Camper store on jacks only

[Robojeeper53]

Removed camper from truck for a few weeks. Is is ok to just use jacks only to support it. It about 10” off the ground after lowering it down. Thanks for any input.

 

[Bosque Bill]

I'm certainly not the final authority, but my understanding is that as long as there is no heavy load on the floor inside (such as a human moving around in there), jacks alone are fine.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Removed camper from truck for a few weeks. Is is ok to just use jacks only to support it. It about 10” off the ground after lowering it down. Thanks for any input.

While I don’t think it’s going to harm anything as long as you’re not walking on the floor, best practice would be to support it. You might use a concrete block on end at each corner, with 2x4s running the long side.

 

[CraggyMan]

I used jacks only for parts of a couple of winters but I really think the structure is happier with some additional support. Now as per many use a couple of sawhorses and distribute the weight between jacks and horses.

 

[buckland]

Six milk crates will also hold. I lower it to the crates and then leave the jacks loose about an 1/8" off ground, Just in case. If you have 2 six foot 2x6's to place on the crates length-wise that is even better.

 

[pvstoy]

Removed camper from truck for a few weeks. Is is ok to just use jacks only to support it. It about 10” off the ground after lowering it down. Thanks for any input.

All great advice from above.

I might add that where it is stored for the time duration might be aware of high winds, people activity such as kids of all ages playing around it, etc. These activities can put lateral stress on the jacks and or tip the camper over.

The jacks are designed to the most extent for lifting up and down to take the camper on and off. Not so much for lateral impacts.

Having the camper lowered onto a base helps spread the load out more than just tiny four corner jack footprints.

Some might run a strap over the camper if you expect high wind events.

I cringe when I drive through the country and see that a truck camper has been removed sitting high in the air while the truck is off exploring....

Your location and situation will vary on what is best for you.

 

[pawpaw]

Living in the midwest we frequently get storms with extreme wind gusts not including the thought of tornadoes. I always lower my camper down on a solid 6 x 6 platform with three risers when not on the truck. One at the front, middle and aft of the floor. With the platform and the jacks it makes a solid platform. I also take the precaution of placing the camper on the west side of a solid structure. That helps cut down on our prevailing wind. My camper is rather heavy at > 2000. If I had a lighter camper I would be even more concerned.

 

[Sagebrush Reconnoiterer]

Reading through the replies, the thought occurred to me that a stack of shipping pallets would work.

 

[CPT Davenport]

I would put something underneath. Knowing me, I would put it on the jacks and then remember that I need to get something out of there a couple days later! I recommend the 2 strips of 3/4" plywood, on edge with slots in the middle that mate together and form an X. Just one X would be sufficient for a truck camper. These store flat and take up minimal space as well.