SLIDE-IN TRUCK CAMPER QUESTION

[BIGINNER]

HI EVERYONE.  I GOT A QUESTION, I GOT A CAMPER A WEEK AGO, AND WHEN I WAS GOING TOPICK IT UP, THE SELLER SAID THAT IT IS FOR A "REGULAR BED" TRUCK,  WELL MY TRUCK HAS A 7' BED,  BUT THE CAMPER WAS MADE FOR A LONG BED (8').  WELL I TOOK THE CAMPER ANYWAYS,  AND DROVE 60 MILES BACK HOME WITH IT WITH NO PROBLEMS,  WHEN I CAME HOME I NOTICED THAT THE TRUCK'S REAR END WAS A LITTLE LOWER THAN THE FRONT END,  WELL SINCE THE CAMPER IS A FOOT TOO ONF FOR THE TRUCK I KIND OF GUESSED THAT IT WOULD BE SITTING THIS WAY.  BUT MY QUESTION IS..  IS IT SAFE TO DRIVE THIS WAY? OR SHOULD I GET A SJORTER CAMPER OR A TRUCK WITH A LONGER BED?,  (DON'T WANT TO DO EITHER ONE)
THE TRUCK IS A 96 F150 WITH AN EXTENDED CAB, 7' BED.  I'LL POST THE MODEL OF CAMPER WHEN I GET HOME,     

THERE IS A 12" GAP BETWEAN THE END OS THE BED AND THE BEGINING OF  THE DROP-DOWN OF THE CAMPER.  AND ABOUT 18" OF DROP-DOWN (ENTRY) ON THE CAMPER

[whacker1]

lot of weight for a F150
The rear axle would be further back on a long bed, which would move your balance of weight a little better over the axle. 
Will the truck haul it - yes
is it overloaded - depending on the weight of the camper ? maybe
you could always go through a scale empty and then with the camper on to see what you weigh. 

post a picture of what it looks like with the camper loaded on the pickup. 

[Woodchuck]

what he said, that thing should slide all the way forward in the bed

[GoldTip]

Well, I'll start with that I've never heard of a 7' bed on any truck, they are usually 8' box, or a short box which is 6 1/2'.  Some beds are even shorter than 6 1/2'.  But if you got a 7 footer thats a new one on me, but hell it's a Ford so they could have done anything.  What you got sounds like a 9 1/2' camper, which yeah, is really more weight than should be carried with a 1/2ton truck imho.  Those 9 1/2 footers are really better suited to a 3/4 ton truck, unless your camper model is designed to a super light or something.  Thats quite a bit of weight and possitioning of weight on the axle for your truck. 

[sako223]

If I remember correctly my Ford Ext cab 150 about that year had a warning when new against carrying a camper.
It may exceed the GVWR dry let alone loaded.
This could easily exceed your axle rating and braking ability. Wind and cornering are another problem. Air bag suspension can help a lot here but still makes the other points a weak link.
I know of one guy who did it anyway on a 2000 model and broke the frame. He had it welded then sold it.

[NRA4LIFE]

Like above, that sounds like a 9.5'.  Those can be 2300 lbs or better dry weight.  Too much already for that truck.

[Bofire]

  If you are willing to drive about 35, change wheel bearings, brakes and shocks alot, and probably get written up, you got your selfa deal
Carl

[Buckmark]

Please take a pic of the front of your truck with the camper on, so i know what you look like in my rear view mirror and i can move out of the way...

[Happy Gilmore]

I had a 9.5 with extended cab over for my F-350 PS. It didn't squat it alot but, rock and rolled around a lot. I'd be hesitant to drive very fast with that big of a camper on a 1/2 ton. If your trips aren't too long and don't hit much freeway / 70mph speeds I wouldn't worry a lot. If you're driving long hauls in the summer and attempt a freeway speed, you'll definately be overheating not only your engine but, tranny, brakes, wheelbearings and rear end.

I don't know of any 9.5' campers that aren't meant for a beefed up 3/4 ton or stock 1 ton. Usually, the older they are, the heavier they are too?

I'm not an expert but, it sounds like a lot. I'd just want to make sure its safe for you and your family/friends.

[fishcrazy]

Sounds like the sales person sold you a camper they shouldn't have. They should have asked you what you were planning on putting it on and advised you against it.

Air bags are a huge help and cheap and easy to install.

Kris

[6x6in6]

Chances are pretty good that the camper was designed and built to be installed in an 8' bed truck.  Some are built to go both in short and long bed trucks.
You should make sure that yours is one of the both way models.  If not, the way the boxes are built, the load carrying capacities are designed for primary support around the perimeter of the box of the camper with the rear of the box reinforced at the 7'9" mark from the front of the box measured to the rear for a long bed model.  Effectively, with your bed length, you have no primary support for the structural rear of the camper.  And, if it's older and wood framed, who knows if there's any rot that has weakened the structural carry capacity too.

I'd get a long bed pickup or return the camper for a short bed model if it is not a universal type to go in short or long bed trucks.

The other thing to consider is the load rating of the tires presently on your 150.  You can slap air bags on it but if your running a C rated tire, or even a D rated tire possibly, you probably have exceeded the max load of that tire and a blow-out could be in your future.  Not to mention the load carrying capacity of your axle, etc that you just made all better with some air bags possibly.

Just my .02 from someone who packs a 4800#+ camper.

[brush hunter]

lot of weight for a F150

you could always go through a scale empty and then with the camper on to see what you weigh. 

 

Don't go to a DOT scale, we all know your over weight, and they will ticket you.

[whacker1]

lot of weight for a F150

you could always go through a scale empty and then with the camper on to see what you weigh. 

 

Don't go to a DOT scale, we all know your over weight, and they will ticket you.

sorry, yes you can go through the scale at the dump or transfer station

[Jamieb]

A 9 1/2 footer in a 1/2 ton?
I haul a 9 1/2 foot camper in my Ram 2500 with 1 ton springs under it and my head lights point a little high .

[brush hunter]

Nice truck and camper