Supporting rear edge of camper.

[DYNOBOB]

Because the Dodge short bed is 6' 4" long, there is a fair amt of camper hanging out unsupported. It doesn't seem great to me for the whole rear wall + threshold where you step not to have anything under it. So, I took a piece of treated 4x6 and cut it ~1/8" longer than the measurement to my bumper. Door shut with a more solid sound and there is definitely no deflection when you step on the threshold now. May not be needed but I feel better.

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[RicoV]

Nicely done, I likey. It'll probably be a better fix than my angle-iron and chain solution (below), but in the end whatever gives the overhang portion some support is likely to be a good thing. Thanks for sharing the pics.
Rico

 

[DYNOBOB]

Yours has the advantage of preventing rearward movement.

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[Lineman]

This is what I did. Mounted two 2" receivers to the frame of the truck between the bed and the bumper. The support just lifts off the truck when I want to take it off.

 

[cwdtmmrs]

I don't think that 6" or so of overhang is an issue and designed into the camper. Not worth worrying about.

cwd

 

[PacificExposure]

Why not leave the tailgate on? I like having a 12" wide "porch" to sit on with my Hawk/F150 combo.

 

[Wallowa]

Why not leave the tailgate on? I like having a 12" wide "porch" to sit on with my Hawk/F150 combo.

My three reasons for not leaving the tailgate on:

#1 Sucker weighs a ton and that weight hangs way out beyond rear axle

#2 Tailgate sticking out beyond bumper is just asking for something to crunch it when backing up

#3 Stepping out of the Hawk, onto the tail gate and then down steps is very difficult for someone as clumsy as me...

Phil

 

[Lineman]

I wanted to be able to remove my tailgate for a couple reasons. My tailgate weighs a hefty 82 pounds. The support I built weighs 28 pounds. My rig is about 10" shorter with out the tailgate which helps it fit standard parking spots better. You also have access to the drain valve to fill water bottles or rinse hands.

Dynobob, I like the simplicity of your 4x6 setup. Nice job.

 

[Wallowa]

I don't think that 6" or so of overhang is an issue and designed into the camper. Not worth worrying about.

cwd

Just me but like CWD I also don't think a 6" overhang is an issue worth addressing if even an issue at all...

But hey, I could be wrong!

Phil

 

[DYNOBOB]

Can't tow with tailgate on.

What got me thinking about this was the propane compartment door got progressively harder to shut during our AK trip. Something (either the door or door opening) was changing dimensionally and door was nearly impossible to open once you forced it shut. Door doesn't bind in frame now.

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[Chukar Hunter]

I think it is worth it. My 07 Hawk now on my 2015 Chevy hangs over and when the camper is on the truck the propane door is difficult to open and close, when the camper is off the truck and sitting on my storage trailer/platform the propane door works perfectly. I don't notice any other problems other than that but since I have to put 2x4's under my camper to clear the new truck I am going to extend them out to the full length of the camper