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Typically, campers come with factory bumpers, or no bumper at all. But did you know there are aftermarket truck camper bumpers available that help you gain added storage compartments, bright LED bumper lights and a convenient built in step to help you get in and out of your camper easily?

Torklift offers many kinds of bumpers with features you don’t want to miss. One of the best parts? Most of these bumpers feature spacious compartment storage so you don’t have to store items inside your camper or in the truck. You will never have to leave anything behind while camping again and enjoy the opportunity to take longer camping trips. Created to be a clean, sleek design with advanced engineering, our bumpers are high-impact powder coated for extreme durability.

Bumpers, bumpers and more bumpers!

As of right now, we have five truck camper bumpers available for four different manufacturers with more bumpers always in the works. Each bumper is made specifically to fit each camper – you can contact your manufacturer for fitments or find your specific bumper here. All Torklift bumpers are proudly made in the USA and come with our Lifetime Legendary Warranty – ensuring that we’ve got your back so you can have stress-free camping trips! Below are further details about each of the bumpers we have available.

The Foxiest of Bumpers

Fox Landing Bumper for the Arctic Fox: Serves as an extension of your camping experience. This bumper allows you to have left or right side truck camper entry steps. It allows for safe camper entry and exit with its swing side step and is designed to sit above your tow extension so you don’t even have to disconnect when you’re at the campground.

Features of the Fox Landing Bumper include:

• Large entry platform
• Made of aircraft grade aluminum and stainless steel
• Folds up in seconds 
• Convenient fold-away steps 
• GlowStep treads for added safety 
• Allows the ability to tow when using a SuperTruss Extension

The Ultra Bumper Sophistication

Ultra Deck Plus Bumper for Lance campers: When it comes to bumper storage, there’s nothing better than the Ultra Deck Plus as a Lance camper bumper. Made with you in mind, this bumper allows for 7.8 cubic feet of additional truck camper storage space. With a slide-out deck that has the capacity to hold 600 pounds when extended, you won’t have to worry about safety when you’re hanging out on this custom truck camper deck. Additional Ultra Deck Plus features include:

• Aircraft grade aluminum and stainless steel
• High-impact powder coated for extreme durability
• Allows the ability to tow when using a SuperTruss Extension
• Swing step that incorporates Torklift International GlowStep technology
• DOT certified LED lights
• Exclusive Torklift hinge lock system for all storage compartments

The Perfect Landing Pad

Palomino Landing Pad is made specifically to fit all years of the 2902, 2910 and 2911 camper models. Manufactured from aircraft grade aluminum and stainless steel, it’s designed to work with our Space Dock and Lock and Load Sidekick. This bumper makes it easy to add a swing out accessory to hold generators for extra power. The Space Dock accessory swings in and securely stores while in transit. The Landing Pad is perfect for all your bumper needs and provides an excellent step out of the camper.

Features of this camper bumper include:

• 93” wide platform
• 18.5” depth platform
• Nearly 3.5 cubic feet of storage space
• Allows the ability to tow when using a SuperTruss Extension
• Glow-in-the-dark camper swing step
• LED lights

Nothing But the Best Dura-Bility! 

Palomino Dura-Trak is a lightweight bumper that is designed to be visually aggressive and features a backlit Palomino logo making it look like the bumper is on “fire” when lit up.

With a 36-inch wide by 8-inch deep swing-up step that doubles as a bench, this bumper makes it easy to get in and out of your truck camper improving safety and stability. The step also easily stores on the bumper, not effecting your ground clearance while driving.

Features of the Palomino Dura-Trak include:

• LED recessed lighting for a sleek looking bumper
• 36” wide swing-up step that doubles as a bench and glows in the dark
• Two lengths available for the Palomino Bumper – 83 ½” and 92 ¼”
• Step easily swings up and stores on bumper, not effecting your ground clearance while driving (can be locked)
• Bolt-on installation, no drilling into your camper
• Provides a specially designed license plate bracket that lights up for nighttime driving
• Powder coated in an anti-skid black matte for added traction
• Made of aircraft grade aluminum with stainless steel hardware for a lighter weight bumper
• Compatible with a specially designed Space Dock swing arm accessory that is available through Palomino to hold accessories like a generator, BBQ and more

The True North of Bumpers

Everyone loves a Northstar truck camper, so no matter where you are – from Southeast Florida to Washington, North star bumpers are wonderful campers that are made even better with a bumper. This Torklift bumper works with any Northstar truck camper frame and is built with a lockable storage box on each side of the bumper giving you added storage space.

