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Posted by: RV_Tech Feb 23 2017, 06:24 PM

I have been researching the topic of truck camper weights versus payload ratings and have come to a simple conclusion. In my research it appears that the overwhelming majority of folks with truck campers are loaded way beyond the manufacturers weight ratings for their truck.

It also appears to me that truck camper manufacturers are disingenuous when they advise buyers to stay within the payload ratings for their truck, at least when it comes to hard shell campers. For example, my Ford F350 6.2 single rear wheel (camper package& plow package) has about 3,200 pounds left for a camper after fuel and my wife and I are onboard.

If I figure on 1,000 pounds for everything not included in the manufacturer's dry weight ratings, that means a hard shell of 2,200 pounds. So that means either going with a dually (which I really don't care for) or going with a pop-up (not out of the question, but I would rather not).

It just makes for an interesting situation!

Steve

Posted by: Freespool Feb 25 2017, 10:16 AM

Yes Steve, your observations are correct in most cases. This is only one of many reasons people choose to go with a motor home or pull a trailer. I am stuck needing a camper so I can tow a boat. Between the high cost, the big weight and the total lack of quality I have very little to choose from. Towing doubles during my retirement may be my only option.

Posted by: SidecarFlip Feb 25 2017, 10:32 AM

Exactly why I have a pop-up. Overloading any truck only impacts the components like wheel bearings, universal joints and transmissions negatively and shortens their lifespan appreciably. More importantly, it adversely impacts not only the overall handling but the stopping power, especially in an emergency situation, IOW, you may not be able to stop in time because your vehicle is overloaded and you hit something like the rear of the vehicle in front of you or a person...not good.

With my one ton F350 SRW 4x4, I'm well within the GVWC with a pop up fully loaded for camping, full fridge, FW tank, propane full and accessories plus occupants.

Myself, I prefer the pop up. Much easier to store in the off season (goes in the garage out of the weather (rv's in general do not age well, left outside all the time, especially in the winter), easier to deal with on the road (lower profile means less wind resistance, better fuel mileage and less sway from cross winds. On the negative side, a pop up is really a 3 season camper but myself, I don't camp in the winter anyway. While I do hunt, I prefer a motel when it's cold and snowing. The camper, for me, is a warm weather thing.

Having owned a hardside (Lance) and now a pop-up, I prefer the pop-up.

Posted by: CTYankee Feb 27 2017, 02:56 PM

Can someone explain- I am looking at a 2016 3500 SRW Silverado. LT, 4WD, Crew cab, gas, SRW. I want to put a 2500 lb hard side on it- short bed.
The truck has a GVWR of 10,000 and I am quite sure it weigh's around 6700, so 3300 of capacity 1 would think... BUT- GM also hs a sticker on the vehicle labelled "Truck Camper Load Information" that says it has a "Cargo Weight Rating" of only 2006 lb.
I was thinking I could just make it with the camper and 800 lbs of gear, be legal and enhance the suspension a bit as required. but this label has me confused.
Dealer says they put this camper on 1 ton Silverado's all day long.....Both Ford and RAM have much highter GVWR's.
Any help on this point would be appreicated.

Posted by: SidecarFlip Feb 27 2017, 07:20 PM

4wd trucks will always have a lower cargo weight capacity than a 2 wd truck and a diesel will even be lower still because component weight impacts cargo carrying capacity.

I think if you look hard at a Dodge truck you'll find the payload capacity to be less than you think.

Posted by: skyhammer Feb 27 2017, 07:56 PM

The truck camper load certification is always lower than the cargo load #. That is because the camper is taller than the typical bed load and in most campers the load extends farther than the bed.
On my truck, the camper certification is 700lbs lower than the cargo # on the door sticker.

Posted by: SidecarFlip Feb 27 2017, 10:52 PM

They don't always extend past the end of the bed. My SS1500 don't, well, maybe 3" at the most.

Posted by: skyhammer Feb 28 2017, 04:48 PM

I didn't didn't say they all extend past the bed, I said most.

Posted by: SidecarFlip Feb 28 2017, 04:51 PM

Pardon my dust.....lol

Some do, some don't, You stated most. I'll state about half.

