Hello folks, New member here and I have a few questions reguardind
truck campers. I recently purchased a 2003 F-250 SuperDuty with the
super cab and short bed. I would like to put a camper in the truck and head for the mountains and the ocean beaches. After I bought the truck and got it home I discovered a piece of paper in the glove box
that said my truck was not recommended for a slide in camper. I
called the dealer and he said it "should be allright" even without the camper package. My questions are What does the camper package consist of? Is it neccesary on this truck with a camper with a dry weight of about 1600lbs? Also would like to hear from anyone with
a similar truck and camper. Thanks in advance.

 

This thread should give you all the info you need on the camper package.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/DCForumID117/4905.html

I'd suggest at the least getting an aftermarket rear sway bar. It'll make a big difference in the handling of your truck with such a high center of gravity. I think Monsta and a few others have installed them, they'll let you know.

As long as you're not exceeding your vehicles GVWR you should be OK.

Waxy

 

A friend of mine has a 96 1/2 ton GMC xt cab with a 6' bed and he hauls a 8' slide in. He put air bags and a sway bar and his truck hauls it fine. You have twice the truck he does so I think you would be fine.

 

Ron,

I copied this info from another website.
----------
From a 2001 F-250 ordering guide:

CAMPER PACKAGE (532)
• Heavy service front springs (200 lb. Upgrade above the spring
computer selected as a consequence of options chosen. Not
included if maximum springs have been computer selected as
standard equipment)
• Rear stabilizer bar
• Auxiliary rear springs
• Slide-in camper certification
----------

Just a note, installing a slide-in camper in a truck without the "Camper Package" voids the warranty (particularly on suspension and drive line I would guess). If you ever need service on these items remove the camper before taking the truck in. I have a Four Wheel Pop Up camper on an '02 F-250 v10 4x4 Supercab short bed(dry weight around 1200-1400 pounds). The camper certificate shows a camper capacity of ~1990 pounds. So far the truck has handled the load well. I think you have enough truck to carry the camper you mentioned, but as others have I would strongly recommend installing a sway bar and helper springs or air bags.

Don

 

You may want to check out the slide-in forum of www.irv2.com

http://irv2.infopop.net/2/OpenTopic?a=frm&s=089094322&f=270091622

They're a great group of very knowlegeable people with a lot of experience (and opinions) about slide-in campers and such.

Regards

 

 

I would check with your camper manufacturer also, it seems to me with a short bed and a 8' camper it would move your center of gravity too far back behind your rear axle, I know I have a 9 1/2' camper on my 97' f-250HD 4x4 PSD, and most of the weight is toward the rear with all the holding tanks and such, also this might also require a different method of using tiedowns as your aft securing point will be about 2 feet farther back. I dont know what your tie down method is but with the new superduties (98 and up) its recomended to use the frame mounted tiedown system as the pickup beds are quite a bit weaker than the 97 and earlier models (enough to keep me from buying a new one last year)and the bed mounted tiedown system would probably tweak your bed. Just my opinon...but why would anyone buy a 3/4 truck with a short bed?, obviously its not intended to be used as a truck and haul anything.

 

Ditto on the "air bags" and sway bar recomendation. Look for campers with lower centers of gravity, and avoid loading heavy objects up high in the camper (canned goods, etc). Most campers list their Center of Gravity location and are designed to put it forward of the rear axle. You definitely DON'T want it BEHIND the rear axle. Check some of the Lance Lites and Pop-Top styles.

Rancho 9000 adjustable shocks are a great addition too. Also, make sure you get 265 E rated tires if your 250 doesn't have them already. The Michelin LTX is a very good one.