Adventurer Camper on a 2021 Ford Ranger

[rtdracing]

Hey everyone! Super glad i’ve found this site! My wife and i recently bought a 2005 Adventurer 7’6 camper to fit on our Ford Ranger (Previous owner had it on an old style Ranger) We had to modify some wood in the box of the pickup to raise it to fit our box and to go above the antenna over the cab. Our box with the tailgate down is 7 feet. We laid down 3 fir 2 x 6 by 7 feet and put the rack the gentleman made for his original box for his Ranger on top but had to add a few 1/2 plywood shims up the front of the wood base to raise it above the antenna. We did this as a temporary solution just to get the camper home as for one i think it makes the camper sit uneven and it seems to be putting a lot of pressure on the tail gate. It also seems to add extra weight on our truck with all the wood. It seems to be sitting a bit off kilter as it clears the top of the truck box on the passenger side better than the drivers side. We need to be at least 6 inches up in the box to clear the antenna. Anyone have any ideas what could be an easier solution all while giving us the clearance we need while taking pressure off the tail gate? Lighter weight for removal when we arent using the camper to be able to take out would be great. We are camping newbies and appreciate any ideas someone can float our way. Cheers!

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

That looks pretty heavy, have you done anything to the suspension, like a new spring pack, airbags, and/or better shocks?

Look at the ski3pin build for their new Ranger and Bobcat. It will be under the All Terrain Campers forum.

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[Vic Harder]

not just heavy, but it appears that your Center of Gravity (COG) is behind the rear axle.

As for the antenna, does Ford have an antenna relocation kit?

 

[rtdracing]

Hi guys. As for too heavy, my manual and Ford both said my max payload is 1860 pounds. My camper weighs just over 500 KG and has been refitted with an aluminim roof which the person i bought it off of said it would make it a shade lighter. After picking it up and driving a few hours with it i found no real noticeable difference in driving our truck. Its been sitting for 4 days on my driveway and my truck doesnt seem any lower or extra strain on my suspension.

As far as COG all the appliances and sink etc are bascially at the foot of the bed and only thing located at the back of the camper is a one seater couch on each side with the dining table. Its leaning a bit back on angle on visual as we had to prop up the front a bit so it didnt smash the antenna. From the limited research i did online i read it was quite a hassle to remove the antenna as you have to take down the headliner to unplug it.

 

[rubberlegs]

If you can find a place to weigh each axle, that might be good info. Some states allow you to drive over the truck scales at major highways/freeways.

 

[GVWRLOL]

/\/\ this. If not to the scale house try a local scrap yard. I had to lift mine also to get it off the bed rails, ended up using 4X4 boards to save the weight over a whole platform. You can look under the bed and see where it has supports, make sure to line up whatever you end up using with those and it should help with the weight on the tailgate. Good luck and happy travels!!