Truck Camper and 2500 truck

[BBeck]

Hi:



I see a lot of 2500 and other brand 3/4 ton trucks carrying a camper. I was thinking about maybe doing the same and then pulling a boat. However, after looking at the "dry" weight of the campers, I don't see how any 3/4 ton truck can legally carry a camper.



Even manufactures state a certain model is good for 1/2 ton trucks, yet the weight is over 1500 lbs.



It seems the only safe option is to get a 4500 or a regular cab dually. Neither of which is really an option.



That said, I'm seriously considering getting a used 1ton - swapping for a similar model if possible as the 2500 won't fit my needs.



I was told the 2500 is the same as the 3500 SRW, just needs the helper springs. However, my concern is that if there was an accident, I would be over the 9000lbs GVWR (legal risk).



What are your thoughts and recommendations? As you can see from my signature, my truck is only a year old and I have a lot of options in the truck. I would even consider swapping for a new one, but going with the SLT Mega Dually or quad 3500.



Finally, I recall a site at Dodge that provides the specs for trucks that also includes recommendations for the type of camper (specs). Would someone please let me know what that is as well? It was an application tool.



As always, thank you in advance!

 

[wcjp]

Pic is my 06' Mega with Arctic Fox 811. The higher weight forced me into 19. 5" tires/wheels. If you want to stay with the stock wheels/tires look for something with no slide. Sig indicates you have a Mega. Only length of camper is 8. 5' will fit the truck bed. Try to stay aluminum frame. They're a little lighter. If wood frame, I like the S&S Camper. I added a rear sway bar and Pacbrake Airbags. Biggest difference between 3/4 or dually is tire capacity. 1ton SRW is not a meaningful upgrade over the 3/4.

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[BBeck]

So is the limiting factor the wheel and tire of the 2500 compared to the 3500?



There is an '07 Mega 3500 dually for sale in Wenatchee that has the 5. 9 and 6sp manual. It might be one option as a trade/swap.



How do you like the 5. 9 and do you have the auto or manual? I see the Artic Fox 811 is just over 3,000 lbs dry weight. What 19. 5in wheels/tires did you upgrade to? Doesn't that still put you over the GVWR?



Thanks,

Brad

 

[Grizzly]

Your most limiting factor is that short bed. To haul a fair size camper, I recommend a 3500 long bed DRW. I hauled a 11' 3" Lance extended cab camper with my 3500 to Alaska and many other places with the greatest of ease.

 

[DonTX]

Grizzly has it right. I just bought my Host double slide pickup camper last week from a guy who TRIED to haul it on a 2500 GMC. He put on larger tires, heavier springs, air bags, stabilizers and still decided to not haul it anymore with the 3/4 gasser. I have hauled them with 1/2, 3/4, and one ton pickups, there seems to be no comparison, I would advise getting a one ton dually and enjoy the trip.

 

[Regcabguy]

The only camper I'd consider in your case would be a lightweight 6' popup cabover. The megacab's center of gravity is way rearward. Think in terms of emergency handling. There isn't any with a load that top heavy. In your owner's manual,Dodge specifically warns against carrying a cabcover on that model. I feel reasonably safe with my setup,but Grizzly's rig is the safe way to carry a hard-sided cabover.

 

[BBeck]

Thanks for the advice and feedback. I did find the link I was looking for.



For reference, it is Home | Dodge Body Builder's Guide and that is where you can look at prior years.



I still don't understand how a Megacab 3500 dually with a 9,300 lb gross rear axle rating has a GVWR of 10,500 and a payload of 2,670 lbs.



I understand the numbers published, but don't understand the point of building a truck that way.



Looks like I will have to look at the quad cab to be safe as that has a payload of 4,600 lbs.

 

[Road Dog]

Biggest difference between 3/4 or dually is tire capacity. 1ton SRW is not a meaningful upgrade over the 3/4.

With a 3G going from 2500SB to 3500SB adds 700 pounds of payload. A 2500 w/Cummins can't realistically carry a camper after you add people, fuel, water, beer, dog, etc. A 3500 SRW can carry a small (8' - 9') camper if you're not pulling a big trailer (hitch weight issues). A 3500 dually can carry most campers (some campers are over 4,000 pounds these days).



If you e-mail Chrylser they'll mail out the camper data sheets for whatever model you want.

 

[BBeck]

With a 3G going from 2500SB to 3500SB adds 700 pounds of payload. A 2500 w/Cummins can't realistically carry a camper after you add people, fuel, water, beer, dog, etc. A 3500 SRW can carry a small (8' - 9') camper if you're not pulling a big trailer (hitch weight issues). A 3500 dually can carry most campers (some campers are over 4,000 pounds these days).



