Forum Discussion

getpower1's avatar
getpower1
Explorer
Dec 11, 2015

Truck camper with utility bed???

Hi all. Still new to this using a truck camper as I've only done it twice now.

It is clear to me that my current 1997 Dodge Cummins pickup truck is really feeling the load too. Plus, if you're a truck guy you know how hard it is to find a nice 2nd gen 12-valve. It's my "toy" truck and wasn't really ever meant to be put to heavy duty use. I am in the process of selling my 2006 dodge diesel. Reason is because I have lost interest in it and it also won't help me because it's a Shortbed.

I am finding some nice rigs around my area to replace the 2006 with something more practical for truck camping uses. Something that will haul the weight better and maybe even a dual real wheel truck. Some of these trucks have utility boxes on them. I'm starting to think that it wouldn't be a bad idea to adapt something so I could put the camper on a truck with utility boxes for the storage.

Does anyone haul a truck camper with their truck that has like a full contractors bed on it? Minus the lumber racks?

Let me know your opinions. Thinking now, one problem I can see running into is the fact that the base of the camper isn't square all the way back. It actually sticks out on the drivers side in the back I believe to accommodate the shower floor pan.
Truck Campers
  • Bedlam's avatar
    Bedlam
    Moderator
    Dec 11, 2015
    Not all utility boxes will accommodate a TC. They have to be wide enough at the rear opening and the sides cannot be so tall that they prevent the TC sitting on the floor.
  • Big_Katuna's avatar
    Big_Katuna
    Explorer II
    Dec 11, 2015
    Watch the weight too. Those boxes can be heavy. 1500 to 2000 pounds for a Stahl plus all the stuff you put in them.
  • Reddog1's avatar
    Reddog1
    Explorer II
    Dec 11, 2015
    I think a utility box could be great. You may want to confirm if you do or do not have to stop at all scales. It has been debated several times on the TC Forum. My information is any bed other than a pickup bed is required to go through the scales, unless it is registered as a RV.

    Wayne
  • getpower1's avatar
    getpower1
    Explorer
    Dec 11, 2015
    I've never heard of that. Especially without a contractor number or registered weight tag on the side of the truck. I know my grandfather never did. I seriously doubt that chp would haste any of up for it either. I'll ask around to some of the shops and chp guys I come across. If that's a law, I'm betting they don't know about it either.
  • getpower1's avatar
    getpower1
    Explorer
    Dec 11, 2015
    I stand corrected, I just typed who must stop at weigh scales into a search engine and what I found was surprising...you are correct. Looks like changing the bed to anything other than a pickup box changes the definition of a pickup truck.

    There goes that idea...too many scales between me and camping.

    Although I stand with my statement about them probably not caring because they have bigger fish to fry, I'm not willing to risk a misdemeanor. Especially since I have a commercial license and there's no way I could talk my way out of not knowing this requirement.
  • Reddog1's avatar
    Reddog1
    Explorer II
    Dec 11, 2015
    My suggestion is to ask at one of the scales, or better yet, look in the vehicle code book.

    If you do a search on the TC Forum, you will also find the info and probably links to the resources.It has nothing to do with a contractor number or registered weight tag.

    Wayne
  • getpower1's avatar
    getpower1
    Explorer
    Dec 11, 2015
    CVC Section 471 defines "pickup truck" (bolding added):

    471. A "pickup truck" is a motor truck with a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of less than 11,500 pounds, an unladen weight of less than 8,001 pounds, and which is equipped with an open box-type bed not exceeding 9 feet in length. "Pickup truck" does not include a motor vehicle otherwise meeting the above definition, that is equipped with a bed-mounted storage compartment unit commonly called a "utility body."

    Any motor truck has to stop at scales
  • Kayteg1's avatar
    Kayteg1
    Explorer II
    Dec 11, 2015
    Utility bodies are not that heavy.
    My truck come with 10' UB that was reinforced to hold the crane on top and I estimate it was less than 1000 lb. (put it on trailer and could push it alone without much hassle)
    I removed it becouse sides were tall and I had to shim camper high, what brought the AC to 13-6" level.
    Than I have seen TC of few fulltimers and seems UT is the preferable choice.
    Can't beat the storage.
    Once you put TC on the truck, you can register it as RV (California has specific name for it) and be exempt from all the commercial checkpoints.
    Will save you quite nice weight fee at registration as well.
  • 2BLAZERS's avatar
    2BLAZERS
    Explorer
    Dec 11, 2015
    getpower1 wrote:
    CVC Section 471 defines "pickup truck" (bolding added):

    471. A "pickup truck" is a motor truck with a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of less than 11,500 pounds, an unladen weight of less than 8,001 pounds, and which is equipped with an open box-type bed not exceeding 9 feet in length. "Pickup truck" does not include a motor vehicle otherwise meeting the above definition, that is equipped with a bed-mounted storage compartment unit commonly called a "utility body."

    Any motor truck has to stop at scales


    Less than 11,500 GVW would not include many 3/4 or 1 ton pickups. My Pickup is 14K rated GVW.

    Glad I'm in Oregon, but the T Plate for non-RV ''heavy'' trailers sucks here.

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