Roof clearance

[crossent]

How much roof clearance is recommended? We have a 99 f350 crew cab dually. We had to space it up on our 95 crew cab as it hit the clearance lights. Just trying to figure if I can use the same spacer as it feels like the 99 has less chassis flex.

[Reddog1]

JimK-NY wrote:
You want to keep the camper and center of gravity as low as possible without having the camper hit the truck. My bed mat must have compressed because the clearance dropped to about 1 1/4" and I started to bang the truck roof. I added 3/4" and am ok. So for me 2 1/2 is about right.

I guess some TCs are more effected with 2 to 4 inches change in center of gravity, than others. I fully understand it effects all mathematically.

What kind of bed mat are you using that could compress 3/4-inches?

Wayne

[dadwolf2]

JimK-NY wrote:
My bed mat must have compressed because the clearance dropped

Mine too. Thought something weird/bad was going on with the camper but I'm hoping that was it.

[JimK-NY]

You want to keep the camper and center of gravity as low as possible without having the camper hit the truck. My bed mat must have compressed because the clearance dropped to about 1 1/4" and I started to bang the truck roof. I added 3/4" and am ok. So for me 2 1/2 is about right.

[JimBollman]

With my 2000 F250, 7.3l, regular cab, 8 foot box and fairly light Palomino 1200 I have used about 1 inch clearance for 5 years with no problems. All kinds of road conditions but no serious off road it is only 2wd.

[Kidoo]

I never measured mine, it does not touch the light but there is not much more clearance. Sometime if I hit a speed bump or very bad road, it would it the roof. I will check this out too.

[whizbang]

2" to 2-1/2" works nice. Mine is 1-7/8".

[HMS_Beagle]

Your '99 F350 will have a taller cab by a couple of inches compared to your '95. So you will have to space higher - at least that's how it was for me.

[Reddog1]

My clearance is more like jefe 4x4's. Probably closer to 6". I have raised and lowered the clearance on my TC over the years, as much as 4". I see no change in MPG or handling, even though in theory there should be. I prefer the 6" due to it being easier to wash the truck cab and under the cabover of thee TC. It also makes it easier to get in the bed of the truck, reaching over the sides.

Wayne

[ScottG]

IMHO it's like horse shoes - A miss is as good as a mile.

[crossent]

Looks like I should be around 2.5". Not sure if it's enough.

[jefe_4x4]

There is no absolute space between the cab over and the truck cab. There are some clues though. The longer the frame of the truck, the more twist can be present and the more clearance is needed. So, a short bed truck seems to twist less and thusly need less clearance. It may only be my experience, but I've noticed the Ford frames (especially older ones) twist more than Chevy or Dodge frames of more-or-less the same length.
I think my short bed Dodge/Lance Lite has about a 5" minimum clearance at the tightest place, at rest. I believe this is an average number. Another clue for me was the loosening of the rear tie-downs while off-roading, which makes the the camper frame follow the front of the truck frame and bed allowing less differential between the rocking camper and the truck cab. I use a thin, 3/8" rubber bed mat and that's all. The TC has never come into contact with the cab.
YMMV.
regards, as always, jefe