Question : Tail gate

A little too much space is better, way better, than not enough. So consider making the "platform' thick enough that you can store some stuff inside it. I made mine roughly to resemble pallets. Two so they are easy to handle. The space I use to store poles, the rug, tarp etc. Stuff that won't fit or I don't want in the camper or the truck. Mat underneath and another on top and the camper does not shift even off road.

Wayne,
With your Ford, the concern is more about the top of your truck cab and the underside of the cabover.

See if you can get the measurement at the pass-thru window from the bottom of the camper to the underside of the cabover and compare it to the measurement of the truck bed to top of cab.

http://centralmich.craigslist.org/rvs/4758133629.html Here's the camper I bought . Still at Larry's place , still waiting for them to call saying my truck is done .

I measured 20.25 in from bottom of truck to rail side on the camper , thought that was the close spot when it was sitting on his 2012 F 250 4x4 .

Yes please I can use all the help I can get , thanks !

Best
Wayne

http://centralmich.craigslist.org/rvs/4758133629.html

If you want, I can run out and measure my 2004 Lance 815 which should be the same.

You need about 4' from the load bed to the underside of the camper cab over for enough cab clearance on the Ford (this is my Arctic Fox measurement). If you can get the measurement of the camper floor to the underside of the cab over before you pick it up, you will know how much height you have to add to the load bed.

1999 was the first year of the taller cab. You definitely have to raise it. The high density foam is an easy fix. That truck will easily carry that camper and those torklifts are worth the price.

Was 2000 before Ford raised the cab roof? If not, you will need something to raise the camper to clear the roof. Think it is more like 4" you need to raise it.

Others with Fords may have more precise details.

Thanks ! Just what I needed to know .

1. The tailgate should be removed when hauling the camper. People have damaged the gate by putting too much weight on it or having road debris kick up.

2. You want the weight to sit as low as possible in the truck bed. If you need to raise the camper to clear the truck cab or bed rails, that is a necessary compromise to make it fit.

3. If you use foam to raise your camper, make sure it is a high density material. All the weight of the camper is concentrated on the edge framing and will compress the softer foam to the point it will bow and damage the camper underside where it does not compress.