9 replies to this topic

[Regulator23]

Newbie with a 2018 Grandby.  It’s on an 2011 F350 8’ bed.  The camper has very large rubber numbers that keep it from going any further forward.  Has anyone reduced the size of the bumpers enough to keep the tailgate on and closed?  It looks like there would be enough room but I’m curious if anyone has done this.

 

My tailgate has a step and handrail built in as well as a backup camera.  It seems like it might be a nice thing to have to also use as a table to grill on or set things on when parked.  Thank you.

[Jon R]

I have a 2021 Grandby on a GMC 3500 hd, and it has the multiflex tailgate with the drop step. I went through the same study with mine, hoping to be able to keep the tailgate on, but the camper would still have been slightly too long even after cutting the bumpers. Now that I’ve has it a bit I wouldn’t want the tailgate on even if I could do it. You really want to be stepping up into the camper’s low door. It makes it much easier to get in and out.

The backup camera can be duplicated. I have one at the same spot it would be if the tailgate was there.

[Jon R]

My camera installation and my camper on the dolly in the garage. The painted aluminum strip the camera is mounted to is installed by FWC if you have the rear wall steps (to prevent door dents if the door swings into an extended step). You could add a similar strip if needed.

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Edited by Jon R, 27 February 2023 - 03:24 AM.

[Chuck H.]

We have a 2010 F250 8' bed and a 2016 Grandby.  I removed the rubber bumpers and I like the camper to be as close to the box as possible.  Less room for it to move around if it's close up there.  Don't need to store things up in that space.  Tailgate won't close anyhow even with the camper slid ahead and as Jon R said, it's actually easier to get in without the tailgate.  Use a Harbor Freight aluminum step stool as a step for getting in and out and other miscellaneous uses that come up.

[dakozicki]

I moved my Hawk from a Chevrolet 2500 to a Power Wagon with a shorter bed. I used a reciprocal saw (Sawzall) to cut 1 1/2” off the rubber bumpers. I have just enough to keep the camper off the upper lip of the bad (at the back of the cab. In my previous truck that space was large enough to store a small folding ladder.

I use a Little Giant three step ladder to get in and out of the camper. They are great and have been recommended by lots of folks on here.

[fuzzymarindave]

I've never tried it, but my observation is that the tailgate would make it more difficult to get through the door and into the camper and leaving it on does not add any value to the camper package.  Cameras can be relocated, portable steps can be utilized; and camp chairs can be used for sitting.  

[ckent323]

We have a 2007 FWC Keystone which we carry with our 1993 Dodge W250 extended cab pickup with 8 foot bed. The camper extends past the bed of the truck by around 6".

We have tried using it with tailgate off and tailgate on.  We prefer tailgate on for a several reasons.

 

1) the tailgate serves as a nice ledge to set things on when getting in and out of the camper

 

2) the tailgate ledge serves as a place to stand and ducking down to get in or out is not a problem for either of us.  We are in our late 60's and I am 6 feet tall.  If I were much taller then ducking down might be more an issue.  We use a Little Giant 3 foot, 3 step folding step ladder (without the hand hold bar) to get up to and down from the camper and it works perfectly.  I added a small size Camco fold away grab handle which also works great.

3) The tailgate protects the underside of the camper that extends past the end of the bed.

4) the ledge made by the tailgate makes it easy for either of us to reach the rear camper latches without a ladder or step stool.   I have running boards on the truck (I am going to replace them with rock rails) and we use those to stand on to reach the front latches.

 

5) The camper goes on and off the truck once or twice a year (round trip) and not needing to remove store and then replace the tailgate eliminates that minor hassle.


I have an aftermarket rear view camera mounted to my license plate bracket aimed so I can just barely see the top of the hitch receiver.  The wide angle view also allows me to see several feet behind the truck.  The backup camera makes lining up the hitch to my 18 foot wells cargo trailer quick and easy to do by myself. The camper goes on and off without having to deal with camera wiring. 


I hope this information is helpful

Craig

Edited by ckent323, 27 February 2023 - 06:52 PM.

[Regulator23]

My camera installation and my camper on the dolly in the garage. The painted aluminum strip the camera is mounted to is installed by FWC if you have the rear wall steps (to prevent door dents if the door swings into an extended step). You could add a similar strip if needed.

Thank you, Beautiful setup!

[Regulator23]

We have a 2007 FWC Keystone which we carry with our 1993 Dodge W250 extended cab pickup with 8 foot bed. The camper extends past the bed of the truck by around 6".

We have tried using it with tailgate off and tailgate on.  We prefer tailgate on for a several reasons.

 

1) the tailgate serves as a nice ledge to set things on when getting in and out of the camper

 

2) the tailgate ledge serves as a place to stand and ducking down to get in or out is not a problem for either of us.  We are in our late 60's and I am 6 feet tall.  If I were much taller then ducking down might be more an issue.  We use a Little Giant 3 foot, 3 step folding step ladder (without the hand hold bar) to get up to and down from the camper and it works perfectly.  I added a small size Camco fold away grab handle which also works great.

3) The tailgate protects the underside of the camper that extends past the end of the bed.

4) the ledge made by the tailgate makes it easy for either of us to reach the rear camper latches without a ladder or step stool.   I have running boards on the truck (I am going to replace them with rock rails) and we use those to stand on to reach the front latches.

 

5) The camper goes on and off the truck once or twice a year (round trip) and not needing to remove store and then replace the tailgate eliminates that minor hassle.


I have an aftermarket rear view camera mounted to my license plate bracket aimed so I can just barely see the top of the hitch receiver.  The wide angle view also allows me to see several feet behind the truck.  The backup camera makes lining up the hitch to my 18 foot wells cargo trailer quick and easy to do by myself. The camper goes on and off without having to deal with camera wiring. 


I hope this information is helpful

Craig

Thanks Craig.  Very useful information.

[Regulator23]

We have a 2007 FWC Keystone which we carry with our 1993 Dodge W250 extended cab pickup with 8 foot bed. The camper extends past the bed of the truck by around 6".

We have tried using it with tailgate off and tailgate on.  We prefer tailgate on for a several reasons.

 

1) the tailgate serves as a nice ledge to set things on when getting in and out of the camper

 

2) the tailgate ledge serves as a place to stand and ducking down to get in or out is not a problem for either of us.  We are in our late 60's and I am 6 feet tall.  If I were much taller then ducking down might be more an issue.  We use a Little Giant 3 foot, 3 step folding step ladder (without the hand hold bar) to get up to and down from the camper and it works perfectly.  I added a small size Camco fold away grab handle which also works great.

3) The tailgate protects the underside of the camper that extends past the end of the bed.

4) the ledge made by the tailgate makes it easy for either of us to reach the rear camper latches without a ladder or step stool.   I have running boards on the truck (I am going to replace them with rock rails) and we use those to stand on to reach the front latches.

 

5) The camper goes on and off the truck once or twice a year (round trip) and not needing to remove store and then replace the tailgate eliminates that minor hassle.


I have an aftermarket rear view camera mounted to my license plate bracket aimed so I can just barely see the top of the hitch receiver.  The wide angle view also allows me to see several feet behind the truck.  The backup camera makes lining up the hitch to my 18 foot wells cargo trailer quick and easy to do by myself. The camper goes on and off without having to deal with camera wiring. 


I hope this information is helpful

Craig

I am going to give it a try with it on because I see several advantages to doing that.  I will just need to shorten the rubber bumpers to make it work