Ranger Camper Limitation

[Zoran Rubic]

Anyone else get a 4wheel camper or slide in camper ? I’m planning on getting one for Monday, I have a 5 foot box.

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[DanholmesVentura]

We went with a popup camper shell from OvrLnd Camper Shells out of Flagstaff, AZ. It weighs in at about 300 pounds with extra windows and awning. I will be doing a minimal build out, keeping everything as light as possible. Loving it a whole lot! https://campovrlnd.com/ The owner broke the frame of his earlier Chevy Colorado with a slide in camper & I've read that Chevy will void the warranty if one is installed. Ford warns against using one in a Ranger.

 

[LostMy65]

Upgraded leaf springs were installed on our Ranger yesterday to better handle an 1,100-lb camper load. The first photo below shows comparison between the stock single-leaf parabolic spring (bottom) and upgraded multi-leaf progressive spring (top). We've already seen a huge improvement in handling as a result of this upgrade. We found the rear of the truck had dropped 2" under load with the Ranger's stock single-leaf spring, and we felt the truck was leaning and rocking a bit too much when driving. Our FX4 off-road suspension package is robust and solid, but we felt that the camper load (although we're still under the payload rating) was pushing the single leaf spring's capabilities, especially for going off-road. The multi-leave progressive springs (Dobbinsons, made in Australia for their Rangers) immediately addressed the 2" sag (truck is now level under load) with no more sway evident when driving. We might consider a modest lifter and coil spring upgrades for the front suspension sometime in the future depending on performance, and perhaps go with upgraded shocks even beyond the FX4 shocks depending on how things go off-road, but for now it looks like we've fixed the load handling response.

Old thread, but I had a couple questions.
How is the ride quality unloaded with the new springs compared to the original?
Also, is that a camper shell that the length extends to the length of the down tailgate?
That's what I'd be looking for - where you have a inside camper floor length around 8 feet instead of only 6 foot with the tailgate closed.

 

[Cabose-1]

I installed rock sliders on my Ranger. The through bolts smashed the frame like a pop can.... well... not really... but I had to stop tightening the nuts before they were really tight. You can see the bent backing plates in the photo below. These were hand tightened with a 3/8" ratchet.

Thats what i was going to say as well. I have not done what you did, but i do know our beds are very very flimsy. The construction alone probably isn't the best for camper type stuff.
Inlove the ranger, but this unfortunately is one of the bad things about it. Flimsy bed.

Edit: your talking about the frame! Ouch. I was talking about the i side of the bed. Very flimsy. But i would aslo add that most box frames need a support in the middle if you sanwich them between a bolt and nut. Most box frames. For that type of sandwich L or I frame is best. Or even a C frame.

 

[MadMojo001]

We cautiously proceeded to install our new Four Wheel Camper (FWC) shell on our Ranger. The truck’s stock suspension (with FX4 off-road package) seemed to handle the FWC's weight (~1000lbs) fine on a recent 200-mile trip, with only a slight lowering of the back end, the parabolic leaf spring was still well above the helper spring, no problem going up hills or accelerating to pass on 60-65 mph highways (lots of torque in this Ecoboost engine). We replaced the Hankook Dynapro LT C-rated tires with better E-rated tires (Falken Wildpeak ATM 265/70-17), and for leveling and sway resistance we’ll definitely be adding Firestone airbags as soon as they become available.

We’ll be adding a small cabover roof rack and wind fairing soon. We seem to be getting 23 mpg with the truck unloaded, and 15-17 mpg fully loaded with the camper shell, depending on headwinds, terrain, and speed. Still in the early phase of testing and break-in.

What size bed do you have and how is your camper mounted? I was told by 4 wheel campers that they have to use external mounts on Ranger.

 

[Ranger_Rocks]

Appears to be a Crew Cab 5.5' bed with a FWC 6' Fleet hanging out the back with no tailgate.

FWC standard turnbuckle bed mount in four corners...

Did FWC also tell you that a 4" platform is required under the camper to clear the top of the Ranger's tall bedsides ? This adds to the overall weight.

 

[MadMojo001]

Appears to be a Crew Cab 5.5' bed with a FWC 6' Fleet hanging out the back with no tailgate.

FWC standard turnbuckle bed mount in four corners...

Did FWC also tell you that a 4" platform is required under the camper to clear the top of the Ranger's tall bedsides ? This adds to the overall weight.

They did not, why is the platform made of? Are those turn buckles what they consider external mounts?

 

[Ranger_Rocks]

Video shows platform examples . . .
Mounting a Small Camper on a Larger Truck

Mounting method is determined by vehicle and camper specifics.

 

[gvb1940]

Anyone else get a 4wheel camper or slide in camper ? I’m planning on getting one for Monday, I have a 5 foot box.

I just put a Fleet on my 2021 Super Cab. It hangs over the back but not too bad. Also a lot of distance between the cab roof and the camper. Much more so than on a Tacoma.

 

[gvb1940]

What size bed do you have and how is your camper mounted? I was told by 4 wheel campers that they have to use external mounts on Ranger.

My Super cab has the internal mounts. PITA to tighten up but invisible.
6’ bed Super cab.

 

[gvb1940]

What size bed do you have and how is your camper mounted? I was told by 4 wheel campers that they have to use external mounts on Ranger.

I have a Fleet on my Super Cab with Ride Rite airbags but the whole ride feels really mushy. I’m installing a Hellwig anti sway bar and probably going to go with a progressive leaf pack. No rear sag, just a mushy ride.

 

[Geoff]

I have a Fleet on my Super Cab with Ride Rite airbags but the whole ride feels really mushy. I’m installing a Hellwig anti sway bar and probably going to go with a progressive leaf pack. No rear sag, just a mushy ride.

I'll be getting a Scout Yoho camper for my Lariat. I would be interested if you've done any suspension mods or added the Helwig sway bar. Did you consider Sumo Springs in lieu of the Firestone Airbags?

 

[gvb1940]

I'll be getting a Scout Yoho camper for my Lariat. I would be interested if you've done any suspension mods or added the Helwig sway bar. Did you consider Sumo Springs in lieu of the Firestone Airbags?

I have airbags, an add a spring and Hellwig anti sway bar and it still feels like a pig wallowing in mud.
I should have done Timbrens instead of air bags.
And a smaller lighter camper.

 

[ylwjacket]

I'll be getting a Scout Yoho camper for my Lariat. I would be interested if you've done any suspension mods or added the Helwig sway bar. Did you consider Sumo Springs in lieu of the Firestone Airbags?

look forward to seeing it - the wife wants one of those. saving our nickels and dimes.

 

[GTGallop]

I don’t know why Ranger would necessarily be any worse for a slide-in than a Taco is. Probably more a case of: we don’t have time to write a manual for slide-in campers right now.

Since I traded Ranger for Taco - The Ranger suspension was rock solid on the freeway. Drove fast and handled fast like a sports car. But stock, it bruised kidneys and turned your liver into jelly on the trails. The Taco on the other hand absolutely FLOATS over terrain that the Ranger would have killed me on. Comparing the aired down Ranger to the aired up Taco, the Taco absolutely S M O K E S the Ranger.

But the trade of is a more squishy high way experience. I'd never want a slide in camper in my Taco. Too much body roll with a COG that high.

My guess is that the 6G is going to get a much more forgiving suspension off road at the cost of that "corners on rails" sports car feeling of the 5G. And honestly, slide ins in this size aren't nearly as practical as the full sized trucks. You are giving up a lot.

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