Unload or keep on truck
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 o...
Forum Discussion
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!
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!
