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Michael Blom, Seminole, Florida
Laser Line-Up Loader
2017 Chevy Silverado
2004 Northstar Laredo SC
Backing my truck under the camper was a struggle. It’s stored in a side yard with an uneven approach and through a gate that requires folding the passenger mirror in. The front jacks are close to the fenders and correcting the angle once under the camper is impossible. The cassette toilet bump-out on the right side has minimal clearance to the tailgate frame, which requires the camper to be left of the center of the bed.
After placing the camper into the bed as I wanted it, I used some butyl tape to stick my construction cross-level laser on the bed rail. It’s secure even off-level and over bumps.
My Silverado has lines that run the length of the bed rail that I set the plumb point over and lined up the laser with. Then I drew marks on the front and back of the camper creating three points to triangulate with.
The laser has probably cut loading time in half. If I can maintain the laser on the two marks on the front and rear of the camper I know I am lined up correctly.
I tried other guide ideas I have seen, but this one is the keeper. Bright conditions would make it harder to see the laser. They make special glasses for that, but I have never tried them.
The butyl tape I had left over from a repair. It’s available at Home Depot or RV supply stores. A laser level with vertical lines can be $40 to $200.
Perhaps a better one for the purpose could be found, but this is the one I have.
This mod took me months of waiting for inspiration and then 15 minutes. It cost me nothing because I had the laser and butyl tape. In my opinion, the skill level of this modification is easy to medium.
Disclaimer: The modifications above are submitted by Truck Camper Magazine readers. It is your responsibility to make sure that any do-it-yourself modification project you undertake is safe, effective, and legal for your situation.
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