Suspension upgrades for Truck Camper

In this video I will be going over some of the upgrades I have done to my truck to make it a capable four wheel truck camper unit. If you have any questions ask in the comments below.

[@geezer4962]

Great video, good ideas. I like the dually for having the two extra tires to carry the weight, more stable.

[@KennyOfAllTrades]

There's no doubt about it, the dually is a lot more capable hauling a truck camper. Thanks for watching!

[@truetexan7755]

@@KennyOfAllTrades when using a duley , would you need rear sway bars??

[@KennyOfAllTrades]

I'm not sure, I have never owned a dually.

[@code4forlife]

Great video 👍 I replaced the factory hollow front Sway bar with a Hellwig 1.5” solid sway bar, billstein shocks, rear Stabil-Loads, tembrens, and Big Wig Sway Bar. I have no more body roll. Truck handles Camper nicely on Crappy California Roads

[@KennyOfAllTrades]

I know we can not actually raise the payload on these trucks, but it amazing how much better they can handle with a few upgrades. Happy 4th!

[@ericnunn8856]

Dually driver here / we definitely have to pick and choose where we park. Also Chevy and truck camper man Enjoy your vids 🤙

[@KennyOfAllTrades]

Thanks for watching! If I had a dually, I'd be afraid I would completely take out the drive through at my bank. I already curb rash my SRW. I don't want to say that on video though. LOL

[@TumbleweedRvLife]

When we go pick up supplies and need to open slides to get into the truck camper, we park at the far edge of the lot and take 4 spots to fit. We have to pay for two spots in paid parking lots. Thanks for sharing! Tracey and Christian.

[@KennyOfAllTrades]

I definitely can relate with parking in the back of parking lots.

[@MikeL-vu7jo]

great job with your truck camper build

[@tysonklemm8522]

Thanks for the suspension tips.

[@alaskanadventure3275]

Thanks for a great video!!!! Nice truck🤟🏼

[@KennyOfAllTrades]

Thanks!

[@suesheane3671]

Great video very informative 👏

[@KennyOfAllTrades]

Thanks, I made that video a while ago. I have been contemplating updating it. Thanks for checking it out!

[@yooperdog]

When we get our Scout I'm going to use Timbrens because of the maintenance free ness. Great video.

[@KennyOfAllTrades]

The Timbrens worked really well for me. If I did not put the lift in my truck, I would still be using them. The fact that they are maintenance-free is nice.

[@BillSprague]

Thanks for the rundown on modifications. I don’t care to drive a dually and will buy a camper I can haul on a SRW truck, even if I have to upgrade to Vision wheels to get to the hauling capacity I need.

[@DCGULL01]

Wow, that's a LOT of suspension modifications. Personally, I'd be outta my league going to the 18" wheel/tire combo- that required more mods just to make it driveable- before putting 4,000Lbs. in the 6 1/2' bed! Clearly, you've had a number of truck campers in the past, have a pretty good idea of what you are doing hauling that type of load- I'd struggle to wrap my brain around all of the issues, let alone address them!!! But, you are a great resource for those us early on the curve- you know, basic mods: timbrens or airbags? AND, which sway bar will be enough... Makes me excited just thinking about it!!!

[@KennyOfAllTrades]

Timbrens are great! My truck in stock form sagged a 1/2 inch with Timbrens. ( which is not bad ) I did not need a sway bar with Timbrens either. The air bag do allow small adjustments side to side. I had the need for a sway bar after installing the bags. I can have the rear of the truck sit 2 inches higher then the front with air bags.. Upper and lower stable loads would be sufficient if hauling a 2500 lb or less camper in my experience. Also leafs handle weight a little bit better then rear coil springs in my opinion.