If you e-mail Chrylser they'll mail out the camper data sheets for whatever model you want.

I agree the 2500 to 3500 SRW doesn't make sense as well as with a Megacab. The only way to go would be a 3500 quad cab dually.

 

[DMcGalliard]

I would follow the other advise and get a long box 3500 dually. I have a lance 1181 and it is heavy there is some side to side movement with my improvements. With a single wheel that failed at highway speed could mean a roll over, at least with a dually you have backup.
The 5. 9 has more than plenty power for any slide-in camper, I can pass anything on almost any hill with my 5. 9 and have plenty of acceleration at any speed.
Dave Mc

 

[THoltz]

I have a 2003 Lance 1010 (floor is 10 ft long). I don't know how folks haul a similar camper without DRW. Weighs inat 3500 lbs with water, propane, battery, and our stuff. Kind of cramped, so we spend a lot of time outside which we both like. It does get us off the beaten path.

 

[CRuth]

Lower your expectations. Eight hundred pounds dry weight.

 

[jheier]

I had a lance 1010 on a '97 2500 w/ a v-10. For $500, Off the internet, I found a set of 3500 springs, bran new. There were to choices 2800lbs or 4000lbs springs, the v-10 already had the 2800 lbs spring so I went with the 4000lbs spring. It took about two hours to change out the springs in my front yard, you have to lower the gas tank to get one of the leaf spring bolts out. When I put the Lance camper on the truck it would not even soak up the 2" difference from front to rear springs, add my car trailer and everything leveled out real nice.

I've since up graded to a '08 dually and a lance 1131, a very heavy camper.

 

[MSicotte]

Here is one tip for you, Arctic Fox estimated dry weights in the brochure are way off. They make an exceptional product, mine is 3 1/2 years old and I've only had a couple of minor problems with it that were easily fixed. I have also used it in temps down to -34' C with no issues. The "estimated" dry weight of my camper (860) with options was approx 3350lbs. I scaled the truck and camper and found it to be 4900 lbs. I was so shocked I drove to another scale and found the same results. They are heavy, you will need a 1 ton, air bags and/or timbrens, and I highly recommend upgrading to 19. 5" wheels. Its a lot of extra stuff, but the enjoyment you will get out of a well set up truck and camper far out weigh the initial work. Good luck with your choice.

 

[BBeck]

Here is one tip for you, Arctic Fox estimated dry weights in the brochure are way off. They make an exceptional product, mine is 3 1/2 years old and I've only had a couple of minor problems with it that were easily fixed. I have also used it in temps down to -34' C with no issues. The "estimated" dry weight of my camper (860) with options was approx 3350lbs. I scaled the truck and camper and found it to be 4900 lbs. I was so shocked I drove to another scale and found the same results. They are heavy, you will need a 1 ton, air bags and/or timbrens, and I highly recommend upgrading to 19. 5" wheels. Its a lot of extra stuff, but the enjoyment you will get out of a well set up truck and camper far out weigh the initial work. Good luck with your choice.

Thanks MarcS



I guess I will have to decide on whether to go the camper route as that is what will determine getting a dually. The 1 ton SRW only increases the payload a 1,000 lbs, so that won't help with a camper. The Megacab Dually has essentially the same specs as the 1ton SRW.



Other options I'm considering is to get a used Class A diesel or Class C and pull a boat with that. Since I would be spending money on an RV (camper or other), I could keep the truck for local trips with a boat and use the RV/boat for locations farther away.



And the dually would have to be a quadcab, which I wish had more room in the back seats.



When I rented the TT a few weeks ago, I noticed a lot of lurching and swaying of the truck. So the 19. 5in wheels and tires is a definate upgrade in the future.

 

[MSicotte]

The torklift Stableloads are another good options to make your overload springs work sooner and better (I don't have overloads anymore since I changed up to 12 pack Deavers). I have a quadcab short box, so 4900 lbs in the back is huge, and then the Torklift Superhitch with the 3' extension and 14' cargo trailer with the motorcycle, mountain bike, tools, equipment, etc... ... ... ... I totalled 14600 lbs total last time out, and 8100lbs on the rear axle. What I did to be able to use air bags and timbrens was I used the 2nd gen style air bags. I had the upper brackets professionally welded to the frame, and the bases bolted around the springs. Remove the bumpstops and install the timbrens, its a 2 bolt easy install. I still plan on adding a Hellwig sway bar just to add another level of security. I did also find that the quick connect air fittings supplied with the air bags leak. I went to a fitting supply store and got compression fittings, and that solved the problem. I've rambled enough... ... ... ..... cheers.