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Posted by: Colorado_Kid Aug 6 2016, 01:38 PM

I want to buy a truck camper and looking to purchase a one ton pickup truck within the next year. My question is which do you think is better to carry a truck camper a dual wheel pickup truck or airbags.

Posted by: Spanky Aug 6 2016, 01:55 PM

4 Wheel drive dually. JMO

Posted by: JADE RACING Aug 8 2016, 07:21 PM

I would hope you are going to do your homework and get as much info as to what you are going to need verses what you want, unless you have real deep pockets of money. 1st, size and weight of t/c will tell you what size and load capabilities of truck is needed. That there will give you a reference to a truck with duals or single wheels on the rear. If the truck can't carry the weight of the t/c and extras the are required then no addition of air bags is going to help. I run air bags to level out my ride height while loaded, and decrease the pressure when the t/c is unloaded.Yes I run a 1 ton dually which allows me to carry our t/c comfortably. your question does not have solid merit to give answers, just my take.

Posted by: Colorado_Kid Aug 9 2016, 08:37 PM

I am looking at a Northern Lite 9-6 Q Classic Special Edition which has a dry weight of 2625 lbs and is 98" wide and 198" long. I am sure I will change my mind a couple of times before actually purchasing a truck camper but I really don't want the dry weight to go over 3000 lbs.

I do not have deep pockets but when I purchase a pickup truck I will make sure I ask around and do my research.

Posted by: Jonbakerwa Sep 12 2016, 10:37 PM

My wife and I just purchased a 10-2 ex cdse dry weight 3295. I was planning on getting the 9-6 qcse but my wife decided we needed the extra head room and storage. We have hauled it on our 2010 ram 3500 4x4 Laramie Srw with air bags a few times and have decided to upgrade to a dually. Power was never an issue... but I really disliked the swaying and kept having visions of us in the ditch if we blew a tire! Plus I plan to pull a 21' aluminum boat, which weighs 5000 lbs on the trailer roughly 500 lb toungue weight on a 36" super truss extension. I would go with the dually, then when you put way too much junk on your camper or want to pull something you won't feel overloaded and have to upgrade a truck like me! Of course if you are a minimalist and don't buy a loaded truck and don't plan on pulling a heavy load I'm sure you could get away with Srw.

Posted by: Freespool Sep 19 2016, 11:03 AM

IMO truck campers are far better when they ride on 1 ton trucks with dual rear tires. Payload, stability, and safety are just a few of the advantages. Before you buy pay very close attention to the payload numbers listed in the drivers door jamb, look at the trucks on dealer lots and understand what those numbers mean. Understand that diesel motors, 4x4 options and crew cab models will dramatically reduce your GVWR. I would pick the camper you want and then go buy the dually and outfit it the way you like. Buying more truck than you may need now will save you money later if you decide to upgrade to a bigger camper. Let me just add one observation, being a commercial driver I know how much nicer it feels to have a bigger more powerful tractor while towing. I would wait on the after market stuff until after you see how your rig handles, if you buy a new truck you may not need anything added. The best advise I can give you is to take your time and really learn all about weights, payload and towing, the more you understand this stuff the better decision you will make. Forums like this one will teach you everything you need to know, happy reading.

Posted by: skyhammer Sep 20 2016, 04:38 PM

Freespool, One mistake in your post above.
You said " Understand that diesel motors, 4x4 options and crew cab models will dramatically reduce your GVWR."
What the addition of these options do is reduce your payload.
For example, all F-350's DRW's have the same GVWR, whether regular cab, super cab or crew cab.
Even trim levels with the same cab can raise or lower your payload by more 500lbs.
My Crew cab, 6.7, 4X4 Lariat model has a payload of 4800lbs. The XL trim level in the same configuration, has a payload of 5450lbs.Delete the Diesel and 4X4 and the XL has a payload of just under 6000lbs.All have the same GVWR.

Posted by: Freespool Sep 20 2016, 06:02 PM

Thanks skyhammer for your observation. We all know or should that the GVWR does not change, only the payload. I must of been in a hurry to have worded that sentence that way. You know what they say "haste makes waste". Oh, now I remember, I had just gotten my new truck all set up and was probably still a little dazed buy how much the cost was.