Best camper for 2500?

[geusterman]

Real good stuff here. Correct me if I am off on this one: I noticed that 19. 5 tires can take almost 5000 pounds each. Well!if that is the case doesn't that make them as good as duallies and if we have the same axle in the 2500 as the one ton's then we should be able to haul the same given the same suspension upgrades. And not have to hassle parking a dually downtown. Right? GE

 

[DPelletier]

george,

Okanagan website is www.okanaganrv.com. Capacities for the 90W are: 36 us gal fresh, 30 us gal grey and 17 us gal blk.

They do advertise as being winter capable with heated and enclosed tanks in a semi-basement and available thermopane windows (and I would get the thermostatically controlled fan as well). Only thing I'm still trying to learn is the R value of the insulated wall and ceiling assemblies. Bigfoot tells you that the 15C's are R6 and the 2500's are R8 and the 3000's are R12 (going off memory). As long as the Okanagan is a minimum of R6, then I'll probably go that route. they do say that thier blue extruded polystyrene has a higher insulation value than most manufacturers white foam (expanded polystyrene ?), but I still want an R value for direct comparison.

The 19. 5" wheels would definitely be capable, but nothing is going to change the door sticker!



Have fun.

Dave

 

[ralbert]

This has been a very interesting topic. I have a 95, 945 Lance and my weights were 4420 front, 7160 rear with a gross of 11580. That was 3/4 tank fuel, 40 gal. water empty black and gray. Loaded without driver and naviigator. I normaly travel with all camper tanks empty. Iwill rescale it but I think my gross should be11,680 so I am over 680 lbs. Do not know how to trim that much weight. We are going south for the winter to look for a 5th wheel and on that trip I will pull a open 5x10 with brakes so I will put my exsta equip. in it. I am a retired law officer so I know better. I also know our problem

 

[geusterman]

ralbert--you must have a one ton. You are really doing well as EVERY camper is over gvw. No way around it. And the trucks handle them quite well and if not some overloads and better tires take care of it. To be legal with my 2500 my "camper special" is really a "canopy special" so we just live with it. Heck, my spare ammo takes me over with a canopy! George (Have guns will travel varmint hunter).

 

[DPelletier]

Well,

I spent the weekend looking at campers again. Bought a used Bigfoot 25C9. 5. sticker on the unit says 2354lbs wet (water and propane) so I am definitely over by about 500 lbs BEFORE I load it with my regular assortment of stuff. With the camper on the truck and no water the overloads are still an inch away from touching.

After looking really hard, I just felt that the quality of the Bigfoot was superior to other stuff I was looking at and I really wanted a moulded fiberglass unit. If I bought new, I probably would have gotten a 15C9. 5 to save 400lbs, but the price on this used one was half of a new one, so here I am. Going to be buying some HD load range E tires and some Rancho 9000's this month. If I am not satisfied in the spring, then I may get a new 3500 dually.

Talk to you later

Dave

 

[geusterman]

Good choice Dave. I was looking at a used 98 Okanagan here in Mount Vernon yesterday. It was $9999 with 2500 plus pounds and was not a bad looking rig--fiberglass walls. But something about those Bigfooties. Talked to dealer today who wants to make me a deal on a new duallie for my camper. He does not have a clue why trucks are underated so much. I talked with my insurance agent and he said I would be covered in the even of an accident, my fault or not, if I was overloaded. I asked for it in writing. Our 2500's just need Rancho's and some more overload if necessary (springs, not bags). Got the same axle. My Toyo's are good for 3500 pounds and Rickson 19. 5inch wheels allow tires good to almost 5000 pounds. Nothing wrong with our trucks compared to the new ones other than the noise George PS Keep a lookout for a camper like yours for me!

 

[DPelletier]

George,



Will do. Good Hunting.

How do you like your Toyos? I need to get tires asap and the Toyos are one that I'm thinking about. With the steering already a little skittish, I think tire choice is important as far as tread patterns go. I'm thinking that load ratings are important, but it is the physical stiffness of the sidewall that I'm after.

Cheers

Dave

 

[geusterman]

David--have not had a camper on them and my truck is new so steering tight. So far just fine. Would rather have 19. 5's and a narrower tire--less rolling and turning resistance. GE

 

[geusterman]

Also, even though the Toyo's are stiffer in the sidewall than my tall Michelins of previous trucks and do not "sway" as much due to their height, the 19. 5's not only have a better load rate but less sidewall so more stable. GE

 

[DPelletier]

George,

The 19. 5's would be the ticket for sure, but my significant other would shoot me if I tell her I'm buying new rims!

Don't know what the cost is, but I'm thinking the 19. 5's, airbags or whatever, etc. vs. the cost of getting a dually might not be that far off! Seriously though, I'm going to try mine with decent tires and shocks for a few months and If it sways too much for my liking, I'll buy that shiny 6spd HO dually over at the dealership and roll my current truck into our fleet.

Dave

 

[geusterman]

Dave--I looked at the new one yesterday. Incredibly quiet! But because it is a Chrysler I should wait until bugs are out. I bought the 2002 for that reason--most fixes worked out. Also, I am trying to get multi use from this truck (hense the focus on air suspension) and duallies impede downtown travel. Have fun! I do love those duallies. Need different rigs like different shoes. Could afford but hard to justify! George