Any advice or issues? Still researching the purchase of a TC,but one thing I was thinking about..what happens when you drop the TC at campsite, then when you ready to go..it's pretty windy out. Putting a 3K lb camper 4 foot in the air doesn't sound like fun.

For me, it was a pucker factor the first few times I did it. 10 - 15 mph doesn't seem to scare me anymore. If mornings tend to be super windy I'll put the camper back on the evening before we leave.

it is scary at first, but you get used to it. Just remember what ever you do, don't hit it with the truck when loading/unloading. and put the jacks all the way, even if your moving it only a couple feet, its too easy to go over uneven ground and hit a jack foot on the ground. Not sure if wind is a problem with the new 4 leg campers. I mean when they are lower to the ground you can walk around inside them sitting on the legs.I sold one several years ago, and had to drive the new owners truck because he just could not backup straight to load it. He took it home and I received a call "when I was unloading it I clipped the edge with the truck and the camper fell over." (this was the old 3 leg design).

I need to carry 4" chocks to get it off/on, because without them I see the " max height line",so I'm up quite high. I might put it back on a day or two early depending weather conditions.

I have a Northstar softside and the wind has never been a factor during loading/unloading. The only time I worried about the wind was when I was camping in a pine forest during a gale. I moved from the upper bunk to the dinette to be below the half walls.

For me, it sucks. This is the main reason I do not unload at the camp site. Some people get used to it, but with over forty years of owning a TC, I have not. With the Stable Lift it was not a problem. I recently bought a DRW truck and had to remove the Stable Lift. I haven't decided if I will modify it to work with my DRW, so I am back to the four toothpicks.

Loading camper in wind.... | Good Sam Community

24 Replies

COBOZ
Explorer
Feb 12, 2016
No it's not..for the most part it is fine...but there are those times when you wake up and its windy...thats all my post was about....can you load in the wind...or is it more mental that the camper is swaying while in the air. I currently have a popup slide in I use for elk camp that I can load and unload in 10 minutes, never have done it in strong wind....but I'm talking about going to a 3K plus daddy
COBOZ
Explorer
Feb 12, 2016
mkirsch wrote:
COBOZ wrote:
The boat ramps here are mad houses..you have to pull off get the boat ready, then go get in line, sometimes a 1/4 mile..to get inspected at the very top..then do down pretty steep ones for awhile, turn around..then back up. Then we launch 2 - 3 times during a weekend at the lake. My whole point behind going to a TC is to drop it to launch a boat and keep my campsite setup, seems like that isn't a wise move...so I might just stay as is and keep the 5th wheel. Something more to think on. Thanks for all the advice.

Your concerns and hang-ups are mostly in your mind. If you load and unload enough it will become routine, and as far as the wind goes... Is it REALLY that windy where you camp?
RickW
Explorer III
Feb 12, 2016
You can also offer your camping neighbor $20 to temporarily park his motorhome upwind and next to you while you load/unload. :B
mkirsch
Nomad II
Feb 12, 2016
COBOZ wrote:
The boat ramps here are mad houses..you have to pull off get the boat ready, then go get in line, sometimes a 1/4 mile..to get inspected at the very top..then do down pretty steep ones for awhile, turn around..then back up. Then we launch 2 - 3 times during a weekend at the lake. My whole point behind going to a TC is to drop it to launch a boat and keep my campsite setup, seems like that isn't a wise move...so I might just stay as is and keep the 5th wheel. Something more to think on. Thanks for all the advice.

Your concerns and hang-ups are mostly in your mind. If you load and unload enough it will become routine, and as far as the wind goes... Is it REALLY that windy where you camp?
Super_Dave
Explorer II
Feb 12, 2016
See my signature, camper comes off every trip for the last 9 years and never had a problem. It seems that by nature, camping in places that we like to fish can get very, very windy. Be smart about it and you will do fine. Even on extremely windy days, there tends to be a point where there is at least a minor break. i.e. that 25 drops to 15.
COBOZ
Explorer
Feb 12, 2016
The boat ramps here are mad houses..you have to pull off get the boat ready, then go get in line, sometimes a 1/4 mile..to get inspected at the very top..then do down pretty steep ones for awhile, turn around..then back up. Then we launch 2 - 3 times during a weekend at the lake. My whole point behind going to a TC is to drop it to launch a boat and keep my campsite setup, seems like that isn't a wise move...so I might just stay as is and keep the 5th wheel. Something more to think on. Thanks for all the advice.
towpro
Explorer
Feb 12, 2016
how about a really good backup camera on top of camper roof?
jefe_4x4
Explorer
Feb 12, 2016
Cobos,
If backing down a boat ramp is the only reason you want the camper off, do yourself a favor and leave it on. And leave the jacks at home. Of course, I am the self-proclaimed "King of Jacks Off" so take it with a grain of salt. Install a front class III hitch on the truck and carefully reattach the trailer to the front. Turn the trailer around while in the holding area and make the switch. You can see exactly what you are doing, since its a front row seat, and it is easy and slick to marshall the trailer down the ramp. If you have 2WD, the weight of the TC acts as a traction enhancer while backing up the ramp. Be sure to use a spotter when coming back up the ramp to the flat. Pre position the tongue height to just clears the front ball. You will surprised how easy this is, once you have a little practice. The only caveat is to have a couple chocks for the trailer wheels while it's sitting there on its tongue wheel waiting up on the flat for the aft to fore switch. Most boat ramp parking areas are completely flat, for a reason, but I like the belt and suspenders aspect of chocks.
This will save you a lot worry about wind; disconnecting the power and tie downs; kids playing under the off-loaded TC; and re-loading the TC.
jefe
COBOZ
Explorer
Feb 12, 2016
Wow..you must be so fortunate to live in a place where the weather doesn't change on a dime. I live where it can be calm and (without warning) windy...and I didn't say "gale zone". This question would also apply at home, you are planning a camping trip, wake up to load the camper and its windy..and its windy for the next couple days. Do you postpone everything since its windy??? and I'm talking 10 - 20 mph..maybe 25.....not "gale force". Thanks.
noteven
Explorer III
Feb 12, 2016
Disconnect them one end at a time as you gently reload.
Then ask a passer by for a swift kick in your ass for unloading a camper in a gale zone in the first place.