Putting a modified FWC Ranger into a Tacoma 6ft bed. Questions...

[shear]

So I'm looking at buying a used Ranger that has been modified to fit a Tacoma bed. I wanted to ask anyone with knowledge the pros and cons of having an 8ft camper in a 6ft bed. This would mean having the tailgate down (still on) with the camper resting on it. What should I consider while looking at this camper?

Thanks!

 

[jha6av8r]

I have a Grandby (8') in my standard bed (6.5') Silverado loaded with the tailgate down. This issue is center of gravity. My camper weighs about 2,000 lbs loaded and the CG is just at the back of the rear wheels, but I have a 1 ton truck with a tongue weight of 15,000 lbs so any weight the Grandby puts behind my rear wheels is well within the limits. I'm also no where near my GVRW so the truck barely feels the camper in the back.

Because you have a 1/2 ton, I think you'll find the steering will feel light probably too light. You'll also need to beef up your suspension but don't know if that will eleviate the light steering feel. Guessing loaded, you'll be pretty close to gross weight. That combined with the very rear CG might be an issue.

 

[wetcoast]

I agree with John,

If it is a loaded ranger (Fridge, Furnace, Awning) you will need to upgrade the rear leaf spring or add airbags in order for it to be close to safe, for short on-road trips. A light front end means braking and steering problem which are the most dangerous thing that can happen to a vehicle.

If you are planning long trips I would wait and find an Eagle or Bobcat. With airbags or extra leafs you will be able to go off road and drive at high speed safely.

I bought a long FWC Fleet for a short bed truck and ended up selling it for Falcon that fit. Now I am a happy camper and can load the dogs and toys up and drive safely!

 

[riz]

Worked fine for me for several years. Timbrens leveled the load. I didn't do much off roading, however.

 

[shear]

Thanks for the feedback. I think given what we are planning on doing with the camper on the truck...going with a shorter camper is the ticket. I was worried about where the weight would be distributed in an 8ft camper on a 6ft bed...this confirmed my worries.

 

[Smokecreek1]

I've run a Granby on a i/2 ton short bed 99 F150 4x4 for almost 8 years, but I had specially made 3/4 ton springs(recommended by my local ford dealer) put on the truck after the air bags didn't work that well(one side kept blowing out) . I've had no problems at all since I did it, infact my old truck purrrs down the highway and over the warsh board roads when "I wander the west". But if I had to do it over again, I would probably have bought a F250 or a big Dodge to use with the Granby.

Smoke

 

[Richard Burton]

Be sure you can still access your spare tire with the tailgate down. On my 86 Toyota truck the lowered gate made it extremely difficult to get the handle under the gate into the notch used to lower the spare tire so I took the tailgate off after struggling to fix a blowout out in the desert!