How To Load A Truck Camper Without Jacks

When you buy a truck camper, the first thing that you should think of is setting up the camper. However, if you have not gotten jacks with the camper, you need to know how to load a truck camper without jacks.

First of all, we would say that getting jacks would be the best decision, but if you're persistent on not buying them to save money, then there is still a way to load a truck camper without them. Before further details, you should know that packing a truck camper without jacks is not very simple and can get stressful.

Loading A Truck Camper Without Jacks

The purpose of the jacks is to elevate the camper high enough to be placed easily on the truck's bed. So, without jacks, you will have to find something to use that will help you lift the truck camper onto the bed of the car.

Now, let’s look at all the steps you need to follow to load a truck camper without using jacks.

Step 1: Switch the License Plates from the Truck to the Camper

Using a wrench, remove the bolts holding the license plate on the truck and then attach them to the camper.

Switching the position of the license plate is necessary because once you load your truck camper, it will go over the license plate on the truck. So, the plate will be hidden. Hence, before you load the camper, you'll have to attach the plate.

Step 2: Disconnect the Camper from any Connections

Do not forget about disconnecting the power connection if you are storing the camper. Your trailer will also be connected to water and sewer lines if you are on a campground. So, remove all the connections before loading the camper, or else the lines will get damaged, or worse, they will be broken.

Step 3: Elevate the Camper Over the Truck

This is primarily the only step in which the process differs because of not using jacks.

To hoist the truck camper, you could use a forklift, which is a type of crane. Just from reading that you have to use a forklift, we bet you're already able to tell that loading the camper will not be smooth with this process. 

It is a horrible idea to try to operate a forklift by yourself because this crane is very technical, and if you make a mistake, you might drop the truck camper and damage it. Hence, if you are using a forklift to hoist the camper, you should hire a professional operator to come and do the job for you. 

The camper should be lifted to a height above the truck's bed to be easily placed over the bed. 

Step 4: Load the Camper onto the Truck Bed

There are two ways to install the camper after hoisting it up. The first way is to move the camper using the forklift, so it is right above the truck bed.

Then, slowly lower it onto the bed until it is positioned correctly. This method is actually not that simple because the level of accuracy needed when placing the camper is hard to attain.

The second way is to keep the camper at a height greater than the height of the truck bed and then back the truck to position it.

You will need to back your vehicle in a completely straight line into the camper, and you have to do it slowly so that the camper fits into the bed properly.

Slowly lower the camper onto the truck bed once you successfully reverse the truck into the correct position.

Do this gradually because you don't want to drop all the camper's weight onto the truck suddenly; this may cause severe damage to the truck. After you have loaded the camper, the truck will take a moment to settle with the additional weight. 

Step 5: Connect the Truck and Camper's Electrical Harness

Step 6: Ensure the Turnbuckles Are Secured

Many trucks will call for frame-mounted tie-downs to secure their camper, but if you have a flatbed truck camper, you can directly secure it to your flatbed. You can use spring-loaded happy jack quick load turnbuckles because they quickly connect and disconnect.

Step 7: Complete the Final Check

Next, you want to put away any additional items you may have in the appropriate storage places and secure the storage boxes with locks.

Lastly, make sure that your truck's tires are all appropriately inflated. It would be great if you could keep your tires at maximum inflation. For those with airbag suspension, don't forget to inflate that accordingly.

Final Words

After following all our steps on how to load a truck camper without jacks, you should be ready for your road trip. We would like to reiterate that loading a truck camper with jacks will always be the better option for many reasons.

So, if you can, please do the loading with jacks for lower chances of failure, and if you can't, you always have us to guide you along!

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