Unload or keep on truck

[riajane]

I have a 2004 Lance 1121 on a 2001 F350 long bed crew cab diesel dully.

I am a senior female and will be traveling along and living in my truck camper for 6 weeks with my two dogs. Do I leave it on the truck or take it off. I will also be towing a small car to use while on an assignment. If I take it off, how do I prevent it from rocking. If I leave it on what do I need to do.
Have had very little practice at loading and unloading the camper. I got it used in 2017 and have not used it since I got it.
Any and all advice, information will be helpful.
Thanks in advance.

[bighatnohorse]

whizbang wrote:
You have a tow vehicle. Just leave the camper loaded.

I agree with this.
If you feel the camper rocks to much on the truck, then lower the rear jacks to stabilize it.
Just be sure to retract the jacks before moving again.

[GeoBoy]

mkirsch wrote:

Kayteg1 wrote:

ticki2 wrote:
Can't speak for the rest of the country but here in the northeast every campground I've been to had a rule prohibiting leaving pets in an RV unattended .

Thanks for letting us know what part of the country to avoid 😉
We camp in all southern states in last 2 years and none of campgrounds had such rule.

So your dumb dog can sit there trapped in the camper and bark its fool head off all day long while you're out gallivanting and having a grand old time seeing the sights...

THAT is why the campgrounds have the rule. Poorly trained pets are far from the exception.

Well said, mkirsch.

[mike_kellie]

I think the OP has left the building without a dog. :B

[Kayteg1]

It is surprising to me as lately trolls have been kept under control.
Here is policy from N. Carolina

"Pets are welcome but their owners must be well behaved!! ;)"
love it.

[mountainkowboy]

mkirsch wrote:

Kayteg1 wrote:

ticki2 wrote:
Can't speak for the rest of the country but here in the northeast every campground I've been to had a rule prohibiting leaving pets in an RV unattended .

Thanks for letting us know what part of the country to avoid 😉
We camp in all southern states in last 2 years and none of campgrounds had such rule.

So your dumb dog can sit there trapped in the camper and bark its fool head off all day long while you're out gallivanting and having a grand old time seeing the sights...

THAT is why the campgrounds have the rule. Poorly trained pets are far from the exception.

Pretty assumptive, but that really doesn't surprise me anymore.

[mkirsch]

Kayteg1 wrote:

ticki2 wrote:
Can't speak for the rest of the country but here in the northeast every campground I've been to had a rule prohibiting leaving pets in an RV unattended .

Thanks for letting us know what part of the country to avoid 😉
We camp in all southern states in last 2 years and none of campgrounds had such rule.

So your dumb dog can sit there trapped in the camper and bark its fool head off all day long while you're out gallivanting and having a grand old time seeing the sights...

THAT is why the campgrounds have the rule. Poorly trained pets are far from the exception.

[Photomike]

Leave camper on truck. If you want to stabilize it more so you are not rocking drop jacks to remove some weight from the truck.

As for pets I have never come across rules for leaving pets in an RV as long as they have food and are not baking. Could be a rule in hotter areas. In the vehicle yes not a good idea any place for any time.

My dog would stay in the TCer and have her water, food and toys. I would leave a vent open and a couple lower windows. Also would keep a thermometer in the camper that would record highest temps and it never got that hot. One time I was worried as I was parked in a bare parking lot. Went out for an hour came back and looked in a window and she was laying on her back fast asleep. Temps inside was 22C. Took her for a walk and she was so happy to get back into the camper that she was asleep in her spot before I left.

[Kayteg1]

ticki2 wrote:
Can't speak for the rest of the country but here in the northeast every campground I've been to had a rule prohibiting leaving pets in an RV unattended .

Thanks for letting us know what part of the country to avoid 😉
We camp in all southern states in last 2 years and none of campgrounds had such rule.

[ticki2]

Kayteg1 wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:
IF staying in a developed campground vs primitive site....many CGs do NOT allow dropping Camper

Besides..you have alternate transportation so leave it on the truck

In last 2 years we've been to over 20 campgrounds and no one had that rule.
See how good you do with loading/unloading.
It is a skill and when 1 will do it in 3 minutes, other might need 30 and still have it crooked.
For us TC is about avoiding toad and I don't hesitate dropping it off even for 2 days. Traveling with dogs that often was necesity, as we left dogs in camper with AC on, when we could go to visit family or dining.

Can't speak for the rest of the country but here in the northeast every campground I've been to had a rule prohibiting leaving pets in an RV unattended .

[3_tons]

Kayteg1 wrote:
The word I did not agree with was "many".
I don't doubt campgrounds forbidding TC removal exist, but they never happen in my travels.
Than I was parking my 30 years old Prevost in "10 years or younger" parks.
I guess it all depends how you look.

The reason seems to do with the local Fire Marshall’s code, since when unloaded and a fire developes the camper cannot be moved...

[Lwiddis]

“ I got it used in 2017 and have not used it since I got it.“

And you’ve maintained both the camper and truck? Protected the tires from UV? Age of the tires? Inspected the camper roof and repaired any cracks? Age of starting and house batteries? Kept them charged?

[Kayteg1]

The word I did not agree with was "many".
I don't doubt campgrounds forbidding TC removal exist, but they never happen in my travels.
Than I was parking my 30 years old Prevost in "10 years or younger" parks.
I guess it all depends how you look.

[Old-Biscuit]

Kayteg1 wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:
IF staying in a developed campground vs primitive site....many CGs do NOT allow dropping Camper

Besides..you have alternate transportation so leave it on the truck

In last 2 years we've been to over 20 campgrounds and no one had that rule.
See how good you do with loading/unloading.
It is a skill and when 1 will do it in 3 minutes, other might need 30 and still have it crooked.
For us TC is about avoiding toad and I don't hesitate dropping it off even for 2 days. Traveling with dogs that often was necesity, as we left dogs in camper with AC on, when we could go to visit family or dining.

Well in 7 yr FTng all over the USA.......MANY CGs had that rule
My post was intended as a 'heads up' for the OP vs who has/hasn't as I don't care.

[Kayteg1]

When using jacks for leveling, while on the truck, beware they have their limits.
When lifting with rear jacks - watch cabover touching truck roof.
When lifting with front jacks, the rear of the bed puts shearing force on the floor where it was not design for.
I like to carry couple of 2x8 planks for leveling the truck and using the jacks for stability only, not lifting.