Steep driveway
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Steep driveway
Buying a 1988 f250 with a 11.5 Bigfoot truck camper. Have steep driveway. Total length of unit around 23 feet. Afraid of bottoming out rear of camper. Advised to go to local welder who suggested additional 2 leaf springs each side. He thinks this could raise bumper height 3 to 4 inches which my allow forward move up driveway. Camper will stay on truck permanently. Don't wish to pay $1000 per year storage as well as having convenience of not having to go to storage to pick up etc. Great price for both, truck only has 92,000 km on it. Camper is 1989 but pristine.
What say you about leaf springs? Others say air bags, most say storage. Cheers, thanks.
What say you about leaf springs? Others say air bags, most say storage. Cheers, thanks.
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Joined: Nov 2004
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if you’re not driving in and out of your driveway frequently with the camper on, maybe just build some movable ramps for the driveway itself to smooth out the transition.
Move them into place as needed, and leave them by the driveway when not in use.
Move them into place as needed, and leave them by the driveway when not in use.
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Joined: Jan 2020
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Truck has been on camper for 31 years. Why do you expect to improve on that?
I have been up some seriously steep slopes, I can’t imagine a driveway would pose a challenge, if so, suspension is not the answer. Try to measure the approach/departure angles-I think you will be fine.
I have been up some seriously steep slopes, I can’t imagine a driveway would pose a challenge, if so, suspension is not the answer. Try to measure the approach/departure angles-I think you will be fine.
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Tried measure, don't have truck yet to actually physically do it
Other suggestions including building ramps, could do now, but afraid in 3/4 years age will catch up with me.. I'm guessing angle is 20 degrees, could be wrong. Probably 12-15 rise , driveway 50 feet long. Thanks,. Any ideas?
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Buying a 1988 f250 with a 11.5 Bigfoot truck camper. Have steep driveway. Total length of unit around 23 feet. Afraid of bottoming out rear of camper. Advised to go to local welder who suggested additional 2 leaf springs each side. He thinks this could raise bumper height 3 to 4 inches which my allow forward move up driveway. Camper will stay on truck permanently. Don't wish to pay $1000 per year storage as well as having convenience of not having to go to storage to pick up etc. Great price for both, truck only has 92,000 km on it. Camper is 1989 but pristine.
What say you about leaf springs? Others say air bags, most say storage. Cheers, thanks.
What say you about leaf springs? Others say air bags, most say storage. Cheers, thanks.
I really have a hard time believing the camper will “bottom out”. That would be some crazy/steep driveway...
BF’s don’t usually have much of an overhang.
More Turbo
Joined: May 2014
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From: Salisbury, MD
Does it level off where you will park it? I question the fridge being able to run correctly on a steep angle.
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Joined: May 2014
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From: Salisbury, MD
My thought would be to put something in the rear hitch, that should hit first and alert you to any issues with something smacking the the rest of the camper hanging off the back.
I have a side door camper so I carry a rack out of the rear hitch in the back, if I am going to hit something it will hit that first and alert me. I run airbags in mine to level off the ride, but still keep the weight on the overloads. That big of a camper I would have on a dually.
I have a side door camper so I carry a rack out of the rear hitch in the back, if I am going to hit something it will hit that first and alert me. I run airbags in mine to level off the ride, but still keep the weight on the overloads. That big of a camper I would have on a dually.
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Joined: Jan 2010
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From: Bristol, TN.
Have you actually tried to do this yet to have a better idea of how much you have to raise it? I know on our Northstar which has almost no overhang that our swingout bike rack barely clears our driveway and on one of our motorhomes, I had to air up the air bags to avoid dragging. So yeah it can get hairy when driveways are steep. Your situation can pose a real challenge!
If you are close, if it were me, I would go with air bags. We have also stored off our property a couple of times in the past which solved the driveway issue but raised a whole list of other issues when it comes to maintenance and loading!
Steve
If you are close, if it were me, I would go with air bags. We have also stored off our property a couple of times in the past which solved the driveway issue but raised a whole list of other issues when it comes to maintenance and loading!
Steve
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The camper actually has a set of hitches that are welded on to back of truck, extend to back of camper and in the middle is a tow hitch so previous owner could tow boat and l assume support camper. One final thought...was originally going to buy 24 foot class C, could not get up front or reverse without scraping. Hence, move to TC.
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I know, storage may be only solution. I would walk away, but, truck and camper in outstanding condition and price super reasonable. I think the fact that l may not have to spend much if anything for awhile for repairs justifies storage. Once l get camper, l will try to get up driveway, everything now still hypothetical. Biq question though...should i get additional leaf springs. Evidently, the 88 f250 airbag configuration is not ideal according to the best hitch, exhaust and spring shop in town
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
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From: Bristol, TN.
You know, before getting too many ***** in the air, you might want to wait on that decision until you drive it and see what you think. I know you are perhaps trying to save time by anticipating, but man I have made so many mistakes with so many campers over the years by trying to decide too many things in my head rather than on the road. 
Steve
Steve
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From: Salisbury, MD