Ford SD 99-04 Regular Cab Truck Camper Pictures

[Lebeter]

Guessing the regular cab trucks aren't as popular due to storage limitations, but interested to see pictures of folks rigs and what campers you decided on. Harder to find pictures of these trucks on google images as it seems most have supercabs or crew cabs. I've got an F250 4x4 SRW 7.3 with many upgrades but still limited by the stamped weight limits. I see folks hauling some crazy campers with these and have to guess that they are running overweight. I'm shopping campers right now, so any feedback regarding how you like your camper is definitely welcome!

[Lebeter]

DJ, looks like you have a popup right? I'm guessing a hardside would add some more weight up high so I understand the concerns others are mentioning. I contemplated a popup but thinking about a year long travel potentially and not just weekend camping. So i'm afraid i'm not prepared to deal with constant setup during stops. I axed the travel trailer already due to parking limitations and access. I may have to drop the lift which unappealing but possibly necessary. I guess I need to visit some other 4x4 or offroad forums and get some realistic expectations for degraded driving.

[_DJ_1]

I've been running a 4" lift with 35" tires and a 2500# camper for 5 years with zero problems despite the naysayers. Handles the 80 mph freeways just fine and goes anywhere I point it!! :B

[mkirsch]

I have to put a 4x4 under each jack leg to get the camper high enough to load/unload on my truck, and it's stock height. AND it's an older truck from before the manufacturers started putting 4" lifts in from the factory.

My guess is you'll be rockin' and rollin' but not because of the "short" wheelbase or cab configuration or aerodynamic issues. It will be because of that, excuse my French, dumb lift kit.

[Steve_in_29]

That 4" lift might be a real problem. Most lifts sacrifice load capacity for height as otherwise they would ride like a buckboard when empty.

[BamaBen]

Can not get a pic to load here but you can check out mine in the profile.

[Bedlam]

The standard cab allows better weight distribution than bigger one since the front axle is closer. I cannot imagine that drag will be much different since the same square footage is still being pushed through the air.

The lift will present some issues:
1. Higher center of gravity creates more leverage which results in more sway
2. Some suspension lifts have lower rated springs for more articulation
3. Jacks may not a raise camper high enough to clear a lifted bed (as mentioned)
4. With a tall camper plus lifted truck, you will have more overhead obstacles

[Lebeter]

yeah i wanted to see what the typical overhand was between various campers newer than 2000 and those on SRW trucks specifically. the antenna was something i hadn't considered and just read in another thread. Thanks for that note. Due to the increased overhand, do you guys see anymore lift from airflow or reduced mileage to do increased drag area in highway conditions? with the shorter wheel base compared to a longbed crewcab, does the topheavy load create anymore squirrely conditions for driving? I bought the truck with a 4" lift on it already. Debated just running it as is and see how it handles, but wondering if I will need to run blocked under the legs to get the camper high enough to load. I've seen some raised trucks with campers but doesn't seem like a norm, but figure that could be more related to age demographics and the fact that most shorter or older folks don't want to be climbing into their campers anymore than they need to.

[Bedlam]

Lebeter wrote:
Yeah I went through that whole thread, and maybe a handful of 99+ regular cabs and mostly 05+ rigs. There were a few in there though. Thanks for the contributions so far, figured this would be a taller order.

There's not much visual difference in 1999-2007 Superduty trucks although they did change many things under the skin and even the frame over that time period (mostly in 2005). Is there something specific you want to see?

The standard cab will have more cab over overhang than any of the others resulting in radio antenna interference (physical and electrical). Windshield mounted GPS worked fine in my extended cab, but I don't know if it would be an issue with a standard cab. Ford cabs are taller than any of the others, which may be an issue fitting an older camper (you need 4' between the camper floor and underside of the cab over) - Using some type of blocking material under the camper floor is usually the solution.

[tattoobob]

This is a picture of my old truck with the 30 year old camper I just sold

[tattoobob]

This is a picture of my new camper at day of pick up

[tattoobob]

This is me in my happy place

[Lebeter]

Yeah I went through that whole thread, and maybe a handful of 99+ regular cabs and mostly 05+ rigs. There were a few in there though. Thanks for the contributions so far, figured this would be a taller order.

[jimh406]

tattoobob, if you look at the first post on this thread, it has links to a few different ways to post pictures. http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/14122053.cfm

[tattoobob]

Can't load pictures, I will keep trying

[_DJ_1]

Well, it's not a Ford but still a standard cab carrying a big TC with N/S bed. The con was, of course, little cab storage but the pros were you are always in the shade and never needed your sun visors!! I had no problem seeing stop lights and side cutters fixed the too tall antenna!!!