After 38 years as ER Doc, I am approaching retirement,new to truck campers. I just bought 2015 Dodge 3500 crew cab with short bed(6'4'' ?)I'm starting to shop used campers. I understand a bit about COG issues.Will the COG be part of the specs of a camper? When a seller says it's OK for a short bed ,how can I determine if that's right. Are there specs etc I can check to determine if it's compatable with my truck? How does one determine if you'll need airbags,leveling kit, and what are fast guns?. I'm obviously a bit slow on the draw.Thanks for any help

Some campers are specifically designed for short beds and some for long beds. Long bed campers fit a short bed but not necessarily the other way around. COG on your short bed really only impacts your rear axle weight. Have you narrowed down what size of camper you are really looking for? An 8.5' - 9' camper will in all likelihood not be a problem at all fro your truck.

We have an 8.5 ft camper on a bed that is "technically" 6.75 feet but to me it is 6.5. Works great. Most campers do list COG in their specs (at least the ones I researched) You are in a part of the country that should have lots of options available to you.Good luck!!!! I am really happy for you! I am so happy we took the plunge a couple years ago.

Super_Dave wrote: Long bed campers fit a short bed but not necessarily the other way around. Dave...I think you meant to say a SB camper may fit a LB truck....You probably would NOT want a LB camper on SB truck.

The specifications for the vast majority of campers can be found online through a simple google search using the camper brand and model. COG will generally be a part of those specifications.One telltale sign of a shortbed camper is that they often have large external storage compartments at the rear with a floor length of 9'6" or less.

billtex wrote:You probably would NOT want a LB camper on SB truck.If you're talking about the monster 10'+ floor length campers, yes.Most 8' floor campers work fine in either length bed. The COG isn't far enough off to cause any adverse handling issues with a camper this size, as they usually weigh around 2000-2500lbs.

?Short bed camper...Newbie | Good Sam Community

daily_double
Explorer
Oct 20, 2015
And fast guns are a type of tie downs. (A good type)
Super_Dave
Explorer
Oct 20, 2015
billtex wrote:
Super_Dave wrote:
Long bed campers fit a short bed but not necessarily the other way around.

Dave...I think you meant to say a SB camper may fit a LB truck....
You probably would NOT want a LB camper on SB truck.

No, I meant what I said. Long bed campers with no wing boxes fit on a short bed truck. A short bed camper with wing boxes hang off the back of a long bed truck and won't slide all the way to the front.
mkirsch
Nomad II
Oct 20, 2015
billtex wrote:
You probably would NOT want a LB camper on SB truck.

If you're talking about the monster 10'+ floor length campers, yes.

Most 8' floor campers work fine in either length bed. The COG isn't far enough off to cause any adverse handling issues with a camper this size, as they usually weigh around 2000-2500lbs.
mkirsch
Nomad II
Oct 20, 2015
The specifications for the vast majority of campers can be found online through a simple google search using the camper brand and model. COG will generally be a part of those specifications.

One telltale sign of a shortbed camper is that they often have large external storage compartments at the rear with a floor length of 9'6" or less.
billtex
Explorer II
Oct 20, 2015
Super_Dave wrote:
Long bed campers fit a short bed but not necessarily the other way around.

Dave...I think you meant to say a SB camper may fit a LB truck....
You probably would NOT want a LB camper on SB truck.
WVbassmistress
Explorer
Oct 20, 2015
We have an 8.5 ft camper on a bed that is "technically" 6.75 feet but to me it is 6.5. Works great. Most campers do list COG in their specs (at least the ones I researched) You are in a part of the country that should have lots of options available to you.

Good luck!!!! I am really happy for you! I am so happy we took the plunge a couple years ago.
Super_Dave
Explorer
Oct 20, 2015
Some campers are specifically designed for short beds and some for long beds. Long bed campers fit a short bed but not necessarily the other way around. COG on your short bed really only impacts your rear axle weight. Have you narrowed down what size of camper you are really looking for? An 8.5' - 9' camper will in all likelihood not be a problem at all fro your truck.

Forum Discussion

?Short bed camper...Newbie

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

Short Bed Silverado

Long bed vs. short bed

Short Bed Pickup

short bed vrs. long bed

Short bed truck camper