[@stephenbrothers9185]

Recently upgraded from my Ram 3500 to a Dually Ram 3500. Your camper looks lighter/smaller than mine (2021 AF 811), so I would probably have kept the same setup you have too. I went all over the country with my SRW/811 setup over the last year, out to yellowstone, colorado, utah etc, with no major issues. A sway bar would have been my only other mod. I was over weight on my tires/wheels even with the tires rated at 4080/tire so I went to 19.5s and hated having to swap tires around to put the camper on or suffer with a harsh ride empty with the 19.5s. Dually is more stable overall, and I have a short bed dually so I don't have quite the length problem you'd have with a longbed dually, but you do have to be careful of the hips (and add the swing out brackets to your TC). Glad to see another Truck Camper KZbinr, look forward to more videos.

[@KennyOfAllTrades]

I think the shortbed Dually Dodge with an 811 would be the would be the best set up. Sounds like you have it figured out. There is no doubt your truck would be quite a bit more stable than mine. Thanks for the comment and watching the videos!

[@NomadicNorthwoods]

811 on SRW Silverado gas 3500 with 4080 tires and method hd 4500# rims here. No need for dually. Handles it great. Been all over.

[@KennyOfAllTrades]

That's exactly what I run and I've not had any issues for over 40000 miles. The load index 129 tire is definitely the way to go for a SRW.

[@jimcollins8097]

I tried the felling wedge last year to engage overloads quicker but could not find the right shape. Ended up just bolting a piece of .5" flat stock in the hole. I like that it engages suddenly and only when loaded ( travel trailer + folding golf cart)

[@talltimbot]

OEM overloads and rear anti-roll bar, snubbers for instant overload contact, 325/60 R20 on 9" width wheels.. Done

[@KennyOfAllTrades]

I hear you, I got another video Of the suspension upgrades. I stuck a camera under the truck so you could see the difference between all 3. Check that video out. kzbin.info/www/bejne/g6TUn6Kpo8ZrhJo

[@jacer259]

Just started towing a truck camper in. 3500 Dually, 8’ long bed. Towed 5000 miles, but just started having issues with suspension. Good video, see ya out there! Nice channel

[@shilosheena]

Good vid I dislike dually but run one cause they do handle the weight better especially if your towing I get into some mud crap trail stuff dually works awesome keeping overall length I think 20 feet important legal to park then

[@TopWaterAssassin78]

Great setup. I have a 2016 3500 Silverado SRW. My mistake is that I got the 6.0 gas instead of the diesel. At the time I couldn't afford paying the extra $10-$12,000 more for the diesel. I have 165.000 miles in it and she is still running strong.

[@KennyOfAllTrades]

The 6.0 is a capable motor. My truck pervious to this one had the 6.0. It took the Arctic Fox up and down the mountains out west with no issues. I would still be running it except a few years ago my girlfriend was at a Chevy dealership buying a different vehicle. I saw this truck on the lot and they were asking 28k with 95000 miles. It was a deal that I could not pass up. I've owned the truck for about 3 years. I think I could sell it for 10,000 more today than I paid for it three years ago. The price of trucks has gone completely insane

[@TopWaterAssassin78]

@Kenny Of All Trades I bought my truck new in 2016. I thought about trading it in for a diesel but I don't like the body style on the new Silverado's. I've pulled 28 and 33 foot campers with no issues. I have been looking at the truck bed campers for awhile. And I want to bring my boat with me when we go camp.

[@markhicks118]

Thanks Kenny should have watch this before I was asking questtions

[@mcamp488]

I'm enjoying your videos. What make and model is the compressor with remote that you are so stoked about? I'm driving a 2005 Ford F350 6.0L, crew cab, drw, long bed with a 2005 Lance 1010 camper. It is not the heaviest camper so I am well within the allowed loading. The truck has started to noticeably wander a bit within the lane. I think it time to upgrade the steering and suspension components so your video is timely for me. Thanks for the ideas.

[@KennyOfAllTrades]

It's the Airlift 74000EZ compressor with the 7500 lb bags. I will say I'm a little jealous that your turbo sounds soooooo much better then mine. I love the whistle of the 6.0!!

[@mcamp488]

Well, I like the whistle for sure but I knew nothing about diesel trucks when I picked up the rig. The cost of correcting the 6L’s issues is gonna sting. That said, I am a happy camper or will be once the steering issue is corrected. Thanks for the reply and the compressor and bag info.

