I have an 1997 F150 4x4 with a Triton V8, automatic trans, flareside short bed. I am very interested in getting a camper, and have found that very few fit the shortbed, and that very few are light enough for the F150. The frontrunner seems to be the Lance Lite 815. Fully loaded with water etc, it appears to be slightly over the recommended weight for my truck. I know I would have to get airbags or special springs, new shocks, load rated tires; still might not work. Does anyone out there have an F150 shortbed with a camper on it? What brand/model and how does it drive/handle? Gas mileage? Any helpful hints would be much appreciated. Thanks!
Man, I love my truck.......

 

Hey man,

Sorry to give bad news, but I think you will regret trying to put a camper on your truck.

First of all, it specifically says NOT to do it on the sticker on the door jam.

Also, even if the weight were ok, you will have a big problem with stability, yes, even with bags.


You will end up like me: ~buy a nice F150 for a great price, decide to get a trailer that is close, but not over, towing capacity and then buy a Diesel to properly pull trailer and wish you had gotten a bigger trailer cuz now you have the workhorse to pull it!

IMO, a duallie is the safest bet for a camper due to high center of gravity and the area subject to wind/air turbulance. Weight is just one problem.

 

You might want to think about a travel trailer.
I have a 2001 with the same set up as your. I pull
a 27 foot TT SunneyBrooke. IT weighs in at about
5200lbs loaded, My truck pulls it great.
We love the camper, Just something to think about.

 

This is true, cuz the only advantage of a bedcamper is that you can still tow another trailer. This will not be possible anyway, so the pull trailer is a Much better idea. They're roomier and less expensive too! Just dont go too close to your tow capacity.

 

Hi Kim Welcome!

I think someone on this forum has done it...but you need to really understand what all that involves.

There are some lightwt. pop-ups. This is one i know of.

www.fourwh.com 1-800-242-1442

Good luck...OT

btw....lived in petaluma sometime ago. Always liked that town, althou sure has grown since i lived there.

 

try checking out pop-up tent trailers. you'll get a lot more room, there will be less effort for your truck, your truck will handle better with a trailer than a camper, and your truck will be free to roam once you get to your campsite. no small thing if you think about dishes, etc. sliding around. you can get a very nice new unit for $5M to $6M. used ones for less.