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Topic: Pick up bed dent a problem for a truck camper?
Posted By: cgilde on 11/08/16 03:39pm

Hello folks: Looking for some advice. Wife and I decided to purchase a truck and truck camper. We want to purchase a truck first and then match it to the right camper. We found what we believe is the perfect truck for our needs: a 2004 Dodge Ram 3500 Laramie / 4X4 / with a 5.9 cummins diesel, long bed, with 136,000 miles. It’s in perfect condition all around, and we are ready to buy except for one thing: at the rear of the bed there is a fairly significant dent that runs from left to right the width of the bed. I include a pic below. Now is this something I should be concerned about if I’m gonna carry a truck camper? We’re looking at an Arctic Fox 811. Should this dent be a deal breaker? Any comments or opinions would be greatly appreciated!
[image]
[image]Click For Full-Size Image.

Posted By: pcoplin on 11/08/16 03:45pm

I wouldn't worry about it. Just get a good rubber bed mat, it'll be fine.

2005 F350 CCLB Dually 6.0/5R110
2009 Adventurer 950B

Posted By: jimh406 on 11/08/16 03:54pm

I don't think it matters for your TC, but it should be possible to straighten.

'10 Ford F-450, 6.4, 4.30, 4x4, 14,500 GVWR, '06 Host Rainer 950 DS, Torklift Talon tiedowns, Glow Steps, and Fastguns. Bilstein 4600s, Firestone Bags, Toyo M655 Gs, Curt front hitch, Energy Suspension bump stops.

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Posted By: towpro on 11/08/16 03:56pm

i would search on the weight of the 811 and what the 2004 can carry.

but wonder how they did this damage? dumping large stone from a bucket into bed?
almost looks like it had a bed liner sprayed in after the damage was done.
I guess as long as its not sticking up hither than the flat surface you will be ok.

2022 Ford F150
Sold: 2016 Arctic Fox 990, 2018 Ram 3500, 2011 Open Range
Sold Forest River Forester 2401R Mercedes Benz. when campsites went from $90 to $190 per night.

Posted By: SugarHillCTD on 11/08/16 04:24pm

It is just the sheet metal that is bent. The crossmember, which can be seen in front of the bend, is visible and that is what will be one of the supports that carries the TC weight. Have you visually checked out the structure from below?

If it looks OK, I wouldn't hesitate to load a camper into that bed.

Posted By: woodhog on 11/08/16 05:11pm

We have the same truck and the bed looks exactly
like that. I put in a sheet of plywood over the
bed and painted it, rubber mat over that.
Our indention was caused by throwing firewood
In the truck ..

2004.5 Dodge 4x4 SRW Diesel, 245/70R19.5 Michelin XDS2, Bilstein Shocks
Torklift Stable loads, BD Steering Stabilizer Bar, Superchips "TOW" Programed,Rickson 19.5 wheels

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Posted By: bcbouy on 11/08/16 05:27pm

weight police strike 3 posts in. nice.

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Posted By: daily double on 11/08/16 05:55pm

LOL

Posted By: GeoBoy on 11/08/16 06:31pm

Make sure the AF 811 is a long bed version, put a sheet of 1" thick plywood with a rubber mat on top of the plywood. The AF 811 is a heavy camper and you are going to need suspension aids and possibly different tires for that vintage truck.

Posted By: K Mac on 11/08/16 06:39pm

Definetly from wood,and definitely sprayed for the sale of truck.

Posted By: towpro on 11/08/16 06:49pm

bcbouy wrote:

weight police strike 3 posts in. nice.


I only brought that up because I had a similar truck (2006 3500 SRW Dodge) and it was loaded pretty much to the max of stock truck with a wolf creek loaded at #3100 lbs.

Offering the buyer advice to check the weight carrying capacity of the truck he is looking at is not being weight police, I never said "don't do it".

Just so buyer knows that an 811 wet might weigh around 4500 lbs and there is a chance the truck they are lookign might require some mods if its a SRW.

but I am sure nobody has ever bought a truck, than a camper and do find out they needed a bigger truck.

on with the story.

Posted By: youngm357 on 11/08/16 07:52pm

Ive got to wonder how they treated the rest of the truck....

Posted By: burningman on 11/08/16 08:04pm

I wouldn't worry about that. So they tossed firewood or whatever in the bed, that's normal use of a truck. Like has been mentioned, it's just the sheet metal, it appears the crossmember is fine.
It's just a flesh wound. Heck wait till people start using those new aluminum Fords for anything but groceries!
If the truck is a dually, it'll carry that camper with no problems. And that's what it should be if carrying a camper is the main reason you're buying it!

2017 Northern Lite 10-2 EX CD SE
99 Ram 4x4 Dually Cummins
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Posted By: Reddog1 on 11/08/16 09:06pm

I have the same truck and my Bigfoot is 4,000 lbs. I would be okay with a heavier TC. I am not a member of the Weight Police.

Keep in mind, not all of the same trucks have the same suspension. My '04 3500 has upper and lower overload springs. I did add a rear sway bar. Not really mandatory, but did reduce the sway. The previous owner installed Stable Loads. They reduce the amount of squat. I added air bags, but only use them for leveling side to side. They will help if I ever haul a heavy trailer with my TC.

I would ignore the bed damage.

Posted By: bcbouy on 11/08/16 09:47pm

sorry,but when you offer advice on weight even though the op never asked for it,you're the weight police.shame on you.op asked about the box,not the capacity of the truck.you guys know how we tc people feel about the w/p.

Posted By: Kayteg1 on 11/09/16 09:04am

Truck campers do have pretty strong floor and mine is having 1 1/8" plywood that can be supported in just couple of points to hold whole weight.
So I would inspect camper floor to make sure it is solid and not worry abut bed dent.
I have Dodge bed on my F350 and the bed is costing me lot of troubles. Seem all the spot welds are cracking metal around and I had to straight it when I bought used bed.
Must be Dodge thing.




Posted By: Bedlam on 11/09/16 09:45am

I wonder if a thin sheet of plywood or even FRP sandwiched between two thin rubber mats wouldn't offer better support for the TC floor. It seems that where the cross members stick up would cause load points.

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