Is there an easy way to align the front of the camper?

[bkenobi]

I've had my TC for a few months now and am getting better with load times. I found that if I get it close at the back, I can center it perfectly by having someone push on the side in the last inch of lowering it. An even easier way is to use 2 air bags (the type used on car doors for lock outs) between the TC side and the rail.

The part I'm still struggling with is nailing the front spacing (side to side). I can get within a couple inches, but it seems like there should be some method to adjust that last little bit. Anyone have recommendations?

[joeshmoe]

Am I missing something, or is it not possible to gauge the spacing between the bed and camper jack?

[bkenobi]

The slit in the back window would work just fine if you could make sure the center rear view mirror was exactly in line. If that's the case, it will create a vertical reference plane. If you had a point on the leading edge of the cab over, that would also be a low tech version of the laser method. I like that approach cause it can't run out of batteries.

[SidecarFlip]

Being retired, cheap and not very electronically adept. I found the middle of my camper and took a red paint marker and a straight edge and put a vertical line on the camper from the bottom to the curve where the bunk transitions to the body.

My sliding window splits in the middle so I open both sides about 1/2" and back in with the paint line centered in the opening. Works every time. I use the truck review mirror and thats it. Very seldom do I use the west coast side mittors to back in.

I like the laser method but my painted vertical line works too.

[bkenobi]

That approach is functionally identical to the laser system imo. It basically creates a visible plane that you can make sure your bed is aligned with. The laser uses a light line and 3 points. This system uses a hanging chain and 2 extra points as well as a line down the center of the bed. I already have the parts to try the laser method so that's what I'm gonna try first. I appreciate this link as it provides another option!

[cewillis]

Here's the first alignment aid system I saw years ago. Never actually used it, but it looks sound.
String's Wizzo Camper Alignment Technique -- starts about 1/2 of the way down this page .

[bkenobi]

I understand that and have experienced just that. First solo load (wife and me without dealer oversight) took a good 2 hours. Last time was 15 minutes. But I still struggle with the final alignment and have been skipping it (part of the decrease in load time). I am a perfectionist and don't like having the mirrors have different visibility left/right. It just bothers me every time I use them. I've had maybe 2 perfect loads (by accident mostly) out of probably 10 trips. I'm happy with the air bags as it definitely eliminates rubbing if I load too close. The front alignment is probably not as critical but I just want it centered better and with less jogging around.

[towpro]

I don't like the idea of pushing on camper, or using "guides" inside the truck bed. Anytime you try to push the camper to move it, the feet still stay put on the ground but the camper body moves. Something has to "give" to allow that movement. Most of what gives is the corner of the RV. Keep using that "give" over and over and its going to become easier to move each time you push on it.

[mkirsch]

Regardless of what gimmicks/gadgets/crutches you try, you will simply get better at it over time with practice.

[work2much]

bkenobi wrote:
I also have a backup camera. I tried adding tape, but 2 issues soon became apparent.

1) The camera is fish eye so the center line was very small.
2) The single vertical tape line didn't help get the angle right. I didn't add anything to the cab over.

I just realized that I have a Black & Decker laser alignment tool. It throws a bright red vertical line and has a magnet mount. I am going to try placing it on the forward bed rail so it throws a line down the center of the bed. If I put 3 tape lines on the camper, that should do exactly what that video did. That assumes the magnet is strong enough and red laser is bright enough during the day.

I have a couple of these auto magnetic pocket levels. I am going to play around myself. 😄

[Kayteg1]

It takes some practice to use truck mirrors.
When having 1" clearance for dually fenders force pretty precise centering when it passes jacks, different angles of view via side mirrors make for easy mistake.
When looking in side mirrors driving under the camper, I observe for the same (visual) gaps between jacks and camper rear wings.
For the last moment I put reversed V-shaped board in 2x6 size.
Lace has rear wider on both sides, so in the tailgate opening I screw hardwood boards with taper towards the end, that leave 1/2 " of clearance for the camper.
That is good for me.
I have extreme tow package on my truck with 5 cameras and 360 view, but the only useable is bed camera, still it will come only with reverse gear and then I have to scroll to it, so most of the time it is more trouble to use than help.
Can post pictures of my V-guides in couple of days.

[bkenobi]

I also have a backup camera. I tried adding tape, but 2 issues soon became apparent.

1) The camera is fish eye so the center line was very small.
2) The single vertical tape line didn't help get the angle right. I didn't add anything to the cab over.

I just realized that I have a Black & Decker laser alignment tool. It throws a bright red vertical line and has a magnet mount. I am going to try placing it on the forward bed rail so it throws a line down the center of the bed. If I put 3 tape lines on the camper, that should do exactly what that video did. That assumes the magnet is strong enough and red laser is bright enough during the day.

[hedge]

My truck has the backup camera in the center mount brake light and it has a centering line on the screen. I then added a piece of tape down the center of the front of the camper. I just have to line them up when backing in, it works very well.

[work2much]

I came across this video a while back. It looks like a bit of work to set up, but if you were in the habit of dropping the camper often it could be a way to go. I liked the ingenuity.

Our new truck has a back up camera for the bed which makes loading pretty easy.

Laser guide

[Artum_Snowbird]

I have seen people use stick on magnets, and when you have it perfect, stick on a magnet on the front of the camper, and the back of the camper and have two more magnets that you stick on with wands out from there. You make a mark in your left hand rear view mirror with a felt pen when you have it perfect, set the wands to the perfect length and they should be the same front and back, and then line up the tips of the wands with the felt mark. If everything lines up, you will be in exactly the same place in your box.

[bkenobi]

Any pictures? Were they run front to back on the sides so the TC moved left/right as it dropped down? This is a NL so I'm concerned with rubbing/damage to the fiberglass on the corners.