mpike
Chico, CA
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I'd like to attach my TC directly to my F250 bed frame. I've searched "flatbeds" but haven't found any info on doing this without having a flatbed. I'm trying to save weight by getting rid of the pickup bed, but don't want to add any mnore weight than necessary.
I expect I'll have to add some metal to prevent excessive twisting, but not sure what or how much.
My TC is a 3000lb 9.6 Bigfoot 3000 with basement.
Thanks for any advice or warnings,
Mike
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recycler
michigan
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was thinking of doing the same thing with my dodge to save weight my idea is to build custom frame for the camper and mount it like they do expedition campers using the front mounts as fixed point and putting two center mounts at middle and rear of frame for flexiblity fill in sides for storage after
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Gale Hawkins
Murray, KY
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But then it will be called a MH. 
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recycler
michigan
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nah you could still take it off
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mpike
Chico, CA
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Recycler,
Could you elaborate on the frame and attachment points or point me to another source/forum? I've always wondered how the chassis mount units stopped the sway and flexing from self destructing.
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recycler
michigan
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my idea was to use rubber mounts on brackets mounted on the sides of the front of the frame and build some crossmembers at the mid point and rear of frame using two mount close together at each point mounted to a steel frameon the bottom of the camper.. i got the idea from sites for european heavy expedition trucks {unimogs,man, etc}
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KD4UPL
Swoope, VA
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I suspect that modern pick-up beds are so flimsy and light you wouldn't save much weight. Especially if you start adding bracing back in to stiffen the frame and secure the camper. 2 strong guys can pick-up an 8' truck bed. They can't weigh more than 400 pounds.
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recycler
michigan
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you are right not much of a savings on the weight but it allows you to build storage lockers on the sides for batteries, extra propane tanks, blue boy, etc
for boondocking
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Photog101
Garden City, Michigan
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mpike, if you are thinking of just bolting the floor of the camper to your frame ... even with crosmember modifications ... you might consider that T/C's not really strong in the floor area for lateral loads. T/C's are generally designed to be tied down from the outside limits of the camper to relieve that lateral floor loading.
If you are looking to custom make storage under the wings, you might consider a utility or service body. Either way, I would tie it down at the outer points.
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SoCalDesertRider
SanDiego, CA, USA
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It won't save any weight and likely end up weighing more, but the simplest and most effective way would be to build a basic steel flat bed, put the camper on top of it and mount storage boxes under and on top of the flat bed.
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