I have a 2006 f 350 DRW crew cab, and haul my 2002 Lance 1130 camper, the truck handles the camper good, no problems.At times we get the chance to use the camper and truck frequently and the camper stays on the truck, however we have gone months and months without using the truck and camper. We have enough room to off load the camper and keep it and the truck (separated) inside. Loading and off loading is not problem so that is not an issue. For us loaded is as good as unloaded makes no difference to us. The question; is it better for the truck and/or camper to be stored with the camper loaded in the bed of the truck or is it better for the truck to be empty while not in use, and the camper stored off the truck on a storage platform?In the past Ive just thought the truck would be better off unloaded, but its just something I made up I really do not know if it makes any difference.

Springs slowly sag with age. Having all that extra weight on them will expedite the process. All things being equal, I always left mine off during storage just for that reason. Either way wont be the end of the world.

You can always leave it loaded and take some weight off with the camper jacks. Don’t overthink it. The plus of a TCs functionality is that it can be removed from the truck and the truck used separately. This is also one of the biggest downfalls of a TC is that it fits in a pickup truck bed, so it’s an extremely heavy load for a pickup and it is cramped quarters for living space. Imo, for “most” RVers, if you’re leaving it perpetually on the truck, then you’d be better served with a class C. (Folks that need 4wd excepted, even though we all know from Jayco creek that you don’t need 4wd, lol)

Best to take it off when not using it every weekend.

Sometimes water accumulate between camper floor and truck bed, so make sure it is not happening to you, but with camper weight taken off by the jacks, not a problem to keep it on the truck. I would not worry about truck springs as good steel is not going to sag and motorhomes are having full weight whole life on them, but what I noticed on aged camper - the wood frame on front lower wall sags as whole frame holing cabover usually is 3/4 x 1.5" piece of wood. Taking the weight off with jacks will keep it square.

My rig is stored inside, out of the weather. All I do is take some of the weight off the springs by jacking up the rear of the truck a bit and then putting a jack stand under the receiver hitch and letting a lot of the weight of the truck rest on the jack stand. I accomplish the same end using the camper jacks but my method is a heck of a lot quicker than having to raise up 4 camper jacks. Not to mention the wear on the camper jacks - mine act like they are on their last gasp anyway.

Leave it on or take it off | Good Sam Community

ScottG
Nomad
Dec 19, 2019
Springs slowly sag with age. Having all that extra weight on them will expedite the process.
All things being equal, I always left mine off during storage just for that reason.
Either way wont be the end of the world.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Dec 19, 2019
You can always leave it loaded and take some weight off with the camper jacks.
Don’t overthink it.
The plus of a TCs functionality is that it can be removed from the truck and the truck used separately. This is also one of the biggest downfalls of a TC is that it fits in a pickup truck bed, so it’s an extremely heavy load for a pickup and it is cramped quarters for living space.
Imo, for “most” RVers, if you’re leaving it perpetually on the truck, then you’d be better served with a class C. (Folks that need 4wd excepted, even though we all know from Jayco creek that you don’t need 4wd, lol)
ppine
Explorer II
Dec 19, 2019
Best to take it off when not using it every weekend.
Kayteg1
Explorer II
Dec 19, 2019
Sometimes water accumulate between camper floor and truck bed, so make sure it is not happening to you, but with camper weight taken off by the jacks, not a problem to keep it on the truck.
I would not worry about truck springs as good steel is not going to sag and motorhomes are having full weight whole life on them, but what I noticed on aged camper - the wood frame on front lower wall sags as whole frame holing cabover usually is 3/4 x 1.5" piece of wood.
Taking the weight off with jacks will keep it square.
deserteagle56
Explorer II
Dec 19, 2019
My rig is stored inside, out of the weather. All I do is take some of the weight off the springs by jacking up the rear of the truck a bit and then putting a jack stand under the receiver hitch and letting a lot of the weight of the truck rest on the jack stand. I accomplish the same end using the camper jacks but my method is a heck of a lot quicker than having to raise up 4 camper jacks. Not to mention the wear on the camper jacks - mine act like they are on their last gasp anyway.
Eric_Lisa
Explorer II
Dec 19, 2019
I have typically lifted mine off the bed, even though the truck is parked underneath it. I will lower it to rest lightly on the bed so that all the weight isn't held by the jacks or the truck.

That said... I haven't had it off the truck since summertime. A 2nd truck (half-ton) arrived in the household, so it is getting all the light hauling duties. The big truck is only brought out if heavy hauling is needed.

-Eric
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Dec 19, 2019
I always took mine off when not in use for the spring issue.
DWeikert
Explorer II
Dec 19, 2019
Grit dog wrote:
You can always leave it loaded and take some weight off with the camper jacks.

Just a reminder, if you do this (and it is good advice) don't forget to undo the tie downs. :)

Edit: Though I suppose you could leave the tie downs connected, just be careful how high far you extend the jacks.
specta
Explorer
Dec 19, 2019

I bought this truck and camper that had been sitting for 14 years.

The owner had placed a 4x4 vertically underneath the rear bumper after jacking the rear bumper up removing the weight from the springs.

That's the only way I would store my camper on my truck for any length of time.
Bedlam
Moderator
Dec 19, 2019
My campers always sit on the trucks unless I need to use them without the camper. I prefer to have the camper filled, stocked and loaded as a bug out vehicle if weather decides to play rough or there is a natural disaster.

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