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> GMC 3500HD, Can handle how heavy a camper

msheppard
post Jan 7 2018, 09:56 AM
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I am looking at different combinations of truck and truck camper for future purchase. In terms of truck I am considering the GMC 3500HD (gas engine, not dualy). Any ideas on how heavy a truck camper I can comfortably carry?
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Jknight611
post Jan 8 2018, 03:06 AM
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Favorite Truck Camper(s): Northstar Adventurer 8.5
Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: 2018 Chevolet 3500 Duramax Crew Duelly
Type of Tiedowns used: Torklift with Fastguns
Truck and Camper Setup: Totally stock, nothing needed



Hi, I have a Chevolet 2500 HD, if you know the specific truck you are interested in, look in the glove compartment and find the yellow sticker that will tell you the max recommended weight for that truck.
Secondly, look in the drivers door frame and find the max axle weights and gross vehicle weight then just do the math to figure it out.

I am currently waiting till the 18 year models come out and may spec out a short bed single rear 3500 Duramax. My Northstar Adventurer has done fine in my 2500
Duramax but allup with a small trailer the truck is about 500 lbs overgross. I have liability concerns should the worst happen!
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RV_Tech
post Jan 8 2018, 09:46 AM
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Favorite Truck Camper(s): Hallmark, Northstar, Outfitter
Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: F-350 SRW 6.2 Supercab
Type of Tiedowns used: Happijack front, Torklift rear
Truck and Camper Setup: Hallmark Ute XL No modes to truck Torklift Fast Guns Fast guns had to be cut down to absolute minimum (14 1/2") to use with Happijac front tie down and Hallmark camper.



The weight carrying capacities are going up every year for sure. Even the half tons now are getting crazy!
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tomcamp
post Feb 26 2018, 11:45 PM
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Favorite Truck Camper(s): any
Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: 2000 ford f350 4x4 v10 drw
Type of Tiedowns used: torklift
Truck and Camper Setup: 2000 ford f350 superduty 4x4 crew cab dually



[quote=Jknight611,Jan 8 2018, 03:06 AM]
Hi, I have a Chevolet 2500 HD, if you know the specific truck you are interested in, look in the glove compartment and find the yellow sticker that will tell you the max recommended weight for that truck.
Secondly, look in the drivers door frame and find the max axle weights and gross vehicle weight then just do the math to figure it out.

I am currently waiting till the 18 year models come out and may spec out a short bed single rear 3500 Duramax. My Northstar Adventurer has done fine in my 2500
Duramax but allup with a small trailer the truck is about 500 lbs overgross. I have liability concerns should the worst happen!
*
I had a 97 dodge 1/2 ton. my camper weight is 1600 lbs dry.i recently bought a 2000 ford f350 cc sd4x4 dually.
[/quotee] I was concerned about liability in an accident. I went all the way to a one ton
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tomcamp
post Feb 26 2018, 11:51 PM
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Favorite Truck Camper(s): any
Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: 2000 ford f350 4x4 v10 drw
Type of Tiedowns used: torklift
Truck and Camper Setup: 2000 ford f350 superduty 4x4 crew cab dually



sorry I'm new to this forum. I think I wrote over someone thread. I had a 1997 dodge 1500 had my camper on it. it is 1600 pounds. I bought a 2000 ford f350 cc sd 4x4 dually. I was worried liability in an accident.
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RV_Tech
post Feb 28 2018, 03:58 AM
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Group: Members
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Joined: 27-July 12
Member No.: 6,199
Favorite Truck Camper(s): Hallmark, Northstar, Outfitter
Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: F-350 SRW 6.2 Supercab
Type of Tiedowns used: Happijack front, Torklift rear
Truck and Camper Setup: Hallmark Ute XL No modes to truck Torklift Fast Guns Fast guns had to be cut down to absolute minimum (14 1/2") to use with Happijac front tie down and Hallmark camper.



QUOTE(tomcamp @ Feb 27 2018, 12:51 AM)
sorry I'm new to this forum. I think I wrote over someone thread. I had a 1997 dodge 1500 had my camper on it. it is 1600 pounds. I bought a 2000 ford f350 cc sd 4x4 dually. I was worried liability in an accident.
*



This is not to encourage folks to run overweight, but I am curious if anyone has first hand verifiable knowledge of a case where civil liability was found in a case based solely on a truck camper's weight in relation to a truck's rating?
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wintertree
post Feb 28 2018, 10:08 AM
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Favorite Truck Camper(s): Lance
Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: Snowbird 108DS
Type of Tiedowns used: torklift
Truck and Camper Setup: 2016 F-450..upgraded overload springs...Torklift tie downs...single slide Hard wall camper with dry bath...solar...inverter...genset..full thermal package...extra black and grey tankage...kayak and paddle board



QUOTE(RV_Tech @ Feb 28 2018, 02:58 AM)
This is not to encourage folks to run overweight, but I am curious if anyone has first hand verifiable knowledge of a case where civil liability was found in a case based solely on a truck camper's weight in relation to a truck's rating?
*




Had a neighbour who got into an accident (unable to stop) with his fifth wheel truck combo....pulling a sizeable fifth with a heavy half....ICBC (provincial insurance in British Columbia , Canada)....investigated the accident and concluded the tow vehicle was not rated for the size of trailer...He became totally at fault even though the vehicle he hit had performed some crazy maneuver in front of him...No one was hurt...just machinery.
They wrote his truck off....because it ended up being damaged front and rear...as the trailer also ended up in the truck cab...

