversized wheels and tires

• Fast and simple installation

• Steel kits have a durable powder coat finish

• Aluminum kits are resistant to corrosion

• Coil spring spacers, torsion bar keys, and strut spacers are available

• Proudly assembled in Louisiana

• All mounting hardware is included

Nitto Ridge Grappler Tires

Fill out your truck’s fenders and gain traction over slick terrain with a set of Nitto Ridge Grapplers—one of RealTruck’s best-selling tire options. These premium hybrid-terrain tires deliver dynamic performance over all terrain types, ranging from pavement to extreme off-road conditions. Regardless of the terrain, climate, or season, Nitto Ridge Grapplers provide the confidence necessary to trek to even the most remote campsites. 

Features: 

• Heavy-duty spiral-wound construction

• Revolutionary dynamic hybrid tread design

• Variable-pitch tread pattern provide quiet on-road operation

• Shoulder and lateral Z-grooves provide unparalleled traction

• Alternating tapered edges and step blocks

• Dual sidewall design for enhanced personalization

• Reinforced block foundation adds rigidity and reduces flex

• Stone ejectors prevent stone drilling between tread blocks

• Offered in a variety of sizes and specifications

• 500 treadwear rating (metric sizes only)

RealTruck Traction Recovery 13K Winch

Sometimes, even the best-quality tires and suspension upgrades can’t conquer particular obstacles. In these scenarios, you can always count on recovery equipment—like the RealTruck Traction Recovery 13K winch—to get you out of tight spots. 

Featuring a powerful series-wound motor, lightweight Dyneema® synthetic winch line, and rugged IP68 weather resistance, the RealTruck Traction Recovery 13K winch is the perfect addition to any Winter overland or camping rig. Its wireless remote eliminates sockets and connectors, which are common points of leakage that allow moisture to enter the motor housing. 

RealTruck backs the Traction Recovery 13K winch with a limited lifetime mechanical warranty and a 7-year finish warranty. 

Features:

• Rated line pull: 13,000 lbs. 

• Premium 100-ft. Dyneema® synthetic winch line 

• High-performance 7HP series-wound motor with 3-stage planetary drive gear

• 173:1 gear ratio

• Advanced wireless remote

• IP68-rated against moisture and dust intrusion

• Integrated LED Smart Bar visual indicator

• Durable aluminum frame

• Multi-stage black textured powder coat finish

• Limited lifetime mechanical warranty | 7-year limited electrical warranty