My philosophy is, why push the limits in the first place?
Everything may be hunky-dory in 90% of the situations encountered but that 10% that can happen is the deciding factor for me.
I couldn't agree more except what are the limits?..So many have been and are over the published limits of the truck yet get by just fine or some go by the actual manufacturer axle limits,which differ from the trucks GAWR and some go by tires...If I was a newbie,I would be all sorts of confused by what I read on the internet.
That particular camper the opp posted about in this thread is one heavy camper..If you go by the truck limits,it is way to heavy for my dually and I have 4600 pounds of payload,infact I'm getting close to my truck advertised limit with a 9.6 non-slide Lance camper after adding all the stuff I take.
I think we all have our personal limits from the experiences we have had with truck campers..Some are okay with being over and how the truck handles,others are bothered by sway and that top heavy feeling and others just do it..
In the old days not a person I new went by any manufacturer numbers and most if not all, didn't even know them,they just did it and drove accordingly.I did the same..
Here is an old very heavy homemade camper on an old step side pickup pulling two horses with hay stacked on the roof with six kids(two not shown) and two dogs on one of are hunting trips.The guy worked for my dad and was a very good carpenter.He carried that camper on that old truck pulling two full grown palominos all there tack and extra hay on the roof all over Idaho's backcountry without an issue except flat tires(laughing)..I don't remember the truck specifics.
My personal belief is...Whatever your comfortable with,within reason..Not what others think..Alot of common sense is needed in truck campers and the truck they ride on.If your going way heavy then your the one that has to pay the piper with the disadvantages..
Just my opinion.
