ticki2
NH
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Joined: 07/09/2008
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You have a short bed truck with a long bed camper , most likely taking weight off the front axle . Then in addition your putting a 3 ft extension and a 600 lb tongue weight off the back . It’s time to hit the scales , truck axle weights , truck and camper axle weight and if possible, truck camper and trailer axle weights . I suspect you are going to be too light on the front axle and overloaded on rear tires . A WDH will help , maybe enough maybe not . My humble opinion is there is more than one problem to solve .
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mkirsch
Rochester, NY
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If you have an 8' camper, that is, an 8' floor length, then you don't need anywhere near 36". 18" will be more than enough. 12" is really all you need.
Your truck's stock receiver doesn't stick out past the bumper. There is no reason that the extension has to extend past the rear of the camper.
Don't count on your tailgate to support the camper. You may get away with it but that's all you're doing, is getting away with it. Expect broken support cables.
Putting 10-ply tires on half ton trucks since aught-four.
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3 tons
NV.
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I once had a Ram OEM factory hitch (rated at 1,800 #) bend due to using an extension - correct solution is to go with a 2.5” hitch and a more substantial extension…Curt makes a bolt-on commercial hitch…
3 tons
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Grit dog
Black Diamond, WA
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ticki2 wrote:You have a short bed truck with a long bed camper , most likely taking weight off the front axle . Then in addition your putting a 3 ft extension and a 600 lb tongue weight off the back . It’s time to hit the scales , truck axle weights , truck and camper axle weight and if possible, truck camper and trailer axle weights . I suspect you are going to be too light on the front axle and overloaded on rear tires . A WDH will help , maybe enough maybe not . My humble opinion is there is more than one problem to solve .
Not an issue. Even if his camper is far greater dry weight than what he’s claiming for weights, model of truck and lengths.
Do the math and then re-assess what you’re supposing.
And also not discounting that there are additional considerations and/or it’s prohibitive to use a wdh and extension in conjunction in many cases.
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Grit dog
Black Diamond, WA
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Miguel951 wrote:I do need a 36" a little more or less would be fine. My camper is for an 8' bed and I have the 6.75 so the tailgate has to be down. The handle on the jack of the trailer could possibly hit if I go shorter.
Agree that its hard to find a 2" extenion but I did. One on Facebook marketplace that was custom-made by Eckhart and the other on E trailer https://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Fabrication-Parts/CURT/C49360.html. Doesnt have nay ratings though.
I was told that i should go with the 2.5" because the 2" would break from the stress of the side-to-side motion. Thoughts and input would be appreciated
Considering you have yet to state actually how long the camper is, your assessment of what you need still is or certainly could be lacking. But assuming the camper itself is shorter than the truck bed + tailgate down, nor does it hang down below bed height or the tailgate would be less of the issue or just not able to be left in place. (Not that it’s necessarily prohibitive to leave the tailgate on and have it partially supporting the camper or just along for the ride.
You could have some combination that I’m not able to visualize though, although I suspect it’s your inexperience or not having yet paired up or mocked up the setup.
Right now it’s a guessing game with the breadcrumbs you’ve provided. How about you post up a couple few pictures with some applicable dimensions and then I/we can help you accurately determine what will work.
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Miguel951
San Diego
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So the factory 2” hitch is out. Would you recommend I go with a 2.5” hitch and the extension bar that is adequately sized for this or the truss system (dual hitch receivers)?
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Miguel951
San Diego
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Whoops missed there was already a page 2. Thank you all for the feedback
1) I hear your concern about having too much weight off the front axle. I cant say I can go the scales yet. For now, hoping the airbags will help to keep the stock riding height and weight shifted correctly and the weight-distributing hitch will also help push weight forward. I have all the right wheel and suspension upgrades to stay under limitations and it drives great right now. I will for sure keep this in mind.
2) I can see about using an 18" extension. its actually a 10' floor on what should go on an 8' bed I'm using a 6.75' bed. also carry 1 1/2" plywood sheet running from the length of the bed to help distribute weight better. There's not much weight on tailgate. but will also check this out.
Is a 2.5 hitch with a proper extenion recommended or the truss 2 hitch system? Is the second one overkill?
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Grit dog
Black Diamond, WA
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Your plan went from possibly not great to bad.
But at least I see why you need a 3’ extension….
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3 tons
NV.
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I would be a little concerned about the behind the axle COG (with 3’ + rear overhang) and 600# hitch weight…It seems that the root problem is too little truck for too big of cargo, and too big of cargo cascades into the tow extension issue - we’re all in this to have fun, but the best sequence is to choose the camper first, then pick the truck (just saying from experience, been there myself…).
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MORSNOW
Mountain Home, ID
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Miguel951 wrote:Whoops missed there was already a page 2. Thank you all for the feedback
1) I hear your concern about having too much weight off the front axle. I cant say I can go the scales yet. For now, hoping the airbags will help to keep the stock riding height and weight shifted correctly and the weight-distributing hitch will also help push weight forward. I have all the right wheel and suspension upgrades to stay under limitations and it drives great right now. I will for sure keep this in mind.
2) I can see about using an 18" extension. its actually a 10' floor on what should go on an 8' bed I'm using a 6.75' bed. also carry 1 1/2" plywood sheet running from the length of the bed to help distribute weight better. There's not much weight on tailgate. but will also check this out.
Is a 2.5 hitch with a proper extenion recommended or the truss 2 hitch system? Is the second one overkill?
Your camper is growing... There isn't a 10' long camper made that will fit in a 6-1/2' box properly. It will weigh well over 3,000 lbs with the COG probably over 2' behind the axle, it's just not doable.
2014 Wolf Creek 850SB
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