I've got a 1999 f250 super duty 7.3 diesel short bed extended cab pickup. I am looking for a cabover camper, my bed is 6'6" and with the tail gate down its 8'6" and have found this camper for sale locally; 1999 Fleetwood, Elk Horn 9Tthe guy says it weighs 2300 lbs wetI would like opinions about the compatibility of the two, is the camper just too long, too heavy or any other potential problems?

Most TCs require removal of the tailgate. Even if you can leave the tailgate down, it really cannot support much weight and rocks will beat it up pretty quick.Your primary concern is the Center of Gravity (COG). Very bad idea if it is behind the rear axle. Easy to tell. With no TC, measure from the front wheel wells to the ground. Do the same in the rear. Load the TC and remeasure. The front and rear both should measure less. If the front is the same or more, the COG is behind the axle. Not good, the steering will be bad. I really question the COG being acceptable with a short box and a 8-foot plus long TC, unless the TC is designed for a short bed.Wayne

I've got a 1999 f250 super duty 7.3 diesel short bed extended cab pickup. I am looking for a cabover camper, my bed is 6'6" and with the tail gate down its 8'6" and have found this camper for sale locally; 1999 Fleetwood, Elk Horn 9T the guy says it weighs 2300 lbs wet I would like opinions about the compatibility of the two, is the camper just too long, too heavy or any other potential problems? Being a previous Elkhorn owner (2000 10V) the weights you were cited are probably low. Mine was minimum of 3000 pounds and upwards of nearly 4000 when fully loaded. Also, check for water leaks as the Fleetwood campers were notorious for leaking especially in the rear just under the roof. Run, don't walk, from this camper if it has had a leak. You did not share any prices but I would guess if it is in perfect shape that it could bring $2500-3500. More than that and I would walk. I had mine on a Ram 3500 dually and it still needed air bags and overload spring bumpers to adequately carry the camper.

That 2300 lb. Wet weight is a huge stretch. Probably dry weight with no options. My camper in sig is similar camper and weighs 2800 lbs dry with ac, micro and electric jacks. That long bed camper advice Reddog gave is good. I would keep looking and pass on that one. Good luck to you!

I bought my 11.5 Fleetwood with F250 short bed, but it was flatbed with 7-6" bed.When the bed extension is easy doable, I multiply the weight and weight distribution concerns. The first stop I made after picking up my Fleetwood was the scales.The 3800 lb rated camper tipped scales at 4200 lb winterized and even I bought HD tires for the trip, the rear overload was pretty scary. If the seller agrees, load the camper and head to scales.Per my experience F250 even with long bed can handle camper with no tanks. Once you get one with bathroom, you better start with dually.

Ok, I pretty much figured this might be a pretty big load. I have seen a few 8'6" campers with tail lights and with no tail lights. I have been told the campers 8'6" with tail lights are good for short beds, I am thinking for the ones with out tail lights, the lights could be added. The only reason I haven't just went for a camper designed for short bed, is that they are in short supply and lot more expensive, now I am not trying to "cheap out" but trying to be reasonable. So with your experience, can I go with a 8.6" camper w/wo tail lights, and just important what would be a good camper to look for, brand model etc.

Fleetwood, Elk Horn 9T Short bed truck? | Good Sam Community

northshore
Explorer
Oct 13, 2015
Ok well the camper looked dry no sign of damp/water intrusion every thing looked tight and was in pretty great shape for being so old. So I bought it!
The guy is going to deliver it this afternoon. Thanks for the responses
pcoplin
Explorer II
Oct 13, 2015
That 165s is going to ride great on that truck. However, it is shorter and not as wide as the standard campers in that year.
mkirsch
Nomad II
Oct 13, 2015
The 165S should be the short bed model with the proper COG. That's what the S means. If it fits between the wheel wells (and there is absolutely no reason it won't) you should be good to go.

The 165S is a lightweight camper too. Lance's site seems to be down at this moment but there is a PDF brochure for the 1997 Squire Lite 165 series campers available there. Just google it and check later when they get the site back online.
northshore
Explorer
Oct 12, 2015
I didn't want to start a new thread, so I thought continuing this one would be ok.
I am going to look at a 1997 Lance Squire Lite 165s this afternoon, any comments, ideas, things to think about with this camper and my f250 extended cab 7.3 Ford? The guy says this camper is for a "Short Bed" So if this is true then there should not be any issues with COG or measuring wheel wells that sort of thing?
Thanks
Ranger_Tim
Explorer
Sep 20, 2015
Seems like a pretty even split between short and long bed used models here in Idaho recently. Keep looking!
nomadictxn
Explorer
Sep 20, 2015
I used to own a Lance 300 that was built for long beds and it only had rear clearance lighting and depended on trucks rear lighting for signals and braking indication, so using your rationale, that would be correct. Some new models like Wolf creek and some Adventurers sell same models for long and short beds and the difference is the addition of rear lighting pods that also will score you a generator compartment on short bed models.
northshore
Explorer
Sep 19, 2015
1st off Wayne, loading the camper and measuring the wheel well distances sounds like a good way to do it, I don't think at this point loading the camper on the truck would be a good thing. I figured before taking up the guys time with loading etc I would ask some guys who have been through it and know ie. "hedge" giving me first hand knowledge of what did work, it seems reasonable that the Elk Horn is not right for me.
So correct me if I am wrong that the 8'6" campers would be the ones to check, If I can find a good one at the right price then talk to the guy and suggest loading it on my truck to measure wheel well distances and check on COG.
Does anyone have any opinions about the campers with tail lights vs the ones with out? Am I right that the ones with taillights are for shortbeds also?
My f 250 is 6'6" with the tail gate up and 8'6" with it down.

I did run into a guy with a Dodge megacab short bed with a 9'6" camper with tail gate down and talked with him he reported that the truck handled fine no problems what so ever, he seem to think that his truck being a 3500 and the tie downs attached to the frame made a difference.
jmtandem
Explorer II
Sep 19, 2015
they are a full shortbed

Yup, You are correct. My bad! MegaCab is the same as the Ram's short bed. It is listed at 6' 4" in the brochure. Thanks for the correction.
Vinsil
Explorer
Sep 19, 2015
jmtandem wrote:
Look for a good used short bed camper. They are out there. Some even put them on Ram Megacabs that are shorter than most short beds. Don't give up.

While it true some of us haul TC's with Megacabs, they are a full shortbed. I see this info pop up often but I assure you sir I have a 6.5' bed.

As to the OP, used shortbed TC's are out there...keep looking and pass on the Elk Horn.
hedge
Explorer
Sep 19, 2015
I have a short bed truck and have a 8'9" (Adventurer 89RB) camper. My last one was a '99 Adventurer 810WS 8'10" camper. Lots of them around and lots of campers that can fit on a short bed.

The good thing about the Adventurer's is they mark the center of gravity so you can quickly measure to see if it is in front of your axle. I also took the precaution to email them when I bought the '99 to ask if it was suitable for a short bed and got the 10-4.

PS: I'm pretty sure your bed is actually 6'9" AFAIK the Superduty's short box has always been 6'9"