Has anyone ever put a SB camper on a LB truck? We found a new 2016 9.2 Livin Lite TC that is $6000 cheaper and much more roomier than the 2018 8.6 Livin Lite. We love the aluminum body they both have, but we hate the split mattress that's in the 8.6.

It can be done I've seen it, but not sure why you would not want to put a long bed camper in. Long bed truck. I've also seen import truck campers on full size trucks, there are all sorts of combinations on the roads this time of year. The price difference is one thing, but the extra room you will get with a long bed camper is well worth the extra expense in my opinion.Soup

Nothing wrong with putting TC with space left on front of the bed. Just make positive stop there. Similar to those who put LB camper on 10 or 11' flatbeds.When I had F350 who originally was Cab & Chassis, I was setting my big camper with a foot space behind the cabin. While beefed suspension did carry the higher load on the rear just fine, I had very convenient space for charcoal, gas cans, small generator and picnic chairs.

https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/24500923/print/true.cfm

Check the Center of Gravity, mud be in front of the axle!

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SB camper on a LB truck | Good Sam Community

31 Replies

taycotrains
Explorer
Aug 26, 2017
Me and my wife want to thank everyone who took the time to respond to our question concerning this matter...we made the deal and will be picking up the camper next Friday.
Kayteg1
Explorer II
Aug 23, 2017
d3500ram wrote:
That's is a good observation- I may look into that... if anything, I would like to somehow reduce the front tie-down angle a bit.

DON'T. I have my ties at max angle Torqlift hardware allows and my camper still like to slide back.
I would just make sure the front wood frame is not going to cripple.
SidecarFlip
Explorer III
Aug 23, 2017
d3500ram wrote:
That's is a good observation- I may look into that... if anything, I would like to somehow reduce the front tie-down angle a bit.

Had some first hand experience with your scenario 2 weeks ago. I sold my 900 series Lance to a guy with a short bed Ford F350 diesel (new one) which is opposite of your situation but he brought the truck up and I welded a 2x2 schedule 60 length of tubing to get his rear tie-down angle less acute in the back (just the opposite of you). I drilled the ends of the tubing and added heavy steel eye bolts to each end as attachement points.

He also had an issue up front where the Fastguns did not allow him to open his fuel door (common problem on new Ford Diesels with TL Talons and short beds so I added a flat Hot rolled 1/4" thick plate to the end of the attachment arm on the Talon to move his tie down on the drivers side away from the fuel door which is an issue that I talked to TL about.

You want yours more angled out back so the tubing on the hitch will work and extension plates on the front Talon's work too. Nice thing about welding a cross tube on the hitch is, one pin and its removed and not a shin buster anymore...lol

Additionally, you might consider adding a 'Sleepy' air foil / dam between the underside of the cab over and the truck cab to reduce turbulence and improve mileage.
d3500ram
Explorer III
Aug 23, 2017
That's is a good observation- I may look into that... if anything, I would like to somehow reduce the front tie-down angle a bit.
SidecarFlip
Explorer III
Aug 23, 2017
d3500ram wrote:
COG relative to the rear bumper is the same regardless of a short bed or long bed camper- my COG is about 2" forward of the rear axle- same as on a short bed truck. I am doing the SB camper on a LB truck... that extra space is welcome for storage and for my generator:

I built a simple frame to place between the front of the camper and the truck bulkhead. It is custom fit to keep my generator in place.

Looks good to me. I think (if it was my outfit is)... I'd add a cross bar welded to the trailer hitch to position the back tie down point farther back so the inverted V is pulling in the camper anchors.
d3500ram
Explorer III
Aug 23, 2017
woodhog wrote:
Perfect set up, loads of storage , lacking in most setups....

Perfect setup, load of extra storage, lacking in most truck campers.

:C
You bet! Not only is the space between truck and camper, but the sides are really easy to get to as well! I use that side space mostly for fore wood.
woodhog
Explorer
Aug 23, 2017
d3500ram wrote:
COG relative to the rear bumper is the same regardless of a short bed or long bed camper- my COG is about 2" forward of the rear axle- same as on a short bed truck. I am doing the SB camper on a LB truck... that extra space is welcome for storage and for my generator:

I built a simple frame to place between the front of the camper and the truck bulkhead. It is custom fit to keep my generator in place.

Perfect set up, loads of storage , lacking in most setups....

Perfect setup, load of extra storage, lacking in most truck campers.

:C
mkirsch
Nomad II
Aug 23, 2017
Even if the COG isn't perfectly over the rear axle or a couple inches ahead of it, it's not the end of the world. W

We're talking about a Livin' Lite here, not a Host Mammoth.
d3500ram
Explorer III
Aug 23, 2017
COG relative to the rear bumper is the same regardless of a short bed or long bed camper- my COG is about 2" forward of the rear axle- same as on a short bed truck. I am doing the SB camper on a LB truck... that extra space is welcome for storage and for my generator:

I built a simple frame to place between the front of the camper and the truck bulkhead. It is custom fit to keep my generator in place.
NGaMountains
Explorer
Aug 23, 2017
OP is asking about a SB camper on a LB truck, not the other way around as some replies seem to be addressing.