Gentleman,

Have decided to buy an 8.5' slide in. It's an older Odyssey but it's in great shape and the price is GOOD! . I would like to know exactly what I should do to the rig to make it "camper friendly" in regards to hauling the camper and a 20' trailer with our quads and camping stuff. And then separately a boat.

Thanks.

 

Looks like your rig is set up already, Pyro is a necessity. Weve done lots of camper haulin with my 93 pullin a trailer. Sit back and enjoy the ride. I put a white stripe down the dr side in the bed to line the camper goin in, I hate when its crooked. also in the front of the bed or camper some kinda stop so the upper bed that extends dosent thrash your camper or get bent itself. They make some neat rubber bumpers, or even a 2x6 at the bed front will work. Gotta love them campers, lot less hassle than a TT, and still you can tow the toys
Enjoy.

 

A heavy duty rubber mat, appropriate tie downs and maybe some Timbrens and shocks.

 

I have heard airbags make the most difference for them twisty roads.

 

Thanks for the rsponses.

I have pretty much made up my mind to get the torque lift tie downs. I got a quote from a place here in Tucson and was wondering if anyone knew where I could get them on-line? Mfg. web site does not give any type of info on that.

Thanks again!
Scott

 

When I looked around...by the time I added shipping (heavy)...local was basically the same price. Here's the only useful place I found them online -

https://www.rvpartsoutlet.com/newstore/nojava/index.cfm

There is a dealer search function on TL's website though.

https://www.rvpartsoutlet.com/newstore/nojava/index.cfm

You can save a bit-o-money using happijacs on the rear. I already had the happijacs so they were FREE...LOL. I used the springloaded turnbuckles from from previous happijac setup too.

I do really like my TL front mounts. Be warned...the drivers side is a PITA to install, but does work per the instructions. Smallish hands and nimble fingers help a lot.

 

Airbags, Rancho 9000's and a rear swabar. That will make the truck drive perfectly with even the heaviest slide-in AND towing a load

 

The Torklift tie downs are the best. A bunch of folks use the HappyJack turnbuckles instead of the ones offered by Torklift. They seem to be a little nicer. If you go with the rear Torklift mounts, they have a stud facing aft that is just begging for some auxiliary backup lights to hang on them...

The recommendation for good shocks and a sway bar is good advice. Airbags if your camper is heavy enough to warrant the cost.

Happy camping...

LBR

 

Thanks for the info. Ordered the Torklift today and got the rubber bed mat.

Long Black, Are the Happy Jack turnbuckles you are referring to the spring loaded ones?

Air bags are next! Best price I can find is on Suspension Connection site. Any other places I can check out?

Once again, thanks for all the advice. Had a toy hauler but I don't know squat about slide in!

Scott

 

With the 8.5 you prolly won't need airbags. See how it sits and rides.

i've had airbags and Timbrens...have Timbrens now. They go on super easy compared to airbags and there's nothing to go wrong. They both work good though. TorkLift sells teh airbags....I ahven't priced them in a long time, so can't help there.

Yes ...HappiJac turnbuckles are springloaded. You need some cush in there somewhere.

 

Yes, the front Happy Jacks are spring loaded and the rear ones have a rubber snubber in them.

LBR