imfletcher

Hello All,

Fairly new here. I'm considering of purchasing a slide in camper for my 2004.5 Quad-Cab SWB. I can't afford to purchase a newer camper (still paying for the Cummins) so I'm considering an older model but I don't want to buy one that won't fit properly since I know there is a period when the dimensions of the pickup beds changed but I don't know when that was. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you all for your time,


Irwin

gotdiesel2

I've got a 1976 8ft camper that was on my '76 Powerwagon on my 04 SB Quad cab. Obviously it sticks out over the end but fits between the wheelwells with 1" of clearance both sides. In 1988 and newer Chevy truck boxes were about 3" narrower at the rear causing problems. My buddy wasn't able to use his camper as a result. Not positive on this as I haven't measured the 3rd gen truck but i don't think the Dodges tapered the box. Good Luck with your search.

Gregg

marty649

You should measure your bed, mine is tapered quite a bit.

cLAYH

Yep the new Dodges are tapered as well. My first camper was a '78 9ft Okanogan and it fit great on my '92 CTD. However it had a closet at the back that filled the whole area on the driver's side(only) behind the wheel hump. One day we tried to load it into my sister's '01 1500 Ram and it wouldn't fit beacuse of the tapered box.

Now I have a '79 10.5ft Vanguard with full bathroom. It doesn't widen out at the back unitll after the end on the box so I'm hoping it will fit on the new '01 3500. Haven't tried it yet as its in winter storage.

Jim Dynomite

Also look out for the holding tanks on the older campers, they will hit the bumper.

In the 70's they had extendable bumpers you could purchase, remember?

The big diamond plate bumpers on a sliding tube frame.

...............Jim

qwest

BEFORE, you buy , test load it. There are many different sizes and shapes.

When you test load, BE VERY careful, the floor and sides may fit but
the compartments may not, Lower it in slowly and keep checking,
It is possible to get the truck under ,but not have interference until the
camper is lowered into bed of the truck.
And as stated the rear compartments may contact the bumper before
the TC hits the front of the Bed.. ( spacer blocks required)
Also,The overhang may hit the cab (Fords)

Also, it may fit, but the clearances could be so tight that the loading
will be a PITA, It will require PERFECT alignment to load...
If you are going to Take the TC off at campsites this item is important.

My last camper 2000 alpenlite, had compartments on both sides at the rear,
I had to cut out the Rhino liner on the sides of tailgate frame (96gm).
It was so tight I kept catching a compartment when loading
Had to remove the storage compartment on 1 side..

Fits slightly better on the Dodge, except bed rails are higher,
very close to TC wings..

I believe some of the 70's/early 80's TC's are to wide to fit between the wheels.
Could not move an "oldie ' to hunting camp on a 96 GM.
It appears that the newer trucks, 90's, got narrower between tailgate frames and the wheel wells.