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32 | LIFE IN SOLERA | AUGUST 2026 | RV GROUP Truck Campers This month the RV Group focuses on slide in campers, also known as truck campers. Truck campers came onto the RV scene in the mid-1950's. The earliest truck campers were made by Cree Truck Coach in Saline, Michigan and Sport King in Torrance, California. Sport King built the first cab-over camper which greatly expanded the useable space in the very tight living space of the truck camper. Truck campers in the early days offered bare bones amenities. A two or three burner stove with a very small oven was standard. There was a small sink with water that was sometimes powered by a foot pump. Storage was tight. Small refrigerators were an added luxury. The overhead cab served as both a bed and extra storage. The small dining table and benches were converted to a small bed at night. In the late 1960s to the early 1970s, my dad owned several truck campers made by Fleet Aire in Long Beach, California. Truck campers back then were fairly simple in design and were considered a cheaper alternative to full size Class A motorhomes and trailers. Truck campers could be taken off the truck bed and stored in a driveway or backyard. Loading a camper onto a truck bed was easy. Simply back the truck bed beneath the camper unit, make a few electrical connections to the trucks battery system and lower the unit on the truck bed by slowly releasing the campers four jack system. The unit was secured by using turnbuckles and straps. Add about 20 gallons of water to the small water tank, load up the kids and dogs and off you went on to another camping adventure. Today's modern truck camper rivals that of some motorhomes and trailers in quality, design and amenities. Larger refrigerators, microwave/convection ovens, bathrooms with separate showers are the norm. The cramped over-cab bed is now a luxurious king size bed. Some modern truck campers are equipped with slide-outs that greatly increase the living space of the truck campers. Electrical systems have been upgraded to handle increased electrical requirements. Standard now are f lat screen TVs, upgraded f looring and generators. Several manufacturers now offer solar pre-wired units. Truck manufacturers offer trucks with a variety of engine and suspension packages to handle the increased length and weight of the modern truck camper. ~ Ron Monroe, Solera RV Group Leader, (909) 732-6139, email ronoap@aol.com HIGH NOTES FROM KARAOKE e Summer heat is here and so is all the fun things to do in summer like outdoor barbecues, going to the beach, buying ice cream, and of course listening to songs about summertime. Here are some of our favorite summer songs. Summertime Summertime, e Jamie's Summertime Blues, Eddie Cochran, Alan Jackson. Summer In e City, e Lovin' Spoonful eme From A Summer Place, Percy Faith Hot Fun In e Summertime, Sly And e Family Stone California Sun, e Rivieras Summer Breeze, Seals And Cros Summer Wind, Frank Sinatra Summer Of 69, Bryan Adams Cruel Summer, Bananarama Lazy Hazy Crazy Days Of Summer, Nat King Cole In e Summertime, Mungo Jerry Boys Of Summer, Don Henley Summer Nights, Olivia Newton John & John Travolta Summertime, Billie Stewart Summertime, Fresh Prince & D.J. Jazzy Je Sunny Aernoon, e Kinks A Summer Song, Chad & Jeremy Wonderful Summer, Robin Ward Dancing In e Streets, Martha And e Vandellas Under e Boardwalk, e Driers Soak Up e Sun, Sheryl Crow Pontoon, Little Big Town Chase away the Summertime blues this month when you join Rosie Ingalls, Barb Miller, D.J. Blast, and Marty Mangan in the Oakmont clubhouse starting with a potluck at 5:30 pm for those who participate, followed by karaoke singing at 6 pm. Make this summer special with dancing, singing, and friendships at Solera's Goodtimes Karaoke. If you have any questions about our karaoke dates and schedules, you can call Barbara Miller at (951) 845-7265.

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