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Posted by: Jonny360 Mar 11 2018, 01:04 PM

Trying to plan out a truck and camper combo. I'm pretty set on the Camplite 6.8, 2000lbs dry, 2800lbs wet. I also want to be able to carry a few dirtbikes, 600lbs for the pair on a hitch carrier. So that brings us to 3400lbs in basic gear. Plus humans, dogs, food, etc. Maybe an extra 500lbs? So 3900lbs total? The payload for a Silverado 3400 4x4 crew cab is 4074lbs. So we should be good off payload rating. But then I see that hidden away some trucks have much reduced payload weights for truck campers? It seems crazy that I need bigger than a 3500 series single wheel for the smallest truck camper...

Posted by: SidecarFlip Mar 12 2018, 10:17 PM

Not familiar with a Camplote but I can tell you for certain that no hardside /non slideTC weighs 2000 pounds dry. Better add 1000 pounds to that. Humans weigh 175-200 pounds each, food, another 100 pounds, water and propane another 300-400 pounds, batteries, 65 pounds each.. Get my drift.? I'd say loaded wet, close to 4000 pounds. Add the bikes on a carrier BEHIND THE AXLE and you are overloaded, seriously.

Why I have a pop up like RV Tech. Lighter unit and we pack only the essentials and nothing more.

Posted by: RV_Tech Mar 14 2018, 03:15 PM

One of the harsh realities of truck campers is it is really hard to stay within the numbers even choosing carefully. However, here is a link to the real world review of that camper on Truck Camper Magazine. The editors here are weight fanatics so if they say it is okay, the probability is very great it is OK.

Take a read, I think you will feel better https://www.truckcampermagazine.com/camper-reviews/2012-camplite-review/

Here's just an excerpt: Camp Lite TC6.8: dry weight, 1,496.58 pounds + 13 gallons fresh, 108.42, + 6 gallons full hot water heater, 50 pounds + 20 pound full propane tank, 20 pounds, + 1 battery, 65 pounds + stuff, 500 pounds = 2,240 pounds.

I worked on a couple of these Camplites before I retired. They are really bare bones inside. Not saying that's a bad thing, just saying they are not like other hard sides.

Posted by: RV_Tech Mar 14 2018, 03:32 PM

When figuring payload do not rely on printed materials, brochures, etc. I believe you will find a payload rating for a truck camper in the glove box of GM products. It is different than the sticker. Maybe someone can verify that.

Even with Fords and Dodges the entire payload issue is really misleading as the published payloads do not include options which is almost everything in the truck. I think the payload published for my F350 is 4,400, but the sticker in my truck says 3,840 pounds. All the manufacturers do this to make things sound better than they really are. To get to the published numbers I think I would have rip out the radio, toss out the power windows and door locks, etc.

Posted by: SidecarFlip Mar 15 2018, 10:51 AM

I see you posted the same on RV.net. You'll get the same answers there as here