TC Magazines "sub-wing" poll

The best thing I ever did for my marriage was to teach my wife how to give signals and where to stand so I can see her, on a day where we weren't going anywhere or doing anything. It was a practice day. No stress, no time constraints, no anxiety on my part over departure time....

I have never found it useful to have someone guide me when loading the TC.

Personally, I seldom have any problem, but I have had those bad days. I find as I get older it gets more difficult due to my being less flexible in looking over my shoulder. I do use the mirrors, but also need to look turn my head.

If I do have someone guiding me backing a truck or trailer, I do not want them circling their hands trying to show me which way to turn the steering wheel. I want them to simply point in the direction I should go with the back of the truck (without trailer) or the back of the trailer. I know which way to turn the steering wheel. The most important thing it whatever method gets the job done.

I may stand corrected, but I think there is an industry/universal method to guide vehicles.

Wayne

I cant comprehend how backing a truck up under a tc is scary, but whatever. I can normally get it right on the first time with no help. It's not rocket science if you know how to back up using mirrors.

Aren't some truck's tailgate body end narrow compared to the front of the box? Trucks get scratches, figure stuff out before doing it, it sounds like a lack of foresight! Make stuff to help you load and prevent chaffing...gosh there are tons of ideas in this RVNET forum. I don't know why they don't make TC with cut outs for the bed wheel arches to slip into once you drop the TC down over them...think how much more that would give you inside. Go to a flatbed if it is that hard to do. Silly me for stating my thoughts! :>)

We have an AC1150 (with sub wings), and after 3-1/2 years of truck camping, I just consider them a part of the camping experience. I love the floor space but loading is a pain. As for me, loading the TC has always been and will probably always will be the scariest and worst part of the experience. But if I always treat this duty with respect, caution and avoid thinking, "this is a piece of cake", it will only remain a brief downside to an incredible lifestyle.

Ken

My Bigfoot has "sub-wings" both sides, and full depth aft of the wheel wells. There is about 1" clearance on each side of the tailgate. Just line the truck up and don't hit anything - it's not that hard really.

In moments of weakness, I think of building my own custom camper. This would have "sub-wings" the full width. Most basement campers have the floor above the wheel wells, if you could extend this right to the edge you would have many opportunities for floor plan improvements. It would require a modified pickup bed or flatbed though. Either cut the rails of the bed down to wheel well height, or a flatbed with storage boxes up to wheel well height.

Funny but I never noticed them or considered it a problem. I do have the bed lined and no scuffs on the TC. I guess between the torklift tie downs and the full bed horse stall mats the 1055 doesn't slip around at all.

after 4 years of it being a non issue for me it will stay that way, a non issue.

Solution....

Raise the camper high enough that the "sub-wings" are ABOVE the contact area, if the jacks will go that high. Probably only needs raised a few inches extra

jimh425 wrote:
Here we go again.

??

My host has sub wings on both sides, and I take out the Torx pins that latch the tailgate to give me another 1/4 inch of room.

What a good idea, Thanks