Introduction
Truck bed camper jacks offer a variety of benefits for truck owners. By attaching a camper to your truck, you can extend your cargo capacity and improve the ability of your vehicle to travel in various kinds of terrain. Camper jacks are also an easy and convenient way to secure additional accessories that may be mounted on the bed such as water tanks, solar panels, bike racks, grills, and much more. Additionally, these jacks allow you to raise or lower the camper quickly and easily – with no manual labor required. This means that set up time is minimal when heading out on a camping trip. Finally, they provide extra security when transporting valuable items inside the camper – ensuring that your belongings stay safe throughout the entire journey.
Types of Truck Bed Camper Jacks
Truck bed camper jacks can come in different types such as tripod, scissor, and power. A tripod camper jack is usually very lightweight and easy to use. They are great for campers that can be folded on the truck bed for transport but need to stand up during camping. It gets its name from the three-legged design which gives it a stable base when used as a support system.
A scissor camper jack is slightly heavier than the tripod version. It offers more stability due to the four legs instead of three and still provides enough height adjustment to fit underneath most truck beds. Power jacks are the most popular type of camper jacks available today due to their convenience. They are operated either with manual cranks or electric motors and can be installed by simply mounting them in place with screws or bolts. Power jacks offer superior strength and stability compared to other styles of camper jacks, making them ideal for longer camping trips.
How do Truck Bed Camper Jacks Work?
Truck bed camper jacks are devices that mount to the truck’s side walls and support a camper shell when lifted from the bed of a truck. They provide extra stability over conventional ramp-style jacks, eliminating sway and sliding during setup and breakdown. The jacks come in two types: crank-style jacks and spring-loaded jacks. With crank-style jacks, users manually lift or lower the camper shell with a hand crank located below the jack. With spring-loaded jacks, users simply press down on the top of the jack to raise the shell off of the truck bed, removing any manual lifting. The tension within each spring varies depending on trailer design, but in all cases is adjustable for optimal holding strength without bending or warping parts. Once raised, a stop prevents accidental movement when working around your campsite. Camper shell may be lowered safely until securely secured on the truck bottom using either type of jack.
Advantages of Installing a Truck Bed Camper Jack
1. Safety: Truck bed camper jacks give your vehicle an added layer of stability while it’s in motion. This is especially beneficial when towing a trailer, as the jacks can be deployed to give extra support and prevent swaying or tipping.
2. Convenience: With a truck bed camper jack, you can leave your trailer attached when not in use. The device allows you to level off uneven surfaces and make setting up camp easier and faster than ever before.
3. Durability: Truck bed camper jacks are usually made from strong materials such as extruded aluminum or steel, making them incredibly sturdy and able to withstand extended use over time.
4. Storage: Some truck bed camper jacks offer additional storage space for items such as camping supplies or sporting equipment, giving you more room inside your vehicle for other purposes.
5. Versatility: Most truck bed camper jacks can be adapted to fit multiple different types of vehicles, letting you utilize one jack for several different vehicles instead of having to purchase new ones every time you change vehicles.
Different Styles of Truck Bed Camper Jacks
Truck bed camper jacks come in a variety of different styles and models. Depending on your truck’s make, model, and size, you’ll have several options when it comes to choosing a camper jack. Some of the most popular types are:
* Manual Screw Jacks: These are the simplest type of truck bed camper jacks, featuring a crank handle that allows you to manually adjust the height of the jack while it is attached to the bed of your truck.
* Hydraulic Jacks: This is a more reliable type of jack which uses hydraulic cylinders with an internal power unit to smoothly lift your camper up and down.
* Telescoping Jacks: This style of jack is ideal for larger campers since they provide maximum ground clearance and come with adjustable feet that allow you to customize the height depending on your individual needs.
* Pop-up Jacks: A pop-up jack can be quickly deployed using two spring-loaded actuators and then locked into place when finished, making them extremely user friendly.
It is important to note that certain states require all truck beds containing campers or recreational trailers to be fitted with properly sized jacks so make sure to check your local regulations before purchasing one.
