How to put on camper

[jmacpolo]

I have a 2003 Lance shortbed camper. When putting it on the truck how far back should I move the truck? Do I keep going until the front wall of the camper hits the edge of the pickup bed or stop short? It seems like it would be bad to hit the camper with the truck bed when it is on the jacks. If I should be stopping short, how short?

Thank you,
John

[joeshmoe]

run100 wrote:
Just take your time and save the beers until after you're done.

That right there is about as good advice as any:p:W

[djc486]

I have a couple of pieces of the blue foam insulation sheets against the front of the truck bed to act as a cushion.

[run100]

We also own a short bed Lance Camper and have had one since 2001. I prefer loading it by myself, with no distractions. I just take my time and get out a few times, as I'm backing under the camper, to see how it's lined up (aligning the truck & camper got more difficult when we moved from an extended cab to a crew cab, because it's virtually impossible to see down into the bed). By doing these quick checks, you can make minor adjustments as you go.

One item that I love, and helps as you close those final few inches of space between the camper and the cab, is the foam boot at the pass-thru window. Once the gap is down to about 6 or 8 inches, I put the boot in place and back the rest of the way (slowly) until the boot is compressed. Then, as the camper is lowered, it compresses the boot just a tad more and creates a nice seal between the truck and camper. We've used the foam boots on both our Lance Campers, and really enjoy the accessory. On the road, you can have the camper and truck pass-thru windows open, or closed. On several occassions, having the windows open paid-off, because we heard something shift, or blow around, inside the camper, and that reminded us we left something unsecured.

As with all things, the more you practice, the better you'll get. Just take your time and save the beers until after you're done.

[Tamnative]

This is all good information,but to expand a bit there are a few things that you should be aware of. I was used to using the bed rail as one point to help guide me back parallel,then I got a newer truck. The newer trucks may be wider near the cab than in the back so you should check this out first,my bed rails are not parallel, that was the first problem that I encountered. It really doesn't make any difference as long as you are aware of it. The second thing that I noticed was that when I poured me driveway (which was before I got my first camper)I formed it to allow for water runoff so there is about a 2"-2.5" difference from left to right or passenger side to drivers side. This makes the greatest difference in loading the camper.I have loaded up 50 plus times and no matter what I do I cannot get it right. The front to back slope poses no problem. The problem is when the camper is is up and level the truck is not. I have thought of raising the camper up off level but I REALLY don't want to do that.I also thought of putting some wood under the wheels of the truck but I don't want to do that either. AS I said before not all trucks are the same nor are campers. I have a Bigfoot,and when loading everything is fine for the first 75% of the way. But the last 25% of the camper is wider and the back of the truck is narrower and the truck is at an angle making an already very tight fit tighter. I have worked out a system that works for me and I can explain it in another thread if anyone should be interested,my next camper landing spot WILL be level. My whole point is that there are a lot of variables involved and the more you know the better off you will be. I would like to note that I have used every method and advise,have the white line PERFECTLY painted in the back of the truck mat ( and check to make sure it IS centered before loading) and come to the realization that It IS THE DRIVEWAY. Knowing that I now have a system.

On edit if there are any suggestions I am sure they would benefit all.

[RZAR66]

This is a great video on loading and offloading your TC. http://youtu.be/lTCm_RQ8ySM

[jmacpolo]

Thanks for all the great information.

John

[Butch50]

It depends on the truck you own if you keep backing up till you bump it. I have a 2X6 standing on edge and I back in and stop about an inch before my bumpers would make contact. I also check the rear tail lights as Ford beds are longer than the standard 6 1/2' and 8'. So if I loaded my camper all the way to the front without the board the tail lights would be hitting the camper and then damage would occur.

[mkirsch]

The only time you will cause damage to the camper or truck by "hitting" is if you DON'T STOP when it happens!!!

If ya keep going you're sure to rip the jacks off, bend the truck bed, and smash the camper six ways from Sunday.

[realter]

It also helps if you put the transmission in 4 wheel drive low, then the truck barely creeps along. Also, be sure to plug in the camper to the plug in the bed of the truck, it sure sucks to put the camper in perfect, then discover its not plugged in. You can reach up from the inside, assuming you have that little door, but hard for me to do it by feel.

[dave17352]

Yep just back in real slow. I always open the windows turn off the radio and air and really go slow and you feel when you make contact without hardly moving the camper. Just take your time. At first it may seem hard but after a while it becomes very easy. But after its easy you still go really really slow. I think someone else suggested that first!

[Raften]

I back under the TC till the front is about two feet from the front of the bed, that gives me room to reach in and connect the electrical. Then I lower to one inch clearance and slowly back up till I see slight movement of the TC showing me the bump stops are hitting the bed. Lower the rest of the way and connect tie downs. Good to go at that point.

[Tarkin75]

I have a 2x8 at the front of my bed down low spread out against the beefed up corners. My camper doesn't touch the upper lip at all. It didn't have the rubber/plastic bump stops that some of the newer ones have either, so the 2x8 gives me a tall board to back up against, spreads out the load, and keeps the upper lip from getting deformed.

Later
C

[bikerdib]

And again, VERY, VERY, VERY slowly. I use a 2X4 standing on edge in the bed against the front. That puts the hard plastic rub strips on the camper right against the lip of the front of the bed. It is best to have something against the front of the bed at the floor so the camper isn't only pushing against the lip at the top of the bed.

[MKish]

Keep in mind that if there's a hangover in the back of the camper (many shortbed campers seem to have that), you don't want to bang the truck's taillights. Ours will hit the taillights before the bumperstops.