Can Truck Bed Camper Extend Past Rear Edge of Short Bed Pickup

Updated 05/01/2020 | Published 04/30/2020

Products Featured in This Question

Brophy Hitch Extender with Step - 2" Hitches - 18" Long - 6-1/2" x 17" Platform

(12)

$175.15

Hitch Box Extension and Reducer for Titan 2-1/2" Trailer Hitches, 24" - 34" Long

(72)

$307.79

Question:

Hi, I have an 8-foot long truck bed camper and a pickup with an 8 box. Im considering replacing my pickup, but am finding trucks with a full 8 box in short supply. Is it acceptable to put an 8 camper in a 6.5 box, with the tailgate down? How do you attach a trailer? Can you extend the hitch? Thanks for you help and suggestions!

asked by: Phillip S

Expert Reply:

It's really going to depend on the camper and whether it was specifically designed for a long bed truck. Some are designed to work in either a short or a long bed, but if it's been designed as a long bed only the camper's center of gravity will likely end up behind the rear truck axle. This is inadvisable because this significantly reduces the amount of weight being applied to the front truck axle which will have negative effect on steering and braking response which would be a very dangerous situation.

You can indeed extend the hitch, but it would require using a Class V hitch with a 2-1/2 inch receiver opening along with the # RP45292 Extension/Adapter which can be cut down to 24 inches (the length you'd want). At 24 inches, extender would provide a 6000 lb towing capacity, which would be limited by the capacity of your hitch if it's lower.

If you'd reply with the year, make and model of your replacement truck, I'd be happy to recommend a Class V hitch for you.

An extender like # ST18 would be a valid choice, but it has a 3,500 lb capacity. Using an extender of this type reduces the capacity of the existing hitch by 1/3, which might not make it a good alternative for you.

expert reply by: Mike L