As I mentioned in an earlier post, I did own small 60's vintage TC twenty years ago so I do know a "little" about them. Basically all that I know about the newer ones is that they are much nicer. My current question is how difficult is it and how long does it take to take off a newer TC. The one I had was equipped with three jacks: one on each corner on one side and one in the center on the other side. The attachment points were wobbly at best and the whole process was quite an ordeal--go around to each jack and raise it a little at a time until it was high enough to drive away from. On the average, how long does it take to take on and off your TC?

I can take mine off in about 15 minutes including lowering it to the ground. Putting it on takes a little longer as you have to get lined up, maybe 20 minutes. I have electric jacks on each corner with a wireless remote to control them. It's pretty simple.

I too had a Six Pac cabover camper with mechanical (ratcheting) jacks many years ago. Putting it on and taking it off was always a pain in the arse as well as very scary. My current camper with remote, electric jacks on all corners makes mounting/de-mounting a snap. As mentioned above, a few minutes more to put on than take off but 15-20 minutes of safe, one-person button pushing and that's it.It is much more stressful taking it off as I know the camping (for now) is over.

With my remote-controlled jacks and Fastguns, I can stop, unhook, lift and drive the truck away in less than 3 minutes.

KD4UPL wrote:I can take mine off in about 15 minutes including lowering it to the ground. Putting it on takes a little longer as you have to get lined up, maybe 20 minutes. I have electric jacks on each corner with a wireless remote to control them. It's pretty simple.rI have the same set up and 15 minutes offload and 20 minutes to load would be about the normal time for me.Dave

This all sounds a whole lot easier, quicker, and safer than my old one. Maybe a little longer than hooking up my fifth wheel and maybe faster than a big travel trailer with a weight distributing hitch to deal with.

Ease of taking off a TC | Good Sam Community

tnrv_er
Explorer II
Jan 15, 2017
burningman wrote:
stufarmer wrote:
We're going back to a Truck camper. We currently have a Very Nice Arctic Fox Silver Fox travel trailer and are sad to see it go, But, here in the ( florida ) summer heat it kicks my butt to hitch up the trailers sway control (Blue Ox) and the rest of the trailers leveling jacks.
You'll enjoy how simple todays truck camper (with electric jacks) are.

You're the first person in world history who said loading a truck camper (without a Stable Lift) is easier than hitchig a trailer!

Maybe he's going to leave it on the truck?????
scout4trout
Explorer
Jan 15, 2017
I've decided to try using the line laser as shown in Charles Couchaine's Youtube video of loading a truck camper. I ordered the laser he shows in the video, and plan to install it on the new truck when it arrives. The new truck also has a camera mounted at the top of the cab to show the truck bed. It's supposed to be helpful when hooking up a fifth wheel but I'd think it would also be helpful with a truck camper.
Reddog1
Explorer II
Jan 15, 2017
I have had a Travel Trailer. I have a 5th wheel and a TC. For me, the 5th wheel is the easiest to load or unload. The Trailer the most difficult.

Until recently, my Stable Lift was installed on my TC. It certainly made it easier, but the 5th wheel is the easiest to load or unload.

Wayne
burningman
Explorer II
Jan 15, 2017
stufarmer wrote:
We're going back to a Truck camper. We currently have a Very Nice Arctic Fox Silver Fox travel trailer and are sad to see it go, But, here in the ( florida ) summer heat it kicks my butt to hitch up the trailers sway control (Blue Ox) and the rest of the trailers leveling jacks.
You'll enjoy how simple todays truck camper (with electric jacks) are.

You're the first person in world history who said loading a truck camper (without a Stable Lift) is easier than hitchig a trailer!
stufarmer
Explorer
Jan 14, 2017
We're going back to a Truck camper. We currently have a Very Nice Arctic Fox Silver Fox travel trailer and are sad to see it go, But, here in the ( florida ) summer heat it kicks my butt to hitch up the trailers sway control (Blue Ox) and the rest of the trailers leveling jacks.
You'll enjoy how simple todays truck camper (with electric jacks) are.
Joe417
Explorer
Jan 14, 2017
I've always taken at least 40 minutes and over an hour several times. The TC was sitting at about 18 inches on jack stands. As I raised the camper high enough to get it on the truck from the lower starting point, I always had an uncomfortable feeling. It was not very stable.

This past summer I finally built 2 heavy duty saw horses that are the same height as the truck bed. The camper is now sitting at about 37 inches from the ground to start.

I still take my time, but only raise the camper about 5 inches, remove the saw horses, then back under. Last 2 loads and unloads were less than 30 minutes and my comfort level was way up and pucker level way down.

I have electric jacks but 2 are bent and don't work with the remote. Also, when the jacks are raised and lowered with the remote they don't run at the same speed so I have to keep an eye on the levels. 5 turns with the crank raises it 1 inch so I can raise and lower without looking at the level now, just counting turns. Once the weight is off the jacks, I run them up and down with a drill, which is faster than the jack motors.
Rubiranch
Explorer
Jan 13, 2017
20 minutes - 90 if my girlfriend helps me :)
mkirsch
Nomad II
Jan 13, 2017
a_flyfisher wrote:
Does it take any longer with a dually? In particular, do you have to be more careful, and take more time clearing the rear wheel wells in loading/unloading.

I have a Ford F-350 dually, but won't be getting my new truck camper until this coming spring.

You've only got 1/2" of clearance on either side between the fender wells inside the bed whether you have an SRW or dually truck. As long as you have proper dually brackets on your front camper jacks, you will have several times that clearance outside the bed.

It should not take you any longer.

In my case I have about 2" on each side between the fender bulges and the front jacks. The rear tires "squeak" the jack feet as I back through. It's pretty tight but the bonus to that is if I clear the jacks I'm perfectly centered to load the camper.
Wagonqueen_Truc
Explorer
Jan 13, 2017
I have an old 11.5 truck camper with the old crank jacks and antiquated chains with belly bars. It takes me at least an 1 hour and 1/2 to load. It is a nightmare. I am switching over to a Stable Lift for time and mental health savings. I'll let you know how it works out for me when I get it in 6 weeks. Oh and yes... I have a dually.
billyray50
Explorer
Dec 28, 2016
a_flyfisher wrote:
Does it take any longer with a dually? In particular, do you have to be more careful, and take more time clearing the rear wheel wells in loading/unloading.

I have a Ford F-350 dually, but won't be getting my new truck camper until this coming spring.

Thanks, John

Yes.. It is a little a tighter with a dually as far as clearance.