Jrork
Silverdale, Washington
New Member
Joined: 06/16/2001
View Profile
 Offline
|
Thanks for the responses everyone. The dealer said that it would not be a problem but I tend to trust real world experiances of fellow campers more than what a dealer tells me.
Thanks again......john
ps........hi Chris
|
sirdrakejr
Las Vegas, Nevada
Moderator
Joined: 11/18/2001
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club
Offline
|
If there is any doubt about the strength of the bottom of a TC, can't you permanently attach a 1/2" piece of exterior plywood under the TC and use it that way? It would seem to be a cheap fix to allow the use of the TC off the truck.
Frank
RV.net blog
For those of you looking for expert advice, here ya go!
Frank
|
FF1063
USA
Senior Member
Joined: 08/04/2004
View Profile
|
*
* This post was
edited 06/15/09 06:14pm by FF1063 *
|
dmax lover
Portland,Oregon, USA
Senior Member
Joined: 08/27/2005
View Profile
|
I saw a picture of a camper with the holding tanks collapsed through the floor of the camper here a while ago - can't seem to find it. What brand of camper was it in that photo?
jeff
2005 Chevrolet Duramax 3500 SRW Crewcab Longbed (KYB Monomax Shocks, Michelins,Pacbrake Airbags,Hellwig Rear Swaybar)
2006 Northern Lite 9.6 Classic (Torklifts & fastguns)
|
gm412
Belmont, CA
Full Member
Joined: 05/22/2008
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club
Offline
|
I unload and stay in mine all the time. Lower as far down as you can and enjoy it. I live in California and have never heard of a law not allowing you to stay in a camper off the truck. I have done it many, many times. Only one place I know of will not let you take it off. Campland in San Diego - but it is more of an RV resort and very expensive
|
|
|
wabbitman
Horsham, PA
Full Member
Joined: 07/14/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
My wife and I decided to downsize to a truck camper last year. Like you, about the only thing we haven't owned is a Class A motorhome.
When we "saucer sep" our rig, we have a small portable platform we rigged up from a posting found somewhere here on RV.net.
At its simplest, it is a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood resting on two X's made of 4 pieces of 2 x 4 plywood.
That said, this is personal preference since we have also taken the camper down to the ground as well. Both ways, the camper seems stable. We prefer the platform since most of the weight of the camper is on the platform and gives the jacks a break.
Wabbitman
wabbitman
Chevy Silverado 3500 HD ext cab 4x4
Vortec 6.0L V8 gasser
6 Speed HD Auto Trans
Z85 Handling/Trailering Package
HD Locking Differential
Bigfoot Truck Camper 25c10.4
Wife and Gary - Lab/Greyhound Mix
Days Camping in 2009 = 17
|
Arcticfox1
Nashville
Full Member
Joined: 11/12/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
That is why we bought a truck camper. Here is my AF811 with the truck and boat in front. We where in FL at Orange lake below Gainsville.
AF1
|
sirdrakejr
Las Vegas, Nevada
Moderator
Joined: 11/18/2001
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club
Offline
|
Wabbitman,
It that plywood permanently attached to the bottom of the TC? That way you only carry the "X" to put under the TC when it's removed from the truck. How do you keep the edges of the "X" from cutting/sinking into the ground? Do you put the piece of plywood UNDER the "X"?
Frank
|
RenoAl
Reno, NV
Senior Member
Joined: 11/12/2006
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club
Offline
|
My 1191 is a lot heavier than the 992. I take it off the truck all the time. Never had any problems. I would not worry. As others have mentioned lower it as far down as possible.
Good luck and good camping.
2005 Dodge 3500 DRW:Firestone air bags w/ in dual cab control, Rancho 9000, Helwig sway bar, 55 gal fuel tank, cold air box
2005 Lance 1191: generator, TV, A/C, solar
Bayliner 19.5 Capri & 12 ft. Gregor
1965 TBird
Rosie the dog
|
juschuman
Pasadena, CA
Full Member
Joined: 05/09/2008
View Profile
Offline
|
We use it off the truck ALL the time, it's not even an issue, we just lower it to the ground for stability. And we camp all over CA and have never been told not to take it off the truck UNLESS it's in a fancy RV resort, and we don't stay there often unless just passing through.
One of the best pieces of advice I got on here when we were starting out is, don't go overboard and do a bunch of things you don't need to. The Lances are MEANT to be used off the truck, and you don't need *any* under-supports. Just adds more weight to your rig and more setup time.
If you are the type of person who likes to do all sorts of fancy doo-dads, by all means go for it. We go by the acronym K.I.S.S. Keep it simple stupid. Stay with manufacturers' recommendations and you'll be fine.
Also, you don't need to take weight off the jacks. They are rated to carry your camper fully loaded with no problems. Once they are extended they are mechanically locked into place. It's not like they are going to spring a hydraulic leak and fail, or oil pressure will blow out the seals, the system is a simple gear system and is meant for long term storage.
After time, and I mean years of use, and depending on how good you are at unloading-offloading, your jacks will loosen up a little, and may need reworking. But it's a simple job and cost us less than a hundred bucks, on a 9 year old camper.
I'd rather do some PM every few years than carry around a bunch of stuff to essentially duplicate what the TC is already designed to do.
Personal preference I suppose.
Have fun!!!
2009 Dodge 3500 DRW Shortbox Megacab - 6.7 Cummins Diesel - Stable Loads - 2000 Lance 820 - Torklift Superhitch w/Supertruss - Torklifts w/Fastguns - 1988 Circle J 2-Horse BP Straight Load
|
|
|
