Auxiliary fuel tank in front of the slide in camper

d3500ram,
thanks for the picture, the only difference is you have the hangover in the back so that say someone slammed into you, the hangover would hit up against the truck bumper and the camper wouldnt not slide forward. In my case, the the Lance 815 has no hangover so it potentially could slide forward and squish my aux fuel tank up there? I guess that wouldnt be a big deal, perhaps the tank would work as a buffer?

Yes I was a little concerned about if I were to get hit from behind if it would knock the camper forward and squish the tank...nOarp, I looked into replacing the OEM tank and they want about $1500 just for the tank, was a little more than I could afford...supercharged, I was also thinking about fabricating up a tank or two to go around my wheel wells but I imagine that might be costly too? I can weld but not that good...

michaelaland wrote:
~... I have a dodge ram 3500 dually with an 8 ft bed. I want to get a Lance camper 815 that is 8ft 3 inches and pull it back 9-12 inches...~

I am not familiar with Lance campers, but it will need to be determined if the specific model in question is build (from the factor) such that is can be used on a short bed truck. i.e., the overhanging portion can be self supporting.

I have done what the OP is asking with respect to NorthStar campers. The Arrow can be used on either long or short beds. They made a model that was interchangeable (literally) on either length bed and detachable side saddles could be mounted at the back if is was on the short bed.

Mine had the permanent mounted side saddle and if this model can work on a short bed, it will certainly work on a long bed. The COG is the same on both applications because the distance from truck bumper to axle C.L. is the same on both.

...obviously, tie downs will need to be fabricate or altered as well as a custom built bulkhead space specific to OP's needs will be required.

I used my set-back camper space for a generator and other storage;

Yes, that will work well. If you sit it back 18", you could use the lance pods designed for the 815. If you don't use the pods, you will want to make a bracket and mount brake/turn lights. At 10" back the lights will be blocked to at an angle. There is a 4-pin plug wire on each side which the pods plug into so an easy add on without any camper wiring required.

I'm trying to get a pair fabbed up that'll tuck in front of the fenders with the camper in between.

I know someone with an 8.5ft camper on an 8ft bed just like that, without issues. YMMV. If diesel, I'd have no issue adding an aux tank like that.

For my old 3500, I had to give up my in-bed tank to fit my AF1140, and I put in a midship 55gal replacement. That's another option to look at.

I’d consider the idea with diesel fuel but not gasoline. How much weight would be added to the rear by moving the TC back?

Technically, it sounds like it can be done, although it will look a bit "off". The 815 is a fairly lightweight camper that can be carried safely on a short bed, AFAIK. And your long bed dually truck should have no problems to carry it that far back.
You might set yourself up for a catastrophic outcome if you ever get rear-ended in that setup, though.
Other people with more experience with aux tanks may chime in with a more reasoned opinion.