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Old Nov 16, 2005 | 07:58 PM
  #1  
35l911's Avatar
35l911
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From: oxon hill, MD U.S.A
camping

i'm looking to put in a drop in bed camper on a 2004 ranger xlt supercab 4x2 3.0 v6 with automatic overdrive tranny but i need to know what type of camper will fit and the weight of the camper i know my truck can only haul 1/2 ton or will i need to stragthen the truck to carry more weight

another question same hauling weight while hauling 25 bags of 40pound pellets 1/2 ton my mirrers were useless because no matter how adusted them all i saw was the road and i could not see any cars behind me or passing me was i hauling too much weight or are the mirrers useless under that much weight.
 
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Old Nov 16, 2005 | 09:05 PM
  #2  
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Hank85713
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From: Tucson USA
go to one of the rv sites and check the stuff there as to what is available. Elkhorn, Lance are just a few that make campers. A copy of trailer or RV life will help ya a bunch.

Problem there are few slide ins for such small beds. You may need to look at older used stuff. If going for new expect to pay $$$$$. As to the load problem call or look up airlift and see if they have an airbag system to fit. figure maybe $200 for a set up.

Lotsa luck
 
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Old Nov 16, 2005 | 10:07 PM
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mwa423
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I looked for a bed camper for my ranger, basically I've figured out that you can't find one that works well in a ranger. They just don't have the hauling capacity. Your best bet is to check your owners manual for the max you're supposed to put in your bed, then check with rv makers to see what they have that would fit your bed with your weight requirements. I found that the very bottom of the line would work, other then that, I think you're pretty much out of luck

As the second question, good questions to ask, how did the truck look? Did it look like it was barely off the ground? How much extra engine strain did you hear? How well did it handle with the extra 1/2 ton in the back? Just because 1000 lbs is the max the truck supposedly can carry, it doesn't mean it's the reccomended amount
 
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Old Nov 16, 2005 | 11:19 PM
  #4  
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Hank85713
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From: Tucson USA
Here are a couple of links so you can see whats out there. remember what I said about $$$$, new or used for small ones.

http://4wheeldrive.about.com/gi/dyna...tarcampers.com

http://4wheeldrive.about.com/gi/dyna...campers.com%2F

http://www.fraserway.com/index.htmla..._ID=93731.html

this is the search page I linked off, have fun.
http://www.search.com/search?tag=se....pickup+campers
 
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Old Nov 17, 2005 | 01:05 AM
  #5  
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devilsword
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this was brought up before in another thread. the problem with standered bed campers is the high roll over risk. and i think the owners manual recomends not doing this becasue of this problem. thought there is a solution a few companies make bed campers just to fit our problem. They cut down the roll over risk by turing it into a pop up bed camper. here are the links

HERE
&
NOW

There are 2 companies. as always its a good ideal to strengthen your rear shocks and suports. good luck and i hope i have helped
 
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Old Nov 17, 2005 | 01:10 AM
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devilsword
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oh i forgot to mention look to pay somewhere around 10 grand for one of these minus all the extras you might want. these prices pushed me to just go and get a pup up tow behind. and i payed lessed then 500 for it and through on a matching pant job with the truck. Though i still kick myself for selling it but i love the freedom of tent camping, as long as its above 60 degrees outside. lol
 
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Old Nov 17, 2005 | 11:06 AM
  #7  
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35l911
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From: oxon hill, MD U.S.A
was planning to move into the mountaines of WV and live in a trailer park and am looking for somthing in my price range for a wile intil i find something permanet with out getting a trailer but if a trailer is cheaper ill go that way just learn how to drive with a trailer
 
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Old Nov 17, 2005 | 11:08 AM
  #8  
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99 ranger bob
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From: formerly Brooklyn NY now
i have a leer cap on the back of mine and an air mattress for when i camp although as ive grown older my idea of roughing it is a hotel without room service...
 
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Old Nov 17, 2005 | 07:57 PM
  #9  
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stan_02ranger
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From: Clemson, South Carolina
I think my rear view mirror is about worthless anyway. Under normal use (unladen truck), most of what I see is the road behind me. Unless I get lucky and am on an incline or being tailgated, I cannot see the horizon and the cars behind me. I have an 02 4x4 Ranger
 
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Old Nov 17, 2005 | 11:44 PM
  #10  
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haha i put a lear cap on mine and tinted the windows limo black. I spent a few hours carpeting the back just incase i need to sleep on some road side. But my friends and family think that i use it for other means. if you get my drift
 
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Old Nov 19, 2005 | 12:14 AM
  #11  
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bigrigfixer
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Not sure about your 04, but the owner's manual for my 02 says a bed mounted camper is not recommended. I'm not against having a camper though. I just prefer trailers.
 
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Old Nov 19, 2005 | 12:58 AM
  #12  
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yeah the thing about having a truck is making it your own. And sometimes to do that you have to break the law or do something sooo crazy that its just unsafe period. but the truck will be yours and thats for sure and you just except the pros and the cons with what you do. if he is using it for living place In WV then its sound slike he will be moving it to one place and keeping it there so i am sure he will put down the jackss drive his truck off to do what he wants then when he gets back parks under the caper for that extra suport during the night.
 
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