mt-ed
Montaha
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Joined: 06/26/2016
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Greetings everyone! For the first time, I will be picking up my new truck camper in a couple of weeks. Since I don't know what I don't know, I'm reaching out to you more experienced truck campers. I'd like to hear your recommendations of what I will need to have when I arrive to load, secure, and return home with my camper?
I currently have turn buckles, and was wondering if putting down a stall mat between the truck bed and camper would provide a "cushion" and non skid surface for the camper? Other than these, I can't think of anything else, which is why I'd appreciate any sage advice you all may offer.
BTW, should it be important to know, my truck is a Ford F 550 with a flatbed.
Thanks in advance!!
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covered wagon
USA
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Joined: 05/01/2004
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All I can say is the usual things like toilet paper, enough freshwater in the tank to make it home, make sure all vents/ windows are closed. Make sure your blinkers and brake lights are working and that the sewer outlet is hanging out the back and not getting crushed by a larger flatdeck truck when lowering it down.
A good thing to do is to not use the typical inexpensive hardware store turn buckles. Two of mine cracked on its maiden voyage home because the dealer used those to save money. I was shocked when I saw them after an 18 mile run home with a new camper. Good to get out and check them for proper hand tightness after a few miles of your first run.
BTW, I don't like horse mats because of their extreme heaviness when handling them for cleaning. I use a truck bed matt in strips that I can roll up/ easily handled.
Make sure the camper has enough height to clear the truck cab, bring a tape measure, as you need a minimum of a couple inches clearance between cabover and truck cab between there. You need to call the dealer and find out what the dimension is from camper bottom to the cabover sleep area bottom and then go measure the truck to make sure. Some have had to build a frame to space the camper up off the bed some to clear the cab.
Others will add to this for you as well.
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smarty
new mexico
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Joined: 04/23/2012
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Not sure of your experience level with purchasing a new camper but the walk thru is very important. Before you accept the truck camper make sure they take you thru every system to make sure all is well
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DarkSkySeeker
Freestone, California
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Joined: 10/13/2016
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smarty wrote:Not sure of your experience level with purchasing a new camper but the walk thru is very important. Before you accept the truck camper make sure they take you thru every system to make sure all is well
I support this as it is almost impossible to take everything in on the first pass. Perhaps ask for the walk through and then ask for a follow up in an hour as you learn what you did not understand.
There is something special about camping in an RV.
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tcguy
SW Ohio
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I suggest measuring your overall height after loading the camper and write it down for easy reference to keep from having clearance issues with low bridges, tree limbs etc.
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DarkSkySeeker
Freestone, California
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Plan on driving slower than you'd normally drive when in the truck without the camnper. 10 mph slower in general.
* This post was
edited 05/06/21 02:43pm by DarkSkySeeker *
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mellow
Salisbury, MD
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Lance has a different connector for going to 7 pin for lights, make sure you have a pigtail to convert it or get the plug setup beforehand.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtJtt6a0XXI&ab_channel=LanceCamper
2002 F-350 7.3 Lariat 4x4 DRW ZF6
2008 Lance 1191 - 220w of solar - Bring on the sun!
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Kayteg1
California > Nevada
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For flatbed you will need custom ties, so have arrangements to do it.
With complexity of campers, there is no way to check it all even on 2-3 hr walk thru and that is why reputable RV dealers have camping sites on their lots and allow customers to spend 2 nights with technician on call.
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Lwiddis
Near Bishop, California
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"but the walk thru is very important."
Video the walk through. Practice saying "slow down" and "say that again" to the salesperson EVERY time you don't understand.
Winnebago 2101DS TT & 2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71, WindyNation 300 watt solar-Lossigy 200 AMP Lithium battery. Prefer boondocking, USFS, COE, BLM, NPS, TVA, state camps. Bicyclist. 14 yr. Army -11B40 then 11A - (MOS 1542 & 1560) IOBC & IOAC grad
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Joe Glidewell
Mississippi
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I also hauled my first TC home on a flatbed. The items that would have been most helpful to have was short lengths of chain (2'-3') and shackles that fit the turnbuckles you have. I measured prior to mounting and thought my turnbuckles would reach but I was short on the two rear tie down points. I rigged it with ratchet straps until I could reach a store and buy some chain and shackles. Otherwise no problems for the 200 mile ride home. Good luck.
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