Parking the camper

Not completely unrelated. I am using an old truck bed trailer to support the camper when not on the truck. This doesn't help when out on road, but my camper is a palomino and not designed to be used off truck. Although I did in summer of 2013 for about 5 days when my truck was getting worked on, not much choice. I think I used cinder blocks on each corner but not much else.

We have a camping lot at a private lake with a 25ft 5th wheel. The truck camper is for traveling. occasionally we need a "guest house" and the truck camper does just fine on the truck bed trailer. If we need to move it around the lot, again the trailer does just fine.

just food for thought.

We have an AF 1150 and recently confirmed directly with folks at Northwood that it is fine to use the camper off the truck, even with full tanks. No additional support required.

Mostly for stability-more contact with the ground. We only set up extended stay when off loaded or I dont trust the ground squirrels ceiling.

We use some very old Reese aluminum stands (not the camcos-too short for ours) and few pieces of wood for base & top, with a full 2x4 across the front. Just snugged up, used in conjunction with the jacks, offers a lot more support. They do make camper rock steady. But generally just the simple home made copies of Torklift wobble stoppers made a world of difference. Which I had set both up at same time. Had I known how much the jack stabilizers would stop the 'wiggle' I probably wouldn't have messed with the stands, but glad I had when camped in moab sand and the wind picked up to the point I couldnt load.

The T/L is an option, Id still want to see a larger foot print on ground. That McCoy is also a really nice looking bracket, again depending where you camp is foot print..I would add some kind of spreader.
Only thing I would add is they supplement the jacks, most of the load is still on them.

I use a couple of 'pallets' that I constructed under my camper when it is on the truck to raise it. When I take it off these 'pallets' can go underneath too with the jacks cranked down...so the camper is supported underneath the same way it is on the truck.

RideSlow wrote:
Looking around for ideas on stable parking for the camper, while we drive the truck around the area.

Found these on-line:
Super Steel Sawhorse Brackets

McCoy Tool Company is the manufacturer and supplier of the Super Bracket. A quality, commercial grade sawhorse bracket designed with the professional craftsman in mind. Being in the construction industry for three generations we realize how important a good, strong sawhorse is to many trades. Whether for use on the job or for home projects, the Super Bracket fits the bill. It can support loads of up to 4000 lbs. with ease and yet is versatile enough to break down quickly for convenient storage and transporting. With easy to follow instructions, the Super Bracket assembles in minutes, ready to take on any project.

Also saw the Torklift "Camper Packer."

Any other thots or ideas?

I was thinking about like you many years ago.. bought steel folding saw horses... and loaded them up.

I never got around to using them... saw them todat.. still like new.

It turns out that we parled overnight with the camper on the truck.. the next morning we decided to leave the camper loaded... that way we had the fridge to put the stuff into when we stopped at the grocery store... we ended up at a movie and out to eat... everything was already in tghe fridge... no need to make a special trip back to our parking spot and then back to the movie and resturant.

Over the years we found that it was very convienent to have the camper with us... no hurry on of us could nap, the other could fish or even canoe.

My suggestion... try leaving the camper loaded... take it with you when you explore... you might like it. We have never unloaded our TC's in camp since 1970.

Good luck

Sleepy

We have recently purchased 2 scissor jacks (each rated at 5000 lbs). We use them for under the middle sides of the floor. We did it for additional support, but it makes the TC solid as a rock! The wobble-stopprs worked, but now no movement all, even when the big dog is moving around.

They only take minutes to install. Found them at a yard sale for a great price. Bonus!

I agree Super Dave... for me it was all about eliminating the wobble when the TC is off the truck. This system is versital, doesn't take a lot of space and simple to use. I came up with this because DW was always nervous about wobbling when TC was on the jacks.

TCBob wrote:
I have been using a couple of "car style" jack stands and the 2x6 that I also use as a pad/spacer against the front of the truck bed as a "bumper stop". 2x6 across the top of the jacks distributes the weight, and stabilizes the rig when off the truck. I've never seen any one else do this, but it has been easy. I only use the one set at the front of the camper, primarily for stability.

PS: I am surprised about the S&S comment. I have always had great sucess talking with them when I had any questions.

TCBob, meet the other guy that does this. I do the exact same thing with a set a screw jacks and a 2 X 6. For me, it has nothing to do with floor support. I find that it provides a lot of stability in windy conditions and camper shake when people are walking around.

I have been using a couple of "car style" jack stands and the 2x6 that I also use as a pad/spacer against the front of the truck bed as a "bumper stop". 2x6 across the top of the jacks distributes the weight, and stabilizes the rig when off the truck. I've never seen any one else do this, but it has been easy. I only use the one set at the front of the camper, primarily for stability.

PS: I am surprised about the S&S comment. I have always had great sucess talking with them when I had any questions.

S & S doesn't respond to emails or facebook inquiries. I will try calling tomorrow. Remember, I do not know the history on the unit, and I have no manuals on anything. The fellow I bought it from kept it under cover, in a huge shop. But he admits he didn't know much about it when he got it several years ago. The jacks seem very secure to the camper, but they also show a couple of bent bolt heads. Also, one jack is leaking a bit, so I will have to run it out and see if it settles at all.

So, basically, this is a peace of mind issue. I am trying to get this rig up to snuff, while working 50 hrs a week and getting ready to change jobs.

I have not taken it off the truck since I got it, still getting it cleaned up, but it will eventually be under cover on some sort of sawhorse.

The big trip I am planning, is probably the only time the TC will be off the truck until November, when I need the truck for commuting.