How To Install A Truck Bed Camper

How To Install a Truck Bed Camper

How To Install A Truck Bed Camper

Installing a bed on your camper truck is one of the most daunting DIY tasks and can be challenging. Therefore, you will need a guide to help you after offloading the bed camper for installation.

Besides, truck campers are incredible for many reasons; they allow you to haul food and other items.

Luckily, once you understand the process, you will enjoy a good time in your RV.

Know your Vehicle and Features

Before you set up the RV on your truck, you need to know whether it can handle its load.

The size and weight of RVs vary, and some are small while others are big and heavy.

If you understand what you want to throw on the truck, you will save time and money by buying the ideal truck camper to prevent damage to your engine, chassis, and transmission.

Get all the essential information you need on your car and its specifications.

Specifically, understand the maximum weight the engine, transmission, and chassis can haul.

Choose a truck camper of the right size and choose a truck that can handle it based on the items you intend to haul.

Truck Camper Towing

When buying a truck, the critical factor to consider is whether it can tow the truck camper.

To find out this, check the trailer’s tongue weight and its rated weight load.

Typically, a boat or a utility trailer has a tongue weight of 200-500 pounds based on the load size.

Additionally, you will need a hitch box extension for towing; you can find them in different sizes.

The truck’s pigtail offers the camper with the brakes, running, and turn signal lights so that it can operate legally on the road.

What you’ll Need

Before you mount the camper to the truck bed, you need to be prepared with the tools and manual.

The first practice is buying and installing the tie-downs. You will also need to buy turnbuckles for this task.

Install the Right-Tie Downs

To be precise, you need four tie-downs for the installation.

You will use two at the front and two at the back of the truck.

Purchase high-quality tie-downs that don’t need mounting brackets, drilling, or extra work.

After reading reviews, you will find the ones ideal for your task.

When installing, adhere to the instructions on the manual to ensure everything is correctly installed.

The front tie-downs should be at the front of the front anchors, while the back tie-downs should be placed behind the back anchors.

Therefore, the RV will be pulled equally from all directions to avoid slippages.

Buy Good Turnbuckles

Additionally, you will also need good turnbuckles, which will lock into place.

That way, you won’t need to adjust them after changing the trips.

To find out the best quality turnbuckles, check the user reviews for a reputable dealer.

Good products will secure your truck bed securely into place.

The turnbuckles hold your truck bed camper directly to the truck, and so you will want something that holds it securely and safely in place.

Truck Camper Installation

After ensuring the prep work is done by installing the tie-downs and turnbuckles, it’s now time to prepare for the heavy task.

This is the installation, and the process is similar in traditional truck campers and pop-up truck campers.

Do the installation carefully to prevent damage to your RV.

First, raise the camper to about 6 feet above the bed of the truck. Raise it gradually by a few inches simultaneously.

It’s advisable to start at the front and then the back to level the truck. Once you can easily back the truck under the camper, then stop raising it.

Also, ensure the front of the camper is at a higher point than the back to prevent the camper from tipping over.

Now, connect the wiring first since it will be hard to do this after the truck is secured beneath the camper.

Now, back up your truck slowly until the camper is at the shims.

The camper can contact the front of the truck bed without damaging it but ensure it does not touch the tail lights for the truck’s bumper as it can cause damage.

Now, lower the camper slowly to the truck bed. Start with the back first before you head to the front.

Also, do the increments gradually until the camper rests fully on the truck and the jacks are off the ground.

Now, using the turnbuckles, secure the truck to the truck bed camper.

But avoid tightening the turnbuckles too tightly as it can mess them or even remove the tie-downs.

Maintenance of your Truck Camper

After installing the tie-downs and turnbuckles, then it’s time to travel with your family.

But first, you need to purchase brake maintenance to ensure safe travels, especially now that you have added weight to the car.

If your vehicle is new, then it may not be a prerequisite, but for older models, it’s very vital.

Also, install new pads, rotors, and calipers, and with the right tools.

Also, quality matters more than the price, and you should go for the high-quality, expensive tools. This ensures you have the power you need.

I would also recommend going for the high-end rotors with good warranties that protect against rusting or warping.

Additionally, you will need to change the oil regularly, flush the old transmission fluids and refill them.

For the moving parts, constantly oil and lube them and ensure the differential fluids are at the optimum levels.

By adhering to the maintenance tips for your RV vehicle, you will remain safer on the road.

Additionally, the car and the truck bed camper will remain in good condition for longer.

Conclusion

Truck Campers have gotten more popular over the last few years by campers and traveling hobbyists.

They are versatile, compact and will enable you to enjoy the benefits of camping without towing heavy trailers or RVs.

Besides, you can DIY the truck bed camper’s installation on your track, provided you have the right tools and information.

This guide has all you need to know about mounting the camper on your truck.

I hope you got great value from this post and if you did give us a thumbs up on this one.

Cheers,

Truck Report Geeks

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