I want to put a short bed truck camper on my long bed truck. Looking at an 8-9' model with the rear overhangs to have a bit more room. I want to be able to put a generator, firewood, wet/muddy clothing, and several other things on the front area of the bed. This is going on a 1 ton single rear wheel truck and will distribute the weight the same as a short bed truck will since the additional length is at the front of the bed. I have Torklift tiedowns to hold it on the truck.I have seen pictures of others that have done this and this is where I got the idea from. I haven't seen pictures of how people made a brace for the front that was sturdy enough to prevent the camper from sliding into the tail lights. I'd love to see some pictures of this or to hear any ideas from guys that have done it or those that have good suggestions. I've also debated having an aluminum flatbed made and putting storage boxes on the side, but that would be a project for this fall/winter so I would like something I can use over the summer in the mean time (unless someone has a nice aluminum flatbed for a SRW truck they want to sell!)Thanks for the help!

I would slide the camper all the way forward in the bed of your truck. Secure it with tie downs that bolt to your frame. Leave the tailgate on. Then you can access everything behind the camper. With a load, you may stop fast enough to make the TC want to slide forward, but the rubber bumpers will be against the pickup box. You cannot start fast enough to make it go to the rear.

Simple 2x4 or 2x6 frame the right size will work. Maybe 1 more stud in the center.

We had our original SB camper for 17 years. It sat on 4 different trucks (all Ram diesels because I retired from Cummins). One of the trucks was a longbed, all I did was make a rectangular frame out of 2x8's or 2x10s, can't remember which, it's still sitting in my shed attic. Strength isn't an issue, you need to decide how high your bumpers on the front of you camper are when you back your truck under the camper. You want the framework tall enough that the bumpers hit the framework, not above the framework. If you make the framework too short (2x4s for example), the bumpers will be above the framework if you're not careful, and when you lower the camper into the bed of the truck, the bumpers will be torn off.

Better off letting the frame bear across the entire bottom edge of the camper than just bumpers. Bumpers squish too easy when camper slides forward.

When I still had my SB BF, I just set the camper where I wanted it and took measurements. Then I built a 2X8 box with a third longitudinal piece in the center.

Short bed camper on long bed truck - Tips for frontal brace?

mkirsch
Nomad II
Mar 06, 2020
If you're concerned about lateral loading, then put a 3/4" plywood floor on the box. Glued and nailed to the 2x framework. It won't be going anywhere.

You could also build a similar box out of steel C-channel if using wood makes you nervous.

Remember that you've got fender wells, tiedowns, and presumably a rubber floor mat which all help to contain the camper. It's not like the camper is hanging like a pendulum and swings with its entire inertia against the front of the truck bed when you stop.
stevenal
Nomad II
Mar 05, 2020
As I said, I ran one down the center. It does occur to me, though, with the same four sticks you use use to build a rectangle you could build a two rung ladder instead. Ladder rungs run longitudinally in front of the camper bumpers.
srschang
Nomad
Mar 04, 2020
drewkeen wrote:
srschang wrote:
We had our original SB camper for 17 years. It sat on 4 different trucks (all Ram diesels because I retired from Cummins). One of the trucks was a longbed, all I did was make a rectangular frame out of 2x8's or 2x10s, can't remember which, it's still sitting in my shed attic. Strength isn't an issue, you need to decide how high your bumpers on the front of you camper are when you back your truck under the camper. You want the framework tall enough that the bumpers hit the framework, not above the framework. If you make the framework too short (2x4s for example), the bumpers will be above the framework if you're not careful, and when you lower the camper into the bed of the truck, the bumpers will be torn off.

No center support, top or bottom on the box at all, just a big rectangle?

I must be overthinking the loading put on this then! I guess most of the force will be directly forward so there shouldn't be any lateral loading on the frame?
Nope, just a rectangular box. Ran it that way for 4 years or so. Unless you run into a bridge abutment, the two 2x8s or 2x10s that run from the camper to the front of the box aren't going to collapse.
noteven
Explorer III
Mar 04, 2020
I built a 2x8 box as mentioned for my 8ft pickup bed truck as mentioned.
Kayteg1
Explorer II
Mar 04, 2020
I had a truck who originally was C&C with wheelbase for 10' bed.
After attaching regural bed, I wanted front space and made a frame from 2x4, to make a bumper for TC with space on front.
Since it was long/heavy camper I welded the rear bumper level with bed for additional support.
Bottom line, small frame in front is all it takes.

Click For Full-Size Image.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Mar 04, 2020
You could put a 3rd piece like stevenal and I suggested, but you’re not going to crush 2 pieces of lumber, even just 2x4s with anything short of hitting an immoveable object at speed.
drewkeen
Explorer
Mar 04, 2020
Repost
drewkeen
Explorer
Mar 04, 2020
srschang wrote:
We had our original SB camper for 17 years. It sat on 4 different trucks (all Ram diesels because I retired from Cummins). One of the trucks was a longbed, all I did was make a rectangular frame out of 2x8's or 2x10s, can't remember which, it's still sitting in my shed attic. Strength isn't an issue, you need to decide how high your bumpers on the front of you camper are when you back your truck under the camper. You want the framework tall enough that the bumpers hit the framework, not above the framework. If you make the framework too short (2x4s for example), the bumpers will be above the framework if you're not careful, and when you lower the camper into the bed of the truck, the bumpers will be torn off.

No center support, top or bottom on the box at all, just a big rectangle?

I must be overthinking the loading put on this then! I guess most of the force will be directly forward so there shouldn't be any lateral loading on the frame?
stevenal
Nomad II
Mar 04, 2020
When I still had my SB BF, I just set the camper where I wanted it and took measurements. Then I built a 2X8 box with a third longitudinal piece in the center.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Mar 04, 2020
Better off letting the frame bear across the entire bottom edge of the camper than just bumpers. Bumpers squish too easy when camper slides forward.