9' camper in shortbed truck

[GFreshour]

I have a 94 Elkhorn 9' camper that I used with my 95 long bed. I have since acquired a 2001 Shortbed, and really don't want to give the camper up and start over. If I leave the tailgate down, I will have the 8' bed pattern the camper requires, the new truck has sway bars and overload springs. I think that the axle (and CG) is only 1 foot less. Has anyone had any experience with this type of setup? both vehicles had the same 8800 GVW.

 

[midwestdually]

personally... i wouldnt do it... . that is alot of weight just hanging out there. i would never trust a tailgate to support anything heavy like that. i know... someone might say its only 2. 5' hanging out there but that is alot of weight in that 2. 5'. someone else that has more knowledge then me on the camper slide-ins will chime in as well.



if it were me, i wouldnt do it.

 

[Eric_77]

I have set a LOT of weight on the tailgate loading and unloading Masonry supplies. Figured it up one day while I was waiting on helper to return with handtruck. Had 8 50# bags of mortar and 14 boxes of glass blocks (~50# each) so tailgate was holding about 1100 pounds. Tailgate was not bending or showing any signs of distress. A little slide-in should be no problem.

 

[BV]

WARNING: If the 2001 tailgate is the same as my 99 then it is higher then the bed and will not allow the camper to sit flat on the whole surface. This could put more stress on the gate then you think.

 

[jrobinson2]

I haul an 8' popup in my short bed. I had to remove the tailgate because it has a ridge at the base that held the rear of the camper up off of the bed, I actually bowed the tailgate slightly on the trip home before I noticed. I cut some 2x6s the length of the camper and slide them under to support the rear better with the tailgate removed. I think my camper puts very little if any weight on the front axle and a foot longer may remove weight from the front and be unstable.

Jared

 

[midwestdually]

Eric_77

you are talking a load that is just sitting there... . we are talking a load that will be moving up and down the interstate possibly at 75mph... ALOT more force involved than a stationary weight.

 

[pcarlson]

GFreshour,



My Bigfoot is 8'11", ok not quite 9'. But it is made for the short bed 3/4-1 ton trucks. Works great, no problems hauling or towing with it in. I have a fuzzy picture of it in my readers rigs.



Is your camper suited for either short bed or long bed? The biggest thing you need to look for is the center of gravity of your camper and measure it out on the truck. You would like the COG to be centered on or just ahead of your rear axle.



If it fits and the COG is ok, then happy motoring. 8'6" to 9' is the biggest you'll see manufactured for a short-bed truck.





Also I have to remove my tailgate for the camper because the cables will cut into the fiberglass if I don't.

 

[SMorneau]

I have a 9. 5' Elkhorn that i put in my truck. There is no way I would put it in a shortbed. First it will overhang to much with the weight to far back and second the extra weight of the xtra cab truck may be too much for the rear tires.

 

[DPelletier]

As has been mentioned, the center of gravity is the key more so than support under the unit. My truck came with a camper loading paper that indicated acceptable CofG zone. I'm note sure if you get those with a SB.

Also, please note that campers designed for SB trucks may be up to 9' long, but have the CofG moved forward compared to those designed for a long box truck.

If I had to make a judgement call based just on the info you've given, I'd probably not recommend it.



Check it out.

Dave

 

[GFreshour]

Sold it yesterday

Sold it. Thanks to all of you, I appreciate your help in arriving at a decision. Made a powerchoke owner real happy. Glenn:{

 

[klenger]

Which did you sell, the camper or the truck? Are you replacing it?

 

[GFreshour]

The camper went bye bye... ... . darn shame

 

[klenger]

Now you can look at 5ers. Much easier on the truck. Lot's of other advantages to a towable too.



Good luck.