WILL IT WORK

[RV_Jim]

Hi everyone,
I am looking to possibly buy a 1997 Jayco Sportster 9 1/2.
My question is, I have a 2008 F150 Super cab 2 wheel drive and a 6.5" bed, will this camper ride OK on my truck?
Thanks in advance,
JIM

[Grit_dog]

cewillis wrote:

Jayco Sportster 9 1/2.

If that means 9.5 feet, is it the length that sits in the truck bed, or the total length? 9.5 feet in the truck bed is a pretty long camper, and definitely too long for a 6.5 bed (not even considering the weight)

Likely too long, yes. Definitely, no.

There are plenty of 11.5-12' long campers in 8' truck beds.
It's more dependent on the weight dist of the camper, structural integrity of the camper in the area that would overhang and whether the tailgate can be left in place to help support it.

Still too much camper for the truck, weight wise though.

[cewillis]

Jayco Sportster 9 1/2.

If that means 9.5 feet, is it the length that sits in the truck bed, or the total length? 9.5 feet in the truck bed is a pretty long camper, and definitely too long for a 6.5 bed (not even considering the weight)

[BradW]

jimh425 wrote:
We need to know the weights, but my guess is not. A 9 1/2 TC is probably in the neighborhood of 3000 lbs or more. Probably way over the tire/axle rating of your truck.

In comparison, the highest rated 150s at most usually carry stripped down 6 1/2 TCs.

Ditto.

[jdc1]

It's not worth finding out.....

[Grit_dog]

Negative ghostrider.

[MORSNOW]

Way too much camper for your truck, it will easily be in the 3,000 lb plus range so a HD 2500 or 3500 series truck.

[Geo_Boy]

Long bed camper on a short bed truck and the weight of the camper is a BAD combination.

[joerg68]

Probably not.
With a 9.5 camper on a 6.5 bed, all of the camper weight will likely go to the rear axle.
Weigh your truck with a full tank of gas and all passengers that you plan to carry while camping, otherwise empty. Remove tailgate if you like. Get individual axle weights.
Find axle ratings on door sticker.
The difference between the stated rawr and the actual empty weight on the rear axle will give you an idea of the actual carrying capacity.
Note that any stated "dry weight" of the camper will be very far off the actual weight.
Truck Camping Lesson #1: once weighed, everything is heavier than you thought it would be...

[jimh406]

We need to know the weights, but my guess is not. A 9 1/2 TC is probably in the neighborhood of 3000 lbs or more. Probably way over the tire/axle rating of your truck.

In comparison, the highest rated 150s at most usually carry stripped down 6 1/2 TCs.