Taking a hard side camper off road

[raztec]

Hi

New to the forum. Thanks for any helpful tips.

I've got a 2007 Dodge RAM 3500 4x4 and a NorthStar Laredo SC camper. I recently took it off road and noticed the camper moved around quite a bit. The weight of the camper is reasonable at about 1800 lb empty and the truck has no problems carrying it. I also have extensions to engage the overload springs early.

I'm wondering what people's experience is with taking a hard side truck and camper off road.

How tight do you tie it down?
Do you use blocks of wood to prevent the camper from moving around?
Any special suspension upgrades?

Should I even bother with this hard side camper for off road use or go back to a pop up? I used to have one but got tired of popping it up and down for very brief stops at rest areas for example just to make a sandwich.

Thanks
Raz

 

[Regcabguy]

A rubber mat helps somewhat. The Happijac system has a couple of load centering pods up front. They've got a new HD system that I haven't researched.

 

[deminimis]

x2 rubber mat. I used livestock mats with our former Bigfoot. Heavy and very firm, but the camper did imprint in the mat just enough to keep it from sliding around. It was the prefect solution.