Land-roamer
Advanced Member
Well, after all the planning, measuring and thinking, my Alaskan is finally on my truck! I include a couple of pictures to show you how it all went down.
Took my buddy and I about 2.5 hours, setting up, lifting, leveling, supporting, eye-balling, thinking, cranking, and generally taking our time to do it right.
We used the 4 corner screw jacks (had to add extensions a couple of times until we got the tall supports on it for the final lift. All along, we used the stock cable jacks to keep things balanced and tight in the middle. There was a bit of shifting this way and that, which had us pausing and thinking a couple of times, but overall things well.
Once we had the camper high enough, my buddy suggested to back up his smaller truck under the front part to at least support it in case of catastrophe, and likewise we piled up some concrete pavers in the back to support that too. With that extra support in place, and 6 jacks operating, I think we were pretty safe!
Once we had a good inch and a half clearance from the bed of my truck, we drove his truck away and carefully brought my truck underneath. Had to remove the cable jacks when the wheels got there, but by then 3/4 of the camper was on the bed so it was clear sailing.
By lowering the corner jacks alternatively, we were able to position the camper pretty well center in the box. All I have to do now is get the chains and bit of hardware to secure the camper to the tie downs using my Torklift spring-loaded turnbuckles. Then I'll be ready for my initial drive!!!
Overall, the back of the truck only lowered about an inch and a half with the camper on, so I figure the basically 1 ton suspension in the back is plenty good enough to carry it.
Thanks again to all here who provided advice, encouragement and support in my endeavour. Now that the camper is mated to its truck, I am closer to the start of my adventures with it.
Took my buddy and I about 2.5 hours, setting up, lifting, leveling, supporting, eye-balling, thinking, cranking, and generally taking our time to do it right.
We used the 4 corner screw jacks (had to add extensions a couple of times until we got the tall supports on it for the final lift. All along, we used the stock cable jacks to keep things balanced and tight in the middle. There was a bit of shifting this way and that, which had us pausing and thinking a couple of times, but overall things well.
Once we had the camper high enough, my buddy suggested to back up his smaller truck under the front part to at least support it in case of catastrophe, and likewise we piled up some concrete pavers in the back to support that too. With that extra support in place, and 6 jacks operating, I think we were pretty safe!
Once we had a good inch and a half clearance from the bed of my truck, we drove his truck away and carefully brought my truck underneath. Had to remove the cable jacks when the wheels got there, but by then 3/4 of the camper was on the bed so it was clear sailing.
By lowering the corner jacks alternatively, we were able to position the camper pretty well center in the box. All I have to do now is get the chains and bit of hardware to secure the camper to the tie downs using my Torklift spring-loaded turnbuckles. Then I'll be ready for my initial drive!!!
Overall, the back of the truck only lowered about an inch and a half with the camper on, so I figure the basically 1 ton suspension in the back is plenty good enough to carry it.
Thanks again to all here who provided advice, encouragement and support in my endeavour. Now that the camper is mated to its truck, I am closer to the start of my adventures with it.