Camper question

[clanders]

I just recently purchased a Lance cab over camper, and was wondering what should the clearance be from the top of the trucks bed rail to the bottom part of the camper that sits over it? Right now I have about 1inch between the two and did'nt know if there needs to be more. I would hate to have the camper rock back and forth on some dips and smash the bed rail. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Dieselnerd]

I also have a Lance camper. My clearance is greater since I have to add some boards to level my bed due to having fifth wheel hitch rails in the bed. I doubt you will have any problem with the inch clearance. I take my camper over some pretty bad roads and even non roads. The camper doesn't really rock since it's sitting flat in the bed. What is perceived as rocking is the frame flexing and you can see the top of the camper overhang moving up and down. There are shock type mounts that you can add to the front of your camper that fasten to the top of your cowl if you find the motion excessive. I've never added any to mine.

 

[watt]

I also have a Lance camper 10' 9" and mine is about 1 3/8 " never no problems just did 800+ miles in penn on roller coaster roads . I also have the shocks on the frt of camper dwn to cowl very little movment of camper up an dwn . camper is 1997 truck is 2001 3500 4x4 10850 lbs without water food clothes or boss.

 

[clanders]

Thanks for your replys guys. I figured I would ask before I take it on it's first road trip and find out the hard way . Thanks again

 

[BV]

Camper clearance

No problem like the others mentioned - I would worry more about the clearance over the cab. I learned the hard way that 1" is not enough on rough roads

 

[Archive]

Clanders,

I have a Lance 1121 11'6 Camper on my 3500. There is 1. 75" from bed rail to camper. I would recomend a rubber bed mat to protect your bed and the bottom of the camper. I bought mine from Cabelas. I have air bags and Bilstine shocks. In the mountains this combo makes all the difference in the world.

Happy Camping.

 

[dalton4]

I also concur with the other replies. Be sure you have cab clearance and go enjoy your new camper.



Jerry

 

[dewdo]

I had a 1987 9' Western Wilderness slide in on a 1972 Ford 3/4 ton and it had about one inch clearance between the cab and the bottom of the cabover. In the 12 years we used it it never once touched the top of the cab. Our daughter and son-in-law now have it and have had it three years and it still hasn't touched the cab.



The cheapest way to go with the rubber mat in the bed of the truck is with horse stall and trailer rubber mats. They can be purchased at most any tack or feed store for under $50. 00.



Dewdo in the other Washington

 

[rfielding]

Just found this thread... sounds like the one iv"e been looking for...



Has anyone had any difficulty carrying there Lance Camper in there trucks or concerns about the payload rating? My dealer assured me that my 2500 2 wheel drive with auto trans could easily handle the weight of the Lance...



They also use Dodges at the dealer and have had far heavier units in ther trucks from what I can see...



My Lance is the 821 with slideout on a short bed... So far really enjoy the unit, but what a change in driving the unit compared to towing the travel trailer I traded in...



Besides airbags, and larger tires... what should I think about. May look into an exhaust brake as the truck is really heavy coming down hill with the boat behind it...