Sir Douglas
S.Illinois
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Joined: 04/23/2012
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Recently bought a 1977 Real Lite 10'er to use on my 2004 F250 SC SB 4X4. After doing a lot of research about COG and bed vs camper length theories I made the conclusion that this combo should work.
The camper is loaded with dual lp tanks, frdge, water heater, furnace, oven, and full wet bath. The sticker inside the closet says the camper weighs about 2100# with full lp tanks and 30 gallons of water and the COG is about 3" behind the rear axle before loading additional items. I took care loading all the heavier items(tools, food, soda, water, beer, pots, pans, and wife's siut case) towards the front, leaving the rear storage areas for light items(towels, blankets, and baby toys). Not sure how much weight a added to it but guess 300-500lbs most likely closer to 300 lbs.
The truck has 165,000 miles and is a diesel so it's well broke in. It has load range E 265/75r16 tires. Truck weighs in at 7140 with me the 80lb dog and a half tank of fuel(28 gal tank) The camper came with homemade stake hole ties downs that I bolted to the truck bed. I know I'm over weight as gvw is 8800LBS.
The camper squats the truck a little but not even close to using the overloads. Really just leveled it out.
After driving the truck with camper over 300 miles hear are my impressions.
Taking right or left turns at normal speeds it handle quite well with little sway. I slowed down a little more than normal but not drastically. I noticed more sway at 65 and above on curves on the interstate, this was the only time it felt weird or not the most stable.
About 60% of the driving was 2 lane state highways keeping the speed around 60 mph including a short stretch of interstate and 40% was city or smaller curvy country roads. I got a little over 16 mpg. I'm guessing/ hoping for 17-18 highway running 65 mpg.
I guessing I could use a sway bar and new tires will be in my near future.
Conclusions
You can definitely put a 10ft camper on a 6 3/4' bed. It's no different than a 12ft on a 8' bed. A 3/4 ton ford truck can handle a 2500 lb load if the COG is close to where it needs to be.
thanks for all the great info on this site as all of it is helpful.
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mkirsch
Rochester, NY
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Joined: 04/09/2004
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Be sure to keep us informed as to how it holds up over time with that section of unsupported camper floor bouncing down the road.
A camper built in 1977 is certainly not designed for a 6.5' bed. Your truck may hold the weight fine and handle fine, but I would be concerned about the structure of the camper especially at 35 years old. She might get a little "inverted sway-backed mare" thing going on after a few hundred miles...
Just saying, "KEEP AN EYE ON IT." Nothing more. If you anticipate it happening, and recognize it if it does happen, you can do something about the problem rather than let the camper sag into oblivion.
2002 Chevy 3500 DRW 8.1L/Allison
2000 Palomino B1500
...and the reason why I need a DRW to haul a Palomino:
2004 United 7x14 tandem axle enclosed toy trailer
2011 PJ 8x20 7-ton deckover equipment trailer
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Sir Douglas
S.Illinois
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I left the tailgate on, so there is only 20" of unsupported floor, less than it was originally designed. I know "they" say tailgate aren't designed for load, but I have yet to see any proof of that. I'm sure they are designed to carry some weight just how much may be unknown.
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recycler
michigan
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Joined: 02/15/2012
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i agree with mkirsch.. on that old of a camper it would not have been built for it.. i would look under it and see how was built i know mine was not built for it... it is a 68.. i would think about putting some lumber and plywood under it if you want to use it on the short bed
1968 franklin 11fk
back to my 93 cummins
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Sir Douglas
S.Illinois
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It has (3) 2x4x8' attached to the bottom to give it an 1 1/2" of height to clear the cab.
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sabconsulting
High Wycombe, UK
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recycler wrote:i agree with mkirsch.. on that old of a camper it would not have been built for it.. i would look under it and see how was built i know mine was not built for it... it is a 68.. i would think about putting some lumber and plywood under it if you want to use it on the short bed
x2 - rather than worrying about it add some reinforcing timbers now - then there'll be nothing to worry about (sagging or tailgate damage).
Steve.
'07 Ford Ranger XLT Supercab diesel + '91 Shadow Cruiser - Sky Cruiser 1
'92 Suzuki Samurai 4x4 1.6
'09 Fiat Panda 1.2
'10 Citroen DS3 1.6 turbo
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garryk6
Kodiak, AK
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Joined: 03/16/2004
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Sir Douglas wrote:It has (3) 2x4x8' attached to the bottom to give it an 1 1/2" of height to clear the cab.
My 1966 Avion had a new floor installed by the PO, and he put 3 2x4x10on edge for a new set of "floor-joists" before skinning the top with 3/4" plywood. I will be "skinning" the bottom soon with 1/2 or 5/8 plywood after I install the new grey water tank and the insulation.
I am like you, in that, I am hauling a 10ft camper on a Ford CCSB. A few things to consider, if you do not have the following yet, I would strongly encourage it, as it will make your driving experiences even nicer ;-)
1) Rear Sway Bar (either one from a wrecking yard off an F350) or an aftermarket one like Helwig. (mine is a Helwig on my F350)
2) Overload springs with the Torklift bump-stops. Springs and frame perches you can get from the wrecking yard too, and then just added the bigger bumpers to engage the springs quicker.
3) Rancho RS-9000's
All three of these make hauling the Avion a dream. But I think that it is a toss up that the swaybar or the bump stops on the overloads did more to reduce sway. Both together are GREAT!
Good Luck, and enjoy camping!
Garry in Kodiak, AK
Garry K
Wife + 4 kids
Retired Military Family.... Alway's on the move....
2002 F350 CCSB 5.4 6spd 4x4 in AK
1966 Avion C-10 Truck Camper
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narcodog
Georgia
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Another thing I would get those stake pocket tie downs changed to a more substantial system.
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mooring product
Pompano Beach Florida
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I can't believe anyone would put such a large camper on a F250..or that the 6.0 Powerstroke didn't blow up.
2006 Lance 881 on 2003 Ford F250 by MooringProduct, on Flickr
2003 F250 CC SB 6.0 Diesel. ARP studs. EGR delete. NOS. GT 4088 Turbo. Stable loads.
2006 Lance 881 Max.
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Sir Douglas
S.Illinois
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Joined: 04/23/2012
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I think I'll start with the sway bar. Most of trips are with in 100 miles of home on 2 lane state hwys so I rarely travel above 60 mph.
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