Forum Discussion

_DJ_1's avatar
_DJ_1
Explorer II
May 30, 2016

Almost sold the TC!

I decided to put it on the truck Saturday. I have to have some medical tests this week but as soon as the doc releases me I want to hook up the boat and go to Hells Canyon before the weather gets too bloody hot.

First I had to re-do the platform in the truck bed for the second battery more to my liking. And re-do the front spacer, TC is designed for Chev/Dodge 6' 4" bed so it has to be spaced back 5" for Ford's 6' 8" bed to keep from hitting the tail lights. This I had planned for and went smoothly.

Then I tried backing under it. It has always been challenging as the grey tank is outside under the driver's side wing. It has to be perfectly square in the bed, an inch off is too much or the TC will hit one thing or another on the way down off the jacks. After 3 attempts of loading/unloading I finally got it. Manual jacks BTW. Took a solid hour to get it right.

I was so dang mad I was going to haul it down to the consignment lot!! But after a couple beers sitting in the shade I realized no more camping with the boat unless I dig out the old tent!!!

NOW the weather forecast for this next weekend in Boise is 98!! That means 110 in the canyon. :M

AND I have to take it back off soon as DW wants to go camping in HER TT!! :(
Truck Campers
  • portscanner's avatar
    portscanner
    Explorer
    May 31, 2016
    I understand your pain. With the narrow tailgate (the tailgate is several inches shorter than the front of the bed) and a bumped out part on the right side of the TC, we have to put the TC as far right as possible - and it is still about 1 1/2 left of center. But DW and I figured out how we can load it as a team.

    She drives - she lines up the truck the best she can, then approaches the TC. Right before she backs under I confirm we are PERFECTLY square and the truck is in the correct position. Back up 3" - check the distance between bed rail and right side of TC. Repeat. Maybe wave my hand to tell DW to turn the steering wheel 1 degree. Back up 3" - check. Back up 3" check. Adjust steering by 1 degree....lather, rinse, repeat until done. Total time - (including putting on tie downs, super truss, umbilical, etc) 20 minutes.
  • Vinsil's avatar
    Vinsil
    Explorer
    May 31, 2016
    nomadictxn wrote:
    Ain't it fun! Newer Chevy, old Lance. Got 1 inch to sneak by. Always agravating as I seem to get a new scratch each load up. I wonder if loading a new Wolf Creek is easier to miss stuff?


    Super easy in my Ram...takes less than 30 seconds to load once legs are high enough, it is a smooth loading TC.
  • nomadictxn's avatar
    nomadictxn
    Explorer
    May 31, 2016
    Ain't it fun! Newer Chevy, old Lance. Got 1 inch to sneak by. Always agravating as I seem to get a new scratch each load up. I wonder if loading a new Wolf Creek is easier to miss stuff?
  • JimK-NY's avatar
    JimK-NY
    Explorer II
    May 30, 2016
    A whole inch extra. I wish I had that much. I decided I really need to have my camper aligned within about a half inch or less. The tight fit is at the very back so it is always deceptive until I backup almost all the way and then find I am not aligned.

    I finally solved the issue with a $40 laser level from Lowes. The level has a massive magnet which I attach on the wheel well. I calculated exactly where to point the laser and I back up slowly for a perfect alignment. At least that is what happened on my first try. This year will be my second try with the laser so we will see.
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    May 30, 2016
    If it don't take up too much space it stays haha...

    One of these days I will get a TC... That is just me and my style of camping... More secure for of all those four legged and especially two legged things that lurks the trails...

    I've been roaming the high country and wooded creek beds all around here in Virginia and points east and south in my OFF-Road POPUP setup... Got this part of real camping down pretty good now...

    Roy Ken
  • sharkman's avatar
    sharkman
    Explorer
    May 30, 2016
    I know the feeling DJ, the gray tank on the lance is in the same spot as yours, took me an hour to load thursday evening, the first 2 times it took 5 minutes.

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