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Posted by: KyJoe340 Jan 10 2018, 12:41 AM

First off, hello to everyone on the forum. I'm new to TC's but have been rvíng for 25yrs. I have a 2007 Lance 915 going on my 2017 reg cab F250 w/camper package and 18" rims and tires but it hits the top of the bed rail about 1/4" before resting on the bottom of the truck bed. I have a bed mat already and just need about 1/2 to 3/4" more to clear the bed rail. I hate to add another mat because of the weight. I've been thinking of other ways such as garage floor tiles, gym mats etc. I could just put 3/4"plywood in the bed, maybe not the whole sheet, thinking about ripping it 12" for each side with some thin rubber mat adhered to it so it won't slide. Anyone run into this problem and have any ideas? Thanks

Posted by: campimgcrazy Jan 10 2018, 07:04 AM

First off, hello to everyone on the forum. I'm new to TC's but have been rvíng for 25yrs. I have a 2007 Lance 915 going on my 2017 reg cab F250 w/camper package and 18" rims and tires  but it hits the top of the bed rail about 1/4" before resting on the bottom of the truck bed. I have a bed mat already and just need about 1/2 to 3/4" more to clear the bed rail. I hate to add another mat because of the weight. I've been thinking of other ways such as garage floor tiles, gym mats etc. I could just put 3/4"plywood in the bed, maybe not the whole sheet, thinking about ripping it 12" for each side with some thin rubber mat adhered to it so it won't slide. Anyone run into this problem and have any ideas? Thanks

Posted by: SidecarFlip Jan 10 2018, 09:25 PM

Most folks use a sheet of plywood and it spreads out the weight of the camper better than 2x4's do. You want the load bearing bottom of the camper to be fully supported and the plywood does that.

Posted by: RV_Tech Jan 11 2018, 07:48 AM

There are many ways to do this and all of the them work. I believe Northstar uses a perimeter rather than an entire sheet right out of the gate. If you follow this link you will see their "riser" option which has been described as creosote coated. Google "truck camper riser" for more information.

http://www.northstarcampers.com/products/hardwall-truck-campers-laredo#Accessories .

I used 2x4s with no problem painted them before screwing them into place. I have also seen folks use 1x4s and you will find folks using foam board which comes in a variety of thicknesses glue to the bottom, although it will crush a bit under the weight. It's not rocket science and you do not need to add the weight of a plywood sheet to get the elevation you need. This is a very common issue with many simple solutions. I am sure other readers here have done it different ways.

Personally I find our camper does very little sliding when we load. More like lift, drive under, and drop the side or the end slightly as we lower in order to shift it a little one way or the other as we lower it. Doing that it is normally centered spot on by the time the bottom of the camper hits the bed.

Posted by: KyJoe340 Jan 15 2018, 10:22 PM

Thanks for all the response. Googled "Truck camper riser" and got a lot of info. Didn't know what to call it. Thanks

Posted by: JADE RACING Jan 18 2018, 02:11 PM

Just a side note, I cut a sheet of 3/4 plywood into 4 pieces to make up 2 crosses to add additional support when we unload at a camp site. To make up the crosses I cut slots at the centers of each sheet half way thru and cut in handle holes in each piece to grab to locate under the raised t/c. gives full support on top of our mat in the bed and has not slipped that I can report. If you are going to carry a sheet of plywood it should have a double use.

Posted by: Speck_D Jan 30 2018, 11:53 AM

Just a side note, I cut a sheet of 3/4 plywood into 4 pieces to make up 2 crosses to add additional support when we unload at a camp site. To make up the crosses I cut slots at the centers of each sheet half way thru and cut in handle holes in each piece to grab to locate under the raised t/c. gives full support on top of our mat in the bed and has not slipped that I can report. If you are going to carry a sheet of plywood it should have a double use.

Posted by: wintertree Jan 30 2018, 11:19 PM

Yes I am afraid that campers not fitting trucks properly is the new reality....Ours is a 2006 monster on our new 2016 f-450....I needed to lift the camper 1 1/2" to be comfortable of the overhang not hitting the cab clearance lights....I got some 2x6 pressure treated material and attached it to the underside perimeter with screws and PL9000 construction adhesive...The void left I filled with 1 1/2" thick styro "SM"...Is super dense and strong...You can almost drive on it...but very light weight...Got the camper up where it needed to be...extra insulation on the underside didn't hurt as we often travel off season and the basement in the camper has all the tanks...
BTW....we always have a rubber matt inside the box to keep things from sliding around

Posted by: andytruck Dec 26 2018, 08:30 PM

Just a side note, I cut a sheet of 3/4 plywood into 4 pieces to make up 2 crosses to add additional support when we unload at a camp site. To make up the crosses I cut slots at the centers of each sheet half way thru and cut in handle holes in each piece to grab to locate under the raised t/c. gives full support on top of our mat in the bed and has not slipped that I can report. If you are going to carry a sheet of plywood it should have a double use.

Posted by: JADE RACING Dec 28 2018, 10:31 PM

I have seen the X's, not thought to do this.  Did you rip the plywood long-ways? so you have a pair of 2 foot tall X's?  I may do this also.

Mine sat on the rails on the drive home from purchase.  raining and getting dark and the workers there were not highly skilled.  Boy, did the camper feel stable sitting on the rails though. Is this bad to do?  I was thinking of a way to pad the rails so the camper could sit softly on the rails while still having some weight on the floor.