Loading TC with a Dually challenging?

[Area13]

SO just kicking around the idea that I MAY get another TC one day and now drive a dually. My fenders look pretty fat in my side mirrors, 96".

My question is, is it super tight loading a TC with swing outs on to a dually? I was pretty good at loading/unloading my previous TC's by myself in about 10 minutes (9-10', electric jacks) and often did camping for more than 2 days. I would load and unload a lot and was pretty comfortable. Previously had SRW Super Duty.

Thanks

[TxGearhead]

Atchafalaya Man great idea.
We were just saying we need to get back to Lafayette and restock from Dons Meat market. We usually do lunch at Café Vermillionville, which was my families tavern 200 years ago.

[Kayteg1]

I don't see my top rail at all and even for closing the front gap I have to use phone camera as my head with not fit at the angle to see it, but the hanging weights show that it can be done with fancy, but also prone to failure laser.
Now I am thinking about weights hanging under the camper wall and small, removable trim clamped to dually fender for guidance.

[mkirsch]

That is an awesome idea!

[Atchafalaya_man]

Regardless of the truck or camper, this might work for some of you. Used these for years to load by myself.

Weighted fishing bobbers hanging from cup hooks are oriented where they align with the inner top edge of the truck's box. If you can match the truck box with the bobbers again you are straight and centered.

[deltabravo]

Mine loads OK, but my unlevel ground leading to the shop makes it a challenge.

I left it on the truck this winter.


My truck and camper loading

[Kayteg1]

I don't think you need 2 lasers on the truck.
The only technical issue is how to mount laser on driver side mirror so it would be always parallel with the truck.
Than you make couple of Plexiglas flappers mounted under camper side overhang (1 on front 2nd on the back) and you have all reference points you needed.
You even can make cross reference that will confirm camper height as well.

[TxGearhead]

Hmmm.....thinking out loud....the issues are angularity and parallel. Measuring from 2 fixed points on the truck (mirrors?) to 2 fixed points on the camper (rear jacks?)should give both. That is done all over the world aligning drivers to driven in the turbo machinery world using laser alignment tools.

[Fuzzy_Bear]

Kayteg1 wrote:
That is how I ended with few scratches inside my bed.
I tried to keep it clean, but it is not working too well regardless factory mat.
All the systems will help to some degree, but what makes me wonder why in those years no manufacturer developed really working system.
I've been doing fine observing just mirrors, but my senses are getting dull with age, so I might work on it sometime.
I think laser on driver side mirror and reference points added to the side of camper along the main floor would be bulletproof.
At least for drivers who have good eyes.

Yup. I have so little room between the wheel wells that distance from the jacks is of no concern. Centered and straight I have no issues. Now if the truck bed were square.

Doug

[Kayteg1]

AnEv942 wrote:
Yes. I found, though more critical and less wiggle room, easier with DRW to get centered and square. Before SRW I sighted in bed trying to judge distance between wheel wells, now I just watch the gap from fenders to jacks in the mirrors, and generally less jockeying to get square. If the gap remains same as Im backing under were square.

That's good technique for the rear, but you are loosing control how front of the camper goes.
Took me some time to find reverence points. The gutter under lower front window should stick 1.5" over the truck railing on both sides, but that is hard to see from driver seat and require getting out.
Still on long ran, beside the laser, I think gluing small hook under overhang and hanging pinpong ball that should touch driver side window at certain point would be easy enough.

[AnEv942]

Yes. I found, though more critical and less wiggle room, easier with DRW to get centered and square. Before SRW I sighted in bed trying to judge distance between wheel wells, now I just watch the gap from fenders to jacks in the mirrors, and generally less jockeying to get square. If the gap remains same as Im backing under were square.

[Area13]

Thanks again for all the info guys, piece of cake!

[Area13]

billyray50 wrote:

Area13 wrote:
Thanks all for the input. Sounds like not a huge deal with practice and help initially. Miss having a TC, a LOT.

Hey Clint, Hopefully we will welcome you back. Yes the DRW is tighter with the fenders but once they pass the front jacks smooth sailing.

I hope so too, working on the Wife!

[Kayteg1]

That is how I ended with few scratches inside my bed.
I tried to keep it clean, but it is not working too well regardless factory mat.
All the systems will help to some degree, but what makes me wonder why in those years no manufacturer developed really working system.
I've been doing fine observing just mirrors, but my senses are getting dull with age, so I might work on it sometime.
I think laser on driver side mirror and reference points added to the side of camper along the main floor would be bulletproof.
At least for drivers who have good eyes.

[mkirsch]

Don't forget about the fender well clearance INSIDE the bed!

It's the same, SRW or DRW, no more than 1" per side. If you've got at least that much on the outside you're golden.

Case in point, I have 1-1/2" between the jacks and the dually fenders outside, and only 3/4" between the camper and fender wells inside. There is no way I can hit a jack with a fender, and still get the camper on the truck.