Forum Discussion

maxum1989's avatar
maxum1989
Explorer II
Nov 08, 2014

Bed mat required?

Hello. Total newbie question here. I have just purchased my first truck camper. In my truck I have the under mount brackets for my signature series fifth wheel hitch that leaves pucks behind when the hitch is removed. These pucks stick up about a 1/2" above the floor of the truck bed. Are truck campers built totally flat on the bottom or do I need some kind of bed mat to compensate for these pucks protruding up into the bed?

I know I should have looked before leaving the camper but I forgot until I was home. Now I'm wondering what I need before I go pick it up. If is makes a difference its a 2009 Lance 830.

Next question. I have a seven pin hookup in the front drivers corner of the truck bed for my fifth wheel to hook up to. I noticed the campers cord is a six pin hookup. Is there room to just use a seven to six pin adaptor or do I have to change the camper cord to a seven pin?
Truck Campers
  • maxum1989's avatar
    maxum1989
    Explorer II
    Nov 09, 2014
    Sounds like cutting off the Lance plug and wiring a new 7 pin round is the way to go. I noticed a bit of a nick in the wiring near where the wiring went into the camper plug so I was going to have to do a small repair there anyways. So, cut the whole thing off and replace it with what fits in my current set up.
    Thanks everyone. Both issues answered.
  • KD4UPL's avatar
    KD4UPL
    Explorer
    Nov 09, 2014
    You'll need something to make the camper clear the "pucks". I would recommend a 3/4" horse stall mat, you can get them at Tractor Supply or a farm co-op.
    The Lance 6 pin plug is their own design. No adapters available. You can buy their wiring harness and have it installed in your truck or you can cut the Lance plug off and install a standard 7 pin round.
  • maxum1989's avatar
    maxum1989
    Explorer II
    Nov 09, 2014
    I like the idea of rigid foam insulation as the bed mat as it is very light and does a dual purpose of insulating the floor as well.

    Maybe I'll find a way of slightly gluing it to the bottom of the camper so it sits perfect and doesn't get banged around getting moved all the time.
  • maxum1989's avatar
    maxum1989
    Explorer II
    Nov 09, 2014
    Wheelholder

    I have the same truck as you. What suspension upgrades did you do to help with the weight of the camper? Did you carry the camper on your stock truck at all and then build up from there? If so, how did if feel stock? I was thinking of starting with the lower mount stableloads and see how that feels.
  • Deb_and_Ed_M's avatar
    Deb_and_Ed_M
    Explorer II
    Nov 09, 2014
    Now that I have my Palomino home, I see it has several steel rails that run across the width of the camper base. They seem to be about 3/4" tall. My favorite truck is an F-350 with 5th wheel rails in it; so I'll still have to build a frame around those. I'm thinking a bed mat; plus simple 1" x 6" laid flat (one on either side of the 5th wheel rails; plus shorter pieces down the center), should do the trick?
  • Wheelholder's avatar
    Wheelholder
    Explorer
    Nov 08, 2014
    the part that plugs into the lance is a 6 pin specific plug. On the other end, you can use a 7 pin plug. You just have to match up wire for wire and it will work.

    Sorry if I misunderstood your question concerning the plug.
  • Artum_Snowbird's avatar
    Artum_Snowbird
    Explorer
    Nov 08, 2014
    You will likely find the horse stall mats will work, but they do add quite a bit of weight and don't come wide enough unless you buy two and fit them to the box. Better off going to Home Depot and getting a sheet of hard foam. \

    Lay the foam in the box and press to see where you need to cut it out to allow the bed rails to fit into the slots. The foam will not compress and is very light. It also provides insulation from the steel box.
  • maxum1989's avatar
    maxum1989
    Explorer II
    Nov 08, 2014
    MWJones wrote:
    It is good to have a mat in the bed anyway.
    The seven pin plug in will ONLY work with a matching Lance plug.
    I found out the hard way. If you can't get the one from the previous owner's truck, you will have to buy one from a Lance Dealer or direct from Lance.


    Ok. Bed mat required. Thanks. Next, the plug issue. Are you saying Lances plug is a total custom item specific to Lance or can I just get a seven to six pin adaptor and plug that into my trucks plug and then plug the camper in?
  • MWJones's avatar
    MWJones
    Explorer
    Nov 08, 2014
    It is good to have a mat in the bed anyway.
    The seven pin plug in will ONLY work with a matching Lance plug.
    I found out the hard way. If you can't get the one from the previous owner's truck, you will have to buy one from a Lance Dealer or direct from Lance.
  • Gripnriprod's avatar
    Gripnriprod
    Explorer
    Nov 08, 2014
    You got that right. You definitely do not want the bottom of your camper resting on the "pucks". I can't speak for every camper but mine is "totally flat". Depending on thickness, I don't think you want to rely on a bed mat alone (with cut-outs for the pucks) as it may compress enough to allow contact. A 3/4" sheet of plywood and a bed mat would be a good choice. Some folks use panels of foam type insulation. JMO

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