Slide in Camper Inquiry

[WpgLariat]

I am hoping @P. A. Schilke sees this!

I have a 2020 Lariat Super Crew w/ Factory Tow package.
I am buying a Northern Lite 6'10" Slide in camper.
The sticker dry weight 780lbs. (some models topped out at 1050 lbs, but mine doesn't have a grey tank or water heater etc so sticker should be close.)
Now, given that my bed is only 5'1", and the camper is only 17.5" from floor to top of bedrails, I am building a platform.
The platform is to clear the bedrails and sharkfin on the roof.

Would I be better off leaving the tailgate on? I am worried about road damage, rocks etc.
If my platform is a one piece, continuous platform, it should in theory, carry the weight just fine.
I have TorkLift bolt on, frame mounted tie downs and i am using Sumo Spring 1000lb helper springs.

Can you see any potential issues?
Given that my hitch alone can handle almost the full weight of my camper, should I be concerned about the weight distribution?
(Camper center of gravity is 30 inches from cab, putting it 14” behind center of rear axle)

Thank you!

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[WpgLariat]

Put an @ character in front of his username, then @P. A. Schilke will receive an alert that he was mentioned.

Thanks!

 

[P. A. Schilke]

I am hoping @P. A. Schilke sees this!

I have a 2020 Lariat Super Crew w/ Factory Tow package.
I am buying a Northern Lite 6'10" Slide in camper.
The sticker dry weight 780lbs. (some models topped out at 1050 lbs, but mine doesn't have a grey tank or water heater etc so sticker should be close.)
Now, given that my bed is only 5'1", and the camper is only 17.5" from floor to top of bedrails, I am building a platform.
The platform is to clear the bedrails and sharkfin on the roof.

Would I be better off leaving the tailgate on? I am worried about road damage, rocks etc.
If my platform is a one piece, continuous platform, it should in theory, carry the weight just fine.
I have TorkLift bolt on, frame mounted tie downs and i am using Sumo Spring 1000lb helper springs.

Can you see any potential issues?
Given that my hitch alone can handle almost the full weight of my camper, should I be concerned about the weight distribution?
(Camper center of gravity is 30 inches from cab, putting it 14” behind center of rear axle)

Thank you!

Hi Mike,

Sorry for the delay....Some days you are the bug and some days the windshield...Bug day today...

Anyway, Your GVW is likely 6050 lbs. (My door lable) if you look at your Door Label and your curb weight is roughly 4300 lbs (options may add or lessen to a degree) leaving your payload of about 1750lbs. So take you slide in at 780 lbs leaves you with 970 lbs for wife, kids, dog, Tortoise etc and beer, wine and oh yeah, food. This 970 lbs has the potential to be reached quite easily as provisions do weigh quite a bit.. You are probably best to get a fully laden weight at your friendly truck stop scale. The unknown is your spacer frame in the bed of the truck and the secure attachment devices.

As for the tailgate, if you feel your attachments will secure the platform and the camper, then you might entertain tailgate removal. I am guessing removal helps with access to the rear door eh? Removal buys you some reduced weight. But being Aluminum, not all that much...

Now for handling....You are raising the CG of the vehicle with a slide in camper, and Ford does not to my knowledge test Rangers for camper handling but I think you will find the Ranger will handle just fine as long as you take it slow and easy. Get a feel for it. No cornering at 1g, eh? Fore and aft movement is likely not a concern, but if you can load the camper biased toward the pickup box head board for good measure if possible until you are comfortable with the package.

Your Sumo spring helpers will help with vehicle attitude but do not increase GVW, GAWR etc.

I think you will be in good shape with your set up and will find little to worry about other than how much of supplies you can carry.

Hope this helps a bit and good luck and enjoy your camping adventures.

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

 

[WpgLariat]

Hi Mike,

Sorry for the delay....Some days you are the bug and some days the windshield...Bug day today...

Anyway, Your GVW is likely 6050 lbs. (My door lable) if you look at your Door Label and your curb weight is roughly 4300 lbs (options may add or lessen to a degree) leaving your payload of about 1750lbs. So take you slide in at 780 lbs leaves you with 970 lbs for wife, kids, dog, Tortoise etc and beer, wine and oh yeah, food. This 970 lbs has the potential to be reached quite easily as provisions do weigh quite a bit.. You are probably best to get a fully laden weight at your friendly truck stop scale. The unknown is your spacer frame in the bed of the truck and the secure attachment devices.

As for the tailgate, if you feel your attachments will secure the platform and the camper, then you might entertain tailgate removal. I am guessing removal helps with access to the rear door eh? Removal buys you some reduced weight. But being Aluminum, not all that much...

Now for handling....You are raising the CG of the vehicle with a slide in camper, and Ford does not to my knowledge test Rangers for camper handling but I think you will find the Ranger will handle just fine as long as you take it slow and easy. Get a feel for it. No cornering at 1g, eh? Fore and aft movement is likely not a concern, but if you can load the camper biased toward the pickup box head board for good measure if possible until you are comfortable with the package.

Your Sumo spring helpers will help with vehicle attitude but do not increase GVW, GAWR etc.

I think you will be in good shape with your set up and will find little to worry about other than how much of supplies you can carry.

Hope this helps a bit and good luck and enjoy your camping adventures.

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

Thank you very much @P. A. Schilke !

My main concern was the camper protruding over the bumper by 16”.
I am sure the weight at that point is minimal, I just wantEd to be sure!
I was a little worried about the camper center of gravity being shifted behind the axle a bit, but if the hitch could handle 750lbs I figured I’d be safe.

I really appreciate your insight and advice.

 

[WpgLariat]

@P. A. Schilke

Here is a question for you:

Why does the European version of the ranger have such a higher payload?
1140kg = 2513 lbs
Towing capacity is identical.
Is it due to the 2.0L Diesel?

 

[P. A. Schilke]

@P. A. Schilke

Here is a question for you:

Why does the European version of the ranger have such a higher payload?
1140kg = 2513 lbs
Towing capacity is identical.
Is it due to the 2.0L Diesel?

Hi Mike,

Not 100% sure, but likely the diesel motor... Since the Ranger was an Aussie program, and remains so today... there is not much info to understand the total differences between the ROW and the NA Ranger....

best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

 

[VAMike]

Why does the European version of the ranger have such a higher payload?

rear axle weight rating is around 600lb higher than the US version. rear suspension was one of the major changes they talked about when they brought it over.

 

[kirby]

Thank you @P. A. Schilke your posts are some of the best in this forum and I always seem to be learning something new whenever I see you write something in a thread.

 

[WpgLariat]

Hi Mike,

Not 100% sure, but likely the diesel motor... Since the Ranger was an Aussie program, and remains so today... there is not much info to understand the total differences between the ROW and the NA Ranger....

best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

Thanks!
I appreciate your insight!

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