Is a 3500HD enough for a 2800lb camper?, Do I need a bigger truck?
Is a 3500HD enough for a 2800lb camper?, Do I need a bigger truck?
Jonny360 |
Mar 11 2018, 01:04 PM
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#1
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Group: Members Posts: 1 Joined: 11-March 18 Member No.: 9,985 Favorite Truck Camper(s): Dont know Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: Dont have Type of Tiedowns used: Dont have Truck and Camper Setup: Dont have |
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...
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SidecarFlip |
Mar 12 2018, 10:17 PM
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#2
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Group: Members Posts: 472 Joined: 15-October 16 Member No.: 9,221 Favorite Truck Camper(s): Forest River Palomino SS Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: 1997 Ford F350 4x4 LB SRW CC 7.3 diesel Type of Tiedowns used: HappyJac standard Truck and Camper Setup: 1997 Ford F350 4 door 4x4 Crew Cab 7.3 Diesel, Lance 915 loaded, 2015 Palomino SS1500 Loaded |
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. |
RV_Tech |
Mar 14 2018, 03:15 PM
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#3
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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. |
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-...amplite-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. |
RV_Tech |
Mar 14 2018, 03:32 PM
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#4
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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(Jonny360 @ Mar 11 2018, 02:04 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... 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. |
SidecarFlip |
Mar 15 2018, 10:51 AM
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#5
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Group: Members Posts: 472 Joined: 15-October 16 Member No.: 9,221 Favorite Truck Camper(s): Forest River Palomino SS Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: 1997 Ford F350 4x4 LB SRW CC 7.3 diesel Type of Tiedowns used: HappyJac standard Truck and Camper Setup: 1997 Ford F350 4 door 4x4 Crew Cab 7.3 Diesel, Lance 915 loaded, 2015 Palomino SS1500 Loaded |
I see you posted the same on RV.net. You'll get the same answers there as here
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