Bed and Frame Damage

[paguilera]

Help... have any members experienced damage to their beds or frames from carrying large cab-over campers? I am aware of 3 trucks: 95 std cab v10 2500; 2000 sport cummins 4x4 3500; and now my 2002 3500 QC 4x4.

The damage has been crushing of front bed cross rails, breaking of frame to bed mounts, ripping of bed itself at front... generally it just seems like a big camper (3500#) is too much for the bed. . despite what Dodge says.

3 different types of mounting have been tried (camper to bed-mounted tabs; two different types of frame mounts) with the same types of damage to all three trucks.

On the 2000 4x4 3500sportqc, the frame broke on the left side, cracked through, leaving only the bottom "strap". It broke at the second (rear) of the two front bed mounts on the left side; with the line of the crack starting at the top at the welds on the front of rear bed mount and continuing down to the bottom of the frame. Dodge says out of warranty, not our prob (60k miles). This is an 11. 5 foot cabover that is very heavy.

I am interested in hearing from other members who may have experienced similar problems... .

 

[RustyJC]

You may want to post this in the Towing and Hauling forum to get more visibility.



Rusty

 

[dresslered]

I have heard and seen this problem mainly when using a very large rigid (metal frame or rigid siding) type camper in conjuction with bed mounted tie-downs. If the camper is tied down to the frame, the bed should move with the camper without twisting. I am assuming that you use some sort of spring loaded system (i. e. spring loaded turnbuckles). Also, many make the mistake of over-tightening the turnbuckles--it doesn't take much tension to keep the slide-in secure. Front tie-downs should allow for some movement while the rears are less flexible. Regardless, off-road driving should be avoided with such heavy campers. Lastly, the truck beds definitely aren't what they use to be!

 

[DPelletier]

I agree with Dave's comments. Some further observations;



- Its not just a Dodge thing. My buddies Bigfoot 3000 crushed his 98 chevy's bed "u" section at the front. Another friends '97 dodge broke the rear stake pocket at the bottom with his Bigfoot 2500 in Baja.



- Most of us use a checkerplate or other reinforcement at the front of the bed to help prevent damage from the slide-in



- frame mounting is the only way to go with a large slide IMHO



- front spring mounts (like my happijak turnbuckles) reduce stress on the bed IMHO



- use a thick rubber mat to help cushion.



- If all of the above doesn't eliminate the problem, it may be necessary to use a 3/4" plywood sheet to help spread the load better when the slide in moves. I have resisted this approach thus far because I believe the friction of the rubber mat is important. Perhaps thinner rubber could be contact cemented to the plywood (both sides)? If I see any bed damage, this is what I'll try.



- If you frequent bad roads, lots of washboard and 4x4, I think some bed damage is only a matter of time. All you can do is prepare the unit as best you can and slow down in the really rough stuff.



Hope this helps.

Dave



ps. I frequently ignore my own advice.

 

[dresslered]

ps. I frequently ignore my own advice.

Nothing like true honesty!



Good points made by Dave. I also like the idea of a firm cushion in the bed. I have a thick Rhino lining (polyurethane) sprayed in bed liner which offers some impact resistance but mainly a non-slip surface. I then also added a thick 1/2" rubber horse mat as well. If it's tough enough for a horse, it can hold a Bigfoot!

 

[Philip]

I have seen this problem before with the bed. It was on older model Dodges that were on rough roads. It would break the cross members on the bed. I have also seen rear cab mounts break out on crew cab trucks also.



I have not seen frames cracking.

 

[Soot4Life]

10' cab over bit my 96'

Rough roads and a heavy camper yielded a tear clear across the top off the bedrail (hidden under a overrail bedliner) on both sides of my previous 96' 3500. The sheet metal just seems too light to hold up to the weight. Both rails needed welding and repainting. IMHO... ... . bolt to the frame to avoid this problem.

 

[NETim]

Checkerplate?

OK, I give what is it? I have only just started hauling around a Lance 1130 (3500 lbs dry) in my 3500. I am using Torklift frame mounts all the way around with the spring loaded HappiJac tie downs up front. And I am using a 0. 5" rubber bed mat in the box as well.



However, I am interested in anything within reason to "beef up" the box before damage occurs... if indeed it's going to happen with my setup.



There's no doubt that sheet metal ain't what it used to be. (Too much "sheet" and not enough "metal")



Thanks!



Tim



On edit: Added the bed mat to demonstrate that I pay attention! (sometimes!)

 

[DPelletier]

Tim,

The checkerplate we use is 10ga aluminum checkerplate fastened to the front inside of the bed with it bent over and around the top rail. This significantly strengthens the top rail and also adds "scuff resistance" to the entire bed front. I just built one and intalled it on my buddies '03 Dodge last week. I just make 'em as I own a sheet metal fabricating company, but I have seen several brands selling them aftermarket at places like Cap-It , etc. You can also get tailgate protectors made from the same stuff, or even entire box liners (using a rubber mat floor).

Hope this helps.

Dave



ps. sounds like a nice set-up you have

 

[NETim]

Thanks

Thanks Dave. We like the rig thus far. She's pretty stock right now but there are plans evolving even as I post this. She pulls pretty hard as issued.



Tim

 

[jnlncn59]

Truck camper

I have a 9. 5' which weighs about 3500, depending what I have in it. I live in it and it was on my 92CTD from 95-01 and now on my 01 for 2. 5 yrs. I stack three 4x4's in fron of it in the bed and screwed 1/4" plywood on the front that buts up to the 4x4's. I have two 2" box steel pieces welded to the frame supports which come out either side of the truck in the front and rear and then have eye bolts screwd through the box steel and turnbuckles and chains mount to the camper. I have had no damage to either truck. I Have spent 4 summers in Alaska and Northern Canada and have gone up the Dempster Hwy, in the North West Territory, 3 times. That's over 3k miles of dirt, gravel, shale. Hope this helps.