I have been stopped at road side DOT safety checks twice now traveling thru BC with our rig...one of the times I was asked to climb their portable scale to check on my rig weight..both times I was on my way without making a donation...

Bottom line....hurt some one....there is enough ambulance chasing lawyers out there to cause some real grief...
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wintertree
post Feb 28 2018, 10:48 AM
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Group: Members
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Joined: 30-January 18
Member No.: 9,949
Favorite Truck Camper(s): Lance
Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: Snowbird 108DS
Type of Tiedowns used: torklift
Truck and Camper Setup: 2016 F-450..upgraded overload springs...Torklift tie downs...single slide Hard wall camper with dry bath...solar...inverter...genset..full thermal package...extra black and grey tankage...kayak and paddle board



This might also ruffle some feathers....but....If one of my family was hurt or worse from a "Knob" that lost control of his over weight rig....I would take them to the cleaners...No reason to put others at risk because you are too cheap and petty to get set up properly..

Thats putting me on the other side of this ongoing debate....something that many need to think about..

I understand budgets can be a limiting factor....and many get away with situations that are not safe....over and over..

I have mentioned in an earlier post....I have stood our rig on its nose getting it stopped......I was unable to drive for 1/2 an hour after that issue....even the police came over and asked if I was OK and thought it was a good idea to take a break till I calmed down....I am sure that with any less of a set-up (size of truck / to camper).the out come would have been different...My rig is big and heavy...it has big brakes...6 tires on the road...huge sway bars and is designed for its purpose (lower CG)
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RV_Tech
post Feb 28 2018, 09:32 PM
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Group: Members
Posts: 201
Joined: 27-July 12
Member No.: 6,199
Favorite Truck Camper(s): Hallmark, Northstar, Outfitter
Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: F-350 SRW 6.2 Supercab
Type of Tiedowns used: Happijack front, Torklift rear
Truck and Camper Setup: Hallmark Ute XL No modes to truck Torklift Fast Guns Fast guns had to be cut down to absolute minimum (14 1/2") to use with Happijac front tie down and Hallmark camper.



QUOTE(wintertree @ Feb 28 2018, 11:08 AM)
Had a neighbour who got into an accident (unable to stop) with his fifth wheel truck combo....pulling a sizeable fifth with a heavy half....ICBC (provincial insurance in British Columbia , Canada)....investigated the accident and concluded the tow vehicle was not rated for the size of trailer...He became totally at fault even though the vehicle he hit had performed some crazy maneuver in front of him...No one was hurt...just machinery.
They wrote his truck off....because it ended up being damaged front and rear...as the trailer also ended up in the truck cab...

I have been stopped at road side DOT safety checks twice now traveling thru BC with our rig...one of the times I was asked to climb their portable scale to check on my rig weight..both times I was on my way without making a donation...

Bottom line....hurt some one....there is enough ambulance chasing lawyers out there to cause some real grief...
*



That's interesting. I have heard of weight checks in Canada, but even though they have been alleged in the US, I have never been able to validate the validity of the reports, though I have tried.
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RV_Tech
post Feb 28 2018, 09:37 PM
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Group: Members
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Member No.: 6,199
Favorite Truck Camper(s): Hallmark, Northstar, Outfitter
Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: F-350 SRW 6.2 Supercab
Type of Tiedowns used: Happijack front, Torklift rear
Truck and Camper Setup: Hallmark Ute XL No modes to truck Torklift Fast Guns Fast guns had to be cut down to absolute minimum (14 1/2") to use with Happijac front tie down and Hallmark camper.



QUOTE(wintertree @ Feb 28 2018, 11:48 AM)
This might also ruffle some feathers....but....If one of my family was hurt or worse from a "Knob" that lost control of his over weight rig....I would take them to the cleaners...No reason to put others at risk because you are too cheap and petty to get set up properly..

Thats putting me on the other side of this ongoing debate....something that many need to think about..

I understand budgets can be a limiting factor....and many get away with  situations that are not safe....over and over..

I have mentioned in an earlier post....I have stood our rig  on its nose getting it stopped......I was unable to drive for 1/2 an hour after that issue....even the police came over and asked if I was OK and thought it was a good idea to take a break till I calmed down....I am sure that with any less of a set-up (size of truck / to camper).the out come would have been different...My rig is big and heavy...it has big brakes...6 tires on the road...huge sway bars and is designed for its purpose (lower CG)
*



Although I agree with your sentiments, I think running overweight is often a case of ignorance. Doesn't make it okay, but does change the perspective.

