Wondering if you could help me out. I’m new to this, bought a new Bigfoot in January and have been moseying about since. Today I took the camper off for the first time to put a rubber mat between the plywood the dealer installed and the camper. A fellow truck camper spotted for me (if you’re reading this, Merci!). The dealer put a 2x10 between the front of the camper and the front of the bed; my new pal says bad idea. Decided I’d follow my new friend’s advice and ask my favorite infallible forum. What say you all? Are the bumpers on the front of the camper enough?

Those 2 bumpers will put quite a force when you slam on the brakes and camper moves. Some beds might take it, but not aluminium one. I am using 2x6 on front and tapered it, so it guides the camper when I lower it on the bed.I also removed long rubber bumpers and replaced them with 3/4" stock of hardwood. This way the gap between cab and camper is minimal.

You want the camper as far forward as possible, I use a 1x6 pine board with carpet on one side. That leaves about a 3/4 inch gap at the top.

On my 2015 GMC 3500HD I put a 1 13/16” x6” piece of ash plus mounted a 3/4” thick piece of HDPE to the ash across the front of the bed. This combination keeps the camper from contacting the top front of the bed by 3/8”. The poly bumpers on the TC sit above the 6” high piece so they don’t come in contact with box. I have always run a support across the front of the bed to prevent the camper from damaging it in the case of a sudden stop.

Thanks, everyone, will go back to the 2x10 and then try one or more of your suggestions.

I also use a 1x6 pine board with a 45 cut at the top. It keeps the camper from contacting the truck’s tail lights.

2x10 between camper and front of bed or not? | Good Sam Community

Gary_Morency
Explorer
Jun 16, 2019
2x10 keeps it from rubbing the top of the box always has been that way since the 70s as far as I know.
billyray50
Explorer
Mar 12, 2019
broark01 wrote:
Do your truck's rear tail light lenses rub on the camper when the 2x10 is not installed? Mine do so that is why there is a 2x10 spacer between the front of the TC and truck bed wall.

No Lenses do not for me but I have a Ram Cummins.
brholt
Explorer II
Mar 11, 2019
Kayteg1 wrote:
brholt wrote:
6 years with just the bumpers (and the tie downs)

How many panic stops in that period?

One. No issues with the camper.
broark01
Explorer
Mar 11, 2019
Do your truck's rear tail light lenses rub on the camper when the 2x10 is not installed? Mine do so that is why there is a 2x10 spacer between the front of the TC and truck bed wall.
billyray50
Explorer
Mar 11, 2019
hedgehopper wrote:
We have never used anything but the rubber bumpers and have not had a problem in 4+ years. However, I think a 1x or 2x wood spacer would not be a bad idea.

X2 Never used anything but good quality rubber mat over sprayed in bed liner. No spacer in front either. had a few panic stops over the years.Just rubber bumpers. Never moved.
burningman
Explorer II
Mar 11, 2019
Had to be none!
You might be fine your whole life without seatbelts too.
Kayteg1
Explorer II
Mar 11, 2019
brholt wrote:
6 years with just the bumpers (and the tie downs)

How many panic stops in that period?
brholt
Explorer II
Mar 11, 2019
6 years with just the bumpers (and the tie downs)
mnih
Explorer
Mar 09, 2019
Fine ideas, ladies and gents, will be sure to implement at least one of them before I move on. Thanks again.
TxGearhead
Explorer II
Mar 09, 2019
If the bumpers on the OP Bigfoot are the same as mine, they are fairly substantial. I have thought I must have damaged mine by rubbing when loading, but no, not yet.