I have a 2004 Lance 1121 on a 2001 F350 long bed crew cab diesel dully. I am a senior female and will be traveling along and living in my truck camper for 6 weeks with my two dogs. Do I leave it on the truck or take it off. I will also be towing a small car to use while on an assignment. If I take it off, how do I prevent it from rocking. If I leave it on what do I need to do.Have had very little practice at loading and unloading the camper. I got it used in 2017 and have not used it since I got it. Any and all advice, information will be helpful.Thanks in advance.

since you’re towing a car you won’t need to off load your camper. But if you plan on keeping it you should practice on and off loading it. Being comfortable with the process will eliminate the need to tow your car so you can use the truck. Another option is to find someone local who can help you. Maybe the previous owner? Good luck

Sounds like no need to take it off the truck since you are towing a car. You should practice taking it off and on but that can wait until you have a nice open level spot to practice and are under no need to rush. People have different sensitivity to rocking. When we have our camper off the truck we don't find any objectionable movement. Others may have different sensitivities. I suggest that when you are able to have it off the truck, try it out and see if you are bothered by any movement you might experience.

Loading / unloading a TC alone is not fun for the unexperienced.I would leave the camper on the truck unless you absolutely need to unload (for example if the truck needs to go to the shop).Always pick a level area of sufficient size for loading. You need enough maneuvering area to back the truck under the camper as straight as possible. The ground should be firm and level. Maybe you can find someone to do some practice runs with.If you do unload... Many people lower the jacks as low as they will go. That reduces sway. Others use some form of stand to set the camper floor on. You do not really need to do anything, but with the jacks extended and no additional support, there will be some sway - which also puts unnecessary stress on the jack mounts.If you are not used to driving with a camper, you need to stay aware of the dimensions of your rig - especially height. It may make sense to put some note inside where you can see it that reminds you of the actual size of your rig.If you have no experience loading / unloading, it may also help if you write down a checklist of all the things needed to do it right - are the turnbuckles in place and tight, do the lights work, are all windows and roof openings closed, is everything inside safely stowed, are the stairs up/stowed, things like that. It is also helpful to do a walkaround some distance around your rig before you leave in order to check if everything is ready for departure.Nothing of this is difficult, and it gets easier with every time you do it. But if all of it is new to you, it can stress you out big time. It is not rocket science, you can and will do it!

If you use your camper off the truck and want to brace the front jacks to prevent movement look at equipment like Torklift Wobblestoppers or Stablecampers or other such brace systems.

IF staying in a developed campground vs primitive site....many CGs do NOT allow dropping Camper Besides..you have alternate transportation so leave it on the truck

Unload or keep on truck | Good Sam Community

bighatnohorse
Explorer II
Apr 11, 2019
whizbang wrote:
You have a tow vehicle. Just leave the camper loaded.

I agree with this.
If you feel the camper rocks to much on the truck, then lower the rear jacks to stabilize it.
Just be sure to retract the jacks before moving again.
GeoBoy
Explorer
Apr 11, 2019
mkirsch wrote:
Kayteg1 wrote:
ticki2 wrote:
Can't speak for the rest of the country but here in the northeast every campground I've been to had a rule prohibiting leaving pets in an RV unattended .

Thanks for letting us know what part of the country to avoid ;)
We camp in all southern states in last 2 years and none of campgrounds had such rule.

So your dumb dog can sit there trapped in the camper and bark its fool head off all day long while you're out gallivanting and having a grand old time seeing the sights...

THAT is why the campgrounds have the rule. Poorly trained pets are far from the exception.

Well said, mkirsch.
mike_kellie
Explorer II
Apr 10, 2019
I think the OP has left the building without a dog. :B
Kayteg1
Explorer II
Apr 10, 2019
It is surprising to me as lately trolls have been kept under control.
Here is policy from N. Carolina

"Pets are welcome but their owners must be well behaved!! ;)"
love it.
mountainkowboy
Explorer
Apr 10, 2019
mkirsch wrote:
Kayteg1 wrote:
ticki2 wrote:
Can't speak for the rest of the country but here in the northeast every campground I've been to had a rule prohibiting leaving pets in an RV unattended .

Thanks for letting us know what part of the country to avoid ;)
We camp in all southern states in last 2 years and none of campgrounds had such rule.

So your dumb dog can sit there trapped in the camper and bark its fool head off all day long while you're out gallivanting and having a grand old time seeing the sights...

THAT is why the campgrounds have the rule. Poorly trained pets are far from the exception.

Pretty assumptive, but that really doesn't surprise me anymore.
mkirsch
Nomad II
Apr 10, 2019
Kayteg1 wrote:
ticki2 wrote:
Can't speak for the rest of the country but here in the northeast every campground I've been to had a rule prohibiting leaving pets in an RV unattended .

Thanks for letting us know what part of the country to avoid ;)
We camp in all southern states in last 2 years and none of campgrounds had such rule.

So your dumb dog can sit there trapped in the camper and bark its fool head off all day long while you're out gallivanting and having a grand old time seeing the sights...

THAT is why the campgrounds have the rule. Poorly trained pets are far from the exception.
Photomike
Explorer III
Apr 10, 2019
Leave camper on truck. If you want to stabilize it more so you are not rocking drop jacks to remove some weight from the truck.

As for pets I have never come across rules for leaving pets in an RV as long as they have food and are not baking. Could be a rule in hotter areas. In the vehicle yes not a good idea any place for any time.

My dog would stay in the TCer and have her water, food and toys. I would leave a vent open and a couple lower windows. Also would keep a thermometer in the camper that would record highest temps and it never got that hot. One time I was worried as I was parked in a bare parking lot. Went out for an hour came back and looked in a window and she was laying on her back fast asleep. Temps inside was 22C. Took her for a walk and she was so happy to get back into the camper that she was asleep in her spot before I left.
Kayteg1
Explorer II
Apr 10, 2019
ticki2 wrote:
Can't speak for the rest of the country but here in the northeast every campground I've been to had a rule prohibiting leaving pets in an RV unattended .

Thanks for letting us know what part of the country to avoid ;)
We camp in all southern states in last 2 years and none of campgrounds had such rule.
ticki2
Explorer
Apr 10, 2019
Kayteg1 wrote:
Old-Biscuit wrote:
IF staying in a developed campground vs primitive site....many CGs do NOT allow dropping Camper

Besides..you have alternate transportation so leave it on the truck

In last 2 years we've been to over 20 campgrounds and no one had that rule.
See how good you do with loading/unloading.
It is a skill and when 1 will do it in 3 minutes, other might need 30 and still have it crooked.
For us TC is about avoiding toad and I don't hesitate dropping it off even for 2 days. Traveling with dogs that often was necesity, as we left dogs in camper with AC on, when we could go to visit family or dining.
Can't speak for the rest of the country but here in the northeast every campground I've been to had a rule prohibiting leaving pets in an RV unattended .
3_tons
Explorer III
Apr 10, 2019
Kayteg1 wrote:
The word I did not agree with was "many".
I don't doubt campgrounds forbidding TC removal exist, but they never happen in my travels.
Than I was parking my 30 years old Prevost in "10 years or younger" parks.
I guess it all depends how you look.

The reason seems to do with the local Fire Marshall’s code, since when unloaded and a fire developes the camper cannot be moved...