Forum Discussion

jriggs10's avatar
jriggs10
Explorer
Jul 17, 2014

My First Truck Camper...HELP!!!

Hey there, I just bought a Caribou (1998 I believe) camper for my young family. I have a Dodge Ram 2500 diesel extended cab long bed to haul it with. I am trying to figure out a few things to start off. First is what the best way to connect it to my truck. Right now I have this jack system that you can see in the picture, and the guy I bought it from says I can attach something on the underside of my truck that will hold it down. It came with the jack system but he says it hangs down quite a bit under his truck when not in use. I live on a gravel road and am thinking these might get beat up when I drive on that road. Any thoughts on that?

Also, the label right next to the door that talks about weight and such is blank! So I am not sure how much this hog is going to weigh fully loaded or empty. There is no manual with it either, any thoughts on how to figure this part out?

Last, my main concern is safety, and although this jack system looks nice, I am not familiar at all with it, anything I need to watch out for or be aware of? Thanks in advance for your help! We are super excited about starting our camping adventures!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/125464039@N04/14678311575/
Truck Campers
  • rfuerst911sc's avatar
    rfuerst911sc
    Explorer
    Jul 18, 2014
    Isn't Caribou still in business ? If they are send them an email with a few pictures I'm sure they would be able to identify the model and year. And that Stable Lift is a great system I have one on my Avion. Call Stable Lift they can sell you the under mounts for your truck.
  • jriggs10's avatar
    jriggs10
    Explorer
    Jul 18, 2014
    Thanks for the continued feedback. A couple more questions...

    Should I be concerned that the plate next to the door does not have any info stamped into it? I really don't even know what model number it is.

    I know that Fleetwood went under a few years ago, but is there anywhere to get more info on the camper, like an owners manual, etc?

    Thanks again!

    Jeff
  • wcjeep's avatar
    wcjeep
    Explorer
    Jul 18, 2014
    Be sure the Stable lift is installed correctly. It's a great system.

    Consider Stable loads from Torklift for your 2500. Stable loads should be installed before airbags in my opinion. Airbags may not be necessary.
  • Butch50's avatar
    Butch50
    Explorer
    Jul 17, 2014
    You have a great lift already on the camper. Stable lift is made right in Kalispell, MT. Not far from you. For this to work on your tuck you need to have the saddle mounts that fit on you truck frame. Give Mont a call at the Stable Lift site that I have given a link to here and check with them about getting some.
  • mkirsch's avatar
    mkirsch
    Nomad II
    Jul 17, 2014
    To post pictures you need to get the link to the picture itself, not the page it shows on. Right-click on the picture as it's displayed on flickr, and select "Copy Image Location"

    It should look something like this, without the spaces:

    http : // farm4.staticflickr.com / 3849 / 14678311575_e8bf9486a1_z . jpg

    That's what you post in the image dialog when you're creating your posting.

    Nice camper, and excellent tiedown system. The under-truck brackets are designed to withstand road hazards to a certain degree. Of course if you're slogging through mud or rock-bouncing with the truck, you might want to take them off.
  • jriggs10's avatar
    jriggs10
    Explorer
    Jul 17, 2014
    Thanks for the help and sorry about the picture, not sure where to post them where it shows in the post. Would tie-downs on the sides of the camper work if I didn't get that piece installed under my truck? Thanks again for all the help and support!
  • Camp__Forrest__'s avatar
    Camp__Forrest__
    Explorer
    Jul 17, 2014
    What you have is a StableLift. They are quite expensive and work very well. When you raise lower the camper onto the truck, you keep retracting the lift and it "hugs" your truck to keep the camper and truck connected without using tie-downs. There is a cradle that attaches to your frame to catch the lift when it retracts. It is a simple system and can be made for your truck. If you search for Stable Lift in the forums you will probably find at least one thread where someone made their own cradle/receiver. I'd search for you but it doesn't work right on my iPad.

    That looks like a larger camper so it will be in the 3,000 lb range when loaded. You can keep the weight down by not carrying full water and waste tanks unless you need to, and by being aware of what you put inside. It is not hard to add 1,000 lbs to one of these. Make sure your tires are up to the task by checking the weight ratings. You will want a Load Range D or even better an E rated tire.

    Good luck and have fun. I think you will like the Stable Lift.
  • jimh406's avatar
    jimh406
    Explorer III
    Jul 17, 2014
    The picture shows a stabile-lift. http://www.stablelift.com/ has more info.

    You can find out how much it weighs by going to scales. Weigh before and after. I'd put the tires at max air if Es or considering changing them if not before hauling it too far.
  • Francesca_Knowl's avatar
    Francesca_Knowl
    Explorer
    Jul 17, 2014
    I can't answer your questions but want to thank you for having answered one of my own! I saw a camper on a truck the other day and it had a setup just like yours hangin' under/off it. I'd never seen one before and really wondered if it was jacks or some kind of elaborate plumbing add-on. Thanks for clearing that up for me- and good luck with your questions.

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