All ActivityMost RecentMost LikesSolutionsRe: Short bed camper on long bed truck - Tips for frontal brace?RepostRe: Short bed camper on long bed truck - Tips for frontal brace? 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?Short bed camper on long bed truck - Tips for frontal brace?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!
GroupsTravel Trailer Group Prefer to camp in a travel trailer? You're not alone.Jan 21, 202544,030 Posts