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The shorter the center of gravity, the better right?

iwanttoretireea
Explorer
Explorer
From my understanding, you can't go wrong with a small COG from the front. I'm trying to find the most versatile camper I can find (eg. the Lance 850 that can fit on short and long bed pickups).

What COG number is too long for most 1 ton pickups (whether it's short bed, long bed reg cab, extended cab, other configurations)?
18 REPLIES 18

iwanttoretireea
Explorer
Explorer
@Lwiddis: there are several companies out there advertising campers that fit both short and long bed trucks and I am trying to wrap my head around it

Lwiddis
Explorer II
Explorer II
Why not follow the manufacturer’s recommendations? Attempting to reinvent the wheel can get expensive.
Winnebago 2101DS TT & 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71, WindyNation 300 watt solar-Lossigy 200 AH Lithium battery. Prefer boondocking, USFS, COE, BLM, NPS, TVA, state camps. Bicyclist. 14 yr. Army -11B40 then 11A - (MOS 1542 & 1560) IOBC & IOAC grad

Kayteg1
Explorer II
Explorer II
Theoretically you can.
For example would you put 6' camper with 7' cabover on short bed pickup - that could overload front axle.
But such combos don't exist.
Coming to your actual question, there is no specific distance where placement of COG makes it bad or good. It is combination of weight.
On practical note - you simply need to weight rear axle to avoid overloading and then different track handle tall and long load differently.
My long camper has COG about 65" behind the cabin and Ford dually handles that just fine.

jimh406
Explorer III
Explorer III
Just go with what the manufacturer suggests. If they say it is a short bed camper, it’s fine for short beds, etc.

In practice, it’s probably not going to matter that much unless the TC is much longer than the truck bed.

'10 Ford F-450, 6.4, 4.30, 4x4, 14,500 GVWR, '06 Host Rainer 950 DS, Torklift Talon tiedowns, Glow Steps, and Fastguns. Bilstein 4600s, Firestone Bags, Toyo M655 Gs, Curt front hitch, Energy Suspension bump stops.

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