SB camper on a LB truck

[taycotrains]

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.

[kohldad]

Problem is the same length camper will make your rig longer on a SB truck than a long bed truck. The camper is roomier because it is a bigger camper. However, a 9-2 camper designed for a short bed truck will stick out the rear almost 3'. This will mean you will need a hitch extension like super truss if you plan on towing anything.

A 9-2 camper designed for a long bed will only stick out the back about 14". It will also allow you to tow most things with a simple 12" or 18" extension.

There is a reason that the camper is still on the lot. 9-2 on a sb is a long camper.

[mkirsch]

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

Many of us connect trailers with 1500+ pound tongue weights to balls 4' behind the rear axles on 3/4 and 1 ton pickup trucks for work and play on a daily basis. That takes much more weight off the front axle than having a 5000lb camper a few inches behind the axle.

The truth is that there is a RANGE in which the COG must sit, which starts some distance ahead of the axle, and ends some distance behind the axle. It will be depicted on the sticker in the glove box, or in the manual. On GM trucks, the range is the entire length of the box at least for the 1999-2006 model years.

[mkirsch]

SideHillSoup wrote:
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

The short bed camper is BIGGER than the long bed camper he was considering!

[Grit_dog]

taycotrains wrote:

hedge wrote:

I'd want something sturdy in between the cab and camper so that it can't slide forward and hit the tail lights or ends of the cab.

The dealer is going to build a 18 inch box with 4x4s as the base...300.00

Claims this was done for several customers with this issue....

Bob

Fwiw, that will take about $15 in lumber and screws and 1/2 hour. May want to negotiate that or call bs on them or make a box yourself.

[SidecarFlip]

F350/RR wrote:
Maybe the horizontal CG is important to know for those that use forklifts to move inventory around

Not sure why again. I routinely move my TC around with the loader on my big farm tractor with the forks at maximum spacing. Makes moving it very easy. Everyone needs a loader or forklift in my opinion.

If it appears to be a little tippy front or back, I reposition the forks. Rakes a few seconds.

[jimh406]

taycotrains wrote:
The dealer is going to build a 18 inch box with 4x4s as the base...300.00

Seems like the dealer should throw that in.

[taycotrains]

hedge wrote:

I'd want something sturdy in between the cab and camper so that it can't slide forward and hit the tail lights or ends of the cab.

The dealer is going to build a 18 inch box with 4x4s as the base...300.00

Claims this was done for several customers with this issue....

Bob

[F350_RR]

Maybe the horizontal CG is important to know for those that use forklifts to move inventory around

[SidecarFlip]

ScottG wrote:

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

X2!!

Didn't answer my question as to why the Cg has to be in front of the rear axle.

Let me delve a bit further into that...

The Cg (horizontal) is varible depending on how the camper is loaded with stuff, whether the tanks (BW and GW are full or empty and if the FW tank (which is usually in the front is full or empty plus battery placement. consequently, a factory Cg means very little. Only a guideline and not much more.

[hedge]

If the COG was in front of the axle on a short bed truck then it will be in front of the axle on the long bed truck. The extra length of a long bed is between the axle and cab.

I'd want something sturdy in between the cab and camper so that it can't slide forward and hit the tail lights or ends of the cab.

[Kayteg1]

Big campers have COG behind rear axle straight from the factory.

[ScottG]

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

X2!!

[SidecarFlip]

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

Why?

[WNYBob]

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

[Scalcote]

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