I'm needing info on slide in style truck campers.
I have a 21' Silverado LT crew cab with a 5&3/4' bed ( short bed). Most of the campers I've seen are longer than that, would a camper be ok hanging over a bit? or would it be ok with the tailgate down? I think any camper that actually fits in the bed would be pretty small.

 

They make campers for short beds, but I just reviewed several brands online, and most appear to be installable in either short or long beds. You just have less overhang in the long bed.

I would look into install instructions or call the manufacturer if you have questions.

That said.... I think my 1996 short bed is 6.5 feet for the bed. 5 3/4 is indeed pretty short. Are all the newer short beds that short?

 

Mine is a crew cab, I believe it was available with either a 6.5' bed or the 5 3/4' bed that mine has. With the tailgate down it is almost 8 ft, but I don't know if it would be ok to put a camper in there like that??

 

As I said before - I think I would actually just call the manufacturer of the brand slide in camper you are considering. The way those are secured are using tie downs. The tie downs can secure to the bed itself or to the frame. It depends on the camper. The tie downs in your case would be at the front and back of the bed - so just a little closer than usual with a longer bed. You can't know if it will work on your truck without talking to the manufacturer or reading the installation manual.

I imagine what you are looking at has a large portion that extends over the cab as well? If so, everything I read says to use caution when jacking or lifting the camper slide in before backing the truck up under it. You ALWAYS lift the front end first. If you lift the rear, that long extension over the cab can cause it to tip forward. Lift front, then back, until about 6 inches above the bed, back under it and slowly lower it down, lowering the back end first.

 

All great information, thank you.
We've always had travel trailers, this is the first time considering a truck camper, so alot to figure out still. I will see if I can get a hold of a manufacturer for info.
Thanks again, any info is appreciated.

 

With your truck I would be looking at the 4x4 or off-road campers as they will weigh 1500 lbs or less. The Silverado 1500 trucks have a load rating of around 1500 lbs and that does not include passengers in the cab. Another option is a camper shell and a platform in the bed of the truck. With a platform camping gear and slide below it and you can sleep on the top with a 4 inch foam pad.

 

The payload capacity of my truck is 1846 lbs.
By 4x4 model campers, do you mean like overland style?, that's interesting, I didn't think of that.