1. Tell Us About Your Rig
Send us the truck or vehicle year, make, and model; camper details; current equipment; and what you want the finished build to do. Photos are helpful.
What we build
SERVICES & SPECIALTIES
Our technicians handle everything from single-component installations to complete truck camper and overland builds. We work on new and existing campers.
Looking to fix something instead? Head to our Repairs & Services page >>
Power, Solar & Electrical
Build a dependable electrical system for weekend trips, remote work, or extended off-grid travel.
• Lithium batteries and battery banks
• RV and truck camper solar panels
• MPPT solar charge controllers
• Inverters and dual-battery systems
• Alternator and DC-to-DC charging
• Shore-power charging
• Battery monitors and system controls
• 12V refrigerators and electric coolers
BRANDS WE INSTALL
Victron Energy, Epoch Batteries, Rich Solar, Dakota Lithium, Expion360, and more.
Heating, Cooling & Ventilation
Stay comfortable in hot weather, cold weather, and everything in between.
• Diesel heater installation
• Propane heater installation
• 12V, 24V, and 48V DC-powered air conditioner installation
• Battery-powered off-grid air-conditioning systems
• Roof fans and ventilation
BRANDS WE INSTALL
Espar, Webasto, Propex, Dometic, Maxxair, Nomadic Innovations, Velit, Furrion, Autoterm, and more.
Camper Installation & Truck Preparation
A camper needs more than an open truck bed. We can prepare your truck and install the equipment needed to secure, power, and support the camper properly.
• Rubber bed mats
• Frame-mounted camper tie-downs
• Standard turnbuckles and Torklift hardware
• Camper pre-wiring and charging connections
• Performance shocks
• Airbag suspension and helper springs
• Custom leaf spring packs
• Flatbed camper mounting
BRANDS WE INSTALL
Torklift, Bilstein, Fox, King, Eibach, Carli, Air Lift, Firestone, PacBrake, Aluma Tray, and more.
Overland Accessories, Racks & Recovery Equipment
Add the equipment that makes your rig more useful on the trail and easier to live with at camp.
• Off-road bumpers and winches
• Auxiliary lighting and light bars
• Air compressors and tire-inflation systems
• Recovery boards and recovery equipment
• Roof racks and exterior storage
• Pull-out awnings, 270-degree awnings, and annex walls
BRANDS WE INSTALL
ARB, Warn, Baja Designs, Diode Dynamics, Yakima, Kammok, EZ Flate, Factor 55, and more.
Camper Topper, Truck-Bed & SUV Builds
You don’t need a full slide-in camper to build a capable camping rig. We create lightweight systems for pickup beds, camper toppers, and SUVs.
• Hard-side and soft-top camper topper installation
• Rooftop tent mounting
• Custom sleeping platforms
• Storage drawers and gear organization
• Bench seating and dining areas
• SUV and car-camping builds
BRANDS WE INSTALL
Lone Peak, OVRLND Campers, Radica, AT Overland, and more.
Custom Carpentry & Metal Fabrication
When an off-the-shelf part won’t work, we can build around your camper and the way you travel.
• Custom cabinetry and carpentry
• Built-in seating and storage
• Metal fabrication and welding
• Camper, van, and conversion-vehicle interiors
• One-off mounting and organization solutions
BUILT FOR YOUR RIG
Every custom component is designed and built for the individual rig.
Why Build with Truck Camper Garage?
Truck Camper Garage is a dedicated truck camper dealership, installer, and service center in San Diego, California. Our team brings hands-on experience across vintage campers, modern off-grid systems, and overland rigs of all kinds.
• Compare campers, equipment, and installation options in one place
• Work with technicians who specialize in truck campers
• Receive a fully itemized quote before work begins
• Choose trusted, warranty-backed equipment
• Get warranty service for the truck camper brands we sell
• Build only what fits your vehicle, travel plans, and budget
You may find cheaper off-brand equipment online. We focus on proven products that we trust in our own rigs and can support after installation.
Need repairs or warranty work?
FROM THE SHOP
"I run a solar and fridge setup just like the ones below on my own truck. San Diego gets full sun almost every day, so the fridge just runs. No plugging in, no thinking about it. Quick surf before work, and there's breakfast. Quick surf after work, and there's a cold beer waiting in the truck! That ease and convenience is really the whole point behind a lot of these builds, whether it's a basic bed setup or a fully modernized slide-in"
SAM W, CO-OWNER
EXAMPLE BUILDS WITH REAL PRICES
WHAT'S ACTUALLY POSSIBLE
Below are real builds that we commonly undertake, priced with real numbers. These are not fixed packages; they’re examples of what’s possible. We’ll guide you toward what fits your rig, travel style, and budget.
Current shop labor rate: $200 per hour.
Last updated: September 2026. Parts prices and labor rates may change.
Example Build · Camper Upgrade · Most Requested
Modernize Your Existing Camper
The best camper may be the one you already own. Replace an older lead-acid or AGM system with lithium power, roof-mounted solar, and accurate battery monitoring.
Item
Price
100Ah LiFePO4 lithium battery
Drop-in replacement with roughly twice the usable capacity of a comparable AGM battery.
$400.00
200W roof-mounted solar panel
Keeps the battery topped up while parked
$240.00
MPPT solar charge controller
Smart charging with Bluetooth monitoring.
$135.15
Battery monitor
Provides real-time state of charge.
$158.95
Labor: 6 hours x $200
Battery swap, panel mounting, controller and monitor wiring, and fusing.
