Forum Discussion

sasq40's avatar
sasq40
Explorer
Aug 29, 2020

Rerigging my rig, looking for suggestion

I'm using a 09 f550 cc with a 12ft deck to haul around my old camper and my jeep for offroad fun. Now tbat our family's growing we upsize to a bigger camper. I'm just looking for tips on how to position it on my rig.
The old camper I took off the bumper and had it slide up to almost the front of my deck (had a slip tank in front) but with the new rig the steps, plumbing and exhaust for the Gen kinda stop me from moving the unit much further ahead.

I don't mind the over hang, its nice to have that deck space for other stuff, and when I bought the camper I was giving a a torklift hitch extension. So I was looking at having a welder just attach another tube to my already beefy hitch on the truck.

The center of gravity sticker is about 10"behind my axle. I did drive the unit back a couple hundred km through some hilly areas and I did notice more movement then our old camper, but I wouldnt say it was a ton.



Truck Campers
  • sasq40's avatar
    sasq40
    Explorer
    Aug 31, 2020
    Routed the Gen exhaust throw the deck, moved of the removable stairs, and for now I'm going to use a flex house with sewer end on it and leave the sewer on the inside compartment

  • Kayteg1's avatar
    Kayteg1
    Explorer II
    Aug 29, 2020
    With flatbed I don't see much issue welding or bolting extension frame and place the hitch under new camper bumper.
    That still will leave the issue how much tongue weight will add to the rear axle, but from all trucks the 550 is the one who has longer WB, therefore better weight distribution between the axle.
    Still with good WD bars, you should be OK.
    The torklift hardware is very expensive and for my F350 stinger, I spend $40 for 4 ft of 3" square tubing.
    Worked very nicely with my boat, who totaled about 3000 lb even I did not have WD bars.
  • sasq40's avatar
    sasq40
    Explorer
    Aug 29, 2020
    I'd have to cut the frame to change the deck, and i also use it for a sled rig in the winter so I like the length. I have a set of steps from the old camper that I can bolt onto the frame. I think I'm gonna experiment with the steps off and see how I can modify the plumbing and the gen exhaust.
  • KD4UPL's avatar
    KD4UPL
    Explorer
    Aug 29, 2020
    I agree, I'd probably shorten the flatbed, or just swap it, for an 11' bed. If your frame is too long to allow for that then can you possible alter the gen exhaust and plumbing to get it a bit farther forward. I wouldn't mess with the steps. If the steps are in the way I'd say just run it. With the weight of your fuel tank and the rest of the truck up front I don't think the COG is really that far back on the overall truck.
  • wnjj's avatar
    wnjj
    Explorer II
    Aug 29, 2020
    Is modifying (shortening) the flat bed out of the question? It has plenty of overhang.
  • sasq40's avatar
    sasq40
    Explorer
    Aug 29, 2020
    opnspaces wrote:
    Don't have a suggestion, but I do love the kids jeep next to the adults jeep in the trailer. Pictures like that just bring up good memories of my kids when they were young.

    Also your first two pictures are very large and make reading the post difficult. can you resize them smaller? If you click the reply button on this post you can see where I added height=480 to resize smaller. Just edit your original post and add the height=480 and they will resize.



    Ha thanks I alway forogt to do that when posting in my phone. I think the small jeeps got used more on that trip lol
  • opnspaces's avatar
    opnspaces
    Navigator II
    Aug 29, 2020
    Don't have a suggestion, but I do love the kids jeep next to the adults jeep in the trailer. Pictures like that just bring up good memories of my kids when they were young.

    Also your first two pictures are very large and make reading the post difficult. can you resize them smaller? If you click the reply button on this post you can see where I added height=480 to resize smaller. Just edit your original post and add the height=480 and they will resize.


  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Aug 29, 2020
    Not the prettiest rig on the road but looks like it works.

About Travel Trailer Group

44,026 PostsLatest Activity: Mar 01, 2025