Use a road atlas or GPS mapping tool to plan your route. If you're on a definite schedule, determine how many miles you can safely drive in one day and select stops accordingly. If you're entirely flexible, plan stops at interesting destinations within easy driving distance of each other.
Choose campsites for every stop. Options include commercial campgrounds, fee-based state and federal campgrounds and off-road spots. Commercial sites with full hookups are available for a fee, which can be worth every penny come shower time. State and federal campgrounds usually have fresh water and pit toilets and a much lower fee than commercial campgrounds. Off-road camping offers privacy and absolutely no amenities; be sure you're setting up on public lands that aren't posted for no camping.
Carefully plan every item you want to take with you, and don't take anything you can't store someplace. Storage is at a premium in the limited space of a slide-in truck camper. Maintain a neat and tidy camper at all times -- when you're not using something, return it to its appointed place.
Select kitchenware. You don't need a huge galley to prepare hearty and healthful meals on the road. One saucepan and perhaps a skillet will do for cooking. You can keep perishable food fresh in a cooler filled with ice; slip the cooler in and out to create floor space when you need it. Buy small amounts of fresh items to prevent spoilage and preserve storage space.
Make a comfortable bed. A slide-in camper lets you enjoy the comfort of sleeping in your own bed every night. If you're using a cab-over camper, you can leave the bunk above the cab made up all the time. If your camper doesn't have that feature, or if you're claustrophobic, you may need to make your bed below and stow your bedding when you're not sleeping in it.
Pack clothing wisely. A daily change of clothes can be over-valued in the small confines of a camper. When it's time to spend a night in a commercial campground, choose one with laundry facilities and you'll find you can get by with just a few shirts and a change of pants, especially if you wash your "delicates" every couple of days.
