Ok, so I have an 04.5 CTD and I also have a 1984-86 Lance camper. I believe its a 10.5' camper, but Im not sure. I know that some people have commented that older campers will hit the roof of newer trucks, and you have to make some sort of platform in the bed for the camper to not hit. My guess is that it won't hit, but I'd like to know if anyone has this experience? I would measure the camper, but its about an hour away from me right now. I my be able to get over to measure the truck that the camper used to go on sometime, but it won't be for a while. Thanks all for your input.
Scott

 

I don't think you will have a problem, Fords on the other hand do, they have a higher cab than Dodge's.

 

Come to think of it, everyone I have heard of having this problem is a Ford owner, so that could be the case. I think the only way to really know is to do some measuring.. I measured the bed length and width of both, but never bothered to measure the height from the bed bottom to the top of the cab.... DUH!
Scott

 

only thing I have noticed is the width of the bed on the Dodge, my chevy had a lot more room between the wheel wells, my dodge has barely 2" on both sides, just tougher to load.

 

Well, I have measured between the wheel wells of both trucks, and its 50" wheel well to wheel well on each. I also just got back from measuring the height, from bottom of bed to top of cab, of the truck that the camper was on, and it looks to me like it shouldn't be an issue. The old chevy it was on is about 44.5" from the bottom of the bed to the top of the cab, and that doesnt account for the ribs that are on the roof, or the clearance lights, both of which I don't have. I measured my truck, and it looks like my cab height is about 42.5" so it looks like I have nothing to worry about.
Scott

 

also measure between the inside edges of the tail gate. my buddies 03 was alittle tight on his older camper.

 

I didn't even think of that.. I will do some more measuring today... I don't forsee it being an issue, but I guess you never really know.
Scott

 

New trucks are about 60 inches wide at the tail gate, a lot of older self contained campers are 64 inches wide at the back

 

Im going to go measure the truck that the camper was on now, to see what the width is there... Its not THAT old of a camper, but its definetly older. I will report back with my findings.
Scott

 

Well, its looking gloomy now.. Just got back from measuring the truck the camper was on, an 86 Chevy 3500 crewcab long bed, and that truck is 65" between the tailgate opening, where my truck is 60". I guess the only way to REALLY verify is to make the 1.5 hour drive down to where the camper is, and measure, or maybe even try to fit it in the truck, before I go ordering camper tie downs.
Scott

 

Had my 1998 Bigfoot (9' 6") on my 1997 2500 gasser and it fit perfect. Went shopping for the "06" and the wife said "be sure to measure for the camper to see if it'll fit ok". I didn't and it didn't either!! Sat right down on the top of the Quad cab. Had to put 1 1/2' inches under to get it to clear the doors. I guess it would pay to listen to her on occasion!!

 

What did you use to raise the camper up? From what I can tell this is not going to be my problem, but the problem rather is that the base of the camper is going to be too wide to fit inside the bed of my truck If thats the case, I guess its back to the drawing board as far as a camper goes.
Scott

 

sawzall time my buddy had the same problem, that is the only reason i thought to look there. good luck

 

My camper from my old '02 Dakota fits in my big truck no problem... I slid 4 treated 4x4s cut to the bed length under it to give it the lift it needed. It's solid as a rock and I've camped with it plenty. I'm going to make a platform for it to sit on and incorporate a place to store the jacks. I found my camper to be very forgiving!

 

You can go to RV.net, go to the truck camper forum and do a search, their have been many questions ask in regards to this topic, at least as far as raising it. If it is too wide to go between you fender wells, that another peoblem that I doubt can be dealt with. Try this.

http://www.rv.net/forum/Index.cfm/fu...d/16957495.cfm

http://www.rv.net/forum/Index.cfm/fu...d/17206502.cfm