Forum Discussion

Explorer

Aug 15, 2016

So the project begins

Ok, lets start off by saying that getting the TC out of the truck was one of the most stressful things Ive done in a long time. I did it by myself and I'm thinking if I didn't take breaks due to the excessive heat it was somewhere around 2hrs to get it unhooked, truck out from under it and on a stand. The issue I'm having (or I think) is with the 2500HD I have to just about max the jacks out to get it high enough to slip the truck out. It seemed to me the last 2 inches or so is when the TC started to get a little shaky. (made my butt hurt a little) I'm sure Ill get use to this but the first round was an event.

Ok, as mentioned before it was a three jack system. Even before I researched it on here I had a pretty good idea that it was a bad design, not sure what they were thinking. After reaching out for your help I purchased 4 manual jacks ( I now know why they sell a socket adapter) The original driver side jacks were mounted to brackets that were mounted to the camper that didn't align with the holes in the new jacks so I had to place them next the the OEM mounting brackets. This didn't seem to be a huge issue with the exception of the front drivers corner as it would seem that they stuck 80% of the weight there. Id like to call the engineers out on this as well but I'm sure there was a reason beyond my thinking. Before I go any further with this project I want to fix the jack mounting issue. As you'll see in the pictures below the camper took a little bit of a beating due to the way I placed the jacks. I'm thinking I want to get the old plates removed which the mounting bolts are so rusted that is going to be a PITA and Id like to distribute the load across a 1/4" steel plate. What I'm wondering is where the jacks mount under the lip whats there? They bolted the OEM plates to something but the way the fridge and propane bottles are set I can see what’s in that corner. The others I haven't dug into yet. Any suggestions before I start drilling and running bolts into the bottom of the camper?

Thanks!

Ed

Truck Campers

63 Replies

mellow
Explorer
Aug 15, 2016
Ed-N-Dani wrote:
In the one picture I posted there is an access door that when you open it from inside you can see the wheel well on the drivers side.

Access to the truck bed, I use it to throw my tackle boxes in the truck bed, you could also use it to access a battery in the truck bed or anything else for that matter.
Ed-N-Dani
Explorer
Aug 15, 2016
shellbackcva59 wrote:
I'd consider running a pressure treated 2x6 the length of the underside of the wing. That will stiffen up the mounting surfaces of the brackets and distribute the load across more of the wing. Plus the extra 1.5" thickness will gain you more travel on your jacks. Nice job on supporting the camper!

Thank you Shell, to be honest on the supporting Ive seen some pictures on the web and the saw horses that I see many use and I dont want to offend anyone so Ill tread lightly but I'm not putting my 250lbs in there walking around on saw horses. I wouldn't even trust the saw horses with it just in storage. Maybe with the corner mounted jacks its more stable but this thing wiggles all over the place. Ive always been the type that looks at what the worst outcome could be and try to prevent it. In the long run I want to ditch the blocks and build a frame on wheels so I can just roll it under and be done.

I like the idea of running PT all the way down. Thank you, I may use a 1X only because I'm already having an issue with keeping a gap between the wing and the top of the bed with the factory bed top cover on the truck. That will be a thread for another day.

I do want to throw this out there while its on my mind. In the one picture I posted there is an access door that when you open it from inside you can see the wheel well on the drivers side. I have been pondering in my head since yesterday as to what the hell that is for???? Can someone enlighten me on this please.

Thanks again!

Ed
shellbackcva59
Explorer
Aug 15, 2016
I'd consider running a pressure treated 2x6 the length of the underside of the wing. That will stiffen up the mounting surfaces of the brackets and distribute the load across more of the wing. Plus the extra 1.5" thickness will gain you more travel on your jacks. Nice job on supporting the camper!