Truck camping is very popular today, with many people considering that the same vehicle that gets them through the work week can also take them down rough roads and into the middle of nowhere without the need for a separate adventure vehicle. But the idea of turning a pickup into an adventure rig is nothing new.
People have been exploring the outdoors and camping out of their work trucks for decades, and today, I’m going to cast a light on a vintage truck camper that evokes nostalgia and exudes the undeniable charm associated with older, simpler times. This is a 1976 Ford F-250 Highboy pickup truck with a vintage slide-in camper that proves truck camping has been around for generations and that things were much simpler back in the day. This unique rig has now come up for sale and is offered with a 1978 Honda XL125 motorcycle mounted at the front.
The base for this camper is a rare, period-correct Ford F-250 Highboy from 1976, which is still powered by its original 360-cubic-inch V8 and retains its four-speed manual transmission and divorced transfer case. Basically, the three-quarter-ton 4×4 has the mechanical configuration that made the Highboy a distinctive part of Ford’s truck lineup.
The vehicle is part of a special batch of F-Series Ford pickups built from 1967 until early 1977. Featuring a narrower F-3530 frame, factory four-wheel-drive, and a divorced transfer case mounted separately on the frame, they were nicknamed Highboys by enthusiasts.
Photo: Mecum Auctions
This was never an official factory designation, but the moniker stuck through the years, having been earned because the divorced transfer case was not mounted directly to the transmission but separately in the middle of the truck, requiring extra clearance, which prompted Ford to add a factory rear lift block and a taller front suspension setup. Due to this configuration, Highboys sit five to six inches (12 to 15 cm) higher than standard models straight from the factory.
Ford eventually reworked the four-wheel-drive setup on the F-250 and switched to a transfer case mounted to the transmission midway through the 1977 model year. The subsequent trucks were fitted with slightly lower suspension and became known as, you guessed it, “Lowboys.”
It’s also worth mentioning that, by 1976, when the unit featured here left the factory, the pickup truck had received several improvements over its earlier versions, including front disc brakes on regular-cab models.
Apart from its period-correct drivetrain, this Ford F-250 Highboy also preserves its original exterior appearance, which stands out with the Free Wheeling decal kit. Ford launched the Free Wheeling graphics option in 1977 for F-Series trucks. It featured multi-colored chromatic “sunset” gradient stripes in red, orange, and yellow, combined with blacked-out grilles, headlight surrounds, and black bumpers, along with special sport mirrors and optional rolling packages.
Photo: Mecum Auctions
But according to historical registry data, the Free Wheeling option was produced in very low numbers on heavy-duty three-quarter-ton trucks, which makes this F-250 even more special.
As you can see in the attached picture gallery, the pickup truck’s exterior clearly shows the signs of the inevitable flow of time, but this example’s rust patina has been clear-coated, locking in the aged, weathered look of old paint and oxidized metal. This, combined with the Free Wheeling decal, gives the Ford the look of a genuine recreational vehicle assembled in the 1970s.
Speaking of its RV persona, the pickup has been fitted with a vintage Wolverine Pup camper. This is a classic slide-in truck camper produced by Wolverine Campers, a popular manufacturer from the 1950s through the late 1980s. Unfortunately, the listing doesn’t include any photos of its interior, but these compact, lightweight slide-in units often included basic living quarters.
The Pup mounted on the bed of this truck has a rear entrance and a pair of small windows on each side, but we know nothing about its interior layout, so we can only assume it’s a convertible kind of living space since there is no cab-over section to hold the bed.
Photo: Mecum Auctions
Another noteworthy feature on the outside is a custom front bumper that accommodates a rare Warn 8274 winch. Perfect for self-recovery in difficult situations, this particular detail is another indication of the vehicle’s intended recreational use.
This vintage camper is offered with a 1978 Honda XL125, a small-displacement motorcycle suited to recreational riding. Carried on a custom front mount, it offers a glimpse into how daredevils used to outfit their trucks for camping and outdoor adventures decades ago. Together, the Ford truck, slide-in camper, and motorcycle make up a complete, turn-key vintage overlanding setup.
Classic Ford F-250 Highboy pickup trucks are highly sought after by collectors, and this particular example truly stands out for its original drivetrain, vintage graphics, and period-correct equipment. The truck, together with the Wolverine Pup camper and the Honda motorcycle, is scheduled to cross the auction block with Mecum in late October.