$1,200.00
Example build total
Varies by existing system
$2,134.10
Example Build · Suspension & Recovery
The Off-Pavement Package
Improve comfort and control on washboard roads while adding the basic recovery equipment needed for sand, mud, and snow.
Item
Price
Four performance shocks
Entry-level performance option for a smoother ride on rough roads.
$836.00
Pair of traction recovery boards
For sand, mud, or snow recovery.
$279.00
Kinetic recovery rope
For a controlled pull from another vehicle.
$80.00
Two soft shackles
Lighter than traditional steel hardware.
$69.98
Portable 12V air compressor
Air down for trails and air up before returning to pavement.
$239.99
Labor: 4 hours x $200
Front and rear shock installation.
$800.00
Example build total
For a Toyota Tacoma; varies by vehicle and shock choice
$2,304.97
Example Build · Truck bed build
Lightweight Camper Topper Setup
Turn a pickup bed, camper topper, or SUV into a comfortable weekend setup without installing a full slide-in camper.
Item
Price
Truck-bed platform
Sleeping surface with storage underneath
$549.00
Portable power station
Runs the refrigerator and charges devices.
$509.00
200W roof-mounted solar panel
Charges the power station while parked.
$240.00
37-quart portable refrigerator/freezer
Single-zone refrigerator that can run overnight from the power station.
$649.00
Labor: 2 hours x $200
Solar panel installation and wiring.
$400.00
Example build total
Varies by vehicle
$2,347.00
Example Build · Truck prep
Slide-In Truck Camper Preparation
Prepare a pickup for a removable slide-in camper with the mounting equipment and charging connection needed for a complete installation.
Item
Price
Rubber truck-bed mat
Protects the truck bed and cushions the camper base.
$150.00
Front and rear frame-mounted tie-downs
Truck-specific system bolted to the frame.
$854.19
Set of four turnbuckles
Standard hardware with an available upgrade to Torklift FastGuns.
$456.00
50A+ alternator charging
Parts and installation for truck-to-camper charging.
$925.00
Labor: 4 hours x $200
Frame-mount installation and tie-down setup.
$800.00
Example build total
Varies by vehicle
$3,185.19
Example Build · Off-grid Power · Larger Systems
Large Off-Grid Truck Camper Power System
Build a larger electrical system for extended off-grid trips, remote work, and high-demand appliances. This example combines a 628Ah lithium battery bank, 600 watts of solar, alternator charging, and a 3,000-watt inverter.
Item
Price
628Ah lithium battery bank
Two 314Ah lithium batteries.
$1,698.00
600W roof-mounted solar array
Three 200W solar panels.
$720.00
50A DC-to-DC charger
Charges the camper batteries from the truck while driving.
$328.00
Alternator charging installation
High-output, fused charging circuit.
$925.00
3,000W inverter
Sized for larger AC loads, subject to the full system design.
$399.99
Labor: 10 hours x $200
Battery-bank wiring, solar mounting and wiring, and inverter installation.
$2,000.00
Example build total
Our most involved install
$6,070.99
Air-conditioner runtime depends on the appliance, battery bank, ambient temperature, solar production, and other electrical use. We size every system around the actual equipment and travel plan.
How Our Truck Camper Build Process Works
2. Review the Plan & Itemized Quote
We’ll recommend equipment that fits the vehicle, available space, electrical requirements, and budget. You’ll receive an itemized quote before work begins.
3. Schedule the Installation
Once the scope and parts are confirmed, we’ll schedule your vehicle at our San Diego service center.
4. Pick Up a Trip-Ready Rig
We’ll review the completed work, explain how the new systems operate, and answer questions before you leave.
Truck Camper Builds & Installs FAQs
Do you install equipment on campers purchased somewhere else?
Yes. Truck Camper Garage installs, upgrades, and services new and existing truck campers, including campers purchased from another dealer or private seller.
What vehicles do you build?
We work primarily on truck campers, camper toppers, and overland pickups. We also build and outfit vans, SUVs, small RVs, and other vehicles designed for camping or travel.
Can you install a slide-in camper on my truck?
Yes. We can confirm bed fitment and install equipment such as rubber bed mats, frame-mounted tie-downs, turnbuckles, pre-wiring, and camper charging systems. Camper and truck payload compatibility should be confirmed before installation.
Do you install truck camper solar and lithium batteries?
Yes. We install solar panels, lithium batteries, charge controllers, battery monitors, inverters, shore-power charging, and alternator-charging systems. We can upgrade an existing camper or design a larger off-grid electrical system.
Can you install an air conditioner that runs without a generator?
In many campers, yes. A battery-powered air-conditioning system requires the right battery capacity, inverter, charging sources, wiring, and available installation space. Runtime varies with the air conditioner, battery bank, temperature, solar conditions, and other electrical loads.
Do suspension upgrades increase my truck’s payload rating?
No. Airbags, helper springs, replacement springs, and performance shocks can improve ride quality, stability, and load handling, but they do not increase the manufacturer’s payload rating. Your truck and camper must remain within the applicable weight ratings.
How much does a custom truck camper build cost?
Cost depends on the vehicle, camper, parts, and installation time. The examples on this page range from roughly $2,100 for a basic camper electrical upgrade to about $6,100 for a larger off-grid power system. These are examples, not fixed package prices. We provide an itemized quote for every project.
Where is Truck Camper Garage located?
Our showroom and service center are located at 5066 Santa Fe Street in San Diego, California. The service center is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Ready to Build Your Rig?
Tell us what you drive, what camper or setup you have, and where you want it to take you. We’ll put together an itemized plan based on your vehicle, priorities, and budget.