jimh406
Western MT
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ognend wrote:What on earth would I need a camper for if I go out for coffee to a local coffee shop or if I go to get groceries in town or if I go to a local horse trail to ride all day?
I agree for a short trip it probably doesn't make sense. But you said why bring it with you. ![[emoticon]](https://forums.goodsamclub.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/grin.gif "grin") . You get to choose if that's worth it to you or not. We like them for day trips that are several hours long.
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Grit dog
Black Diamond, WA
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This thread keeps getting better…
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JimK-NY
NY
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On the other hand, if you are just going a few miles to coffee or a trail head, why bother to take it off? When you get back from your trail activities your camper is at hand. You can use the rest room, kitchen, etc. If you forgot to bring something, no problem, it's in the camper.
Of course, my interests are different. I travel to visit National Parks and other scenic areas. When I stop for the evening, I may take down folding chairs and a table, but I put them back on the ladder carrier rack and in the morning, I can leave by just getting in the truck and driving. I have no setup or take down except making sure the windows are closed and there is nothing left on the kitchen countertop.
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JimK-NY
NY
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This whole thread seems strange. The OP has asked for information on using the camper while on the truck. It is designed for that. The bigger issue is using the camper while off the truck and supported by the jacks.
First to do this, you really need to have the camper on a paved or other very firm, flat surface. Even then you should use blocks under the jacks to distribute the weight.
Next I would check with the manufacturer to be sure the camper is designed for use while on the jacks. Is the floor built for people walking around without any support underneath? At a minimum, you need to lower the camper as much as possible. Often that will still be several feet high with a lot of sway and strain on the jacks. You might want to consider carrying a stack of pallets or other support for the floor. When checking with the manufacturer you should also ask about use of the slide. That will further strain the jacks on that side of the camper.
In theory my camper is designed for use while on the jacks. Even so I make sure the tanks are empty and avoid getting into the camper until I have it further supported with pallet racks under the floor. I keep about half the weight on the stack of pallets and about half on the jacks. If a jack fails the pallets will take up the weight and the camper will not tilt. A few years ago, I had a jack bind up and fail. I was easily able to transfer the weight to the pallet and other jacks and to then replace the failed jack.
Good luck continuing to use the camper without support of the truck bed. If you don't want to carry a stack of pallets across country at least try to find them or something else suitable at your destination.
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mkirsch
Rochester, NY
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ognend wrote:Sorry all, I think I was not clear enough. When we camp, we take the truck camper off at the final destination where we stay for days. All we have done is local trips where we get to camp the same day so the camper comes off so we can use the truck for local stuff.
This time around our final destination is 6 day drive away and at the final destination we are taking the camper off since we will be there for 6 weeks.
However, the trip there is 6 nights at different places each night - so I am not planning on taking the camper off. Since I have no experience camping with the camper ON the truck, the question is - can I open the slide while camper is on the truck with all the torklifts connecting the camper to my truck.
YES.
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Grit dog
Black Diamond, WA
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Jimkny not an issue to be in about any newer full-size camper just on jacks. And by newer I mean last 20 years. Of course there are some models smaller lighter ones generally. but it’s either yay or nay.
The only precaution is gauge how full tanks react to being suspended. I did have a tank support snap when full of water once but after a lot of use off the truck on an older camper.
And obviously they are much more stable if jacks are retracted. Much nice for access if staying a while too.
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deltabravo
Spokane, WA
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ognend wrote: the question is - can I open the slide while camper is on the truck with all the torklifts connecting the camper to my truck.
Yep. But if you want to use the jacks to stabilize the camper, disconnect the tiedowns. Don't forget to retract the jacks in the morning!
I'd probably stash the tiedowns on the floor in front of the driver seat so it would be an obvious reminder to retract the jacks and reinstall the tiedowns.
I never mess with my jacks or Fastguns when I camp, because I use blocks to level. I ALWAYS deploy the slide. My camper never comes off the truck when camping.
* This post was
edited 12/28/22 06:22am by deltabravo *
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Grit dog
Black Diamond, WA
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There’s generally zero need to loosen the tie downs before stabilizing or doing a bit of leveling with the camper on the truck. Unless you have to level the camper more than taking up the weight of the camper.
In which case, level the truck up a little better or if it’s really that steep, then yes you may need to cut it loose from the truck.
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