1984 Skamper 072S

[85_Ranger4x4]

Took it for a little spin, when Ford says you need a rear sway bar it wasn't the marketing department blowing smoke...

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I did forget to say powerwise it was good, I just need to get the rear end more stable and I shouldn't expect miracles when Ford (and common sense) says I need to have a rear sway bar.

I did play with the lights, I got the rear red running lights to work but I don't have any power to the front amber ones for some reason though.

 

[Shran]

1000lbs isn't really that much and you've got a V8... Aside from the physical size of the truck it's pretty much a half ton, really.

I'm sure this goes without saying but make sure your bed bolts are in good shape. It's a little unnerving to see your bed and camper move as your frame flexes when you go over bumps and that style of tie downs allows that to happen... my old F250 had inches of movement there, the Super Duty is a lot better. Always felt like the bed was going to rip off and the whole mess would tip sideways.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Hmmm... those front clearance lights worked last time I had it in the truck.

 

[racsan]

very nice! I think you can get a aftermarket sway bar though jegs or summit still. I got one a few years back for my ‘93 and kept it when I sold the truck. I have it on the ranger trailer now, its thicker than the stock one was, I think 5/8”. Id have to go put a wrench on it to be sure.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

1000lbs isn't really that much and you've got a V8... Aside from the physical size of the truck it's pretty much a half ton, really.

The springs are closer together and it does have a lift kit too.

I am hoping the lift kit isn't going to be a buzzkill for this thing.

It was VERY polite in my F-150. Set the cruise to 73 and for the most part it didn't really care. I did get a weird light wiggle in the back approaching semi trucks from dead astern, I learned to get over to pass them earlier than normal and then it was smooth sailing. And it doesn't have a rear sway bar either.

I'm sure this goes without saying but make sure your bed bolts are in good shape. It's a little unnerving to see your bed and camper move as your frame flexes when you go over bumps and that style of tie downs allows that to happen... my old F250 had inches of movement there, the Super Duty is a lot better. Always felt like the bed was going to rip off and the whole mess would tip sideways.

Bolts were new in '06 when we did the body lift. I couldn't see anything moving in the mirrors... and all I can see in the mirrors is camper lol.

These mounts are a temporary thing too.

very nice! I think you can get a aftermarket sway bar though jegs or summit still. I got one a few years back for my ‘93 and kept it when I sold the truck. I have it on the ranger trailer now, its thicker than the stock one was, I think 5/8”. Id have to go put a wrench on it to be sure.

Stock first gen is 3/4", sometime after that they went to 5/8". 2wd BII's had 1". Aftermarkets vary, I did a quick look last night and bumped into a 1-1/4".

I have a 5/8" for now. Hopefully doing a JY run so I can get the axle clamps soon.

Hmmm... those front clearance lights worked last time I had it in the truck.

Famous sellers last words.

I am not that concerned about the running lights, should be an easy fix.

 

[Shran]

I have those same mounts for my camper and have used them for years with no problems. Just something to watch is all. I think the frame mounted ones help a lot with stability but they can cause clearance issues off road.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I have those same mounts for my camper and have used them for years with no problems. Just something to watch is all. I think the frame mounted ones help a lot with stability but they can cause clearance issues off road.

I have been wanting to build sliders for awhile, I think it would be easy to add something to them for tie downs.

Then off my new bumper for the rear.

I will say and @Uncle Gump can vouch for me, those mounts SUCK when you are putting a compact truck camper on a fullsize truck. You have to install them after you are backed under the camper or they would wipe out the jacks. Very tight confines to do that and the nuts are on the backside for extra fun (do not drop them or you have to go fishing with a magnet) With my Ranger I put them on and backed under, all easy peesy.

 

[Curious Hound]

All this is making me want a camper for my F150.

 

[Shran]

Do you have four jacks or just two? Mine has just two, one per side. I absolutely hate loading and unloading it, they are so unstable and even a little breeze will make that thing sway all over the place. And I have to run over one leg of each jack every time I load or unload because of the jack design and camper width.

I probably would have just run some ratchet straps temporarily to get it home... I know all about how much those tie downs suck to install.

 

[Curious Hound]

Do you have four jacks or just two? Mine has just two, one per side. I absolutely hate loading and unloading it, they are so unstable and even a little breeze will make that thing sway all over the place. And I have to run over one leg of each jack every time I load or unload because of the jack design and camper width.

I probably would have just run some ratchet straps temporarily to get it home... I know all about how much those tie downs suck to install.

How does it stand on two jacks? Some kind if gyroscopic gimbal stabilization wizardry?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Mine has three which is almost as weird as the old ones with two.

Ratchet straps crossed my mind... once on the Brophys worked great though.

 

[Shran]

How does it stand on two jacks? Some kind if gyroscopic gimbal stabilization wizardry?

These are the style I have... the flat part supports the edges of the camper and you jack up on either side about 3" at a time. They have to be positioned just right or it gets tippy front to back, and if you don't jack up evenly, it gets tippy side to side. I've gotten pretty good at it but I still hate it.

I actually bought two extras at an estate sale thinking that four would be easier, WRONG, the weight shifts around in very strange ways and I'm lucky to be alive after that experiment. Two it is.

 

[Curious Hound]

Yeah. The minute my big butt crawls up in the bunk, that thing would nose over like that airplane picture on the first page of this thread.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Yeah. The minute my big butt crawls up in the bunk, that thing would nose over like that airplane picture on the first page of this thread.

Yeah don’t do that. Have it sitting on something before you get in the camper.