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42lou's avatar
42lou
Explorer
Jul 17, 2013

truck camper question

I'm considering a truck camper as a camping alternative to the 38' fifth wheel that I have now. My question is, will the baseplate for my 5th wheel hitch interfere with the truck camper mounting on the truck bed? The baseplate sits flat except for the pin hinges which stick up about 1/2" or so. Would a rubber mat on the truck bed over the baseplate work? Any feedback would be appreciated, thanks.
  • Thanks a lot for your replies, they were very helpful. I now have a pretty good idea of how to proceed.

    Lou
  • Get a 4'x8' 1/2 plywood and cut out where the brackets are. Put a rubber bed mat ontop of the plywood.
  • I have the rails in my truck bed. I have tried most methods to raise the TC over the rails. I have several several different platforms, used platforms with rubber mat, used 4x4, used 2x6 (laid flat), and used ridged foam. Of all the methods I have used, I prefer the 2x6 (kiln dried for lighter weight) laid flat, and that is what I am using now. Relatively light for me to load and unload and do not compress at the edges of the TC.

    Wayne
  • Often some form of spacer is added to the bed/camper to allow the camper to clear either the cab or bed sidewalls. No reason why you couldn't use something similar to clear the pin hinges. Also, not sure about other manufacturers but the bottom of my Northstar is framed so those hinges may not even contact the bottom of the camper depending on their location.
  • most use thick rigid foam to space the camper over their mounting rails..with my overbuilt t/c i will be using a frame work of 2x2's and angle iron to clear mine..