I looked around on here but didn't see much on 1/2 ton TC options. Anyway, I recently purchased a 2016 Chevy Silverado 1500. Started looking at TC's and realize I either wait at least a few years for my next truck or probably have to go with a Lance 650 due to payload limitations. I'd like just the next size up Lance (825?) but really doubt my 1/2 ton (or any for that matter) would be able to haul it. Any insight would be appreciated, thanks in advance !!

You will be overloaded with the 825. There are things you can do (helper springs, airbags, tire upgrades, etc.) to minimize the effects of the overloading, but it doesn't change the basic facts.Now, what you choose to do with that information is up to you. Many, many truck camper rigs are over their GVWR and manage to operate safely day after day. In case of an accident, though, the responsibility is yours.

There simply aren't many 1500 TC options. The TC brochures that claim a TC fits on a half ton are about as close to a lie as you can get. IF you had a 2wd, reg cab, long bed 1500 with no options (manual windows, vinyl floor, etc) and it was only the driver and not much luggage you might make it work. That's about the only way.I'd be willing to bet that after you figure passengers, pets, gear, fresh water, propane, food, etc. you will be over weight with even the Lance 650.I once had a 1500 Dodge and an 8' pop-up TC. I was 600 pounds over the truck's GVWR with no passengers and very little gear.I've since upgraded to a dually and I'm still over my GVWR with an 11' camper.Truck campers are heavy.

You might want to look at the popup line of campers by Palomino. There are some that will work with a half ton. There is also "4 Wheel Campers" that will even go on a Ranger or Tacoma, but you pay for the lack of weight. I have a half ton and ended up putting Timbrens on my rear suspension because my camper puts me right at my capacity, but that is before I get in the truck, my wife the dog, and the camping supplies. With the added help of the Timbrens the truck rides beautifully, but I know I'm still riding heavy. I may add helper springs before I'm done.

Tires and axle will be your limiting factor. Do anything you want to the suspension thinking you are upgrading, go flying down the road, hit a big dip in the road. Double the load on that rear axle...Bang!I've yet to find any 1/2 ton PU that can carry any TC once fully loaded with people, batteries, gear, water and fuel.....Lots of 3/4 ton PU are greatly overloaded with mid size TCs.Even 1 ton dually PUs are quite easily overloaded with todays 4500# campers....and gear, passengers, fuel, water, etc...

1/2 ton Chevy | Good Sam Community

Justgot2hunt
Explorer
May 16, 2016
JIMNLIN wrote:
op wrote:
My truck is a 4x4 crew cab with 6.5 ft bed. I want to say my tires are T (sticker on door jam with payload cap) but I don't know the gross veh, front or rear axle wt ratings (I know, complete newbie).

Simply open the drivers side door and look at the vehicles certification sticker on the A pillar which has GVWR and FAWR and RAWR.

I've checked both driver & passenger door pillars and the only sticker I have is tire with payload. Will look closer at glove box, but didn't see gvwr there either I don't believe.
Justgot2hunt
Explorer
May 16, 2016
So much to consider, but I do appreciate the replies ! I will check out article with the above link for sure, thanks again.
Grit_dog
Navigator
May 15, 2016
twodownzero wrote:
My Lance 815 busts the GVWR on my 1 ton SRW.

1/2 ton trucks have no business carrying any kind of camper.

Lol, riiiiight!
The only way a 815 exceeds the gvw on a 1 ton truck is.....
A. Your" 1 ton srw" is like 40 years old and subject to a real low Gvwr......maybe.
B. You have so much **** in the camper and added to the truck that the camper isn't the problem, everything else is.
C. You just like stirring the pot with outlandish claims.

At least we know which side of the weight cop line you're on!
c_traveler2
Nomad
May 15, 2016
Truck Camper Adventure recently did a article on 1/2 tons and possible TCs.

The field is very small for finding a suitable hardside TC for a 1/2 truck that fits your needs, the above article may give you some choices, good luck.
wvabeer
Explorer
May 15, 2016
twodownzero wrote:
My Lance 815 busts the GVWR on my 1 ton SRW.

1/2 ton trucks have no business carrying any kind of camper.

Lets see, you bust your 1 ton weight load but us 1/2 ton owners aren't allowed? Please elaborate.
Geewizard
Explorer
May 15, 2016
twodownzero wrote:
My Lance 815 busts the GVWR on my 1 ton SRW.

1/2 ton trucks have no business carrying any kind of camper.

And your qualifications for saying that, please?
twodownzero
Explorer
May 15, 2016
My Lance 815 busts the GVWR on my 1 ton SRW.

1/2 ton trucks have no business carrying any kind of camper.
whizbang
Explorer II
May 15, 2016
Don't worry about staying warm in a pop-up. I've had two, both were toasty down to 19 degrees. Both pop-ups, a Four Wheel Camper and a Jayco, are probably good for even lower temperatures, just I've never personally camped below 19 degrees F.

So far, I've had air bags on two trucks and Timbrens on one truck. Both suspension upgrades have engineering trade offs.

My advice: load the camper on the truck. If the camper sits level (side to side --- not leaning toward the driver or passenger side), get Timbrens. If the camper list to one side, get air bags. You will need different pressures in the airbags to level the camper.
RoyJ
Explorer
May 14, 2016
mkirsch wrote:
No, it is not a wild generalization.

Even the camper you show here starts out at around 800lbs if I am not mistaken. With NOTHING in it. No mattress, no seating, no appliances, no water tank, no amenities, period.

By the time you add in even meager options, supplies, gear, and passengers, you're at 1500+lbs, exceeding the payload capacity on nearly all 1500-series pickup trucks. Most also want to tow something.

You were probably looking at the "shell" model, which does not weigh 800 lbs. A shell for 6'6" bed weighs around 650 lbs. It's doable on a 1/2 ton, but having a Ram (lowest payload of all), I need quite a bit of modifications.

My future plan: balance out of axle weight by placing my deep cycle batts ahead of the front axle on a custom bracket; remove bed and tailgate (400 lbs), possibly remove rear seats (80 lbs). This increases my payload from ~1300 to ~1800 lbs.

A shell is ~600 lbs (5'8" bed), I plan on building a lightweight bracket / bed with angle iron to hold the camper, on 3 point pivot (Unimog style). Goal being 200 lbs. Leaves me 1000 lbs for gear, food, water, matress, 12v freezer, and 1 passenger. A bit too extreme for most though...
Geewizard
Explorer
May 14, 2016
DWeikert wrote:
Geewizard wrote:

My experience has been quite different. I used my Outfitter Apex 8 TC in mostly cold weather when I lived in Fairbanks, AK. I have an inside shower. And yes, the gas mileage sucks. All on a Tundra.
Interestingly, I'm strongly considering buying a new Tundra and same the TC will go on it.

You were one of my inspirations thinking I could make the Tundra work and at the time Outfitter was still making the Tundra specific Apex which I was seriously considering for a while. But most of my travels involve a multi day drive and stealth camping was also a concern. Then there was the inevitable time when I needed to upgrade my truck. If I recall, you were wanting to upgrade a little while ago but ran into issues with your Tundra specific Apex fitting on a "standard" full size truck. Apologies if I'm confusing you with someone else. After my PA to Montana trip I made with just the cap, I cringed at the thought of what the mileage would be like with a camper and that's when I set my sights on diesel. Basically you were the perfect example that it could work, but for me personally, it was just too far from my optimal rig and I dislike having buyers remorse.

I'm glad I was an inspiration for you. And yes, I have considered upgrading my truck. I might do that this year. Or not.