Using your truck camper jacks

I have loaded and unloaded my truck camper several times. The loading is, for me, a slow process. I get out of the truck and check things several times to be certain that I am not about to bend, break, scratch, or otherwise destroy something. So far I have never had a problem. With my old TC with hand powered jacks it was a much more time consuming process and the jacks/legs were somewhat wobbly. With my new TC with electric, remote controlled, jacks it is much easier, faster, and sturdier. I had never seen the loading method referenced in a post above, but plan to implement it the next time I take my camper off the truck.

You stated it has been recommended that you should get a Class C instead of a TC. I guess it depends on your travel plans. My wife and I have taveled approximately 90,000 miles in a truck camper rig. We only took it off twice while traveling. Once to repair the camper and once to have repairs done on the truck. Last year we thought about buying a small Class C. We had decided to do so and were ready to write the check. The night before we were scheduled to meet with the salesman, we started talking about all of the places we had taken our truck camper that we would not have been able to, or confident enough to, go without the having 4 wheel drive and the smaller size rig. We bought a new truck camper instead.

When we are traveling with the TC we seldom spend more than one night in any one place and we usually are in the TC only at night to eat dinner and sleep. We have a fifth wheel for trips where we spend a lot of time in one place camping with friends. This helps.

I've had a lot of experience loading and unloading my 04 Lance 1121... more than you can imagine.:B I've used the "String's Wizzo Camper Alignment Technique" from the beginning. You can find it here. As with anything new, involving such expensive equipment, it was unnerving at first. Now, it comes easy. I'd advise using a "check list". Otherwise, you are subject to forgetting... things like moving the tag from the truck to the camper, lowering the TV antenna, etc. Good luck!

Hi,

Some people get so good at loading and unloading that they even take off the camper while in a campground, then can go off roading, or use the truck for sightseeing.

The newer campers have a much better support system internally, so the jacks are attached to something strong, and not likely to fall off the camper.

Because of the dual rear wheels, you would require extensions for the front jacks, and the rear jacks are closer to the camper body. Now they even have electric jacks, with a remote control, so you can basically walk around the camper and raise and lower each jack with the controller, and it goes very easy.

When I had my camper, I only removed the camper a dozen times or so, to use the truck separetly, and eventually replaced it with a class C, but it had a limited towing capacity, so I upgraded to a Bounder 30E. It has a generous 100 gallon fresh water tank, the rear overhang is not to long, and can tow something substantial, even though Fleetwood only recommends towing 3,500 pounds. Ford rated the F-53 chassis at 26,000 GCVWR, so I stay well under that rating. The frame extension is the limiting factor in Fleetwoods 3,500 pound towing limit on the 97 and earlier RV's. After Ford went to 19.5" rims in 1999, the towing limit went up to 5,000 pounds, mainly because the GVWR was higher, and cargo rating was high enough to carry an extra 750 pounds of hitch weight, should the owner decide to tow a cargo box trailer with toys, or a horse trailer.

If you don't plan on off roading, then a class C or class A might be much better for boondocking. There is a lot more space for storage, water capacity is much higher, GVWR is high enough that they normally carry a minimum of 50 gallons of fresh water, and have a 20+ gallon black water tank, and 40+ grey water tank, so you can take daily showers.

You do not require to buy the longest possible class A, it will not be a great match to boondocking, as the rear overhang can get hung up on a ditch crossing a minor creek, or bottom out on a pot hole infested forest road. Also longer does not go well around a switchback, or fit well into a small town skinny roads, or parking lot at the local 7-11.

With my 27' class C, I never towed a car, mainly because the engine was a little small for the class C, it was a GMC with a 350" engine, Ford always came with a more powerful 460" V8 or now the 6.8L V10 making over 300 HP.

With my 30' Bounder, it has a 250 HP V8 460" engine, and does not lack power. I towed a Manx dune buggy, then a Honda CRV, Ford Edge, now a Manx Buggy again, or with a tow dolly can take my Dodge Caravan handicap van, or the Edge 4 wheels down. Once I even towed a 27' cargo trailer to a drag race in Bowling Green KY.

So consider that the camper will be limiting. You probably will be lucky to have a 30 gallon fresh water tank, (240 pounds) a smaller refrigerator, limited ability to sleep over 4 people, limited to carry a total of 5 or 6 passengers in the cab, further limited if you want to bring a dog in the cab (but they can ride in the camper). Food storage is limited to what fits. Not really a great place to store bikes or folding chairs. You are limited to about 2 solar panels in the 100 watt size before the roof becomes to crowded.

With my Bounder, I took off the hitch, welded to it an additional 2" receiver on both the passenger and drivers side near the frame mounts, so I can install two bike racks, or carry my dog cart on one side, the bikes on the other.

I can camp up to 2 weeks, taking daily showers, have a 59 gallon black water tank, that can last a month (I have full timed for the past 7 years). Have huge storage compartments for at least 5 chairs, carry a lot of stuff like tools, the water tanks are in a heated basement, so camping in 19F weather is fine.

Fred.

The first time some people use a computer it scares them to death, thinking they'll foul the thing up. Loading/unloading a camper is no different. Just be sure to learn from someone knowledgeable, give yourself plenty of time to accomplish the task, (i.e. don't start loading 10 minutes before you're scheduled to leave)take your time and you'll get better with experience. Fear is a crazy thing, it paralyzes some folks into never trying anything. You'll be fine, with today's jack systems, they're pretty well got the bugs worked out and work well. Happy hunting!