Ordered Host Mammoth

zb39 wrote:
Made a change today. I called the dealership and changed it to a 84 inch cab to axle length. This way I can go with a standard 11.3 ft bed. Does anyone think there is a problem with attaching the camper to an aluminum bed. They have a steel sub frame under them. I would be using fast guns to attach. I have a lot of experience with aluminum roll back trucks and attaching chains to the sides. There is no flex etc. They are very strong.

You will be able get 9’ of your camper on that deck. Are you planning on additional storage between the truck cab and camper?

I think the outer edges of the camper exert all the camper weight on the deck. This is where you need see how much support is underneath. All of the bed manufacturers I spoke with were concerned about the tie down since the forces are more vertical rather than lateral. They were concerned about twisting forces on the deck and additional material backing so the tie downs would not eventually pull through. The ones making custom beds offered to build one for the price of a utility bed and the ones without modification ability pushed me to steel. I had to stay within budget, so custom work was not an option for me.

Going custom, I would look at having the deck sit on the truck bed rails with taller outside edges to give you sufficient wheel clearance. This would drop the camper cab over closer to the truck cab and reduce overall height.