I'm wondering if it is totally impractical (as in, forget it, don't go there) or if it's do-able sometimes with the right TC. Can a short bed TC be loaded to the rear of a long bed pickup?
I've come to the conclusion that a TC on a 4WD is hard to beat for boondocking prowess. And it is beginning to look like it would be a good decision for my business (I tow a cargo trailer daily, delivering books to schools) if I were to buy a CNG/gasoline bi-fuel pickup. GM and Dodge are both expected to make a 3/4 ton long bed pickup available in bi-fuel this year. Problem: the CNG tank(s) take up space at the front of the bed.
What do you think? Any specific TC models that might work without throwing too much weight to the rear?
I had a 100 gal L-shaped gas tank in my old truck. Last year I notched out the bottom of a 10' popup camper so it would set over the lower part of the tank. This set the camper back about 14". I had to fabricate hold downs for the back that were farther back. I then fixed a areo package to cover the sides and extend between the roof of the cab and the camper. I had an access door on each side so I could fill the tank and store some things on top of the tank.
The first and only trip was 13,000 miles to Alaska. I sold the camper upon my return.
Short bed camper in a long bed truck is no problem. The camper will still be loaded in the same place in relation to the truck's rear axle on either truck, since both trucks have the same length from axle to rear bumper. The only difference is the long bed has about 18" more bed space in front of the axle. Since that is where your LP tank will go, that is perfect, since you're putting that heavy item forward in the truck bed.
rexlion wrote: ...Can a short bed TC be loaded to the rear of a long bed pickup...
Do you mean a SB camper with no rear overhang (i.e the door of the camper is right at the bumper... or a camper setting back and hanging behind the bumper?) the answer is yes to both. My set-up is the latter.
I am doing the SB camper on a LB truck:
I have seen photos of the fuel tank for CNG in the bed (impractical for a PU truck in my opinion....) not sure how that bed is set-up... You may need to make some sort of blocking device between the front of the camper and the bulkhead of the truck bed. I did this for my generator:
* This post was
edited 04/14/12 03:19am by d3500ram *
2005 Dodge 3500 SRW, Qcab long bed, NV-6500, diesel, 4WD, Helwig, 9000XL,
Nitto 285/70/17 Terra Grapplers, Honda eu3000Is, custom overload spring perch spacers.
2008 NorthStar Arrow short bed.
Thanks for the replies. I guess it isn't such a crazy idea after all! Yes, it wouldn't do to squish the tanks, so I'd want something to totally prevent the TC from coming forward.
Pegleg, that Sunlite looks so funny that way, LOL! Like it was slipping backward on you.
CNG is even cheaper in Oklahoma, about a buck per gallon-equivalent IIRC. I could save $4,000/year or more on fuel. My Mountaineer is up in years and I'm ready to replace it; I would use the pickup for work as well as vacation travel, and rotate the Highlander to reserve-backup/grocery-getter duty.
(edit): I just checked, the filling station 2 miles from my place is charging $1.11 per GGE. Not bad...
* This post was
edited 04/14/12 11:03am by rexlion *
Mike & Sherry
2000 Mercury Mountaineer
2008 Toyota Highlander
2011 KZ Spree Escape E14RB
I have looked into using CNG. The problem is, there is no place near by for the general public to fill up a vehicle with CNG. There are places to fill, but they're only for the city buses and utility company vehicles.
SoCalDesertRider wrote: I have looked into using CNG. The problem is, there is no place near by for the general public to fill up a vehicle with CNG. There are places to fill, but they're only for the city buses and utility company vehicles.
California has the most of any state , looks like 3 public in San Diego , still not many . There is one in NH , 100 miles from me .
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