hi,DH and I are buying a TC to go to Alaska next summer. We currently live in our 5th wheel, but we don't want to drag it all the way up there. We have no experience with truck campers at all.As we look at some Lance campers (1181, 1191) we realized that if we found the right rig we'd have no way of bringing it home. So DH has bought the Torklift tie downs and the Torklift Fastgun Turnbuckle. Obviously we'll have to empty the truck bed etc., and I know he plans on getting something to lay in the truck bed (horse stall mats?).Is there anything else we need to get or install before we actually go ahead and make the purchase?Thanks!!Sue

you need electrical hookups. I would think any dealer that sells a truck camper can supply things you need to attach it to truck.

I'm not sure what size truck you have, but you made need to upgrade your rear suspension some. When I picked up my camper all I did was install rear air bags and torklifts. My truck bed already had a nice thick rubber mat in it when I bought it. Hope that helps...

Hope to see you and DH on the Alaska Hiway next year! Be sure to "sign up" on the Roll Call Alaska 2014 thread in the Alaska and Canada Forum. The group this past summer did that and stayed in communication. It was interesting to follow. Link below:http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/26960837.cfmIf you are hauling the TC with the F450 in your signature you may need to see if the TC has or needs the swing out dually brackets on the jacks. If you have fifth wheel rails in the bed you should build up the level with plywood or some other material prior to installing the bed mat. Leave your tailgate home when going to pick up the camper.

Your sig shows an F450. For certain years, Ford cab height is higher than GM and Dodge. Some campers were / are a bit short in cab clearance. When doing your camper shopping, check measurements for cab height. You may need some type of filler (wood, foam, etc) in the truck bed. You may also, consider a rubber bed mat.On my TC, the wood is actually fastened to bottom of the camper, and I have the bed mat.

thanks everyone!We've added air springs to the truck (2011 F450) already because our MS caused it to squat, so hopefully that will be all we need.I remember that one dealer mentioned the swing out brackets on that particular Lance TC, but we'll put that on our radar for the others we look at.Our 2011 has the factory set up for our 5th wheel hitch, so no rails to worry about. the bed is flush without the hitch in there.Jmckelvy, looking forward to chatting with other Alaska bound travelers.I would not have thought to leave the tailgate off, although I'm sure my husband would have :)thanks everyone!Oh yeah, how do I measure the cab height? is it a physical measurement we need to take, or is it in the spec sheet?thanks.Sue

anything else we need before TC purchase? | Good Sam Community

12 Replies

DoneItAll
Explorer
Dec 03, 2013
I carry my Lance 1191 in my 2008 F450. All I did for upgrades was to install two additional 3/4" leaves on each side of the spring pack. Ended up lifting the truck about 4" which exactly compensated for the 4" sag I had previously. Truck doesn't seem to know the camper is on board.

John
soos
Explorer II
Dec 03, 2013
MORSNOW, thanks for the info on the cab height. We'll take measurements but it looks like we should be ok.

GeoBoy wrote:
Sue, have you looked at Truck Camper Warehouse in NH., for a used TC?

No, coincidently I am in MA visiting until Wednesday but the TC purchase will happen in the AZ or CA area so NH would be too far to go. But just for fun I'lll take a look, thanks!

Sue
GeoBoy
Explorer
Dec 02, 2013
Sue, have you looked at Truck Camper Warehouse in NH., for a used TC?
MORSNOW
Navigator III
Dec 02, 2013
soos, you can see the huge gap I have between the cab roof and camper, that is how the newer campers are being manufactured to clear the high roof on a Ford. Also, my Wolf Creek is made by Northwood Mfg, the same company that makes Arctic Fox. Wolf Creek, no slideout, Arctic Fox has slideouts.

You'll love your trip up here to Alaska!
soos
Explorer II
Dec 02, 2013
SoCalDesertRider wrote:
Ford changed the cab height way back in '99.

So as long as you're buying a new, or near-new camper, it is very likely that it will fit your truck's cab height fine, without needing a riser platform in the bed. If it doesn't, you can lay some 2x4's down on the bed before loading the camper and that will likely be enough to clear the cab.

We are looking at either an Arctic Fox or Lance in the 2004-2008 range. Haven't actually looked at an Arctic Fox yet, but we will.
There aren't many for sale out there but we have some time.

thanks,
Sue
SoCalDesertRid1
Explorer II
Dec 02, 2013
Ford changed the cab height way back in '99. The cab heights for Fords haven't changed since '99, that I'm aware of.

Dodge changed theirs in '03. I believe GM changed theirs in '02, or possibly '07.

Camper manufacturers started raising the overcab heights shortly thereafter.

So as long as you're buying a new, or near-new camper, it is very likely that it will fit your truck's cab height fine, without needing a riser platform in the bed. If it doesn't, you can lay some 2x4's down on the bed before loading the camper and that will likely be enough to clear the cab.
handye9
Explorer II
Dec 02, 2013
soos wrote:
thanks everyone!Oh yeah, how do I measure the cab height? is it a physical measurement we need to take, or is it in the spec sheet?
thanks.

Sue

It's a physical measurement.

Measure truck bed floor to where you have two to four inches clearance above the cab. If there are clearance lights or antenna of some kind, make sure to clear them.

On a potential camper, measure from bottom of the camper box to bottom of cabover.

Your seller will probably already know if you need spacing in your truck bed.

I needed three inches of spacer, to put my TC in an F250.
soos
Explorer II
Dec 02, 2013
thanks everyone!
We've added air springs to the truck (2011 F450) already because our MS caused it to squat, so hopefully that will be all we need.
I remember that one dealer mentioned the swing out brackets on that particular Lance TC, but we'll put that on our radar for the others we look at.
Our 2011 has the factory set up for our 5th wheel hitch, so no rails to worry about. the bed is flush without the hitch in there.

Jmckelvy, looking forward to chatting with other Alaska bound travelers.

I would not have thought to leave the tailgate off, although I'm sure my husband would have :)

thanks everyone!

Oh yeah, how do I measure the cab height? is it a physical measurement we need to take, or is it in the spec sheet?
thanks.

Sue
handye9
Explorer II
Dec 02, 2013
Your sig shows an F450. For certain years, Ford cab height is higher than GM and Dodge. Some campers were / are a bit short in cab clearance. When doing your camper shopping, check measurements for cab height. You may need some type of filler (wood, foam, etc) in the truck bed. You may also, consider a rubber bed mat.

On my TC, the wood is actually fastened to bottom of the camper, and I have the bed mat.
jmckelvy
Explorer
Dec 01, 2013
Hope to see you and DH on the Alaska Hiway next year! Be sure to "sign up" on the Roll Call Alaska 2014 thread in the Alaska and Canada Forum. The group this past summer did that and stayed in communication. It was interesting to follow. Link below:

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/26960837.cfm

If you are hauling the TC with the F450 in your signature you may need to see if the TC has or needs the swing out dually brackets on the jacks. If you have fifth wheel rails in the bed you should build up the level with plywood or some other material prior to installing the bed mat. Leave your tailgate home when going to pick up the camper.