Hardshell TC with low center of gravity?
I've currently got a pop-up Palamino Bronco, but want to switch over to a hard shell for convenience. Can anyone tell me which manufacturers make a hard shell Truck Camper with a low center of grav...
Forum Discussion
Raz,
The hardest treatment to a TC frame is the flexing of the truck frame on deep holes your wheels drop into. When the frame of the truck tweaks, the frame of the camper, if tied too tight wants to follow the truck frame putting an exorbitant amount of stress on one or diagonally opposed tie downs. Going uphill or downhill on terrible roads or trails, I loosen the rear tie downs (loose as in just hanging there with no tension) so each side of the back of the camper can lift slightly when the bed and frame of the truck try to pull away from the camper. In essence, the camper is more free to stay with the attitude of the front tie downs and pivot ever so slightly at the rear. Euro designed campers are on a three-point system, usually pivoting at the front of the camper box on what looks like a long, thin walking beam. But ours is front heavy so we pivot at the lighter back end of the TC.
In addition, side sway can put undue stress on your tie downs. If i'm on an undulating surface, I keep all the tie downs just a bit looser. It fits right in with my old dictum taken from the Cone Heads: "resistance is futile"
Probably the most important addition to the TC in off-road travel is the addition of camper guides. This keeps the base of the TC from moving side to side, further limiting the amount of stress on the tie downs. There are many posts on here that can edumacate you about guides.
regards, as always, jefe
The hardest treatment to a TC frame is the flexing of the truck frame on deep holes your wheels drop into. When the frame of the truck tweaks, the frame of the camper, if tied too tight wants to follow the truck frame putting an exorbitant amount of stress on one or diagonally opposed tie downs. Going uphill or downhill on terrible roads or trails, I loosen the rear tie downs (loose as in just hanging there with no tension) so each side of the back of the camper can lift slightly when the bed and frame of the truck try to pull away from the camper. In essence, the camper is more free to stay with the attitude of the front tie downs and pivot ever so slightly at the rear. Euro designed campers are on a three-point system, usually pivoting at the front of the camper box on what looks like a long, thin walking beam. But ours is front heavy so we pivot at the lighter back end of the TC.
In addition, side sway can put undue stress on your tie downs. If i'm on an undulating surface, I keep all the tie downs just a bit looser. It fits right in with my old dictum taken from the Cone Heads: "resistance is futile"
Probably the most important addition to the TC in off-road travel is the addition of camper guides. This keeps the base of the TC from moving side to side, further limiting the amount of stress on the tie downs. There are many posts on here that can edumacate you about guides.
regards, as always, jefe
