TC and towing a car hauler...too much?

[NNethers]

So I’m looking at used truck campers right now and I’m a little concerned about the max size that I can SAFELY use. You can see the truck I’m running in my sig. I’m towing a 77 K5 with 40” tires/beadlocks, dual cases, 1 tons, roll cage, bumpers, no top or doors, and lots of spare parts/tools. I estimate it’s weight fully loaded to be somewhere in the 5k-6k range. My trailer is a 18’ deck 10k dual braking axle that has a listed weight of 2400lbs. I’ve weighed my CTD and it came in at 7760lbs. Its listed GCVWR is 20,000lbs. Adding up the numbers I have so far (7760+2400+6000) that leaves me about 3,840lbs left until I exceed the GCVWR of the dodge. I plan on installing some air bags for sure and if need be a rear sway bar and some braking upgrades (better pads and slotted/drilled rotors) and I already run load range E tires.



My question is this:



Does anyone out there have a similar setup that tows/hauls this much? If so, how does it perform? Anything you’d do differently? What kind of truck camper are you using?



We prefer a hard sided truck camper with a dry bath but it seems as though most of them only come in the HUGE 10’-6” to 11’-6” variety and weigh in DRY at 3k+. So that’s why I’m concerned.



I’ve spent the last hour reading posts brought up during my search of this forum and have seen lots of different opinions and some good info. But specifically I’m interested in anyone with a truck camper that also tows a trailer in the 7k-9k range. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[wcjp]

My tow weight is a little lighter than your request. Jeep & trailer are 5500-6000 depending on destination. Camper is an Artic Fox 811 w/slide and wet bath. Tows great. However, I've added Pacbrake Airbags, rear sway bar and 19. 5" tires/wheels rated at 4540lbs Range G. I think the problem you're going to have is the dry bath. On some models, sacrificing the dry bath for a wet bath will net more kitchen cabinet space. Also, going with a basement model usually means bigger tanks. I found basement models were also easier to get into bed. 4season rated campers are also a plus. Have you looked at S&S Campers yet? Probably something in the 8. 5' to 9. 5' length.



#ad

 

[Darrenf]

Hey... a fellow fullsize fourwheeler! That towing set up sounds about like mine.



My TC is a 2001 10. 5' Norstar pop up(10' now that I've taken off the camper step to clearance the 18' 10k trailer) The TC tag says 1800lbs. (Dry) I've never had a hard side camper but my personal preference would be to not have one without a dually, just for better stability. I've borrowed my Dad's dually and even with the lighter weight pop up camper I had back then, it was a big difference in stability. I'm using a ball mount that is 11" from pin to center of ball mount which allows me to jackknife the the rig without clearance issues. I took the whole rig from Fort Collins, Co to Moab, Lake Powell and back without issue last june. Every once in awhile I get a little sway but not out of control. I'd like to see how some of the anti sway units would work but they're pricey too.

#ad

 

[duckcarvr]

just looking at an artic fox 990 drybath. full wall slide it says 3281 dry weight. if that is correct you should be very close wet and loaded if your really careful what you take with you. also depends on options on camper. its a quality camper, with slide lots of room and its 4 season. also great resale value. robert

 

[BBeck]

According to Dodge's website at Home | Dodge Body Builder's Guide your truck (assuming it is a 2500) has a max payload of 1690 for the six-speed manual and 1890 for the automatic.



So technically, none of the campers would work except for the lightest versions. If you have the 3500 dually, then it is 4,420 for the manual and 4,620 for the automatic, which means the 990 would be a good fit.

 

[wcjp]

just looking at an artic fox 990 drybath. full wall slide it says 3281 dry weight. if that is correct you should be very close wet and loaded if your really careful what you take with you. also depends on options on camper. its a quality camper, with slide lots of room and its 4 season. also great resale value. robert

My AF 811 also has onboard gen w/AC. It weighs more than 3281. It's real close to 4,000pds loaded with water, food and clothing. The AF 990 will be very close. I was limited because of the shortbed. Otherwise would've gone with the 990.





Try: AF Nash Rv Owners Association - Home

 

[rwitt]

My AF 811 also has onboard gen w/AC. It weighs more than 3281. It's real close to 4,000pds loaded with water, food and clothing. The AF 990 will be very close. I was limited because of the shortbed. Otherwise would've gone with the 990.





Try: AF Nash Rv Owners Association - Home

The AF 990 is closer to 5000lbs. Thats what mine weighs fully loaded. I'd suggest a TorkLift Superhitch and extension for the load you'll be towing.

Rich

 

[rwitt]

So I’m looking at used truck campers right now and I’m a little concerned about the max size that I can SAFELY use. You can see the truck I’m running in my sig. I’m towing a 77 K5 with 40” tires/beadlocks, dual cases, 1 tons, roll cage, bumpers, no top or doors, and lots of spare parts/tools. I estimate it’s weight fully loaded to be somewhere in the 5k-6k range. My trailer is a 18’ deck 10k dual braking axle that has a listed weight of 2400lbs. I’ve weighed my CTD and it came in at 7760lbs. Its listed GCVWR is 20,000lbs. Adding up the numbers I have so far (7760+2400+6000) that leaves me about 3,840lbs left until I exceed the GCVWR of the dodge. I plan on installing some air bags for sure and if need be a rear sway bar and some braking upgrades (better pads and slotted/drilled rotors) and I already run load range E tires.



My question is this:



Does anyone out there have a similar setup that tows/hauls this much? If so, how does it perform? Anything you’d do differently? What kind of truck camper are you using?



