Setting up my truck to haul a camper back home.

[Arktikos]

I'm wondering about what I am going to need to do this. I live in Alaska and we are going to hit the road to the Pacific Northwest (Seattle area first then maybe branch out a bit) first part of next week in the hopes of finding a used slide in camper to bring home. Our truck is an 06 Chevy 2500HD 4x4 with an 8 foot box and extended cab. It will need the following things that I can think of: The bars that bolt to the frame that the TC ties down to. Isolator relay and wiring harness for the camper. Some sort of mirror extension. Anything else that I would need? On the mirrors, I have seen some people use a type that attaches to the TC itself under the overhang. Is this acceptable, at least for the short run? About the bars, the last time I owned a TC it was on an old 82 Ford and all I remember it having was a piece of channel iron running across and bolted to the frame. Is this still the case or have these tie downs bars gotten sophisticated like everything else? The isolator is something I can do myself so shouldn't be a problem. The rest I am going to have done while on the road so any advice on how to find a decent shop to do the work (and how much it should cost) would be appreciated.
Thanks!

[Victory402]

Looks much better.

[Arktikos]

Slid the Torklift in and moved the tie down to the forward hole as per Crumm's suggestion. Its definitely an improvement, but these still sit pretty low. It is the right Torklift mount for this truck, just think this Chevy with relatively small diameter tires and ext cab wheelbase is pretty low to the ground to begin with.




Please note, the maximum photo width=800.

Wayne
Moderator

[Crumm]

Might be what's in the coffee. Have you heard of baileys ?

[Arktikos]

Crumm wrote:
Move em in and put the chain in the front hole. Jay at Torklift explained to me that they are designed to twist so the tube in tube makes contact on all four corners thus making it stronger.

Good to know, thanks! Didn't really know what I was doing when I went over this morning to pick the camper up. Not enough coffee maybe? :Z

[Crumm]

Move em in and put the chain in the front hole. Jay at Torklift explained to me that they are designed to twist so the tube in tube makes contact on all four corners thus making it stronger.

[Arktikos]

A few more shots. The driveway isn't level, has a rise making the mount appear lower than normal. Also these are slid out to the second pin hole, can bring them in some so the mounts wont stick out as far.

[Crumm]

JumboJet wrote:
There is just something that doesn't look correct about that front tie down.

Looks kinda low with no forward angle. Might just be the picture??

[JumboJet]

There is just something that doesn't look correct about that front tie down.

[Arktikos]

Got our camper home! Now getting it provisioned for our 3 week road trip.

[hedge]

I'm happy with my adventurer, this is my second one. The last one was a 99 and still in great shape

[Butch50]

Fraserway RV is the company in Canada that rents Adventure Campers.

[Arktikos]

deltabravo wrote:

Arktikos wrote:
On the mirrors, I have seen some people use a type that attaches to the TC itself under the overhang. Is this acceptable, at least for the short run?

Those are really, really old school. I haven't seen them since the 80s.

An inexpensive set of slip on/clip on mirror extensions will do the trick for the short term, that way you aren't drilling holes and stuff in the camper to mount the old fashioned mirrors.

Someone else mentioned Tork Lift Central in Kent - they are a delaer / installer for TorkLift products. Call them and set up an appointment, get it all done there and make it "one stop shopping"

I bought a used set of Torklifts from the person I bought the truck from for $100. It wasn't an easy job but as of today they are now installed. I am going to pick up the camper tomorrow and everything is set except for the mirrors. Plan to get extending mirrors once I get to WA state. In the mean time I am going to have to wing it with what I have.

[deltabravo]

Long term mirror solution would be to find and install a set of the OEM extending tow mirrors. Everyone I read about who buys aftermarket versions on the cheap, isn't too fond of them because the glass vibrates and the can't see good out of them. Sounds like OEM is the best.

[deltabravo]

Crumm wrote:
Your truck should have a isolator if it has a tow package.

GM trucks don't have an isolator that disconnect the truck from the trailer/camper charging circuit. It's hot 24/7, so a solenoid will be needed if you want the circuit isolated.