1/2 ton Chevy

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.

DWeikert wrote:

Justgot2hunt wrote:
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 !!

I feel your pain. I bought a Toyota Tundra when my old truck was going to cost too much to pass inspection right about the time I started looking at truck campers. I planned on getting something small like the Four Wheel Hawk that would fit the Tundra but just couldn't get past the limitations I was putting on myself. Did I really want a pop-up when most of my camping is in colder weather? Did I really want to go without an inside shower? Eventually I decided the longer I kept the Tundra the less I was going to get for it on a trade so 18 months into payments I took the hit and bought a truck that'll carry the camper I really wanted.

Only regret is buying the Tundra to begin with, although I did like that truck. I drove it west once sleeping in the bed under a cap and staying at a hotel every few days. That was when I decided I wanted a shower. Interestingly, I've made similar trips west with my current rig and the gas powered Tundra and cap got about the same mileage as my current diesel truck with camper. Who knew...? :)

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.

jimh425 wrote:

mkirsch wrote:
To stay within the factory ratings on a 1500 pickup, there are NO options out there unless you camp naked, cold, and hungry.

Is this one of those wild generalizations? ;) Seriously though, lots of people have been camping with 1/2 tons for decades and staying warm although some may have been naked at times ... I can't say for sure. :D

Sure, you can't haul even a "normal" weight camper or a relatively heavy one like I have, but there are options. Four Wheel Campers makes a lot of lightweight models that can even go on tiny trucks, for example. http://www.fourwh.com/popup-truck-camper-customer-testimonials/

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.

I've weighed (pun intended) all the options. I've done all the math. I've gone down all the rabbit holes. It can't be done and stay within the factory ratings unless you use a "fake 1/2-ton" truck which is really a 3/4-ton truck with 1500-series badging to skirt license, tax, and/or HOA regulations.

All I am saying here is that it can't be done *within manufacturer's ratings* on a 1500 truck. If you decide to go forward, you have to do so with the assumption that you WILL be overloaded, and that doesn't always work out to your satisfaction, even if you are absolutely no danger to anyone else on the road.

Justgot2hunt wrote:
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 !!

I feel your pain. I bought a Toyota Tundra when my old truck was going to cost too much to pass inspection right about the time I started looking at truck campers. I planned on getting something small like the Four Wheel Hawk that would fit the Tundra but just couldn't get past the limitations I was putting on myself. Did I really want a pop-up when most of my camping is in colder weather? Did I really want to go without an inside shower? Eventually I decided the longer I kept the Tundra the less I was going to get for it on a trade so 18 months into payments I took the hit and bought a truck that'll carry the camper I really wanted.

Only regret is buying the Tundra to begin with, although I did like that truck. I drove it west once sleeping in the bed under a cap and staying at a hotel every few days. That was when I decided I wanted a shower. Interestingly, I've made similar trips west with my current rig and the gas powered Tundra and cap got about the same mileage as my current diesel truck with camper. Who knew...? :)

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.

Justgot2hunt wrote:
I've heard/read timbrens are a better way to go over airbags ?

You can read the opposite as well. :)

wvabeer wrote:
I looked and it looks like 1950 is your max payload. If you find the rear axle max weight you might have more. Just don't go way past your max axle weight. I don't go past 200lb past mine. I have not troubles with my 1/2 ton.You may have to get air bags but they aren't to bad on the wallet or to install.

Thanks. I've heard/read timbrens are a better way to go over airbags ?

mkirsch wrote:
You'll see a lot of wild generalizations thrown about on both sides of the discussion.

To stay within the factory ratings on a 1500 pickup, there are NO options out there unless you camp naked, cold, and hungry. Most of us like to bring along clothing, food, water, fuel, and most importantly, GEAR for the activity we enjoy while camping.

You can install suspension helpers on your truck to help with the weight, heavier tires, stronger wheels, etc.. It might cause some excess wear and tear on suspension and axle parts over the long haul, but that depends on how often you use it. Most don't use their RVs more than a few times a year, so if that's you, you will probably trade trucks long before you notice any undue strain.

The biggest risk here is financial. There is a good chance that you won't be comfortable with driving it. There is a good chance you won't like everything you have to do to the truck to get it to carry the load. There is a good chance that even after you do make all the changes, you won't like how it drives. This, after spending how much money? How many tens of thousands of dollars did you put into the rig, and how many more will it take before you're happy with it?

It's a huge financial risk, and your only way out will be to take a loss. Either sell the camper at a huge loss, or trade trucks at a huge loss. This is why starting out right makes more sense...

Yes, well put. That's the question I guess....do I try something now and hope it's close enough to what I want/need or wait. Wish I would have started looking at these 3-4 months ago.

JIMNLIN wrote:
The wife just bought a '16 1500 4x4 It has a 7100 GVWR but its weak spot for carrying payloads is the small 4000 RAWR which includes rear axle/rear suspension/wheels and P tires.
We can upgrade to higher rated springs/wheels and LT tire but not much help for the small size semi float axle.

You didn't say what your GVWR/FAWR/RAWR is. GM does have a NHT package with around 7600 GVWR and a 4600 RAWR.
This package would be good for around 2000-2200 lb payload.

We have 1/2 ton truck out here with 8200-8600 GVWR and full floater 6000 RAWR E tires and wheels with 3k+ lb payloads. These trucks were popular in the '00-'08 era.

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).

Rbertalotto wrote:
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...

Figures. Lance makes that 650 sound like ANY 1/2 ton can EASILY carry it all over tarnation with ease.....ughh !