Camper Compatibility?

[VicR]

Just wondered if anyone has checked the height of the top of the cab relative to the bed floor on the 2003's. Just eyeballing it, it looked like it might be a clearance problem for campers (like the Superdutys).



Right now I am debating on a closeout 2002 or ordering a 2003, and being able to use my current camper would be a big factor.



-Vic

 

[DIESELMAN]

Vic -



43-1/2" will rub, 44-1/2" to clear the cab clearance lights.



Uh Oh... ...

 

[sheldon]

Makes me glad I bought a 2002

 

[David Muench]

Shouldn't be a big deal. . When the Ford guys had this problem with the 99's they just built a platform for the camper to sit on to raise it up a few inches.

 

[TowPro]

I did the same thing so my camper would clear my 5th wheel hitch rails. Now I have enough room to get my arm down between the camper and the bed to store things like extention cords and water hose.

Originally posted by David Muench

Shouldn't be a big deal. . When the Ford guys had this problem with the 99's they just built a platform for the camper to sit on to raise it up a few inches.

 

[Scooby]

Sorry, but what was the conclusion here? Is there a clearence issue here as there was with the SuperDuty's?

 

[Bill Stockard]

I haven't measured my '01 Lamce 1140 yet, but the late model Lance slide-in truck campers clear the Ford Super Duty cabs without a spacer. I don't know when the change was made. The Lance factory rep who lives in Fort Worth, TX drives a '02 F350 CC PSD, doesn't use a spacer under his demo '03 Lance Model 1161, and has no cab clearance problems.



I will be ordering a new 3rd gen 3500 DRW after the new 48RE transmission is available in combination with the HO engine to haul our Lance.



Bill

 

[Scooby]

Thanks Bill, that makes sense. I have an '02 Lance 1040 and there is plenty of clearance room. Enough, I was guessing, for the super duty or new 3rd gen.

 

[roycrown]

I believe the original question was will the 3rd gen. Dodge cab clear an existing camper, not a brand new camper. How many people can afford a new truck and camper at the same time?When I first learned that the Ford cab would not clear slide in campers, I laughed out loud. Then I read their factory literature which said for slide-in campers to use 2 sheets of 3/4 inch plywood (where none was ever required for the past 40 or so years). Obviously slide-in campers never entered the designers mind, and this brilliant "solution" was dreamed up after the truck was in the hands of the consumer.

 

[Scooby]

Is it only the cab that has the problem or are the truck bed sidewalls getting taller as well?

 

[dalton4]

It is my understanding that Lance, in 2000, designed in more cab clearance to correct the clearance problem with Ford cabs. Looks like Lance may have also been preparing for the 03 Dodge.



Jerry