Computer Programs to Make Easy Installs of Truck Bed Camper Jacks
Truck bed camper jacks are an important part of any RV, as they provide extra stability while towing and ensure that the camper bed remains level while parked. Installing them is not always easy, however. With the right computer programs, you can make the process of installing truck bed camper jacks simpler and faster. Such programs provide detailed step-by-step instructions on how to properly attach the jacks to your specific truck make and model. They offer precise dimensions for locating where bolts go into each top plate or foot plate. Furthermore, many of these programs come with CAD/CAM capabilities, which allow users to customize their installation as per their own requirements. Additionally, some platforms also feature 3D visuals which help users better understand how their jack design will look like upon completion of the installation process. With proper guidance from such programs, even amateur DIYers can safely and easily install their own truck bed camper jacks without needing to hire a professional for the job.
Tips for Making the Most of your Truck Bed Camper Jack
1. Make sure your truck bed camper jack fits securely – A proper fit is essential to ensure stability when the camper jack is extended. Take the necessary measurements and make sure that it fits properly.
2. Install the jacks at an even height – An unevenly mounted truck bed camper jack can cause swaying, or worse, an accident. Measure twice and set up your jacks evenly before you raise your vehicle for maximum safety and comfort.
3. Be prepared with extra parts – Many truck bed campers may require additional parts such as brackets or extra screws for mounting the jacks in order to get a secure fitment. Have these on hand before you start setting up the campers and jacks to save time and effort in the long run.
4. Know how much weight each jack can handle – This is important to ensure that any load capacity limits are not exceeded which can result in broken jacks or worse injuries if overloaded! Check with your manual or manufacturers website for specific weight capacities per jack type you purchase to keep everyone safe while camping out in a pickup bed camper!
5. Inspect all mechanical pieces before use – It’s vital that you always inspect any pieces of metal before using them as stressors like vibration from road trips or rust over time can weaken metal components rendering them unsafe for use especially when operating under heavy loads like those related to camping vehicles. Look carefully at any joints, screws, bolts, and other hanging pieces that may have been weakened due to wear or rust!
Care and Maintenance of Truck Bed Camper Jacks
Truck bed camper jacks are an important part of any camping set up, providing stability, security and safety for your travels. To ensure the best performance and avoid accidents when stabilizing a camper on your truck bed, regular inspection and maintenance will reduce wear and tear on the jacks.
DIY Maintenance: Inspect all four jacks to make sure they are in working order before each trip. Look for worn nuts or bolts, bent parts or any other signs of damage. Clean all contact surfaces free from dirt and debris, use a soft brush if necessary. Lightly lubricate all parts with a multipurpose lubricant spray or waterproof grease to help reduce friction between metal components. Make sure the handle is properly tightened against the bracket as well as the stage plate pins being securely fastened into place. Failure to do this could result in jacks collapsing accidentally while driving.
Professional Service: If you have extensive wear or damage that cannot be repaired with a DIY inspection and maintenance routine, consider getting professional service done by a professional RV technician or another qualified individual. Professional service is often recommended once every 12-18 months to maintain proper manufacturer specifications and operation of the jack systems’ components like winches, valves, seals, chains etc. This kind of repair work should only be attempted by someone who has knowledge of these types of systems and is comfortable doing so safely.
Where to Purchase Truck Bed Camper Jacks
When looking to purchase truck bed camper jacks, you may consider purchasing either new or used. New camper jacks can be purchased at several online retailers and can range in price from a few hundred dollars up to several thousand. Many local hardware stores, automotive warehouses, and camping supply distributors also sell new jacks. Used truck bed camper jacks are available from a variety of sources such as online auctions, classified ads websites, and garage sales. Craigslist is an excellent resource for finding used camping equipment including these specialized pieces of equipment. It is important to inspect any used items carefully before making a purchase as they may not adhere to current safety standards. When possible and necessary, it’s good practice to replace worn or outdated parts with brand new components to ensure the highest levels of safety, reliability and performance.
Conclusion
When shopping for truck bed camper jacks, be sure to consider what type of jack will best suit your needs. If you are looking for a lightweight, adjustable jack that can support larger loads, then a telescoping truck bed camper jack with built-in foot pads may be right for you. However, if you need extra strength and stability or are looking to store your camper while mounted on the jack, then a ratchet jack designed specifically for this purpose may meet your requirements. No matter which type of truck bed camper jack you decide to go with, make sure that it is compatible with your vehicle’s frame and can handle the weight of the camper and any additional cargo safely. Additionally, look for jacks that come with safety features such as overload protection and check to see if they are supported by an extended warranty from the manufacturer. With this information in hand, you should have everything necessary to select the perfect truck bed camper jack for your needs.
