Forward weight allowances in camper bed while off truck

[lydiac7]

All:
We have a Northern Lite camper that we would like to offload when we reach our destination so that we may use our truck independently. Does anyone know the allowable weight in the forward queen bed that would be safe? I am concerned about tipping forward in the night.... Is there enough weight in the rear to prevent this? Thanks

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Hi Lydia, we also have a NL (10-2), and I have slept in the cab over when off the truck. To be truthful, I also have the same worries, but have still gone ahead. You might give NL or a dealer a call to see if you can get a definitive answer.

Here is another’s opinion.

 

[Jon R]

Just from a simple static weight calculation based on worst case model weight and cg numbers on the Northern Lite web site, two 200 lb people with their weight centered 48 inches forward of the front jacks would be about 20% of the overhang moment required to tip the camper, so you have lots of margin in calm, level conditions. However, if you add that load to the wind load from an 80 mph wind gust against the rear wall with the camper at truck height, you are at the tipping point. So lower the camper as much as possible if you have high winds (which is a good idea for multiple reasons).

Edit: This is from web site info. The proper way to assess this is to actually weigh your truck to get axle weights with and without the camper, and do calculations for your actual weight and cg.

 

[Rocklobster]

Don’t do it! You shouldn’t even enter the camper without the floor completely supported and shored up. After you do that you might be able to consider sleeping in the cab-over if the entire unit is staked down.

 

[craig333]

That would be true for a FWC. I'm not sure how the Northern Lite is constructed.

 

[Jon R]

The Northern Lite campers are fiberglass, made with a top section and a bottom section. The owner’s manual has a section on camping in the camper off the truck. It does not call for floor support. It says lower the jacks as far as possible and have the front slightly high (I imagine this is simply intended to make sure you don’t set the front low at all). No cautions about weight in the overhang.