After placing your deposit, finalizing your build, and completing your payments, installation day starts to feel very real. You’re almost at the finish line. But as your install date gets closer, questions tend to pop up. How should you prep your truck? What should you bring? Are there things that need to be removed beforehand?
To help make installation day as smooth as possible, we put together a guide that covers everything you need to know before your Tune truck camper is installed.
Prep Your Truck
A little preparation ahead of time helps ensure your installation stays on schedule and prevents unnecessary delays.
Remove Any Mounted Items
Before arriving, remove anything mounted in or around the truck that could interfere with installation.
This includes:
- Bed accessories that breach the perimeter of the truck bed
- Bike racks
- Tire racks
- Tow hitch accessories
- Existing toppers or camper shells
- Roof racks
- Note: If you have a Toyota, do not remove the rails.
Arriving with a clean, empty truck bed helps the installation process go as smoothly as possible. Before installation day, remove loose gear, mounted accessories, and any other items stored in the bed so the team can begin work immediately.
Traveling to your installation with gear in the truck bed? That's no problem. Gear can stay in the bed, though our installation team may ask you to help move a few items temporarily if they are in the way during the install.
Seal Your Truck Bed (optional, but recommended)
While not required for installation, this step will help to prevent dust, water, and road debris from entering the camper. Many of our owners choose to seal common gaps around the tailgate, bulkhead, and bed seams before installation. Products like automotive weatherstripping and tailgate seals are commonly used to create a tighter seal between the truck bed and the camper.
If you want a visual walk-through, Runnin' 4 Tacos has a helpful YouTube video and blog post covering tailgate sealing techniques and recommended materials.
Solar and Power Station Prep
If your build includes solar integration or you plan to use a portable power station, there are a few things to double-check before installation day.
Bring Your Power Station
If you are supplying your own power station or battery setup and have paid for basic wiring on your build, have it ready in the truck bed on installation day so the team can verify the correct adapters and connections..
Check Solar Compatibility
If you have solar panels, research the necessary adapters needed to connect your power station to the MC4 connections ahead of time.
- Keep in mind that not all portable power stations are compatible with every solar setup. Before installation, we recommend verifying that your power station can accept solar input and that the solar connection is compatible with your system. If you plan to camp immediately after pickup, it's especially important to confirm compatibility in advance so your solar charging is ready to go. If you have questions about your specific power station, reach out to our team before your installation date.
- We recommend the Pecron E2400LFP, as it is cost-effective and works smoothly with our solar, lights, fan, and Truma heater setup.
What to Expect On Installation Day at Tune HQ
When to Arrive
Please arrive at your scheduled installation time. If you arrive early, we may not be able to begin work until your appointment starts.
Customers having a BedRug installed should arrive one hour before their scheduled installation, as BedRug installation time is not included in the standard installation appointment.
Where to Park
When you arrive, park in front of the large garage doors unless instructed otherwise by the team.
Production Floor Access
For safety reasons, we ask that customers not enter the production floor without permission. There is a window upstairs where you can watch your truck camper installation.
Accessory Installation
Tune accessories are designed so that customers can install most of them themselves. However, if you would like a technician to install accessories for you, be prepared for additional labor charges. We now offer 3rd brake light wiring as an additional service. If you’d like to add this on for $175, let our team know.
After Your Installation
Fill Your Propane Tank (if camping that same night)
If your camper includes a heater, be prepared to fill your propane tank after installation. We do not provide full propane tanks, so customers planning to camp or use their heater/stove immediately after pickup should fill their tank nearby before heading out.
Here are some options near Denver HQ:
- Affordable Propane is located at 3801 E 56th Ave in Commerce City.
- Mile High Propane is located at 3841 Eudora Way in Denver.
- U-Haul Moving and Storage at York will also fill various tank sizes, making it a quick option for most camper setups. They are located at 7540 York St in Denver.
Consider Purchasing a Torque Wrench
After your Tune truck camper is installed, the mounting hardware should be checked at 50, 250, 500, and 1,000 miles. Having your own torque wrench makes it easy to perform these quick checks and ensure everything remains properly tightened. As your camper settles into place, these routine inspections help maintain a secure installation and give you peace of mind on the road. Learn how to tighten your mounting hardware here.
Final Thoughts
Installation day is exciting, and a little preparation goes a long way toward making the process smooth and stress-free. Cleaning out your truck bed, checking your power setup, and arriving prepared helps ensure you can get on the road and start enjoying your camper as quickly as possible.
If you still have questions leading up to your install date, reach out to the Tune Outdoor team. We’re always happy to help you prepare for your next adventure.
Build your Tune truck camper.
FAQ’s
What do I have to remove from my truck to make it camper-ready?
Before your installation appointment, your truck bed should be completely cleared out and ready for the camper. Remove any accessories or mounted items that could interfere with installation, including existing toppers or camper shells, bed accessories that breach the perimeter of the bed, bike racks, tire racks, and tow hitch accessories. A clean, empty truck bed helps keep your installation on schedule and ensures everything fits properly.
Can I use my own portable power station in my truck camper?
Yes! You can provide your own portable power stations. Brands like Ecoflow, Bluetti, and Goal Zero have all been popular choices among Tune owners. If you are providing your own power station and want us to wire your lights, heater, and fan to it, then basic wiring is the option for you.
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