New to site, just purchased a 90's ranger for my 2004 Tundra . . . Need some help

[DougEFresh]

Thanks for checking this thread out!

I need some help in figuring out the best way to secure the camper to the bed. Currently it is sitting in the back of the Tundra (6.5' bed, 8 foot camper) and is secured in with straps. I've got some Reico-Titan manual jacks on the way, but for the time being it isn't coming off the back.

Here are some questions:

Is it better to secure to the bed of the truck directly, or to the frame with brackets and tie downs, or is there another better way?

Should I remove the bed liner before securing the camper?

Do I need to keep space between the front of the camper and the front of the bed wall (between the camper and the wall)? If so how much?

I am so new to this but really stoked, I got a great price on the camper and I have been looking for one for a while. I'm really excited to get it seated into the truck correctly and get camping.

Please chime in and let me know what you know.

Doug

 

[jimjxsn]

Hi Doug,
Welcome to WTW and congratulations on your new Ranger. I can certainly give you some pointer based on my old setup...

The guys at All Terrain Campers probably built your camper back in the day. Mine Ranger was a 2000 andthey told me they had built it.

As for mounting, mine was just through the bed itself with backing plates. I never had any problems with that.

As for front of bed spacing, I placed a 2x4 on edge in the front of mine to clear that top bed rail lip.


In this picture you can see the eyebolt positioning (pretty much in the corners) -

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Hi Doug, welcome to WTW. If your camper will be on the truck, the majority of the time, most folks believe through bolting is the better, more secure method. Using eye bolts and turnbuckles works, but you need to make certain the turnbuckles don’t loosen.

Your bed liner probably should come out. I use a rubber stall mat to keep the camper off the slick bed.

Congrats on the new camper. Marty and Jeff at ATC are good resources, and they do excellent, reasonably priced work.

 

[DougEFresh]

Hi Doug,
Welcome to WTW and congratulations on your new Ranger. I can certainly give you some pointer based on my old setup...

The guys at All Terrain Campers probably built your camper back in the day. Mine Ranger was a 2000 andthey told me they had built it.

As for mounting, mine was just through the bed itself with backing plates. I never had any problems with that.

As for front of bed spacing, I placed a 2x4 on edge in the front of mine to clear that top bed rail lip.


In this picture you can see the eyebolt positioning (pretty much in the corners) -

Thanks for the reply Jim, great information. Question about the bolt to the frame option, How does the camper connect to the bolts?

Thanks

Doug

Hi Doug,
Welcome to WTW and congratulations on your new Ranger. I can certainly give you some pointer based on my old setup...

The guys at All Terrain Campers probably built your camper back in the day. Mine Ranger was a 2000 andthey told me they had built it.

As for mounting, mine was just through the bed itself with backing plates. I never had any problems with that.

As for front of bed spacing, I placed a 2x4 on edge in the front of mine to clear that top bed rail lip.


In this picture you can see the eyebolt positioning (pretty much in the corners) -

 

[DougEFresh]

Thanks WS, I may give the crew down at ATC a call in the morning to get more information about the through bolt method and to see if they can do the install for me. I do plan on having the camper on and off the truck on occasion. There are some spots I like to get the boat into the river that are pretty rough. Would be easier with the camper shell off.

DH

 

[jimjxsn]

Mine had forged eye bolts in the corners of the bed and turnbuckles from those eyebolts to the eyebolts on the camper. Nothing to the frame.


There are pics in this thread - https://expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/mounting-options-for-fwc-hawk.122349/

 

[Vic Harder]

the turnbuckle option is the default, and works for most folks. Others have had serious issues with them loosening/failing. I prefer the Derringer fast guns... they don't loosen!

 

[DougEFresh]

I like those fast gun turnbuckles too, they are more expensive, but likely worth it in the long run.

the turnbuckle option is the default, and works for most folks. Others have had serious issues with them loosening/failing. I prefer the Derringer fast guns... they don't loosen!