Taking the camper off the truck

Like most big campers, ours is heavy. But it's not 10k heavy.. the bigger the camper, the bigger the jacks, usually, and they are built to hold a load. Ours (most??) are 2500# per jack. Full water, full tanks, full of lot's of our stuff, and there still isn't anything close to 5k on one set of legs.

Emptying tanks before taking off/putting on would defeat the purpose of 'ease'. Probably do that 20-30 times a year. What a waste of time and water.

Taking a camper on and off is like anything else in life. Understanding and practice make it easier, safer and less stressful.

'07 F550 with Link Ultraride air under an '11 AF 1150. It's either a fishing boat, snowmobiles or dual sports; something is always being towed.

My wife says that I have an opinion and that you're entitled to it. You're welcome...


I could be all wet on this but I seem to remember that jacks come in 2 weight ratings, Reico-Titan, Atwood and HappyJac and not tailored to any particular unit.

I also seem to remember that there was an issue with HappyJac jacks failing, but again, I could be wrong. I read a lot of stuff and subscribe to RV Industry News so I get deluged with RV stuff almost daily basis.

If, in fact, it's counter productive to drain the FW tank to load, I'd think that any reduction in laden weight would be a positive thing concerning the jacks.

I know that in some tow behind RV's, the manufacturers want you to run empty as the FW tank puts an undue strain on the chassis when full.

I didn't like the 4200# camper being held by the 4 tiny jacks so I made I-beam sawhorses (look them up, they're awesome) and then I use 4 x 8 blocks at each foot (I do have the 6" extensions) but to me the key is the header boards I put on the saw horses, all I have to do is raise the camper one inch higher than the bed and I have it shimmed so I only need to lower the whole thing half an inch.

So when it's time to load I raise the unit half an inch all around and the truck is ready to go under.

I've mentally marked the stakes in my truck bed so if I'm aligned with the stakes by the time my wheel wells get to the edge I'll know if I'm lined up or not.

Stable-Lifts look good, but just from looking at it, it seems that you would have to park your TC on perfectly level ground or risk binding the jacks, and there isn't any real way to fix a flat tire unless you drop the camper.

I could be wrong on both counts, feel free to correct.

SidecarFlip wrote:

jornvango wrote:
One thing I noticed when taking off the camper is that it's much easier when the fresh water tank of the camper is empty. It is a lot of weight that is located in the front center of the camper.
When lifting the camper high enough with a full water tank, I notice that the front feet seem to bend: not sure if this is normal / OK to proceed?

Considering that water weighs a considerable amount per gallon (8.34 pounds US to be exact) and assuming your fresh water capacity (for an average is: 20 gallons, 20 times 8.34 equals about 166 pounds. Add the weight of your battery(s) at 65 pounds each (I have 2 under my front interior step where my FW tank is, that is another 120 for 286 pounds give or take. Lot of weight on the front jack legs.

Most TC's are built to use off truck (with occupants and gear (another 500 pounds give or take, on the jacks, but with the jacks almost all the way retracted...

I believe I'd be draining the FW tank before lifting the unit high enough to set in or remove it from your truck bed. Better to err on the side of safety rather than have a 'ooops moment'. Folding a leg will mean not only structural damage to the camper itself, it might even total the unit, not to mention the cost of salvaging it and collateral damage to the truck.

Like most big campers, ours is heavy. But it's not 10k heavy.. the bigger the camper, the bigger the jacks, usually, and they are built to hold a load. Ours (most??) are 2500# per jack. Full water, full tanks, full of lot's of our stuff, and there still isn't anything close to 5k on one set of legs.

Emptying tanks before taking off/putting on would defeat the purpose of 'ease'. Probably do that 20-30 times a year. What a waste of time and water.

Taking a camper on and off is like anything else in life. Understanding and practice make it easier, safer and less stressful.

jornvango wrote:
One thing I noticed when taking off the camper is that it's much easier when the fresh water tank of the camper is empty. It is a lot of weight that is located in the front center of the camper.
When lifting the camper high enough with a full water tank, I notice that the front feet seem to bend: not sure if this is normal / OK to proceed?

Considering that water weighs a considerable amount per gallon (8.34 pounds US to be exact) and assuming your fresh water capacity (for an average is: 20 gallons, 20 times 8.34 equals about 166 pounds. Add the weight of your battery(s) at 65 pounds each (I have 2 under my front interior step where my FW tank is, that is another 120 for 286 pounds give or take. Lot of weight on the front jack legs.

Most TC's are built to use off truck (with occupants and gear (another 500 pounds give or take, on the jacks, but with the jacks almost all the way retracted...

I believe I'd be draining the FW tank before lifting the unit high enough to set in or remove it from your truck bed. Better to err on the side of safety rather than have a 'ooops moment'. Folding a leg will mean not only structural damage to the camper itself, it might even total the unit, not to mention the cost of salvaging it and collateral damage to the truck.

jornvango wrote:
... not sure if this is normal / OK to proceed?

It is really up to the camper mfgr. to determine if that is an acceptable practice. For some, the fresh water tank at the floor needs to be fully supported (a la in a truck bed) ...else it might fall out or do other damage. I know that certain model of NorthStar are designed to be fully used including water whilst off the truck.

One thing I noticed when taking off the camper is that it's much easier when the fresh water tank of the camper is empty. It is a lot of weight that is located in the front center of the camper.
When lifting the camper high enough with a full water tank, I notice that the front feet seem to bend: not sure if this is normal / OK to proceed?

Not sure I can give you any advise.

I load and unload mine by myself, the electric jacks help alot.
I had a spotter the first time I loaded it and I was on my own to unload it when I got home and then load it a few weeks ago. It will probably be quite a while before I unload it, like when winter gets here.

The first time I was going to load it and the wind kicked up. The camper was barely 1/2 way up and I decided it was NOT a good idea to load it in the wind.

I lower it down all the way as soon as I have the truck out from underneath the camper.

Those stick legs they refer to as jacks are just meant to get it on and off.

Jack Hart wrote:
I load/unload my camper solo about once every two/three weeks year round. The main thing that makes it easier is lots of practice. A few other things help: A centerline mark on the camper and a centerline on the truck bed A centerline mark on the camper and a centerline on the truck bed help with initial alignment. A homemade set of centering guides help put the camper in proper position as it's lowered onto the bed. Finally, and this may sound primitive, but if the camper is slightly skewed over the truck bed, and the jack bases are on a smooth surface, a few whacks on the jack bases with a 4# hammer can slide things around into perfect alignment. Having a set procedure and following that procedure will also make things easier and safer. Beware of helpers who screw up your procedure.

My wife though I was loosing my marbles when I took and maskes off a stripe in the center of the camper and painted it red. When I loaded it, she said...ahhh, now I see.

^^^10-4. I'm thinking I'll put some blue painters tape on the front bottom of the camper and the truck bed rear center.
Someone here posted a pic of homemade wood guides for the rear of the truck. Between the tailgate and wheel wells. 2x6 vertical I think. Post was maybe middle of last summer...2016.