Features of the Northstar Bumper:

• Custom step tread
• Custom steps
• Made of aircraft grade aluminum
• Allows the ability to tow when using a SuperTruss Extension
• Reinforced gussets

If you have any questions about our custom bumper options or are interested in purchasing one of our truck camper bumpers for Arctic Fox, Lance, Northstar or Palomino, click here or find a dealer near you by visiting the Where to Buy section on our website.

Written by Kerstin Stokes:
As a graduate from the College of Idaho with a B.A. in both History and Art, Kerstin has found her passion for writing and marketing, and has loved every minute of working for Torklift for over 2 years. She enjoys looking up tasty recipes for baking and daydreaming about future travels. 

When we met Brian Brawdy, he didn’t know his truck bed was cracked in multiple places and that it would cost thousands of dollars to fix. Torklift first met RV enthusiast Brian Brawdy in 2009. At the time of meeting him, he was sponsored by an alternate brand of tie downs that mounts to the truck bed instead of the truck frame. This company promotes itself as using frame-mounted systems when they don’t attach to the truck’s frame at all.

Where the bed-mounted system went wrong

After getting to know Brian a little better and what kind of tie down system he was using, Torklift wanted to check it out. Our team crawled underneath his truck, and we were alarmed at what we saw. Upon inspecting Brian’s truck, we revealed a mass amount of damage to the bed. When Torklift discovered what was causing the damage, it all made sense. He had a bed-mounted tie down system for his truck camper. Due to the lack of support, the bed of his truck was too stressed and had massive cracks underneath. This was caused by the bed-mounted system pulling and yanking the truck bed sheet metal.

What you can do to protect yourself

There are steps you can take to inspect your vehicle for damage linked to bed-mounted tie downs:

1. look under your truck bed for long cracks spanning anywhere from the cab to the tailgate
2. Look for a sagging bumper and rust at rear bed-mounted tie down locations
3. Inspecting the paint for chips, bent tie downs, body rust and gouges at the mounting location of your front bed-mounted tie downs also indicate damage

If you notice any of these issues with your bed-mounted tie downs that claim to be frame-mounted, contact us immediately. We would be happy to look at pictures of your damage and help you determine if your truck is still safe for hauling your truck camper. If you don’t need Torklift products, we won’t sell it to you – we’re just here to help. Our company is founded on safety and if you aren’t safe, we believe you should know. This inspection service is free. Just call us at 800.246.8132 or send photos of your truck to: photos@torklift.com.

So why do bed-mounted tie downs cause this damage?

Many bed-mounted tie down systems are falsely advertised as “direct-to-frame” and use anchors plates in the rear of the truck bed to connect anchors to both sides of the truck bumper. The support from the specific type of tie down does not make contact with the frame of the vehicle, leaving you with a very unstable support. When you use a bed-mounted system not only is what you are hauling at risk, but the vehicle as well. Just like Brian Brawdy’s truck, you risk having stress marks and cracks in the bed and can actually lose the whole bed itself. Damage within the truck bed is common while using bed-mounted tie downs. Often, anchor points can be pulled out - bending the anchors directly into the truck body, as well as damaging the vehicle’s paint.

What Precautions Can You Take to Avoid Damage to Your Vehicle?

The first and most important step is using proper tie downs. Torklift offers two types of tie downs that truly mount to the foundation of the vehicle: its frame. Attaching directly to the frame eliminates the risk of damage to your vehicle and will provide 100% support for having your camper mounted safely.

Option one: Steel 
One of the tie down systems Torklift designed is the True Frame-Mounted Steel Tie Down.

• This tie down secures the truck to the camper using four independent tie down points directly to the frame. 98% of applications don’t require drilling.
• Has no loss of ground clearance and improved stability and handling of the vehicle while towing 
• Comes with the Tie Down Finishing Kit
• Tie Down Locks are also available for this system

Option two: Military Grade Aluminum 
The other system Torklift designed are the Talon Camper Tie Downs

• This is a high performance tie down that is light weight and rust free for life
• Features high impact powder coating
• Light weight military grade aluminum alloy that is 50% lighter than steel

Like any other Torklift product, both Talon and Steel Tie Downs are backed by a lifetime warranty. When Torklift tie downs are paired with spring loaded turnbuckles, the lifetime warranty is extended to not only the truck frame but the camper anchors points for the extent of its manufacturer’s warranty. Why do we do this? Because we know our frame-mounted tie downs will never damage your vehicle when used and installed properly. You can contact us at 800.246.8132 for more warranty details.

