Talk me out of this if you can

[msasso]

I need to raise the platform height if my sampler truck camper to fit in my 2015 Silverado. I would also need to raise the height of the ****ty Jacks that are on it and still risk scratching Mt truck every time I load. I was pulling a big tractor of my bed yesterday and it hit me. Why don't I mount large solid wheels to the frame I need to build and use ramps to get it in and out if the bed. I could throw the Jacks away. Use a power winch to load and unload. And move the camper wherever I want by pushing it or pulling it with my tractor. I drew up a few sketches of how this would work and I am not seeing a downside. And I really hate those ****ty jacks. What do you think?

 

[cchoc]

The downside is if the camper slides in easily then it could also slide out easily going down the road. I wouldn't want to behind someone if I thought their slide in camper was on wheels. :Wow1:

 

[msasso]

The downside is if the camper slides in easily then it could also slide out easily going down the road. I wouldn't want to behind someone if I thought their slide in camper was on wheels. :Wow1:

Gate will be up behind it. I transport 900lb tractors and never lost one. Also plan on using hard wheels to avoid the bounce and unpredictability of pneumatics
.

 

[msasso]

something like this http://www.harborfreight.com/10-inch-x-2-1-2-half-inch-solid-rubber-tire-35459.html

 

[cchoc]

Don't forget one of these

 

[Mickey Bitsko]

Hmm, I think you may be on to something, Try it and let us know the outcome , I'd love to get rid of my jax.

 

[jrod420]

I might be missing something. How are you gonna load the camper onto the truck withoug jacks? Pull/push it up a ramp?

 

[Buddha.]

I might be missing something. How are you gonna load the camper onto the truck withoug jacks? Pull/push it up a ramp?

With a winch yes.

I think op would run into problems with the breakover angle.

 

[calicamper]

My only thought would be nice dents in the bed after a while of having all the camper weight on the small wheel contact points.

 

[cchoc]

Gate will be up behind it. I transport 900lb tractors and never lost one. Also plan on using hard wheels to avoid the bounce and unpredictability of pneumatics
.

Your tractors are probably in gear with the brakes on rather than free wheeling, right? A lot of what holds slide in campers in place is the friction between the camper and the truck bed; if the camper is on wheels the only thing keeping it from moving is the turnbuckles unless you have a way of retracting the wheels when not in use. It seems to me you could be trading safety for ease of loading/unloading.

 

[elmo_4_vt]

Like the comment above, I would make some sort of ramp in the bed that allows the camper to support the weight more evenly than just on the wheels once it gets into the travel position.

-

 

[jrod420]

Nevermind, just read it. The problem will be the breakover angle, you would need a ramp approx 30 ' long to create the angle needed to go into the box. Unless you lifted the rear with tractor to make up for the angle and wheels on the front? The wheels will leave an indentation in the box of that chev. for sure. Interesting idea tho, I was thinking about a rolling storage cart for the pop up that could lift it to the height of my truck and then slide it into the box instead of backing truck under the camper as my tires stick out too much to use the jacks without lots of cursing. I will stay tuned to your imagination. Might give me some ideas.

 

[billy bee]

Break over is only a problem if there are only wheels/casters at each end of the camper. A third (or fourth) pair of wheels/casters will solve that problem...and help distribute the weight.

bb