[@gregoire8376]

I am watching your videos more than once ... they are GREAT and absolutiely loaded with good (and humorous) information. I definitely picked up "a thing-or-two, along the way". Question - at about the 6:00 min mark you say that the Timbrens helped keep your truck from "rolling back and forth". Would that be ... like ... that phenomena known as Truck Camper 'Porpoising'? I'm still looking for hints at what might be my answer !! :) Thanks for the jam-packed-full videos !!!

[@KennyOfAllTrades]

The Timbrens helped with side-to-side sway. I don't experience to much porpoising with this setup. When I do it is usually caused by rolling ripples in the road or winds hitting the bottom side of the cabover just right. I once thought I had something wrong with the truck and had to pull over, the truck kept swaying front to back. It took a minuet to figure out it was small waves in the blacktop. It only happens on that one stretch of road. I had a 3/4 ton that carried this Arctic Fox camper. I could feel the front to back sway more in that truck. The one ton came from the factory with larger torsion bars thanks to a snowplow prep package. It makes the front end stiffer but helps with carrying the weight.

[@gregoire8376]

@@KennyOfAllTrades Thank you for the insight. I have more porpoising than I want; it's bugging me enough that I really focus on it when it happens. I now believe it is the factory shocks that can't control the weight shift when I do go over bumps with our rig (2022 GMC 3500 HD wi x31 package, Diesel, SRW Cirrus 820 @ 3,100 lbs dry). This lack of control - I believe - just keeps going and gives me porpoising. I have a 5 leaf overload upgrade that my local suspension guy says he does "quite a few" to my truck. This helped with the sag (a lot) and some sway (they are stiffer than the 2 leaf OEM and only engage with the Camper on). Hmmmmm .... It probably wouldn't be satisfying if the fix was easy. Likely do Bilsteins in the spring and see what happens after that.

[@KennyOfAllTrades]

Are you close to north central Minnesota? I'd let you compare trucks and campers to see how diffrent it feels. I never weighed my rig but I'd imagine I'm pushing close to 4000 pounds.

[@gregoire8376]

Not even close to you unfortunately. I'm on Vancouver Island in Canada. My Payload id 3910 and I'm close to that, when I add the soda pop and crackers. We have a great suspension guy in my small city but he is just like the rest of the world - he has not really dealt with porpoising. His suggestion for me is to next try Bilstein shocks. Ooops - there's another "Quick 'Thou'" (Cdn$) :)

[@wideopenspaces80]

Hey Kenny..Enjoy the videos thanks for the content. Question please. I have a 2017 GMC 3500HD Dually looking at the suspension Maxx with control arms I noticed you used a different manufacturers upper control arms any particular reason over the Suspension maxx upper control arms? Any issues with the articulation with the arm sitting on the stop? Keep up the great work.!!

[@KennyOfAllTrades]

There was no reason for the different control arms, other than I bought the suspension max torsion keys and differential drop spaces used of Market Place. I have not had any issues with articulation. I have been on some pretty nasty trails and my tires have been sticking to the ground.

[@GregariousAntithesis]

With that shite on the front receiver adds about the same as my 8’ bed on my 3/4 ton. I wish i had a duel rear because of the resistance to sway. Additionally i need air ride .

[@KennyOfAllTrades]

You are right. The way I'm sitting right now, the length of my truck would be about the same length as a duelly with a comparable camper. The M860 is specifically made for a short box, and I could not afford a dually, more or less a diffrent camper. I agree the dually would Definitely be a more stable ride. Thanks for watching

[@johndiesburg9813]

Hey Kenny. I bought the felling wedges and screwed stainless hose clamps to them to tighten around the leaf springs. Is it okay to hammer them into the crevasse a extra inch or so so I can get more area to tighten the clamps?

[@KennyOfAllTrades]

I jacked up the rear of my truck to open the leaf pack. I'm not sure if tapping them in place would hurt anything. I do know leaf springs can crack. I guess that's something to keep in mind.

[@debbiecole1090]

Watching on Christmas 2023.

[@jasonlong8625]

Do you still have the part number for the energy suspension rubber bushings on your upper overloads? Thanks for sharing!

