Knees

TomG2 wrote:
Thanks to all. My knees, and most of the rest of me, are in pretty good shape. I had read that some people quit truck camping for knee and hip reasons. It sounds as though most overcome that limitation, or "Where there's a will, there's a way".

I think that pretty much nails it Tom.

Thanks to all. My knees, and most of the rest of me, are in pretty good shape. I had read that some people quit truck camping for knee and hip reasons. It sounds as though most overcome that limitation, or "Where there's a will, there's a way".

As for the issue of access to either the the camper or bunking area then there are options one probably not mentioned. As for sleeping I use a hammock...have been sleeping in a hammock full time for a couple of years for a number of reasons...knees were prominent in your thread, and for that I've had arthritic knees for 20 # years and have been able to live without pain for that time using specific exercises as well as being able to do all of the things healthy people do. So for that don't shy away from a truck camper if it fits your needs otherwise.

It would be great if the matters was on a slide out shelf...if you could I vision this. You could then slide the mattress out and make the bed,then slide it back in. It would only have to support the weight of the mattress. Or could come up with a way to Velcro the bottom sheet.
Just dreaming!

I have no problem climbing around. I still do a little framing and shingle roofs etc. I'll be 56 in 2 weeks. I am a little short at 5'8 and that first step up to the top of the water tank enclosure was always a big itch. I went to west marine and purchased a foldup step. Its alm frame with a teak wood platform. I screwed it into the frame that encloses the water tank. I fold it down to get up and down. I can fold it up when not in use so I don't bang into it with my shin. Its been one of the more practical mods.

that was a pun intended there if you caught the majority thing.

"I have an enhanced tummy" (reddog1) that's the best one ive read. I just had a insurance physical screening...im 6'4" and 232 lbs...they called me obese according to the charts. I told them what they could do with the charts. LOL!

really though...I was interested to hear if anyone added a step or not and it appears the answer is...not needed for the big majority. with the exception of the steps for our dachshunds it looks like there will not be a problem in the years to come for me.

I have bad knees but no problem getting into the bed. I have a problem getting into the camper. We have a Artic Fox 990 and a F450 Ford flatbed truck. The Ford 450 sets high. We have a set of scissor steps but they feel real flimsy and unsafe. The distance from the bumper to the back door is a steep step. Love the rig and have no intensions of getting rid of it.

skyhammer....

your tree has a large girth... you look pretty trim.

Thanks for posting... you have one h3ll of ajob.

I enjoyed the pictures

sleepy

RichieC wrote:
My observation has been those of a larger girth tend to have knee problems.
Personally, I know one man with knee problems that gave up his TC for a Class C.
And another man had knee replacements and still truck camps - he does not use the exterior ladder to get on the roof due to the knees.

The primary problem for those with knee problems seems to be getting in and out of the camper.
Handrails and steps are particularly important.

I must be an exception for those that tend to have knee problems.
I had both knees replaced, an ankle fused and one shoulder replaced, all before the age of 45, I am 58 now.
Of those joints, the ankle fusion is the most limiting.
Here are a couple of pictures that show why my joints failed.
Staying in a tree for 6-8 hours is very hard on ankles, knees, shoulders and everything else.

Lugging around a chain saw that is larger than me is also very hard on joints. This is my medium sized chain saw.


As far as getting into the cab over bed, I don't have any steps. I just back myself up to the bed and fall back and scoot my self onto the bed. Maybe basement models make the distance from the floor to the bed shorter.