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James Thomas, Belen, New Mexico
Loading Made Easy and More
2013 Ford F-350
2020 Northern Lite 10-2EX CD LE
We had several issues that we needed to improve. Camper loading has always been a pain, either by myself or with help. The camper belly sides had no protection for the fiberglass to prevent damage from wheel well contact. And my fiberglass camper has made contact with the truck cab on rough roads.
We started with installing aluminum diamond plates on the sides of the camper belly for protection. In the past, the camper would move in the truck bed and rub the wheel wells. Miracle SPM-1330 was used to adhere the diamond plate to the fiberglass and Sikasil GP was used to seal the edges of the diamond plate.
A starter red paint line was painted on the storage slab for the initial alignment of my rear tires when backing to load.
A custom-fit 3/8 inch thick truck bed rubber mat was installed in my Ford’s 8 foot truck bed. Treated 2×6 inch boards were cut and attached to the on-hand 3/4 inch plywood in use for adding height to the camper. The 2×6’s also keep all the parts together in the truck bed and prevent any side-to-side movement.
Two 8 foot 1 by 6 inch boards were then each cut 28 inches from the tailgate end. A hinge was added to make the funnel for loading. The hinged end folds back against the end of the truck bed. 
The 1 by 6 inch boards were covered on the side facing the camper with a pebble plastic sheet normally used on bathroom walls. The plastic was attached to the boards using contact cement. The Diamond Plate camper sides slide smoothly against the plastic.
Upon fitting the two 1 by 6 inch boards in the bed between the plywood and wheel wells, 2 by 8 inch boards were cut to fit against the sides of the truck bed and 1/4 inch Luan board strips were used between the wheel well and the back of each board to get the spacing to about 3/8 inches on each side of the camper. The Luan board was attached using contact cement. Once all the wood parts are assembled in the truck bed, a second 3/8 inch thick rubber mat is put in the bed on top of the plywood. This gives us a total of 3 inches more height over the cab now.
When the camper is removed from the truck and the bed parts are disassembled, the plywood (with the 2 x 6 inches) and the non-custom rubber mat are reassembled under the camper for storage support atop jack stands with channel steel. This makes the only pieces of the mod to be stored when not in use the 1 by 6 inch boards.
This modification addresses all the issues needing improvement. It raises the camper in the bed of the truck by 3 inches for additional cab clearance. It provides protection of the camper’s belly sides. It makes loading the camper so easy by guiding it into the truck as if it was in a funnel. And it provides off truck storage support.
Materials Used:
1 – Custom fit 3/8″ bed mat (on hand) $125 approx.
1- Non-custom 3/8″ bed mat $100
3 – 2″X6″X96″ boards $45
2 – 1’X6″X96″ boards $20
1 – 2″ X 8″ X 48″ board (on hand) $15
1 – 4ft X 8ft plastic pebble board sheet $30
2 – 9″X67″ Aluminum Diamond plate $45
2 – 3″X5″ hinges $6
1 – can of Miracle SPM 1330 spray adhesive $20
1 – caulking tube of Sikasil GP $10
1 – small can Min-Wax stain (on hand) $8 approx.
1 – small can contact cement (on hand) $10 approx.
1 – 4ft X 8ft X 3/4″ plywood sheet (on hand) $40 approx.
6 – EZ-Lift jack stands (on hand) $75 approx.
3 – 4ft X 4in steel channel (on hand) $50 approx.
Miscellaneous screws for assembly (on hand) $5
Most materials were bought at Lowes Home Improvement and Camping World. Jack stands, Channel steel and aluminum diamond plate were purchased at local metal shops. Truck bed mats were from Amazon. The spray adhesive and caulk were from Central Trailer Supply in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
It took me eight hours to complete this modification and cost me approximately $600.
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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