As I posted in another thread, the first time I went to a dealer who carries truck campers with my F350 SRW, the first words out of his mouth was I had enough truck for anything on the lot, which meant a lot of stuff that ran 4,000+ pounds. The RV industry bends over backward to make it seem easy peasy to move as much product as possible. Read the brochures and the last thing you usually find in small print is a statement about not exceeding truck ratings.

My two cents
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wintertree
post Mar 1 2018, 05:02 AM
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Group: Members
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Joined: 30-January 18
Member No.: 9,949
Favorite Truck Camper(s): Lance
Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: Snowbird 108DS
Type of Tiedowns used: torklift
Truck and Camper Setup: 2016 F-450..upgraded overload springs...Torklift tie downs...single slide Hard wall camper with dry bath...solar...inverter...genset..full thermal package...extra black and grey tankage...kayak and paddle board



QUOTE(RV_Tech @ Feb 28 2018, 08:37 PM)
Although I agree with your sentiments, I think running overweight is often a case of ignorance. Doesn't make it okay, but does change the perspective.

As I posted in another thread, the first time I went to a dealer who carries truck campers with my F350 SRW, the first words out of his mouth was I had enough truck for anything on the lot, which meant a lot of stuff that ran 4,000+ pounds. The RV industry bends over backward to make it seem easy peasy to move as much product as possible. Read the brochures and the last thing you usually find in small print is a statement about not exceeding truck ratings.

My two cents
*


I agree about the industry....(be it dealers or manufacturers ) peddling there product with only sales in mind....No excuse for individuals not to do some homework....When I purchased my present camper (used from a dealer) the first thing the sales person asked was for details on the type / size truck involved...he told me he could have sold it a few times but no one yet had showed up with enough truck...
When I worked for years as an RV tech....( I only worked at one dealership) the owner at the time would never involve him self with legal implications....you wanted to make a purchase....he would sell it to you...although "Roger" may have mentioned the need for the right size vehicle for the application to cover his ass.... but when I knew him it was totally about $$..
When traveling on the ferry to Vancouver Island BC....We were loaded down the oversize lanes and another TC rig ended up a couple back from us.....As I was getting our rig locked up ready to go up on the upper decks of the boat I caught eyes with the owner of the other TC....A conversation in sued and the owner was sure that airbags made his 2500 HD Chevy legal to carry his TC because of how level it looked....his camper was a single slide hardwall with dry bath with extra storage boxes hanging off the back..Said he had been hauling it for years with no issues....He said he "loved those airbags"
Ignorance....
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RV_Tech
post Mar 1 2018, 07:13 AM
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Group: Members
Posts: 201
Joined: 27-July 12
Member No.: 6,199
Favorite Truck Camper(s): Hallmark, Northstar, Outfitter
Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: F-350 SRW 6.2 Supercab
Type of Tiedowns used: Happijack front, Torklift rear
Truck and Camper Setup: Hallmark Ute XL No modes to truck Torklift Fast Guns Fast guns had to be cut down to absolute minimum (14 1/2") to use with Happijac front tie down and Hallmark camper.



QUOTE(wintertree @ Mar 1 2018, 06:02 AM)
I agree about the industry....(be it dealers or manufacturers ) peddling there product with only sales in mind....No excuse for individuals not to do some homework....When I purchased my present camper (used from a dealer) the first thing the sales person asked was for details on the type / size truck involved...he told me he could have sold it a few times but no one yet had showed up with enough truck...
  When I worked for years as an RV tech....( I only worked at one dealership) the owner at the time would never involve him self with legal implications....you wanted to make a purchase....he would sell it to you...although "Roger" may have mentioned the need for the right size vehicle for the application to cover his ass.... but when I knew him it was totally about $$..
When traveling on the ferry to Vancouver Island BC....We were loaded down the oversize lanes and another TC rig ended up a couple back from us.....As I was getting our rig locked up ready to go up on the upper decks of the boat I caught eyes with the owner of the other TC....A conversation in sued and the owner was sure that airbags made his 2500 HD Chevy legal to carry his TC because of how level it looked....his camper was a single slide hardwall with dry bath with extra storage boxes hanging off the back..Said  he had been hauling it for years with no issues....He said he "loved those airbags"
Ignorance....
*



I also was deeply involved in the RV industry, owned my owned service center and was a silent partner at times in a small dealership. If I were to make a guess I would say that 30% of the service calls were to fix things that weren't broken, "operator error" as the industry called it. I think the notion of personal responsibility died a generation or two ago. It's not just weights, it "you-name-its". Should it be different? Sure, but people don't change until they have too and as things get "dumbed down' it gets worse rather than better.
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