I got out of RV'ing about 15 years ago due to financial issues, I had an older Coachman slide-in and my vehicle was a 1996 F350 crew cab with 7.3 diesel. Great rig. Due to circumstances out of my control, I had to sell it all. I am back on my feet, and have the itch again. I currently drive a F-150 long bed with the max tow package and air bags, borrowed a buddy's slide-in to feel out whether or not my truck is going to cut it, and it isnt happening. So I am in the market for a truck. I live in a community that will not allow me to park my truck in the driveway (I know...), so I need something that will fit in my garage. My F150 barely fits, I measured and a F250 SuperCab shortbed will fit. My question is, I will probably be buying a used slide-in of some kind, is it ok to buy a normal one and just have it stick off the end of the bed a little? Or will this cause damage. I did a little looking and it seems they make specific units for short beds, but I think that would limit me in the long run.Need recommendations, thanks.

Long bed will give more camper choices and more camper space, why buy a heavy duty truck and limit your capabilities, I made that mistake once

The center of gravity is placed over the rear axle by design. It is different for a long bed versus a short bed truck. The camper will hang out past the rear of the truck by 18" or more for the models with a head.In good used short bed models there are the Lance 830 and 845 models and others like the 850 from Wolfe Creek. Lance has brochures with specs online for prior year campers so you know when you see a used one for sale what the layout is like, size of fridge and holding tanks, ballpark weight, and dimensions.

805gregg wrote:Long bed will give more camper choices and more camper space, why buy a heavy duty truck and limit your capabilities, I made that mistake onceI hear you, but I dont have much of a choice other than to move, which isnt happening... So standard cab long bed, or supercab short bed. I cant fit a long bed supercab in my garage, and cant park it in the driveway

Of course there aren't as many truck campers made for a short bed but there are still quite a few. I happened to buy and Adventurer, they make quite a few models that fit short bed trucks.The other issue is that you should consider a 350/3500 instead of the 250. They're essentially the same truck but the 350 has better payload capacity.

hedge wrote:Of course there aren't as many truck campers made for a short bed but there are still quite a few. I happened to buy and Adventurer, they make quite a few models that fit short bed trucks.I am finding this, need to do more research.The other issue is that you should consider a 350/3500 instead of the 250. They're essentially the same truck but the 350 has better payload capacity.Yes, regarding the 250/350, I may indeed end up going that route, it's only marginally more money. From what I know, having owned trucks my whole life, the 250 and 350 are the exact same vehicle, Same frame, tranny, axles, everything, but the 350 has a higher GVWR rating. Which is 100% a paper rating. I guess if you ever get pulled over it might matter.

Need truck guidance - Short bed pickup for slide-in?

nipster
Explorer
Mar 25, 2014
hedge wrote:
Of course there aren't as many truck campers made for a short bed but there are still quite a few. I happened to buy and Adventurer, they make quite a few models that fit short bed trucks.

I am finding this, need to do more research.

The other issue is that you should consider a 350/3500 instead of the 250. They're essentially the same truck but the 350 has better payload capacity.

Yes, regarding the 250/350, I may indeed end up going that route, it's only marginally more money. From what I know, having owned trucks my whole life, the 250 and 350 are the exact same vehicle, Same frame, tranny, axles, everything, but the 350 has a higher GVWR rating. Which is 100% a paper rating. I guess if you ever get pulled over it might matter.
hedge
Explorer
Mar 25, 2014
Of course there aren't as many truck campers made for a short bed but there are still quite a few. I happened to buy and Adventurer, they make quite a few models that fit short bed trucks.

The other issue is that you should consider a 350/3500 instead of the 250. They're essentially the same truck but the 350 has better payload capacity.
nipster
Explorer
Mar 25, 2014
805gregg wrote:
Long bed will give more camper choices and more camper space, why buy a heavy duty truck and limit your capabilities, I made that mistake once

I hear you, but I dont have much of a choice other than to move, which isnt happening... So standard cab long bed, or supercab short bed. I cant fit a long bed supercab in my garage, and cant park it in the driveway
Redsky
Explorer
Mar 25, 2014
The center of gravity is placed over the rear axle by design. It is different for a long bed versus a short bed truck. The camper will hang out past the rear of the truck by 18" or more for the models with a head.

In good used short bed models there are the Lance 830 and 845 models and others like the 850 from Wolfe Creek. Lance has brochures with specs online for prior year campers so you know when you see a used one for sale what the layout is like, size of fridge and holding tanks, ballpark weight, and dimensions.
805gregg
Explorer
Mar 25, 2014
Long bed will give more camper choices and more camper space, why buy a heavy duty truck and limit your capabilities, I made that mistake once

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Need truck guidance - Short bed pickup for slide-in?

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