Camper Overhang and Tongue Extension

[Peanut]

Well, it looks like we may take a little plunge today and purchase a truck camper. In the past we have rented cabins, which can be costly, or tented, which we don't mind, but now that we have a little girl (and a not-so-little dog), tenting for any length of time in the rain would be truly wretched.

We're going to look at one tonight, and if acceptable to the boss, will likely go for it. But, before we do, I need to run a couple questions past you:

1. The camper is 8', my truck is a short box (6'). I was told the 2' overhang is not a problem - just take the endgate off, and use tiedowns if you wish. The camper's not gonna go anywhere. I just wanna make sure I didn't get bad advice on this point.

2. Due to this overhang, I will also need a longer tongue on my boat trailer, as it is unusually short. My plan was to have a welder cut the shaft, and then drill holes in both pieces. Then, an extension that is slightly smaller in diameter can slide into both ends, and it would have pre-drilled holes that you could line up with the first ones I mentioned. This would then be held in place with large pins, kinda like what you'd use to attach your hitch.

At this time, I can also extend my wiring, if need be. So long as the pins are large enough, I think this will be sufficiently strong. Is there a better way than this?

Thanks as always for your help.


derrek.

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[Eyez]

I can't say for sure about the overhang, but I would think that because of the way the boat will move when you turn, and to make it easier to hook up, etc, you'd be better off with an extension for the pickup hitch, than you would be by extending the tounge on the trailer. I'm thinking that you would probably not want to have the pivot point that far under the camper. I don't know what kind of hitch you have on your truck, but many years ago my dad had a 24 inch extension for a receiver hitch that he made. If I remember right, it slid into the receiver, locked in there, and had 2 straps that went up and bolted to two holes that were drilled in the bumper, off to the sides of where the bumper hitch would have been. He towed the boat with it for many years until he got rid of the pickup camper about 10 years ago.

Just an idea anyway....

Eyez

[Peanut]

Thanks Eyez - I thought of hitch extensions - but did not know you could get them that long. I agree with your comments on the pivot point - I intend to extend the pickup hitch as long as I can, but will likely still have to extend my trailer tongue.

derrek.

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[Gary B]

You don't say the size of boat or truck, so here goes:

Check to see if the truck is rated to haul the weight of the camper and the tongue weight of the trailer. Almost all 1/2ton trucks are not capable of hauling a 1500-3000lb camper. 3/4 to 1 ton trucks that are set up for it would be needed. There are a few small light campers for 1/2 ton trucks. They are usually pop-up style or short. Check the specs on the truck, camper, and boat to be sure.
In your case, I would just leave the tailgate in the "down" position if possible.

There are various hitch extensions available. Some require a different receiver on the truck, others may need to attach to the camper or ??? You are likely to have problems with a trailer tongue extension when you go over hilly terrain or from driveway to street if you have a curb.

Check the truck manual for weights and limits. Good luck.

[Eyez]

The hitch extension I mentioned was home-made, I really don't know where you'd go about buying one, but if you knew what you wanted, a welding shop could put one together pretty quick I think.


Eyez

[Peanut]

Gary - the "lucky" vehicle is a 1994 Ford F150 s/cab, with a 5.0L (302)engine. I'll check the spec's to see what weight it can haul, and check the camper weight as well. Thanks for the head's-up.

derrek.

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[Peanut]

You're probably right, and luckily I have a brother-in-law who's got his welding ticket. Guess I'll be paying him a visit....

derrek.

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[BlackSilver]

I think the usual method is to extend the truck frame and mount the existing bumper/hitch-receiver out at the end of that extension.

Don't put a camper in a half-ton, no matter what the camper salesman tells you. Somewhere (usually in the glove box) is a manufacturers tag telling your "slide-in camper" weight rating (that's not the same as your payload rating). As an example my 2001 Silverado short-bed is rated for a 726# camper, even though the payload rating is 1711#.

SET the hook!!!

Hans/MN

[Fshngyd]

Peanut,
keep us updated on your progress here, I was told just the other day that I could not put a 8'pickup camper on my short box 2500 GMC!! Now I am kinda pissed because I had plans in the future to get one, and if it is true I will have to trade in my newly purchased crew cab on a long box :o. That comment came directly from a RV dealer in town, hopefully he is wrong.
Also, years ago my family had a pkp camper on a 3/4 ton GMC, my dad went down and had the rear bumper extended, and reinforced to meet the edge of the back of the camper, and then just used the old ball mounted to the bumper trick to pull the boat around. I am sure there are other more modern methods that can work, but we never had a problem with that method. Good luck with your new toy!!

[Tom]

i don,t know that i would put a truck camper in a 1/2 short bed, i would consider other options if it were me, along with the fact that you have to extend the trailer tonge or the receiver i think your asking for trouble, if you have to do this i would at least beef up the rear shocks and add an extra leaf or two to the leaf springs, i think you will be testing the limits of the truck and you may not have many problems on short trips but the longer trips will be interesting.





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[Peanut]

I talked to 2 different dealers just today - both said the overhang was fine - just leave your endgate down.

I also called the dealer where I bought my truck - he tells me that so long as the weight rating is not exceeded, I should be fine. I'm still trying to confirm the rating of my truck - what number am I looking for (in the event a slide-in trailer is not specified)? I'm assuming it is not the front GAWR. Is it the rear GAWR or the GVWR or the GVWR less the curb weight or what?

When did this all get so confusing?

derrek.

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[fordnut]

The one thing i did not see mention is the tire rating he has on the truck. Todays truck`s are built for ride not work. Extra springs not spring helper! Yes I would strongly suggests anchoring the camper down to the frame not the pockets in the box, this will take the sway out. I would extend the receiver not the trailer tongue. Extending the tongue will cause weight tranfers in turn cause swaying. You said 1/2 ton but are the bearings 1/2 or 1/4 (light duty) Bob

[KevinA]

I ran an 11 foot camper on a F250 for years. You need to consider the GVWR on your truck. Look on the drivers side inside door panel or the manual. This is the max rating for your truck weight, camper, & tongue weight. I doubt you'll be able to put an 8 footer on a short bed & stay within your GVWR. I think(?) your max towing weigth may also be affected by having the camper on the back. I finally sold my camper as the boat kept getting bigger & pricier & went beyond my truck's GVWR. I had visions of having a wreck and having my insurance agent say, "by the way, what was the weight of your entire rig...?"....and slowly watch my insurance bail due to being overweight, no reason they shouldn't.

Tires are another real concern, check them religously. When you're on the road feel the tires & hubs with every stop. Low air in an unloaded truck usually isn't a critical issue...low air in a loaded truck is a BIG deal. I ran Michlein truck tires, load series E. Had a rear flat once with the camper(3000#) & boat in tow, 55-60mph, two lane road(HY 41 just south Peshtigo), trucks everywhere. Turned out to be a bad/leaking wheel weld. Tire went low on air, broke the bead, shredded the tire, freakout...ended up swerving in front of an oncoming tractor/trailer before I brought it back & under control. I'd suggest you do all you can to avoid doing this. Fortunately I had a change of shorts in the camper as I needed them.

Extend the truck hitch, you can buy 12 & 18 inch bar/receiver extensions at RV places or check JC Whitney. It's just a bar that inserts into the female portion of the truck hitch..the bar has additional female end where you'll mount your usual bar/ball.

I think you need to look at a very small pop-up camper or a bigger truck. If you run with an overloaded rig & have any sudden problem, trust me, you're in a lot of trouble, if you come out the other side...worse yet, you do & someone else doesn't.