What did it cost Brian?

Thankfully at that trade show Brian Brawdy was made aware of the damage his truck had sustained. After that day, Torklift’s tech support spent several hours at our shop and repaired more than $5,000 dollars’ worth of damage done to his truck due to the bed-mounted tie downs that claimed to be frame-mounted. Brian no longer has to question whether his truck is being damaged while doing what he loves the most.

To learn more about Torklift tie downs and Talon Tie downs call our tech support at 800.246.8132 or email us at: support@torklift.com. Or, to order your own set at a Certified Dealer near you, visit our Where to Buy page.

Written by Shyann Guerra:
Being in an environment in which I can problem solve is where I flourish. Every answer to a problem leads me to a new concept to understand or a lesson to learn. When I'm not solving problems I enjoy camping and going to festibals with my family form the local city center festivals to the mountains of Wenatchee at the Winter Grass, bloe grass music festival. Experiencing culture is where my heart is content. 

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I don’t mind being told I drive a land yacht, but not because the camper is swaying back and forth when standing on the jacks.

It can feel like you’re out at sea riding the swells when the camper is off the truck.  The only think missing is a game of shuffleboard on the lido deck and the midnight buffet.

The motion has even been known to make people feel a little dizzy or seasick.

Torklift has a solution to this rocking motion called the Wobble Stopper.

More than just for movement, they reduce the stress on the jacks and wear to the camper frame.  If enough damage is done, this will sink your wobbly camper faster than the Titanic.

They are very easy to transport.

The Wobble Stoppers attach to the front camper legs and camper body.  The braces are fully adjustable and fit square or round jack applications.   They are super sturdy and made out of lightweight aircraft grade aluminum.

It’s smooth sailing from now on.

 

The Wobble Stopper in action:  http://www.torklift.com/products/wobblestopper.php

 

I take all of the warning labels found around the truck camper very seriously.  They are vital to keep us safe when common sense does not kick in and liability could be an issue.

I am carefully reading through them all. If only there were more warning labels like these in my life.

For example, the passenger mirror standard, “Objects in mirror are closer than they appear.”

On the occasional morning when I go to the bathroom mirror and “YIKES!” I am reminded of the memorable scene from the movie Jurassic Park   when T-Rex is visible in the rear view mirror and ready to pounce.  If I had that sticker on the mirror it would warn me of the terror I call the             Vel-floss-ciraptor.

There should also be a sticker similar to the GVWR label on the bathroom scale.  The strict standards we are to adhere to keeping the weight of the vehicle and trailer in line.  I’m glad that campers can’t wear stretchy spandex when they’ve overindulged.

I don’t have a bad temper, but it would be nice to know the exact maximum amps it would take before I blew a fuse.

My favorite warning that should be applied to truck camping:  “Do not try this at home.”  This is because with a truck camper I should really be out camping.

SuperHitch Magnum 20K.  The Highest Capacity Heavy Duty Receiver Hitch on Earth.  http://www.torklift.com/products/superhitchmagnum.php

*Check your vehicles owners’ manual, as with any receiver hitch,  your truck and trailer weight cannot exceed your vehicle manufacturers towing, cargo, or GCVWR.

 As a person of short stature, I have rarely encountered a clearance issue.

That is why one morning before my required 1^st cup of coffee I found that the truck camper has such an issue with drive-thru’s.

I did not have camping on my mind, and the F-350 rides so smoothly it’s easy to forget the camper is back there.  That is, until you do something on autopilot like order your   coffee and drive forward.

Luckily, I saw the upcoming low overhang as moved slightly ahead, but not soon enough before I had a car pull up right behind me.

No harm done, but I have definitely learned my lesson and will be thinking like a tall person ordering a tall latte’ from now on.

Having an easy to drive truck is no excuse for not remembering that I have a huge camper on board.

 

Gear of choice: StableLoads-  http://www.torklift.com/products/stableload.php