Camper bed platform for Ford SuperCab

[Green_Rino]

I just bought a new truck 2020 F250 Superduty. My Alaskan 95’ CO is too short so I will need to put in a platform so it doesn’t hit the cab. My question is how high is too high for the camper to sit and it gets unstable? At a minimum I will need to raise the camper at least 6” off the bed to clear the cab by 2”. Preferably I would raise it 8” to give myself 4” of clearance and lots of room for storage under the camper. It just seems really high and I’m concerned about getting the center of gravity too high and it becoming unstable. Anyone else have to build a platform that high? And how does it handle?

 

[joeclimber]

Following this post as I have a 2021 f350 coming in January. Hope there are some answers

 

[kimosawboy]

Not sure if this helps-- but my center of mass is aprox 35" above ground, the alaskan is on a 3" frame that sits on the deck which is 53" above ground. No problems for me.

 

[cc7665]

I have a 2020 F350 and Alaskan built up a base using a 2x4 with a piece of plywood on top to get it to the right height. It’s really close to the cab, but it seems like it’s been fine. I can measure the height of the wood planks to see how high it raises it. You would probably need to add though since I ordered my camper with 2” of additional height since I’m taller and didn’t want to smack my head on the lights. For our F150 and a 5.5’ camper we just measured it out and used 4x4’s ripped to height. I also made a wood bumper for the front to give it just a bit so it doesn’t hit the bed of the truck in front.

 

[popRoid]

I have a 2017 F350 aluminum bed with 2018 Alaskan 10' cabover and this setup works just fine with a few inches spacing above the cab.

https://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/topic/19164-spacing-required-to-mount-alaskan-camper-in-bed-of-newer-ford-pickups/

I use 2x4's with 1/2 inch plywood cap on them in the bed to clear the bed rails and give enough space above the cab.

 

[Green_Rino]

I finished my platform, 2x4’s over 2x6’s. Total 7” high and gives me about 3” of cab clearance. It was high enough I added a set of drawers. The 2x6’s lock into the groves in the bed so it doesn’t shift around on bumpy roads.

 

[Desertsailboat]

I love the idea of drawers under the camper! My skis would fit nicely. are you concerned at all with the longevity of wood? I am planning on upgrading to a 2017 or newer and just realized this was an issue. I have a 2002 CO and thought it would fit. Could you post some pictures once the camper is mounted?

 

[Go for Broke]

GREEN_RINO

That's a million dollar design you have there, at current lumber prices that is.

Wood on wood runners if my eye do not deceive me?

Angled drawer sides?

How do they run when loaded?

Do you have anything on the bottom to keep the 2x6 from splaying outwards or swaying?

DITTO (AXLFOLEY) on more pictures.

Thanks,

 

[Desertsailboat]

I thought I would add to this thread.

I recently bought a 2019 Ford F350 CCLB. I knew my 2002 Alaskan cab over on jacks would come up short for getting the camper in the taller bed. Additionally the bed rails are taller as well as the cab. I ended up using 4x4's with 5/8" plywood and 3/4" rubber stall mat. I would eventually like to put in some sort of storage under the camper. We are camping at the end of the month and needed to get the camper on. I may need to add another 3/4" rubber mat, because the clearance between the cab and cab over section is only a 1.5". it hasn't rubbed yet but it's too close for comfort. There is also only about an 1/8" of clearance on either side in between the tailgate.

Hope this helps someone else in the future.

 

[dastrom]

[SIZE=12pt]I have a 2015 F150 and my Alaskan was also too low to fit into the bed. I built a base out of 2x4s and 3/4" plywood that is permanently fixed to the bottom. To maximize storage space, I cut out the old floor under the step between the dinette that had a drawer and made a hatch to the step instead so it is now 4.5" deeper. I also cut through the storage areas beneath the cushions so they are deeper. I thought about adding drawers but instead I am adding a 3.5" 10 gallon gray tank in the base.[/SIZE]