Camper edge protection and really quick loading/unloading
Once the wife and I decided that we were going to use the camper off the truck....a lot, I took a look at easing my work load and worry factor. Not much of a worrier to start with, so maybe it's just lazy..
Our flatbed already had some angle on it, which was kept in place with drop pins (loose bolts). The angles worked in one position for loading the camper and when switched in position (they had sloped angles on one end) they acted as guides for the snowmobiles when we used the rig for a sled deck. That wasn't that often, so I figured I could do another work around for that issue later..or not.
The AF is typical of most, it's built to sit. Soft materials on all the edges.
Had to remedy that. I figured taking the camper in and out, 10, 15, 20 times a year would wear that out in no time. Sure enough, I'd eventually think about drinking and smash a corner to hard or something. Couldn't have that.
Got some angle, drilled it out, countersunk holes for obvious, later, reasons, painted it.
Had to get a mock up for the corners.. grabbed a handy set of saw horses and..
Temporarily screwed them on..
And tacked the corners.. Then welded them up. Three sides is all I needed.
Then attached them;
I later caulked the upper edge...keeps debris out and looks cleaner. I'm a Sika fan for those detailed interested.
I changed out the angle on the flatbed for something a bit taller, and I tightened up the tolerance between them. Screwed them down;
When loading the camper, I keep the controller in my hand. Back the truck up...line up is as simple as sighting down the mirrors to check overall alignments, out the back window for the bed shot;
When I'm close, I just back up; steel to steel, the rails line up each other easy.
Once 'in' the slot, it's back up until it stops solid at the headache rack. There, I had fabricated and installed a highly sensitive and incredibly forgiving, block of wood. It works really well. When I feel the solid 'thud', I know I'm pretty much as far as I should go and stop the truck.
She's a snug fit, which makes it easy for the final tie down with the derringers. Always in the same location, give or take an 1/8"...maybe.
You can see above, I carry 4x material stacked next to the boxes. Those are for setting the rig on the ground, discussed in different thread "Linky for Arctic Fox off camper support"
I carry longer material on the other side (a couple of 4x6's) just in case and because I can...for what I have absolutely no idea.
I haven't actually timed us for loading, from a dead start. Guessing 10 minutes at a relaxed pace. And that includes winding up cords, water, etc. Yes, it's faster leaving it on the truck, but that wouldn't serve what we want.
Thought for the day: words have meaning...that's why I use them.
Our flatbed already had some angle on it, which was kept in place with drop pins (loose bolts). The angles worked in one position for loading the camper and when switched in position (they had sloped angles on one end) they acted as guides for the snowmobiles when we used the rig for a sled deck. That wasn't that often, so I figured I could do another work around for that issue later..or not.
The AF is typical of most, it's built to sit. Soft materials on all the edges.
Had to remedy that. I figured taking the camper in and out, 10, 15, 20 times a year would wear that out in no time. Sure enough, I'd eventually think about drinking and smash a corner to hard or something. Couldn't have that.
Got some angle, drilled it out, countersunk holes for obvious, later, reasons, painted it.
Had to get a mock up for the corners.. grabbed a handy set of saw horses and..
Temporarily screwed them on..
And tacked the corners.. Then welded them up. Three sides is all I needed.
Then attached them;
I later caulked the upper edge...keeps debris out and looks cleaner. I'm a Sika fan for those detailed interested.
I changed out the angle on the flatbed for something a bit taller, and I tightened up the tolerance between them. Screwed them down;
When loading the camper, I keep the controller in my hand. Back the truck up...line up is as simple as sighting down the mirrors to check overall alignments, out the back window for the bed shot;
When I'm close, I just back up; steel to steel, the rails line up each other easy.
Once 'in' the slot, it's back up until it stops solid at the headache rack. There, I had fabricated and installed a highly sensitive and incredibly forgiving, block of wood. It works really well. When I feel the solid 'thud', I know I'm pretty much as far as I should go and stop the truck.
She's a snug fit, which makes it easy for the final tie down with the derringers. Always in the same location, give or take an 1/8"...maybe.
You can see above, I carry 4x material stacked next to the boxes. Those are for setting the rig on the ground, discussed in different thread "Linky for Arctic Fox off camper support"
I carry longer material on the other side (a couple of 4x6's) just in case and because I can...for what I have absolutely no idea.
I haven't actually timed us for loading, from a dead start. Guessing 10 minutes at a relaxed pace. And that includes winding up cords, water, etc. Yes, it's faster leaving it on the truck, but that wouldn't serve what we want.
Thought for the day: words have meaning...that's why I use them.