Posted by: CTYankee Mar 1 2017, 02:36 PM

OK so the camper load is always lower than the payload? How is that calculated? I looked at a 3500 RAM today, crew cab, SRW, 6.4L gas, SRW. Payload is reported at 3960, and GVWR at 10,800. OK...I want a hardside camper with a dry weight of about 2600. They gave me a special book for all Ram Trucks- Camper Applications. This config in the book shows a CWR- Cargo Weight Rating- of only 2844.
They explain in the book that this rating assumes all truck seats are full, but at 150 lb that is only 750. The difference is 1116.00

So if the Silverado GVWR is 10,000 and this RAM is 10,800, should I just get the RAM and not worry about it? Cmaper I want is 2600 plus the usual 1000 is 3600.

Interesting also- the truck has HD Snow Plow Prep. Back in 2014 TC Magazine wrote up the RAM 3500 and reported at the time that if you got the snow plow prep that the documentation in the glove box would flatly state that the vehicle was NOT recommended for a slide in camper- period. Article stated that at the time RAM would not sell a snow plow prepped truck for truck camper use- period. The documentation on this truck does NOT contain the " no truck camper" language.

I do not want DRW, I am prepared to pay up for a " 1 ton" SRW. They report an adequate GVWR of 10,800 then take it back? Can anyone explain? Thank you..

Posted by: RV_Tech Mar 1 2017, 06:05 PM

You know these discussions go on constantly because the reality is I doubt the weight ratings have much to do with anything except the warranty. If you break it down by axle ratings and tire ratings, if I simply go by payload ratings with my 2012 F350 SRW 4x4 I will be so much below the component ratings it almost becomes a joke.

I have been on forums where these types of discussions go on and on and no one really knows the answer. Exactly what is going to break? You can juggle the numbers anyway you want to, but whether you hang it off the back or turn it upside down (humor attempt), the camper ratings really don't seem tied to reality. And my truck has a camper package and a plow package, but I have nothing in my glove box about anything other than the sales information when I bought the truck. What's that about?

For Fords, go to the weight ratings for your year and it shows the ratings for slide-ins, but there is nothing there about plow restrictions.

Always an interesting discussions with lots of opinions, but no real answers,

Steve

Posted by: SidecarFlip Mar 1 2017, 09:46 PM

No, the real answer is component life in an overloaded condition, mainly bearings and driveline components and to a lesser degree bushings and shocks and braking systems. Continual overloading of components results in a shorter lifespan and possibly a dangerous handing situation in an emergency scenario.

IOW, you can haul a double slide TC down the road in the bed of an F150 with a tiny eco-boost V6 but, one. can you stop it in an emergency situation and two, how long will the truck components last before they fail?

It's all about common sense, something that people today seem to have little of.

Posted by: RV_Tech Mar 2 2017, 08:24 AM

Yes, but for example, is component life more affected by, for example, mountain driving where engine RPM is higher. How much are components affected by more weight? No real answer right?

Then there is the handling issue. Yes, I agree handling is impacted by both weight and height above the box, but how much? And given it is probably somewhat with every truck camper, can the negative impact be negated by suspension modifications or driving more slowly?

And if you read the manufacturers' websites and see their recommendations for campers suitable for half-ton trucks, can you blame folks for being confused?

Common sense is hard to come by for sure, but isn't that partly because we all see it differently? Is there anyone in this forum who is purposely doing something they believe to be unsafe or destructive to their equipment? Usually I have found that thinking someone lacks common sense means they are doing or thinking something in a way different from our own. Just saying

Steve

Posted by: JADE RACING Mar 2 2017, 09:14 AM

To the original posting I'm close to my weight limit with my match up of t/c and truck. As a person whom has owned and repaired multiple rv's over my past, I have always been observant of weight of loaded unit and the rubber that is carrying it. Some posters seem to think that their opinion is gospel ,BUT owning and safely operating units, be it any motorized vehicle needs help from others that may have done it before, so lets give the strait info to a person whom asks for advice rather than B---%$#&* opinions. That is the problems of some forums, just my observations. Happy T/C ing.

Posted by: RV_Tech Mar 2 2017, 05:02 PM

You gave me your opinion.

Posted by: RV_Tech Mar 2 2017, 05:07 PM

I agree, which is why I will be under my ratings once loaded just as I have been with every RV I have ever owned. The topic is one that has always interested me because it generates so many opinions and often heated discussions.

Steve