2015 Chevy HD tailgate opening size?

[MERC225]

Hello all,

I am considering purchasing a new Chevy 3500 SRW to haul our 2008 S&S 9.5FBSC non-slide truck camper.

My question involves the size of the tailgate opening. The tailgate opening is smaller than my current Dodge. The camper measures 59.5" at its widest above the wheel wells. The Chevy HD measures 59.75" between the opening at its narrowest. This gives me .25" on each side to back the truck under the camper, this is where the problem comes in.

What are your thoughts regarding this? Am I crazy for considering this? I am going to look at my camper again as it has trim pieces on each side that may be removable and make up additional width. It may give me another .5" total (.25" per side) for clearance. This would give me approximately .5" on each side.

My wife and I really like the new Chevy 3500, but if it's not going to work then we have to look at the other brands. What are the rest of you who own Chevy's doing?

[dakonthemountai]

Other than I love the Lance 1055, one of the reasons I wanted a larger (longer) camper is just this reason. My Weekender 910 has that poped out section for the bathroom and my narrow Chevy tailgate makes it a TOTAL PITA to load and unload the camper. That's one reason I have never taken it off in the last 3 years. The next time I do will be the LAST time too when I pick up the 1055 this weekend. The 1055 is a straight 48" all the way back to the shower pan, which actually hangs past the tailgate.

Dak

[MERC225]

So I guess I am not completely crazy for considering having 1/2" on each side to back into?

[3_tons]

With my EC 995 and 2007 Dodge, I have about 5/8" on each side but (being careful...) have gotten quite skilled at loading.

3 tons

[MERC225]

Bigfootchevy, can you give me more information. You are the only one with a 15 that has posted any info. Can you describe how tough it is to get under without hitting the truck too badly? I am concerned about the area at the wheel well level and upward to top of box at the tailgate opening.

I will not have any problem with the "U" shaped part of the tailgate opening, the portion of my camper that is at the floor is 49" so it has plenty of room near the "U" shaped area. The part of the camper that sits above the wheel wells is the wider portion, so it will be above the "U" shaped area. It is looking like I will have about 1/2" on each side.

[kbaum]

I had a 2008 Gmc and loved the truck but due to the making adjustments for the U shaped tailgate area and the effect on my camper loading and unloading, raising center of gravity etc... I went to the dark side and bot a Dodge, very happy so far. The U shaped opening became an issue to me however I know it doesn't bother others.

[Bigfootchevy]

I just got the 2015 Chevy and I am sure I don't have more than 1/2 inch when loading my camper and that has not been a problem yet.

I am going to measure everything today to see.


Paul

[Dewclaw]

My NL is too wide to fit between the curved sections of the GMC tailgate opening so I (and others) put 2" rigid foam insulation in the bed to raise the camper above the curved section. I add a sheet of 1/2 inch plywood over the foam insulation and top the sandwich with a 1/4 inch rubber mat. The total thickness of the sandwich is about one inch more than needed, but "close enough" for now.

Additionally, I made a U-shaped spacer from 2x4 and plywood, padded with carpet, that just fits in front of the tailgate opening to keep the camper from sliding over and contacting the pickup. There is about 3/8 inch of clearance on either side of the spacer, which makes loading a little tricky, but it works. I'm trying to find a better way of keeping the camper centered.

[MERC225]

Did some closer measuring today and it looks like I would have about 1/2" of clearance on each side. My camper has some aluminum trim around the edges that sticks out. If I remove this and trim with near flush materials it will allow for the 1/2"on each side.

Do you feel this is still too tight? Currently with my Dodge I have about 3/4" on each side, so I would be losing another 1/4" on each side.

[Bedlam]

I think you need to consider a different truck or camper combination. I also have a TC that is wider where the floor starts above the wheel well and would not want to try to thread that opening each time I load and unload.

If the TC stays on the truck all the time, you will go through "threading the needle" infrequently and may want to think about blocking the jacks higher so the wider section of the TC clears the bed rails or tailgate opening before loading/unloading. This would give you more maneuvering room before you drop the TC down.

[kerry4951]

MERC225 wrote:
My camper has a basement, this actually places the floor of the camper over the top of the wheel wells, that is why this portion of the camper is wider.

We AF owners know exactly what you are referring to. Your issue has nothing to do with width of TC between the wheel wells. I have about 1 1/4" on each side and I would hate to have less. I would think you should want atleast 1" clearance on each side.

[mkirsch]

I have exactly .75" of clearance on each side of the camper between the wheel wells.

[MERC225]

Yes, .125 as it stands now. If I remove the metal corner trim pieces on the camper at the front, I may gain at least .25" on each side, maybe even .50" on each side.

What do all of you consider the tightest one should go on these clearances?

[jmckelvy]

MERC225 wrote:
.......The camper measures 59.5" at its widest above the wheel wells. The Chevy HD measures 59.75" between the opening at its narrowest. This gives me .25" on each side to back the truck under the camper, this is where the problem comes in......

Those numbers give you 0.125" per side unless I misunderstand your measurements. Way to tight.

[languiduck]

MERC225 wrote:
Hello all,

I am considering purchasing a new Chevy 3500 SRW to haul our 2008 S&S 9.5FBSC non-slide truck camper.

My question involves the size of the tailgate opening. The tailgate opening is smaller than my current Dodge. The camper measures 59.5" at its widest above the wheel wells. The Chevy HD measures 59.75" between the opening at its narrowest. This gives me .25" on each side to back the truck under the camper, this is where the problem comes in.

What are your thoughts regarding this? Am I crazy for considering this? I am going to look at my camper again as it has trim pieces on each side that may be removable and make up additional width. It may give me another .5" total (.25" per side) for clearance. This would give me approximately .5" on each side.

My wife and I really like the new Chevy 3500, but if it's not going to work then we have to look at the other brands. What are the rest of you who own Chevy's doing?

IMO, there's not really much to think about. You either get a new camper to fit the new truck, or don't get a new truck that doesn't fit your camper.

I will say that my TC has a kickout on one side for the wetbath and if I get the truck exactly centered under the TC, I have about 1/2" to the inside of the tailgate opening.