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Truck Camper Forum > General > Support Equipment
Lance951
I have an 07 F-250 Super cab 4x4 long bed. It has the camper package. I'm confused about how big a camper i can carry. However saying that I have already purchased a lance 951 just can't get it for a few weeks. GVWR on the door jamb is 1000lbs, I believe the camper is 3700lbs, not sure what the truck weighs it has the Power stroke diesel though. But I'm sure I'm over 10000lbs. Anyway payload is over 5000lbs, If this is the case then the max payload + the truck weight is over 10000lbs. Can you guys help me out, how does this work?
BigDirtyDog
Not to slam you, but you bought more camper then your truck should carry.

The GVWR is the limit set by the truck builder. This is the maximum limit that Ford, in your case, has stated your truck could carry (period). They also assume you would carry a heavy load safely. Meaning you would add optional equipment to make a heavy load safe. i.e., air bags, shocks, ...

Truck weight (with all fluids full) + load weight (stocked camper)+ all passengers (people, gameboys, videos, coffee thermos, etc...) = less then GVWR

Lots of people (maybe most) over weight their trucks. The problem is not usually if your truck can handle the load, but the question is can it handle it safely. I mean safely for you and the other vehicles that are on the road with you.

Good luck,
BDD
Lance951
I don't take it as a slam, I'm kinda pissed that my saleman said it wouldn't be an issue for a 3/4 ton truck, and being new to this and the fact the camper didn't have swing out brackets for the front to clear the rear wheels I took his worg for it. I was looking at a F350 SRW it says it's 11,400 GVRW and I'm sur this would be enough and I believe the payload is 4100 or 4300. BUT, what will the little piece of paper in the glove caopartment say the max camper wight can be? Still confusing sometimes.

Craig
BobC
QUOTE(Lance951 @ Jan 28 2007, 10:51 PM)
I don't take it as a slam, I'm kinda pissed that my saleman said it wouldn't be an issue for a 3/4 ton truck, and being new to this and the fact the camper didn't have swing out brackets for the front to clear the rear wheels I took his worg for it.  I was looking at a F350 SRW it says it's 11,400 GVRW and I'm sur this would be enough and I believe the payload is 4100 or 4300.  BUT, what will the little piece of paper in the glove caopartment say the max camper wight can be?  Still confusing sometimes.

Craig
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What dealership was this at?
Lance951
QUOTE(BobC @ Jan 28 2007, 10:05 PM)
What dealership was this at?
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BOAT & RV WORLD, Near Oklahoma City
toby
I think your truck is fine for that camper. The 951 was designed for the 250 or 3/4 ton truck. With the proper support equipment you are fine. Going over your GVWR doesn't mean you are not safe. It is a guide from the manufacturer of the truck for liability purposes. Think of all the farmers and contractors putting 5 an 6 thousand pounds behind the wheel well, they have to limit it for that purpose. With a truck camper, the weights are distributed properly.
Congrats on your purchase and enjoy truck camping!!
Toby
kcabpilot
Same thing happened to us back in '94 when the dealer sold us a Lance 990 that weighs 3400 lbs. Truck was a '78 F-250 Camper Special and it was pretty obvious on the way home that the camper was a little too much for the truck as it was. I installed Air Springs and put on 33x12.50 tires and we hauled that camper all over the country with that truck for over 10 years. The equipment worked well and although we were always over gross we were young and brave so it didn't seem to matter that much. Just recently I had to replace the truck because it was getting pretty old and tired so I bought a '97 F-350 dually because I always felt that the dually was really the way to go with a camper that big. Plus I'm older now too and not so brave.

But in reality, I'd say you're fine - might want to get Air Springs and bigger tires though.
The Air Springs work really great and can even be used to level the rear when you're parked on a not so flat spot. Plus they are not really that expensive (maybe $350)
NMcamper
QUOTE(kcabpilot @ Apr 1 2008, 08:32 PM)
Same thing happened to us back in '94 when the dealer sold us a Lance 990 that weighs 3400 lbs. Truck was a '78 F-250 Camper Special and it was pretty obvious on the way home that the camper was a little too much for the truck as it was. I installed Air Springs and put on 33x12.50 tires and we hauled that camper all over the country with that truck for over 10 years. The equipment worked well and although we were always over gross we were young and brave so it didn't seem to matter that much. Just recently I had to replace the truck because it was getting pretty old and tired so I bought a '97 F-350 dually because I always felt that the dually was really the way to go with a camper that big. Plus I'm older now too and not so brave.

But in reality, I'd say you're fine - might want to get Air Springs and bigger tires though.
The Air Springs work really great and can even be used to level the rear when you're parked on a not so flat spot. Plus they are not really that expensive (maybe $350)
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The weight limit listed on the side of the tires seems to be the most important criteria for how much your truck can carry. Buying bigger/wider tires that can carry a heavier load seems to solve the problem, along with air bags.
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