Aligning truck to camper using stripes - thank you!

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

I'm not sure who posted that they mark the center of the camper, near the base; then put a stripe in the bed mat - and back in keeping those two marks in alignment - but it's fantastic!

Ed is an ex-truck driver, so simply backs in using his mirrors (and he's freakishly good at it!). My job is to see any "problems" as the two units come together - and now that I have the spot on the camper following the stripe on the bedliner, I can see clearly if he's wandering a bit to one side or the other. I'm also confident that I could do this by myself if need be. I also marked the middle of the back of the camper, so I can check about halfway in, to see how the back is following.

I used white electrical tape on the bedmat; and a vertical red line (about 1/4" x 2") on the camper, just so there's plenty of contrast.

[Victory402]

It works great for me too. I'm glad there's a place we can come to for learning these tips.

[robertbenita]

I looked over my shoulder and watched the bed of the truck grooves and the edge of the camper to line them up. Got much better as time went on.

[Indy_Bob1]

I painted the center line of the bed and front wall of the camper with fluorescent orange paint. Makes it easy to line up the starting points then straight back using the mirrors. Simple, cheap, efficient.

[AKSuperDually]

That's what I do also. But, since it's hard for me to judge the alignment before getting to the camper...I also use a laser line beam which projects that line behind the truck. So I start out straight also.

[gbopp]

Sometimes simple and low tech works best.

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

deltabravo wrote:

Deb and Ed M wrote:
I'm not sure who posted that they mark the center of the camper, near the base; then put a stripe in the bed mat - and back in keeping those two marks in alignment - but it's fantastic!

That was me....

Yes - exactly!!! Thank you so much!

[lap527]

Good idea but I couldn't see the line. So I back truck in using mirrors and DH makes sure all is good. Hey all is good as long as nothing gets bent or crushed!

[deltabravo]

Deb and Ed M wrote:
I'm not sure who posted that they mark the center of the camper, near the base; then put a stripe in the bed mat - and back in keeping those two marks in alignment - but it's fantastic!

That was me....