[@KennyOfAllTrades]

www.energysuspensionparts.com/9.9136

[@18S12]

According to what I read on Chevrolet website, the long Bed 3500 DRW and long bed SRW are the same length

[@KennyOfAllTrades]

You are correct, however, I have a 6.5 bed. I took my truck to the dealership and measured against an 8ft bed. There's about 19 inch difference.

[@18S12]

@@KennyOfAllTrades If love to buy a SRW, but we’ll end up with a Host Camper, so I’ll be buying the DRW. However, I’m opting for the 6.6 gas engine primarily because of the upfront costs. If I were towing I’d definitely get the Duramax.

[@18S12]

I’d

[@charlesb4267]

Have you had that truck across an accurate scale to get the individual axle weights. I would honestly be surprised if you are not way over the GVW of that truck even if you are under the maximum individual gross axle weight ratings. My brother has an older ford dually with a large camper ( no slide outs though ) and its extremely heavy and is 500 lb over his GVW. The GM springs may be better in the back then the ford was as it was just pathetic ( or put another way its an extreme load, too much for a dually ! ) and he ended up having two leafs added per side, then air bags in addition to that. The problem was that it still handled like crap in side winds and around corners so yup he paid the money for the over priced wedges to get the overload spring to assist and that certainly helped. Then I urged him to spend more money and buy the largest front and rear swaybars he could find and that was a huge game changer as you've found out in its handling between that and the wedges (stable loads ). In fact during his struggles with the handling he realized that the airbags were counter productive and now with the stable loads he carries very minimal air in the bags and so that allows the springs to carry the weight and is more stable and predictable in its handling. I know some will scoff at the negative comments towards air bags but this has been proven that with these top heavy loads air bags are not the answer but more spring capacity and ( yes timberins if needed ) big swaybars on both ends of the truck is what works. In all honesty though these large heavy campers are too much for even a one ton dually as some stepped up to using 550 trucks with a deck system. The frames on the one ton are flexing too much, the axle housings are not rated for it and so on. The dual wheel width and tire capacity are needed with that top heavy weight, yes I know ( as you are doing it in this video ) using a single rear tire but the safety margin isn't there and have seen trucks sitting at the edge of a highway with their single rear tire blown out with a camper and its unsettling to see the precarious situation and so easy to have a roll over.

[@KennyOfAllTrades]

I haven't run the truck across the scale because ignorance is bliss! You are absolutely right these campers are ridiculously heavy. And the manufacturers are not making them any lighter. I do realize there is absolutely nothing I can do to increase the payload of my truck. But the upgrades certainly make the truck handle better. I've been running truck campers the last 25 years and the trucks have been getting a lot better. Gross vehicle weight capacity of the trucks in the 90s were ridiculously low. GMC came out with a fully boxed frame in 2014. That does help with some of the flex. My first truck camper I was running around in a mid 80s square body Chevy. There was no internet back then and I'm sure we were all way over weight. There's no way I'm going to be able to afford a dually anytime soon. My next upgrade will 15 years, I'll probably step up to a F-450 or 550 with the 7.3 liter gas. Pipe dreams lol

[@charlesb4267]

@@KennyOfAllTrades I don't think my brother realized how insanely heavy that new camper was going to be at all, he bought the ford dually new in 2006 and then the camper he went to the factory in BC to pick up and was utterly shocked to see his truck sink ... sink sink, as it was loaded on and he dragged his butt back to Alberta and then began the adding of the springs and air bags but never happy with the setup due to the very scary handling on curves and buffeting side winds until he did those other upgrades I mentioned. Its a nice big camper but I tend to think they lied about its actual weight, I blame both RV sales dealersships and camper manufactures for pretending these heavy camper types are suitable for your average pickup, the consumer doesn't know until they have bought it and then find out the realities !. He had thought about buying a Northern Lite as they are considerably lighter but they just don't have the size and features his does but after the overload wedges and stabilizer bars were added its become a decent unit finally to be on the road with. Before this unit he was using an older GM two wheel drive dually with a very old full size vangaurd camper and that truck had extra leaves added due to prior pulling a fifth wheel and I guess that camper must weigh a lot less as that truck played with that camper, it handled great, no leaning or swaying. His new camper is so darned tall, that basement tank system just puts the center of gravity way up. He tows a jeep behind so there is no easy parking with that obviously, get the unit parked off to the side or camp ground and then run around with the jeep, besides every time the ford breaks down at least he has transportation ( that truck with camper on it has been winched onto a few tandem axle roll backs in its life, uh the life of a ford owner LOL )

