Forum Discussion

ccj33's avatar
ccj33
Explorer
Feb 12, 2020

1999 Lance Squire Lite 186 in a short bed

Hey guys I'm new to the forum but a long time camper. Few years ago I gave up a 30 ft fifth wheel, to go to a truck camper. My main problem I have is, I own a short bed and it's 3/4 ton truck. I have an older 8' S&S camper now and have enjoyed it but thinking of upgrading to Lance squire lite. It has a shower, toilet, awning and a on board generator, really clean just what me and the wife are looking for. I know it's 8' 6" so a little bigger then what I have now but what's wondering if anyone's has had experience with one in short bed if so how does it do. FYI I have 2000 Ford f250 with 6' 7" bed. I usually pull my Jeep on 16' flat bed or 4 horse trailer behind the truck with the camper on. Any input would be appreciated!
  • Just to clear the air , the Lance 186 squire lite is a short box truck camper so the cog would be correct
  • The COG thing is not nearly as critical as people say/think it is.

    When you really sit down and take the time to read and understand the COG range specifications in the camper loading information for your truck, you'll see that most of them specify a range from the front of the bed to the rear of the bed. As long as the weight of the camper doesn't exceed what's on the glove box sticker, AND it's somewhere in the bed, you're fine.

    Even as a long bed model, the Squire Lite 186 will not have an appreciable effect on the handling and balance of the truck! It will be no worse than having a trailer with a 500lb tongue weight hooked to the truck.

    You may, however want to consider weight distribution for the trailers you will be towing, even if it's not necessary, because you are basically adding 500lbs to any tongue weight you connect to the truck, with the rearward weight of the camper.

    Trailer or camper will be fine on their own, but together, you might want weight distribution.
  • ccs,
    I had a Lance lite 165s, I know its not exactly the same as the lance lite 186 but they are similar and close by a few hundred lbs and a couple of inches. I had it on a 1999 f 250 short bed, I had absolutely NO problems with COG or the weight being an issue. My f250 short bed, did not have air bags, sway bars or any other kind of suspension add ons. The truck handled the camper fine, and experienced no sway to speak of, and didn't hinder performance at all.
    Again we are talking different campers, you can google the brochures of both and get measurements, the weights in brochures won't be correct but it will give you some idea, maybe a better idea than what you have now.
  • Forget about the dry weight, that is how it left the factory and is meaningless for your purposes. By the time you add propane, water, food, bedding, clothing, the dog, your wife and all the other necessities you won't be far south of your payload and the weight will be poorly distributed.
  • I'm little worried of that my self the camper only weights about 1900lbs dry, my pay load I believe is like 3000 lds.
  • What is the loaded weight of the camper? I suspect you will be too heavy and the weight will be too far aft making for an evil handling package in windy conditions. The trailer will make a bad situation worse.
  • Your center of gravity will be near the tailgate with the horse trailer attached IMO.