Using your truck camper jacks
Not having purchased a TC or truck yet, I continue to read, ask questions and listen to the folks with experience. I was talking with the brother of a friend who has been truck camping for the la...
Forum Discussion
Mike,
1) Watch a jack leg sink into the ground when it gets wet!
Its very exciting!
I've experienced seemingly SOLID ground go soft when it became water soaked.
Elapsed time: about 20 minutes.
The camper started to tilt.
When the sinking jack leg was activated, it only sank further into the ground - did not raise the camper.
If parked on non-paved surfaces, plan on bring a wide base support to put under the jack leg.
The jack leg is much like a woman's high heel shoe in terms of pressure per square inch.
And a jack leg will split a 2x6 board very easily.
________________
2) Is the pickup truck going to be a daily driver vehicle?
Will you NEED it for other purposes? If you plan on occasional hauling (trash, vegetative material, building material, etc) could you get by with a small utility trailer attached to your daily driver when needed? Very cost effective.
The class C will require vehicle insurance and registration here in Washington State.
You will have the expense of an additional transmission, engine maintenance, tires, wipers, etc.
Chances are that when you get that BIG and expensive truck camper out to the boonies and off the pavement, you'll feel a lot less inclined to take any risks with removing it from the truck.
What is your available time for camping?
Desire is often dictated by time available - and do your interests frequently change?
Only you can make those determinations.
And you're on the right track with your thoughtful questions.
:)
1) Watch a jack leg sink into the ground when it gets wet!
Its very exciting!
I've experienced seemingly SOLID ground go soft when it became water soaked.
Elapsed time: about 20 minutes.
The camper started to tilt.
When the sinking jack leg was activated, it only sank further into the ground - did not raise the camper.
If parked on non-paved surfaces, plan on bring a wide base support to put under the jack leg.
The jack leg is much like a woman's high heel shoe in terms of pressure per square inch.
And a jack leg will split a 2x6 board very easily.
________________
2) Is the pickup truck going to be a daily driver vehicle?
Will you NEED it for other purposes? If you plan on occasional hauling (trash, vegetative material, building material, etc) could you get by with a small utility trailer attached to your daily driver when needed? Very cost effective.
The class C will require vehicle insurance and registration here in Washington State.
You will have the expense of an additional transmission, engine maintenance, tires, wipers, etc.
Chances are that when you get that BIG and expensive truck camper out to the boonies and off the pavement, you'll feel a lot less inclined to take any risks with removing it from the truck.
What is your available time for camping?
Desire is often dictated by time available - and do your interests frequently change?
Only you can make those determinations.
And you're on the right track with your thoughtful questions.
:)
