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Failure to properly match camper and truck can result in undesirable handling characteristics and create a safety hazard.
In addition to knowing the overall weight that can be safely loaded in or attached to the truck, you should know how to distribute the
weight in the camper so that correct amounts of weight are placed on each truck axle. Proper weight distribution is required for driving
stability and will assure that the truck/camper is not rear, front or side heavy. Heavy weights placed at the rear end of the truck/camper
may cause undesirable handling characteristics.
When loading the camper, store heavy gear first, keeping it on or close to the camper floor. Place heavy things far enough forward to
keep the loaded camper’s center of gravity within the zone recommended by the truck manufacturer. Store only light objects on high
shelves. Distribute weight to obtain even side-to-side balance of the loaded vehicle. Secure loose items to prevent weight shifts that
could affect the balance of your vehicle.
Attaching Camper To/Removing from Truck
Swing-Out Brackets: (If equipped)
To load or unload campers on dual rear wheel trucks, special brackets are installed on the front jacks to clear the fender. To operate,
follow the steps below:
1)
Lift jack from the travel notch locked position and swing outward from the camper body.
2)
Position jack so when camper jack is lowered, the notch and raised tab engage to prevent rotation.
3)
Repeat the process for the other front mounted jack.
4)
Follow the standard camper loading and removal procedures below.
LOADING/REMOVING CAMPER
Keep children and animals away from the area when raising or lowering the camper. Avoid putting any part of your body under the
camper during the procedure.
Do not tilt the camper sideways while raising it on the jacks. The jacks could buckle.
Always raise or lower the camper with the front either level or higher than the back to avoid weight transfer and damage to jacks or
cargo.
Always load and unload camper on firm level ground.
Use caution when loading and unloading the camper on a windy day. The amount of wind that is dangerous depends on your exposure
and the weight of the camper, etc.
Always keep front higher than rear. Before loading the camper onto the truck, be sure to attach the tie-downs to the truck.
1)
Extend each jack no more than 4” at once. Starting with the front jacks, keeping the camper level at all times. Repeat this
process until the camper clears the truck body bed by approximately 4”.
2)
Slowly back truck under camper making sure to clear wheel wells and any structure or plumbing located below the living
area. This may take more than one try.
3)
Continue backing until the truck is within a foot of loaded position. Stop and connect the 7-way power cord to the 7-way
receptacle in the truck bed.
4)
Continue backing under the camper until the bumpers mounted on the crossbar in the truck bed lightly touch the front of the
camper.
5)
Slowly lower both rear jacks, then front jacks until the camper is resting fully on the truck bed.
6)
Raise the jacks and secure in place according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
7)
Lift and swing front jacks inward (if equipped with swing-out brackets).
8)
Secure the camper to the truck with turnbuckles. The front turnbuckles must be spring or shock loaded, while the rear should
use solid turnbuckles. Install both the front and rear turnbuckles per manufacturer’s instructions.
