All ActivityMost RecentMost LikesSolutions3d Printed Stinky Slinky Fence Cap My new (to me) trunk camper did not have a proper storage for the sewer hose. So I got a chunk of 5" pvc fence post and designed my own ends to secure the hose- uses a 1/4" inch bolt - but can be opened quickly - but secures it without concerns. If you are intersted see: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6783732 Re: Alternate to canvas slide toppers I appreciate all the feedback! I think I know which way I am going to go! New (to me) 2013 Chalet TS116 - anyone have a manual? I just acquired a 2013 TS116 Chalet. I have it sitting on my 4500 flatbed. I am happy with my decision. Anyone have wiring diagrams for this make/model? Looking to add some solar and some other electrical items to it. Thank you!!! Alternate to canvas slide toppers Has anyone seen the product put out by https://www.truetopperusa.com/ ? Instead of a canvas awning like cover on the awning, it is a device designed to sweep/sqeegee off the top of the slide as it is closed, then seal the top of the slide from weather when closed. It looks very interesting to me. Looking for someone using it for their $0.02 Gave My Wife The Finger (a place for SWMBO to put rings)What can I say? I gave my wife the finger! 3d printed hook - attached to mirror using double sided tape. Hook can also be screwed to wall. See Thingiverse item 135240 to make your own. Re: My New Flatbed Camper!!! NRALIFR wrote: You’re correct that extending them too far will also cause problems when they are swung in. When they’re fully retracted, the pad at the bottom of the jack tubes come very close to the front Torklift tiedowns when they’re swung in. :):) Im not worried about problems when they are swung in, I am concerned about the stress when slung out. The longer you extend the jack away from the body of the camper, the more torque the weight of the tc can put on the mounting of the jack Also, given I am on a flatbed that is 9 feet long - the tiedowns only go to the bed where there is a rail to do a tiedown. Not using the frame mounted tie downs. In addition, with the 9 foot bed, the jack wont swing all the way in to the locking mechanism that is built into the hinge. I am temporarily using a strap to hold the jack in so it wont swing around while driving. I got an idea for an alternative method for securing it. Will share it if it works.Re: Surrounded By Sheep!Two thoughts came to mind: 1. Lamb chops with mint Jelly 2. (insert lame political comment here) I know - both of the above were baaaaaaad, but at least you didnt get fleeced.Re: My New Flatbed Camper!!! towpro wrote: I would recommend these if your still looking for steps. yes the top loop can fold down out of the way :) I suggested a very similar solution and SWMBO shot it down as the fur campers would be be able to use it. As soon as I complete the solution SWMBO approved, I will be posting it here. Kayteg1 wrote: Is that becouse you have the strap bar on side, what makes bed wider, than 8' ? Yup. Adds another 2-3 inches (dont remember the exact measurement) Bert the Welder wrote: Thanks! Was wondering in another post if anyone had done this. Would you have any pic's of these extension plates? Thanks! Well, it should not be rocket surgery for someone named "Bert the Welder", I had a local machine shop cut me some steel the same thickness as the tabs on the jacks, 2 inches wide, 12 inches long (I think) and put 6 holes in it. I got some grade 8 bolts and put the jack back on. I wanted to make it as small as possible and still get the legs wide enough to get the truck underneath. There is enough stress on those swing out legs without sticking them out further with extensions. See below: Re: My New Flatbed Camper!!! Bert the Welder wrote: Congrats! That looks fantastic!!! How's getting the truck backed under? From the pic's, the legs almost look like they're touching the bed! Very toit! Given the storage room, I'm surprised more people don't go this route. leg clearance: Vertically - when i loaded it - I put 2 pieces of 2x8x12 under every jack to get me 3 more inches vertically Horizontally - even with the swing out hinges on the front jacks, I saw it would not clear the bed. I had a local machine shop create 2 plates that added one more inch of width on each side which gave me 3/4" on each side as I put the truck under the camper.Re: Nothern Lite on a flatbed? J.Duncan wrote: My dude, so many questions. Does the camper require an 8’ bed? How long is your flat bed? Do you have center of gravity issues? Is there a large space between your camper and your headache rack? Literally exactly what I want to do just Ford and Northern Lite. Those were several issues I had to address. The camper I have requires (at least) an 8 foot bed. Note I got a cab and chassis truck - which has a 9 foot bed. The rear axle is moved a foot further back away from the cab (than on a truck with an 8 foot bed.) Moving the axle back means the center of gravity of the TC will remain in front of the rear axle - where it belongs. If I am correct, the Northern Lite 10'2 is designed for an 8' bed so it should work on any truck with a 8 foot or longer bed that can handle the weight. Make sure the weight of the truck + the weight of the TC + the weight of your new flat bed + weight of all your "stuff" (i.e. fishing gear, dogs, food, beer, etc) does not exceed the GVWR of the truck. Please do your homework first before buying your truck. I recently acquired a Ford 2011 F-450 that had only a 13,300 GVWR and was 1000 lbs over the GVWR with the Lance loaded (but that is a story for a different time) Check and confirm how much room is under the cabover of the Northern Lite. I have heard that newer Ford cabs are taller than other trucks - but I dont have any written documentation to support that - just rumor. If you get a cab and chassis model like I did, you will have 12" between the front of the bed / headache bar and the front of your camper. I temporarily put some 2x4's in there to keep the camper from walking forward on the bed, but I am looking at building a frame from aluminum that will keep the camper from walking forward along with providing space for another fresh water tank. A note on tiedowns - the flatbed has a rail along the side. I used that in conjunction with Torklift "Original FastGun Turnbuckle .45- Polished S9527" Before you load the camper on the truck, verify the truck will fit between the front jacks. You might need front jack extensions. Thats about all I can think of at the moment. Let me know if you need any other information!
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