[@jeffreythompson1158]

Just watched your video . I have a 2015 Duramax with 53K and want to get a lift pump and conversion to a CP3 before I have issues . Looking for suggestions on where do get it done in MN. .

[@KennyOfAllTrades]

So the lift pump is really easy. If you have a little mechanical background you should be able to tackle it. I went with the Fass, super simple. I did install a sump in the rear of the tank. I reinstalled the tank shield which covers the fuel lines. That way the lines won't get caught on anything. The CP3 is a whole different animal. I have complete confidence in BT Diesel in Royalton MN. Brad is a genius when it comes to Diesel. He could hook you up with the cp3 conversion. They have kits that work with emissions intact and don't require tunes......unfortunately if your were looking to delete I don't know if you will find any help. It's getting harder to find any one capable of writing the tunes. Doing a delete is quit easy and can be done in the driveway. It sucks when every time the truck breaks down its because of the emissions. I replaced the DEF heater twice and EGR cooler once.....never again. What part of the state you in?

[@jeffreythompson1158]

@@KennyOfAllTrades I'm in Rochester , thks I'll contact them.

[@chadsikkink5728]

Northern Diesel Performance & Repair in Big Lake, MN is another diesel shop that comes well recommended.

[@BrokeGuyBBQ]

They make the 811 in a long bed. Your overall wouldn't be any longer with a drw even if it was a crew cab. You'd just lose the gen compartment. Love your videos. Keep it going!!!

[@BrokeGuyBBQ]

I have an adventurer 89rbs on a 2018 silverado 3500hd crew cab long bed. Did 19.5s, front and rear sway bars, and upper and lower stable loads. Hauls it like a dream.

[@KennyOfAllTrades]

That makes sense. I guess I wasn't thinking about the 811 with the gen set removed. I've seen other manufacturers have campers with removable rear compartments for 6.5 or 8 foot beds as well. I have not looked at an 811 in person. My m860 has the dump valves in the rear compartment. I wonder if they intended on using this model for either bed size?

[@KennyOfAllTrades]

I have been contemplating the 19.5. Maybe the next time I need tires. There's no doubt the 19.5 are an excellent upgrade option for the SRW.

[@BrokeGuyBBQ]

@@KennyOfAllTrades yeah I went from the stock ltx at2 tires to a 245/70r19.5 firestone transforce at2 and vision hauler 81 wheels. The stocks were running very hot and truck was very mushy on the road. The 19.5s are a whole new world of stability. Not the best off road though but toyo has some aggressive tread designs that would put my firestones to shame. Paid $275 each for the tires and got the wheels used for $350 for 4.

[@BrokeGuyBBQ]

@@KennyOfAllTrades I don't know much about the 860 but makes sense. 860=short bed 990=long bed 🤷‍♂️

[@IggnantOG]

Good info. Nice set-up.

[@albertaadv6221]

I’d like to do the bushing to engage the upper overloads but all I can find is the $400 torklift stableload. Any other suggestions where to look? Couldn’t find any that fit a 2022 GM 3500 on energy suspension.

[@KennyOfAllTrades]

www.energysuspensionparts.com/9.9136 These are listed as a universal fit. I was able to install them on my 2015. I'm not sure what the install will look like on a 2022.

[@talltimbot]

Precision trimmed 2x4

[@KennyOfAllTrades]

I did a body lift in a 1986 Toyota pickup with 4x4's, of course I used a quality stain and water sealer before installing.