We prefer a hard sided truck camper with a dry bath but it seems as though most of them only come in the HUGE 10’-6” to 11’-6” variety and weigh in DRY at 3k+. So that’s why I’m concerned.



I’ve spent the last hour reading posts brought up during my search of this forum and have seen lots of different opinions and some good info. But specifically I’m interested in anyone with a truck camper that also tows a trailer in the 7k-9k range. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

With a SRW truck and lift, your center of gravity is going to be way up there. Not to mention the amount of weight on the tires/wheels and rear axle. You'll really need to watch how much weight is on the rear tires and wheels, as my last truck, 02 2500 CTD with camper in my sig, had over 7500lbs on the rear axle before I hitched up the trailer/Jeep combo. I had everything done to it, air bags, Rancho 9000's, Overload spacers,Helwig sway bar. It did ok and never had a problem but I knew it was heavy for the single tires. You may need to consider a smaller, wet bath camper, as the weights of these slide in campers can go up really fast. Also, don't believe the stickers on the camper weights. They are way off as mine says 3380lbs but when weighed fully loaded it was right at 5000lbs. With my truck/camper in signature I have 8200lbs on the rear before adding the trailer and Jeep. I'd suggest you weigh your rear axle on a scale and then you'll know how much room you have to load on it without going over the tire/wheel ratings. You'll probably find you don't have as much carrying capacity as you think you have. The axle is rated for way more than you'll ever carry on the truck.

Rich

 

[NNethers]

Been away from the computer for the last couple of days, sorry for not posting up sooner.



Over the weekend I towed a buddy of mine’s K5 down to Bakersfield on a trailer exactly like mine. I estimate his K5’s weight is pretty close to mine as they’re both relatively set up the same way. I had my CTD, trailer and K5 weighed with ¼ tank of fuel left, about 600-700 pounds of junk (4 full size chevy CC doors, some plate steel, and miscellaneous junk and tools), and two buddies in the rig (about 420 pounds between the two of them) and NOT including me (I was in the gas station reading the scale) it came in at 16,580lbs. So adding in myself (210lbs), my wife (120lbs), ¾ tank of diesel (184lbs) and subtracting out my buddies and the junk in the bed of my truck I come up with a realistic number of +/- 16,084lbs “empty” with the K5 and trailer in tow but no real payload in the CTD. That’s right about where I thought I’d be. So that puts my K5 weighing it at about 5700-5800lbs…she’s a heavy fullsize rockcrawler…. times like this I wish I wheeled a Yota or Jeep.



With all that in mind that leaves me +/- 4000lbs left until I exceed GCVWR. There’s no doubt about it that with a TC thrown in the mix I’m definitely exceeding the GVWR and most likely the GAWR of the rear of my 2500. Couple clarifications on some of the posts above, my 2500 does indeed have the 6spd manual but it is not lifted…or at least it doesn’t have a lift kit. It does have a leveling kit on the front and 35” tires and that’s as big as I intend on going.



So after giving it some thought I think I’m still going to go the TC route…with some concessions. I’m still going with a hard side camper, it’ll have a wet bath, no generator (I’ll go portable genset so I can use it without my camper and I can shift that weight to the trailer as I’ll simply store it on the trailer while towing), I’m going to stick to a camper no longer than 9’-6” and with a dry weight no heavier than 2500lbs and NO slide outs. And probably the most difficult concession of all…. I’m going to have to limit how much crap my wife can bring with her when she comes along. I’ll also plan on adding air bags and a sway bar. I know I’ll be overloading the rear GAWR of the rig (6000lbs) but it’s something I’ll have to try and work with. I may end up adding 19. 5’s down the road.



Now to search for a camper that fits the criteria.

 

[NNethers]

Hey DarrenF…. nice late model blazer. What year is that? Looks like maybe a 93 or so? What’s the specs on it?



Here's a picture of mine.

 

[jheier]

I have A '08 3500 drw, 6. 7L with a lance 1031 camper, it's 11'6 at 4780lbs, just came from the scales. With the camper loaded and boat on behind it's 18,980lbs going down the road. I've added a super spring just for a little help. The truck handles great, runs great, fuel milage is around 10-11 highway @ 65 mph most of the time.

 

[Darrenf]

Hey DarrenF…. nice late model blazer. What year is that? Looks like maybe a 93 or so? What’s the specs on it?



Here's a picture of mine.

Darn close, it's 94, far from stock anymore with a custom solid axle swap, Dana 60 front, 14 bolt rear both loaded with Detroit Lockers and 4:56 gears, 36" TSL's, Crossover steering w/hydraulic assist, custom Transfer Case crossmember with integrated underbelly skid plate, Warn 9K winch Skyjacker 2-1/2" leaf ,springs, rear needed 8" plus a small block to level it out. Previously ran a 72 gmc blazer set up similiar to yours and shared a lot of the rock rash your does. I'm still taking it easy on the body panels... for now.

 

[BBeck]

I have A '08 3500 drw, 6. 7L with a lance 1031 camper, it's 11'6 at 4780lbs, just came from the scales. With the camper loaded and boat on behind it's 18,980lbs going down the road. I've added a super spring just for a little help. The truck handles great, runs great, fuel milage is around 10-11 highway @ 65 mph most of the time.

Hey, when you have a moment can you post a picture of the truck, camper and boat?



Thanks,

Brad

 

[jheier]

I'll post some photo's as soon as I get everything hooked up again, I don't like leaving all that weight on my truck when it's not in use. Should be in the next week or two I have another camping trip planned for the end of Sept. I miss stated on my camper it's a 1131 model, with the 1 slide out and the tent bed on the back.