Truck camper on a flat bed

Im glad my flat bed came without a hitch , so I could use a superhitch

I'm thinking my next TC will be a side entry. This will not only increase the rear overhang, but also have a larger drop behind the truck bed. There will be no way to run a flat bed completely under the TC to avoid an extension (unless heavily modified with a subframe or vehicle frame extension).

One of the reasons I am focusing more on the class 5 trucks instead of class 4 is the amount of leveraged tongue weight in addition to a future heavier TC weight. Ideally, I would like to pull a stacker so I could set up shop and haul vehicles at the same time without going to maximum length.

^^^^ I guess that's my point. ANY hitch, will be reduced by an extension. The standard Torklift 17k is reduced from 1700# to 1200# once an extension is put on. Of course it's more than the stock, but it's still reduced. I was only answering the question about having a receiver set farther back on a flat bed.

The receiver in the photo I posted is already over 24" further back than where the Superhitch would bolt up. And I was surmising about the handling capabilities for a small trailer (7k was mentioned) with an extension.

I have the 17k on our 550 with the camper. They're great hitch's.

That's why I am asking about beefier hitches like this one:

http://www.torklift.com/index.php/products/towing/superhitch-receiver-hitches/superhitch-magnum-20k



And using extensions like these:

http://www.torklift.com/index.php/products/towing/superhitch-supertruss



I sold the 12,500 lb hitch that was on my 3/4t class 2 truck to get the 17,000 lb model allowing me the same or better weight rating with a 2' extension. I'm looking at these skirted flat beds for a class 5 truck which will eventually have a larger TC with even more rear overhang and require the 4' or 5' extension and still want 10,000 lbs of tow rating.

Bedlam wrote:
I'm sure they are strong enough for load directly off the receiver. It's when you put an extension on the receiver to clear the rear of the truck camper where additional leverage becomes a factor. Right now I use a 2' extension and if I get a longer TC, I may need the 4' or 5' one for my enclosed trailer.

Extensions lower 'all' ratings. Doesn't matter what it's on or where the receiver is actually located. The lower capacity is not disproportionately affected because the receiver is not directly behind...

I'm sure they are strong enough for load directly off the receiver. It's when you put an extension on the receiver to clear the rear of the truck camper where additional leverage becomes a factor. Right now I use a 2' extension and if I get a longer TC, I may need the 4' or 5' one for my enclosed trailer.

Bedlam wrote:

Sparky87k5 wrote:
I've been looking at doing this with a new CM built flatbed model SK that has the boxes (2) on each side built right into it. My measurements indicate an 8" rise in camper from a stock pick up box. I'm still undecided if the $4500 price plus the $1000 install costs are worth it.

Have any of you looked at upgrading the capacity of these flat bed receivers? I'm afraid that with an extension, something like this would not work for a 7000+ lb trailer. I really need the capacity of a Torklift SuperHitch.

The hitch on my regular work truck is a bit more extended than most..and it regularly hauls 14k; truck GW's at 33k. I can't speak for all, but any quality bed should have no problem carrying/hauling regular loads that the truck was intended for.

gbsb wrote:
I have a F450 Crew Cab Ford with a custom made Aluminum flatbed with diamond plate boxes under the bed and on top of the bed. I have a 990 Arctic Fox slide in camper installed and the rig works great

Pictures please.

Bedlam wrote:
Have any of you looked at upgrading the capacity of these flat bed receivers? I'm afraid that with an extension, something like this would not work for a 7000+ lb trailer. I really need the capacity of a Torklift SuperHitch.

I've thought the same thing as the hitch is only rated for 14,000 and the required extension would derate that even less. Only thing I could do is to rebuild it stronger, if that can be done or use the frame mounted hitch.