[@RimdarRanch]

I'm very interested in your Felling Block. I have added A Hellwig Anti-Sway bar and the Hellwig 3510 Leaf package to my Chevy 3500. I'm curious if I'd gain any height ( 3/4'-1" ?) if I also added the felling blocks. I was very surprised the squat I got in the truck when I added a different camper that weighed about 1000 lbs more that what I was running. I'm still ( barely ) under the max GVRW for the truck. THANKS !!

[@KennyOfAllTrades]

The felling wedges are going to add height to the rear end. I would not be able to say exactly how much though. The idea is the felling wedges are going to engage the bottom overload Springs right away. A big Advantage is your truck is going to have a lot less sway. Put the felling wedges in the front and back of the lead pack. They Contour the Springs really nicely. Felling wedges are meant to take a ton of abuse. There is no way that you can damage these. They're also very inexpensive. I think around 8 bucks a piece. Make sure you properly secure them in place. I've seen people try to do it with zip ties and it does not hold. I bolted mine on to the bottom of the rear spring. You will absolutely not be disappointed with the upgrade. They do make a product designed for this application. They are called torklift overloads. They will set you back over three hundred and fifty bucks.

[@RimdarRanch]

@@KennyOfAllTrades I've already purchased the Felling wedges off Amazon. ( a 4 pack ) I was looking to place a 3/8" carriage bolt ( countersunk in the wedges ) through the leaf where there is already a hole drilled for the anti squeak pads .

[@KennyOfAllTrades]

@@RimdarRanch that is exactly what I did.

[@KennyOfAllTrades]

@@RimdarRanch I did use nylon locking nuts on the carriage bolts.

[@trekfortruth2841]

@@RimdarRanch would you mind putting a link to the wedges you bought?

[@mcool4587]

I like your Method wheels. Which offset did you choose? 18mm?

[@KennyOfAllTrades]

The wheels are a 18x9 with +18 offset. I think they provide a nice stance. The tires and wheels fill out the wheelwells nicely.

[@mcool4587]

@@KennyOfAllTrades Yes, I like your set up and the Method HD wheels are the only ones I have found that have a 4,000 lb capacity. I have a 2022 3500 WT on order and have been looking at wheels and tires to replace immediately. I'm fairly sure that with the new body style I can fit 35" tires without a lift. LT 285 75/R-15 are 34.8"

[@KennyOfAllTrades]

That should look awesome 👌

[@johndiesburg9813]

I found them. A felling wedge painted black. Just have to mount it. You must have found a stainless screw of some sort

[@KennyOfAllTrades]

Thats cool you found black ones.

[@johndiesburg9813]

I couldn’t understand what you said about the wedge. What is the name of it ,Where did you get it and how did you fasten it?..

[@KennyOfAllTrades]

I see you found them! I picked them up at Menards.

[@KennyOfAllTrades]

I made a new video showing more about the upgrades. There might be some information you'll find useful. kzbin.info/www/bejne/g6TUn6Kpo8ZrhJo

[@rustydld]

what is the material of the felling wedges? steel or plastic?

[@KennyOfAllTrades]

Plastic.

[@vtwinpower1897]

Ya after all that ya just should of had a DUALLY I'll keep my OLD 1997 350 dually 7.3 powerstroke n she looks n runs still like NEW!

[@KennyOfAllTrades]

Wish i had dually some days. Other days I'm glad I don't own one. I enjoy working on vehicles so all the upgrades were bound to happen regardless. The old Fords look great. Unfortunately in Minnesota nothing stays clean looking for long. Thanks for watching and leaving the comment!

[@tonyd6884]

Figure out how to deal with the emissions systems 😉 That’s exactly why I would never buy a diesel unless I could (deal) with those systems it’s sad that the gooberment has destroyed the most efficient motor available.

[@KennyOfAllTrades]

Very true.

[@scottgeist8905]

How many inches did you raise the front to get the bigger tires to fit?

[@KennyOfAllTrades]

I went up 1.5 inches. It has a slight rub at full turn when in reverse. If I trimmed the valance up front it would rub at all.

