Height above bed rails

[TxTiger]

I'm picking up my new to me truck camper tomorrow and have a question about how to gain height above the bed rails. My bed interior height is 20", and I believe the "up" height of the TC is 20.5", maybe 21". I've been advised that you want the TC about 1.25 to 1.50" above the rails. I know I could set a piece of appropriate thickness plywood in the bed to get the correct height, but wonder if plywood has too slippery of a surface that might allow the TC to slide a bit. I can do something more permanent when I get home if necessary, but does anyone use plywood?
Any advice or information is greatly appreciated.

[TxTiger]

jimh425 wrote:

TxTiger wrote:
It's a 2013 Northstar TC800.

I guess I'm surprised that your Ford is too high. It might be worth giving Northstar a call.

It all may be fine, but I'm picking it up at an rv dealer that doesn't sell TCs and I can't expect them to know anything about proper mounting, and they don't. It's a 4 hour drive there and I figure the more I know what I may face has to be a plus. Thanks everyone for the information. The height distances give me a great starting point. I just doubt this will be a load and go. I can assess what thickness I need, if any, under the TC once it gets close to settling in the bed. I made some quick measurements of the "up" when I bought it, but did not measure the height to the cabover. Thanks again for all the info.

[SoCalDesertRid1]

TxTiger wrote:
Thanks for the great advice. How much distance do I need above the cab?

3 to 4 inches is good, depending on how you use it.

[jimh406]

TxTiger wrote:
It's a 2013 Northstar TC800.

I guess I'm surprised that your Ford is too high. It might be worth giving Northstar a call.

[TxTiger]

jimh425 wrote:
I guess you are getting an older TC. I'd build a frame of two by 4s and put the foam in the middle of the 2 x 4s. A horse stall matt over it might be ok.

It's a 2013 Northstar TC800.

[jimh406]

I guess you are getting an older TC. I'd build a frame of two by 4s and put the foam in the middle of the 2 x 4s. A horse stall matt over it might be ok.

[MWJones]

A horse stall mat from Tractor Supply or other Farm/Ranch Supply will work very well. You should have at least 3" above the cab.
Use plywood UNDER the mat if you need more lift. SCREW the plywood to the truck bed.

[TxTiger]

Thanks for the great advice. How much distance do I need above the cab?

[SoCalDesertRid1]

Hey DJ, it's nice to see you again! I see from your sig, you've been working on the F250 🙂

[_DJ_1]

SoCalDesertRider wrote:
If you have 1/2" clearance above the bed rails now, laying a sheet of 1/2" plywood under the camper would give you an inch of clearance and be fine.

The more important clearance to be concerned with, is the gap above the cab. If you have too little clearance there, the camper overhang hits the cab roof when driving on uneven terrain. The bed doesn't flex so much to need alot of clearance with the camper.

The overall bed/cab twist is much more and why the cab needs more clearance with the camper than the bed. This is of special concern those of use who drive off road or on primitive roads alot. On paved roads, it's not a big issue and less clearance is needed.

Absolutely!! The cab clearance is where you need to measure. TC's are usually fine in Ram/Chev but Ford's deeper box requires some additional lift!! I, like many others, screwed a 2x4 frame (flatwise) to the bottom of the TC. Then set it down on a rubber mat.

Also if you are dealing with a short box and short box TC the Ford is 4" longer than the others. If the TC has the rear overhang you'll have to space it back about 6" so your tail lights won't hit. On the plus side this gives you a nice little storage area between the front of the box and TC. I carry a telescoping ladder there.

[SoCalDesertRid1]

If you have 1/2" clearance above the bed rails now, laying a sheet of 1/2" plywood under the camper would give you an inch of clearance and be fine.

The more important clearance to be concerned with, is the gap above the cab. If you have too little clearance there, the camper overhang hits the cab roof when driving on uneven terrain. The bed doesn't flex so much to need alot of clearance with the camper.

The overall bed/cab twist is much more and why the cab needs more clearance with the camper than the bed. This is of special concern those of use who drive off road or on primitive roads alot. On paved roads, it's not a big issue and less clearance is needed.

[noteven]

Cold country people will set the camper on foam insulation panels

[WNYBob]

I added a 2x2 frame to the bottom of my TC. No movement, storage.

[towpro]

plywood with rubber mat on top of it. in my 2006 Dodge I had 5th wheel rails so I had 2 pieces of 1/2" plus a piece of 1/4" all screwed together. others here have said they use that foam insulation sheets. I had not hard that until after I put in the plywood, I might have tried that.