24-Year-Old Truck Camper Restored With a Funky Aesthetic and Many Creature Comforts

Revealing and living in a van isn't for everyone. Luckily, there are many other solutions to living on the road besides vans, such as trailers or truck campers. But why should you choose a truck camper? Let me name just a few reasons. For instance, they're very versatile and can easily tow other vehicles. What's more, they boast off-road capabilities, and they're easy to maneuver. Also, if you've already got a truck, you'll have to pay less compared to buying and converting a van, and you can remove the camper part if you want to.

Amber and Giulietta bought and renovated a 1999 Lance truck camper for full-time living. They used to live in a tiny camper for two years, so they had some experience with van life. And that's how they figured out they'd like a truck camper fitted on an appropriate truck, a 2012 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD. So, let me tell you more about their rig – I'll start with the exterior.

The truck camper tips the scales at 1,700 lbs. (771 kg), while the payload of the Silverado is about 3,300 lbs. (about 1,497 kg), leaving enough room to carry other stuff inside. In the truck's back seat, you'll discover there's little space left, as many things are stored there. Since there's not much storage space onboard the truck camper, it makes sense that Amber and Giulietta are using every inch available.

When you look at the setup from the outside, you can tell it's an older truck camper model. Still, it comes with all the utilities necessary to enjoy a comfortable life on the go. On the passenger side, you'll notice a compartment with a 5-gallon (19-liter) propane tank that feeds the fridge and stove.

Given that the duo wanted to go off the beaten path and the truck camper added immense weight to the truck's bed, Amber and Giulietta made a minor upgrade to the suspension by adding a wedge between the top and bottom springs, making the ride smoother.

On the driver's side, there's a compartment with a 100 Ah battery that can be charged via two solar panel banks or with a foldable solar panel. Let me explain – Amber and Giulietta have two solar power banks inside the camper, behind the cab window. To charge them, they fold out the solar panels and route the cable directly to the equipment.

At the rear of the van, you'll notice a ladder with a bag attached to it, where the duo stores the laundry. Right beside is the door you must use to enter.

As I mentioned earlier, the truck camper looks old on the outside, but the interior is the opposite. Amber and Giulietta wanted the interior to reflect their personalities – instead of the usual white and wooden look, they opted for bright colors and funky aesthetics. They even let their YouTube audience decide the color of their overhead cabinets. By the way, that's where the duo stores all of their clothes. Impressive, right? Amber shares some wisdom regarding packing: roll up your clothes instead of folding them.

Once you step inside, you'll be in the living room, and the first thing you'll probably notice is the eye-catching green wallpaper. The living room comprises a small lounge with a swivel table and two windows that let plenty of light shine inside. There's a bunch of storage space under the bench.

Amber says the kitchen is one of their favorite and most important parts of their camper. They use it intensively, as they hardly eat out. The kitchen features a two-burner propane stove, a decently sized sink, an air fryer, and a refrigerator. Regarding the design, the duo opted for a beautiful peel-and-stick backlash and the same blue cabinetry as in the living room.

Here's an eco-friendly and simple solution I haven't seen before – Amber and Giulietta create reusable paper towels out of flannel. They can be used as a paper towel or a rag; you only have to wash them afterward.

Opposite the living room, you'll discover the wet bathroom, which is surprisingly spacious, considering the truck camper's size. It's complete with a mirror, a small sink, a full-size toilet, a shower, and some shelves to hold their toiletries. Amber explained that even though the shower works, they haven't used it because they're afraid of water leaking inside the camper, as it's pretty old, and the seams might not hold up.

And lastly, we have the bedroom. Even though it might seem a little cramped, Amber and Giulietta describe how they can rest very well in it, especially since they fitted an 8-inch (20-centimeter) memory foam mattress. The ceiling is too low to be able to sit up while in bed. Right above, there's a ventilation window operated with a crank. On the sides of the bedroom, you'll find small storage spaces.

All in all, Amber and Giulietta have done a fantastic job renovating this truck camper. It's got plenty of space and most of the creature comforts you need for living on the road.