Short Bed to Long Bed

First, I would like to thank all for looking and those who replied.

COG, I have studied to a great extent. In fact I turned down a couple of campers because the COG would not work on a short bed. As stated the extra length is between the cab and the rear wheel.

I do not want a dully. I have looked at them and seriously considered them. They just do not fit with where I will be spending most of my camping trips. Past the 4X4 sign on Padre Island National Seashore.

The weight issue I will deal with as I go along. I do not plan on getting a 3k camper for my next camper.

I read this board almost daily. I enjoy the trip reports and discussions about TC issues. I just would like to hear from people who have done what I am about to do. (Not receive a lecture on COG and weight issues.)

Thanks again on the comments and for all that have read this.
SALTYDOG

I need to subscribe to this one just in case, because Im doing the same thing. I changed from a f150 to a 3/4 ton Dodge 12 valve,

I'd highly recommend the Torklift frame mounted tie dow system. It gives a rock solid mount between the truck and the fram.

Golden_HVAC wrote:
However that might put the camper center of gravity further back over the rear axle, farther back than designed. With a dually, it will not matter, however with 16" rims and 3,042 pound rated tires (235/85R16E is standard with that truck) you might overload them. Moving the load forward even 12" will put much more of the weight on the front axle, and not also be taking weight off the front axle by having more hanging off the back of the truck.

The camper COG will be in the same spot relative to the rear axle on the long bed truck. The extra bed length is in front of the axle. Adding cargo in the "gap" in front of the camper will effectively move the cargo (camper + stuff) COG more forward than with the short bed.

Check out a couple setups and discussion about COG here.

Are you planning on getting a dually? The single rear wheel truck 2004 and earlier only has a 9,900 GVWR, and that is not enough to have the 400 pound diesel option and still have enough cargo rating to carry a camper. If you also plan on having a crewcab and 4 wheel drive, you will be really overloading the truck even before loading it with camping supplies. The dually will have plenty of cargo rating for the light camper that you have selected.

So your plan is to build a platform between the cab and camper about 2' long to prevent the camper from going to far forward in your bed? I have heard of people building such a thing, and using the space to hold their generator, firewood and such. THey also added doors, so there would not be a "gap".

However that might put the camper center of gravity further back over the rear axle, farther back than designed. With a dually, it will not matter, however with 16" rims and 3,042 pound rated tires (235/85R16E is standard with that truck) you might overload them. Moving the load forward even 12" will put much more of the weight on the front axle, and not also be taking weight off the front axle by having more hanging off the back of the truck.

If it is a single rear wheel truck, then be sure to check the weight of the truck before buying it. If the GVWR is only about 2,000 pounds more than the truck, it might be as overloaded as a F-250 with a gas engine.

Fred.