Camper Jacks for 36" high Truck Bed, Granby Camper

[Southern Gent]

Greeting, I'm new at this stuff. Truck Camper aren't real popular in Alabama. I found and bought this 1996 Granby Camper in our area. The unit was in good repair with the Canvas replaced in recent years. The fellow was using 2 Oil Drums, pipe rollers, 2x4s and prayer to load the Granby into his 1/2 ton pick-up. Ok for him.

I found a set of 3 heavy duty ( 2,000 lb ) Screw type Truck Camper Jacks. Unknown model or vintage but in good working order. They are great but my truck bed height is at the top limit of their height capacity.

While I'm new at truck camping I have moved and lifted industrial equipment for many years. This isn't Ideal for the long term.

has anyone got any suggestions regarding Lifting Our Campers on to taller Truck beds?

 

[the fisherman]

Jacks

It depends on wether you want permenent jacks, or free standing. Most of these campers are equipped with Heico screw type jacks, I have an F250 with 41/2 lift and 35'' tires, I come on and off no problem, also if you have fender flares you will need swing out brackets on the permenent jacks, hope this helps, whats the matter with people in Alabama, no campers? you need to have your water checked.

 

[John D]

To Southern Gent

Get yourself 4 of these boys, about 500 buckeroos. Bolt 'em on. Yard stick shows height above the ground. Otherwise, get four or five deer huntin' buddies and muscle it on. I'm in Rocket City.

 

[John D]

Ps

PS Put blocks under the jacks as needed. Stabalize the blocks as needed. That technique is covered somewhere else in this site and it ought to be a piece of cake to someone who has made industrial lifts. Having done that, you know that three jacks, or cable jacks, are too flimsy.

 

[chnlisle]

Reicos will easily go up 36 inches. When I had my old Ranger on the Ram I needed to go up over 40 inches because of the 4x4's in the bed. A little scary but it did work. As far as swing out brackets go you can get som 1/4 inch alu plate and make your own but you will need to remove the jacks for travel but it saves a hundred bucks.

 

[Southern Gent]

We Shop Built Extension Brackets

Greetings and thanks for your suggestions.

Last night we Shop Built 3 each 14" Extensions for my current lifts. See image. They are over kill due to the heavy stock we had available steel stock at my Buddy's Shop. But They Work and I still need to sand and paint them.

Camper Jacks Capital Investment $100.00 plus a Pot of Homemade Chili and 2 Six-Packs.

Long range I think I might get a set of Four Corner lifts. They appear to be a bit more stable in the Lift and lower process.

 

[John D]

Outstanding!

 

[Southern Gent]

The Brackets We built worked Great.

These Brackets We built worked Great. The system is very stable and forgiving.



I took my time in loading the Granby Camper and still had a misalignment event including one pretty good hit in the last 2 ft. The Jack System Shook but was in no danger of tipping.



I also experimented a bit and jacked the Camper about 8 to 10” above the Truck Bed.

Note: The Chrome Side Rails. I have a Couple 8 ft 2x4s under my Granby Camper to clear these Side rails.


You may have noted I only used about 4 to 5” of the brackets under the Camper ledge for my lift.

 

[John D]

Niiiiiiice rig.

 

[DLN]

S-G,

Looking good. You might want to consider more 2x4's under the camper floor. It really should be supported around the whole perimeter and in two places through the field to avoid over stressing the plywood connections.

 

[Southern Gent]

Adding another 2x4 as suggested

Thanks for the suggestion. I currently have one across the front of the bed and one each about 3 inches inside the wheel well. I will add a couple more. Maybe build a bit of a frame with cross braces.

 

[John D]

Git rid of those grab rails and 2x4s to let camper down lower. Football season will be over by the last of January and there will be no need for the grab rails so your buddies in the back can hang on. Grab rails make it look like you were using your truck in the Alabama State sign shooting chamionship ... pickup pistol class ... War Eagle!

 

[Southern Gent]

Adding another 2x4 as suggested

Thanks for your suggestions. I'v added additional 2x4s under my Granby

 

[Southern Gent]

I'm a Pack Rat

John, One of the joys of a Pick-up is to Haul Stuff. I left the Hand Rails on to tie down stuff.

Don't tell me your too old to remember the Joys of a Hayride?