For those who love camping, one of the most important pieces of equipment is a camper. Whether you are looking to take a short weekend trip or an extended stay at a campsite, having the right camper on your pickup truck can make it an enjoyable experience.
Knowing how to properly load and secure the camper onto your truck will ensure that you can safely take it anywhere you want to go.
The first step in loading a camper onto a pickup truck is to make sure that it is the proper size for your vehicle. Most campers come in 8-foot, 10-foot, or 12-foot sizes and need to match the bed size of your truck for it to fit properly. You will also need to measure the height of your truck bed rails as well as the width of your tailgate opening if it has one.
Once you have determined that your camper is the correct size for your truck, you will need to prepare it for loading. Make sure all of the windows and doors are closed and securely latched so that they do not swing open during transport. If necessary, you may also want to position stabilizing jacks on each side of the camper before attempting to load it.
When you are ready to start loading, use ramps or boards with non-skid surfaces if available. This will help provide extra traction when maneuvering up onto the bed rails. It is important that you drive slowly and evenly up onto the bed rails so as not to cause any damage either to yourself or your vehicle.
Securely Attaching Your Camper
Once the camper is safely loaded onto the bed rails, use ratchet straps or rope attached securely from both sides of the truck and around each corner of the camper. Make sure these straps or ropes are tightened firmly so as not to cause any slack which could lead to shifting during transport.
Finally, check all door locks and latches one last time before driving away with your loaded camper. By following these steps in loading a camper onto a pickup truck, you can ensure that you will have a safe journey with all of its contents remaining secure throughout.
Conclusion:
Loading a camper onto a pickup truck requires preparation and careful execution in order for it be done safely. Begin by making sure that your camper is properly sized for your vehicle then prepare it for loading by closing all windows and doors securely before using ramps or boards with non-skid surfaces when maneuvering up onto the bed railings. Securely attach both sides securely with ratchet straps or rope before finally checking all locks and latches one last time before driving away with confidence knowing that everything has been secured correctly.
