I just joined this forum because of your apparent tolerance for Newbies and our never-ending questions.... With that in mind, I am interested in getting some type of pop up slide-in for my 1500 Ram shortbed crew cab.

I understand the gcwr/gvwr issues but am still concerned about setting the truck up right given that I intend to sometimes tow a 3500# boat.

I like the idea of having a wet bath and a/c and am curious as to what suggestions you all might have for me. I'm trying not to have to purchase a 3/4 ton truck as I have only 9500 miles on my truck and will likely lose my butt selling/trading it. For what it's worth, I really like the Northstar 850SC but again, am concerned about pushing my limits! Thanks!

I can tell you from experince that there is some wiggle room with the payload capacity. I run a hard side 9 ft camper on my F150, but you need to know how much your truck really weights, by taking it to a truck scale. My truck is a basic work truck with a V6 auto with the same suspension as the other loaded up V8 versions. With the camper loaded, it sits leavel without adding air the the firestone airbags. The manufactor just does't want to admit that the base model can carry more than any other version of this truck except the Heavy Duty package. But if your truck is loaded down with a bunch of extra options than the payload goes down. Now these slide in pop-ups are made for the 1/2 ton trucks so with the proper airbags you would probably have no problem. But dont exceed the axle rating, which if you add them together will much greater than the GVW. They rate these trucks very conservitivly, because they know that the maxinum payload will likely be the starting point rather than the limit for some owners. Do what I did and; when you look at these campers ask the sales people to put it in the back of your truck so there is no guess work. You will be able to know rightaway if things will work. We put one on my truck that said it was 1875 Ibs. and it really was closer to 3000 Ibs, and imediatly clear that it wouldn't work.

Just sent this e-mail out and will quote part of it here.

"I have spent quite a bit of time researching truck campers and have concluded that Four Wheel Campers makes the best truck camper for a Ford F-150with a GVWR of 6950lbs.

The lighest hard-side camper I can find is an Adventurer 80SK with a Dry Weight of 1360lbs. (The base unit is 1276lbs but you won't find a dealer that stocks a base unit). Loaded up I would be looking at the following numbers:
Truck Curb Weight 5043
Remove Tailgate -50
Driver&Passenger 375
Boat Trailer Tongue Weight 75
Camper Dry Weight 1360
Remove Jacks -100
Water 125
Propane 20
Battery 65
Total 6913lbs
Which leaves 37lbs for food, gear or beer. So rolling down the highway this camper would essentially void my trucks warranty and probably put me into hot water with ICBC if an accident did happen.

Looking at a Four Wheel Campers Grandby optioned the way I like it would give a Dry Weight of 1011lbs. Loaded up I would be looking at the following numbers:
Truck Curb Weight 5043
Remove Tailgate -50
Driver&Passenger 375
Boat Trailer Tongue Weight 75
Camper Dry Weight 1011
Remove Jacks-100
Water 184
Propane 20
Battery 65
Total 6623lbs
Which leaves 327lbs for food, gear or beer. So rolling down the highway this camper would be nominal.

Depending on who you talk to some may say it is ok to overload a pick-up truck by 300lbs and they may be right in the case of a 3/4 ton or a 1 ton however, the semi-floating rear end of a 1/2 ton should NEVER be overloaded because it has a load bearing drive axle.

So why don't I go out and buy a 3/4 ton? Becauase they are expensive and they are hard on fuel."

Hope this helps.

Best Regards, Hedghog