Best way to get the camper out of the truck?

[andrewscag]

My hunting buddy just got a camper for his pickup and we plan to use it for a 9 day hunt this october. We'll probably be covering some ground from base camp so it would be great to get the camper out of the truck. What's the best way to rest the camper on the ground so that we can still safely use it? He thinks the jacks will go all the way to the ground. If so, just set her down? And if not are there some stands that we could rig up and not risk the thing toppling over?

Thanks for the help guys. Neither of us has had a truck camper before. Going to be nice not to sleep on the ground for this one :-)

[Sofa King]

level the ground and set some wood down, even pallets. i wouldn't put in right on the bare ground.

[bigslim]

Take a pair of short saw horses. Depending on jack type and placement some campers won't reach the ground.

[Sundance1972]

Couple 2x4's and firewood rounds works, too.

[Sofa King]

Take a pair of short saw horses. Depending on jack type and placement some campers won't reach the ground.
i was thinking that also. he says his friend "thinks" they'll reach the ground. i'd be trying the set-up at home before getting surprised out in the bush.

[Buck]

firewood rounds are what i use .With the jacks it is very stable.

[Big Lew]

Very important to find or level the ground for both the camper spot and before it where the truck will pull out or in, especially if you're not very experienced putting one off and on. As was said, sizable firewood blocks work well, just be sure to set them all at the same height so that the camper sets down on them evenly so that it doesn't twist or be unstable. It's not a good idea to set the camper right on the ground.

[andrewscag]

i was thinking that also. he says his friend "thinks" they'll reach the ground. i'd be trying the set-up at home before getting surprised out in the bush.


Yes absolutely!

Good to hear that some rounds will do the job. We'll bring a few up that are big enough just in case theres nothing around.

Thanks for the help guys

[treehugger]

I had my camper on firewood rounds during the big quake up on the charlottes last year... if it could hold up to a 7.8 earthquake I'm sure a couple of fellas climbing in and out won't knock it over. If you're travelling far it might be worthwhile bringing a chainsaw to make some rounds on site instead of hauling them halfway across the province. Also, I've found with my camper, the front two jacks are holding way more weight than the back two. If your camper is out of level don't think you'll be able to jack up the other three to slip a shim in under one of the front jacks... all you'll end up doing is tipping your camper over (from experience, near disaster). Good luck man! Truck campers are the way forward!

[andrewscag]

Yeah we'll def be bringing a chainsaw but will probably throw a couple rounds in just in case. Easy enough to burn if we don't end up using them and we'll probably be reasonably light for gear.

Good to hear the camper will be stable. Buddy can get a snore going ;-)

[RINO]

Four milk crates with the jacks to stabilize it..

[trebreklaw]

here's a tip... If you have a N/S bed and plan on having more that 1 person up there( ie:Girlfriend) any bouncing or activity can tip it over forward so put a pole or something under the front.

[kennyg826]

My dad just brings some midget sawhorses. Works great.

[f350ps]

Cutting rounds sucks, check out Hide-A-Horse, I've been using them for a couple years and they're awesome! I use the jacks to take just a touch of weight and its as stable as a rock. K

[The Silent Stalker]

Build two solid sawhorses that you can fit inside. Lower onto to them on level ground and then use nice sized rounds for the jacks. Should be more than stable enough.

[Frango]

here's a tip... If you have a N/S bed and plan on having more that 1 person up there( ie:Girlfriend) any bouncing or activity can tip it over forward so put a pole or something under the front.
I believe truck campers are designed to take many pounds in the front without tipping .My Northern lite (without looking at the manual) can take 800 lbs..

[Steelwheels]

I believe truck campers are designed to take many pounds in the front without tipping .My Northern lite (without looking at the manual) can take 800 lbs..

Party Time... Yeeehaaa..

[dingdongdenny]

also use the jacks as stable points too, just enough to take tension off

[sarg]

We cut some blocks a lowered the camper to the blocks
http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc423/sarg2/Facebook/deer%20hunting%20williams%20lake%2007/74005_452910832399_658009_n.jpg

[dingdongdenny]

cut a aluminum extension ladder in 4ft chunks, hinge on top and chain on bottom
viola light weight saw horse.Center of gravity on campers is designed to be over or
close to axle so it will take quite a bit of weight up top to tip it,considering most camper are
2,000 to 3,000 lbs

[JAYDEE]

Undo tiedowns and open tailgate. Backup real fast, then hit the brakes. Done.

[sapper]

Undo tiedowns and open tailgate. Backup real fast, then hit the brakes. Done.

That's funny. I just saw the subject and thought, "I know nothing about this but have something funny I could post." And then you wrote exactly what I planned on saying. :-)

[mike_69]

We usually cut rounds to set the camper on. If we bring the quads then we just put the quad trailer under it.

[andrewscag]

Jaydee ftw :-)

[youngyoda]

Often though of unloading while taking the boat on camping trips. This is what I will be building.
http://www.jaysnest.net/x-braces.htm

[andrewscag]

Pretty slick youngyoda!

[Caveman]

Take a pair of short saw horses. Depending on jack type and placement some campers won't reach the ground.

We've always used a couple sturdy saw horses and a few short pieces of 2x4 and 1x4 to help level it out

[gunpower]

Undo tiedowns and open tailgate. Backup real fast, then hit the brakes. Done.

I think that a couple of pounds of IMR might get the job done!!!

[Onesock]

Highly suggest supporting the floor. Camper are built to sit in a truck box and the box supports the floor. You could wind up on the ground with a big hole in the floor.