[@scottgeist8905]

@@KennyOfAllTrades ok cool. Tuesday my truck is going in to get raised 2 and quarter inches because iam also putting tires on that are 2 inches bigger. Thanks

[@KennyOfAllTrades]

That will look awesome, I dont think you will have any fitment issues if you stay under a 35 inch.

[@KennyOfAllTrades]

I should say under 36.....a 35 will look and fit the wheel well nicely

[@paynemeikle5853]

Hahaha dually Explanation is hilarious

[@KennyOfAllTrades]

I had people say my truck is the same length as a dually. I just don't understand. I have M860, which is specifically made for a short box truck. You could load it into a long bed. There would be a gap between the camper and the bulk head. That combo would still be 18" longer than my short bed.

[@youngblood2]

That, I can understand! Lol

[@emiliojacaman690]

You said in the 1st parking example the front basket would be the same length as a dually.. so why don't you just get a dually already, Your truck right now is the same length

[@KennyOfAllTrades]

My short bed pickup truck with the basket on the front is the same length as a crew cab dually. If I had a dually, I would put a basket on the front to carry the generaor. For me, that would be a little too long. That is what I was trying to say.

[@youngblood2]

I beg to differ! My motto has always been, never run a diesel when a gasser will do. That is, unless you really need a diesel, then go for the diesel. Diesels are more complicated, more expensive to buy and maintain, and they definitely don't like extreme cold starts.

[@KennyOfAllTrades]

Those are all valid complaints against diesels. I'm not saying a diesel is required for a truck camper. The diesel for me is more of a hobby. I've had the truck many years before starting the channel. One of my other big hobbies, besides camping, is upgrading my truck. Dollar to dollar, you can see more power, a lot cheaper by modifying a diesel. So, for me, a diesel isn't needed, I just enjoy learning about another platform to tinker on.

[@roastingpeanuts]

Dually doesn't make your truck physically longer though.

[@KennyOfAllTrades]

People have mentioned that, im not completely understand the concept. I took a tape measure to the dealership. Bumper to bumper my truck is 18 inches shorter then a long bed dually. People have said that my camper on a dually would measure the same as in my truck. But my camper is specifically made for a short bed truck, an Arctic Fox M860. A person could load it into a long bed....they would have a large gap between the front of the truck bed and the camper. The COG of the camper would also be off, but I've seen people do it. I know there are campers that can be loaded onto a shortbed or longbed, the M860 wasn't designed that way. I'm not trying to be argumentative, but no one has explained how my shortbed truck with a camper specifically designed for it would be the same length as a dually carring an Arctic Fox with an on board generator and side storage compartments.

[@johnlord8337]

The very reason in a Walmart (etc) parking spot is to use both diagonal parking spots and hiding one's front and back from being hit by any stoopid person driving by and hitting you.

[@BrentlyFresh3000]

A dually wouldn't make your camper longer. That's a SB/LB camper? An 8 foot bed wouldn't change anything

[@KennyOfAllTrades]

Is this camper was made specifically for a 6.5' Box. I guess I could cut out the storage boxes and remove the generator and it would fit in an 8' bed. You are right. They do make campers that will accommodate either bedsize. Unfortunately mine is not one of them.

[@noworriesmate5903]

X

[@alaska-bornfloridaman]

An 8' bed on a Dually would not lengthen your overall rig. The back foot and a 1/2 of your camper would just be eaten up.

[@18S12]

Exactly

[@KennyOfAllTrades]

My truck is 239.5 inches in length compared to 258.4 for the dually. True, I'm running a front basket making the length of my truck closer to the overall length of a dually. But Id have the basket regardless of what truck I drive. Also I'm running an Arctic Fox M-860 it hangs out the back a little. Just like If I had an Arctic fox 990 for the Dually.

[@alaska-bornfloridaman]

@@KennyOfAllTrades Yes, without the camper on, your truck is shorter than a dually.. But with it on, it's no longer than if you had an 8' bed.

[@KennyOfAllTrades]

@Florida Man This camper will not work in an 8 foot bed. It is made for a 6.5 foot bed. You would need to step up to a AF 990, it is about 20 inches longer.