Questions about camper fit/tiedown

[andy29847]

My wife and I have a nice pickup to tow our 5th wheel touhauler.


We have been talking about buying truck camper for trips to places where we would not tow the trailer.

Question 1. Does someone make a set of tie down bars that fit with the running boards on my truck (without having to cut them)? I'm hoping to find someone who has traveled this road to answer this question.

Question 2. I have a 45 gallon fuel tank that takes up ~10" at the front of my 8' truck bed. Can I fit a camper in and keep the tank?

Question 3. I have rails for my 5th wheel hitch on the floor of the bed of my pickup. Can I fit a camper without having to remove these rails?

[fastcat]

Torklift is pretty much the only game in town for frame mounted camper tie downs. They should have a part number to fit your truck with the running boards.

The in bed fuel tank will be a problem. Truck campers are intended to go right up to the front of the bed. If you try to load one any more than a few (very few) inches back the whole setup will be tail heavy.

The fifth wheel rails can be worked around with plywood to shim up the camper. Not saying I would do that but some people do.

[andy29847]

I went out and looked under the truck today. I saw some parts that make me think that the previous owner had a truck camper. I think these receivers are Torklift parts. If so, maybe all I need is the extentions for these receivers. Comments and advice are welcome.

Front:


Rear:
http://andy29847.smugmug.com/Other/c...MG_1932-XL.jpg

[fastcat]

Those aren't Torklift parts. They were fabricated by somebody, maybe even the previous owner. It wouldn't matter anyway because Torklift dealers do not have the inserts available separately.

What you appear to have is what's called receiver hitch combo bars welded to the frame. You would need to have the inserts fabricated fron 2" square tube. Not really a bad setup.

[whem2fish]

That is what my boss did for his Lance

[trucker101]

On my last truck I had what you have now under the truck. My Son is a welder so I had him weld a HEAVY DUTY chain link to the ends of the two inch slide-in part. I used those links to attach the tie down chains to. It worked great, just don't leave the slide-in pieces in place for years & years like I did. The outer & inner pieces rusted together & I had a difficult time getting them apart. It might be a good idea to have a triangle gusset welded to the top of each receiver.

[Jaxom]

Regarding the aux. fuel tank. I special ordered my camper to fit over top of the my 12" tank. Works like a charm. You might wish to buy a camper designed for a shortbed truck. Brace the front of the tank so it can't shift forward and stress the mounts. Then block the camper front so it can't shift forward and mangle your truck tail lights.
Let us know how it all works for you. Pics, too, please.

[Red Rocker]

You might look in to Happi Jack, their tie down system is different.

[rgvtexan]

On the 5er rails. I left mine in place and used 1.5 " high density pink foam board.
It is much lighter than ply wood doesn't absorb water. Just take your hand saw or electric knife to cut slots for the rails. 2ea 2'x8' pieces will do the job. The weight of the camper will not crush it.


After you get the extensions for the tie downs, use Torxlift Fast Guns for hold downs.


http://www.torklift.com/index.php/pr...ginal-fastguns

[garbonz]

Short bed camper should be farther forward than a full size and may balance better. aathe happi jac should be no problem and they have quick install levelrs also. Plus cheaper.