3/4 ton vs. 1 ton shortbed for a Lance 855-S

wintersun wrote:
I do not see the convenience of a generator. I would need to carry a gas can and store it in a vented compartment. I would need to baby sit the generator and watch the charge level of the batteries. I would need to pull out a portable generator each time for use and attach the power cord or have the noise of a built-in generator.

With solar panels our batteries are always at 100% charge by 11:00 AM in any weather. When the camper is not on the truck there is no need to attach a trickle charger to keep the batteries healthy. The only time we would be using a generator would be to power the AC and instead we stop at a campground with hookups for a night and then head for cooler country.

We did this on a trip earlier in the month when the temperatures around Bishop, CA hit 100 degrees. One night in Bishop and then we headed to campsites above 7,000 feet where the temperatures were 25 degrees lower.

Solar panels are a great deal more convenient for us than a generator.

Solar is almost worthless in the North East winter; short/cloudy days= very little sun.
No "baby sitting" for a genny...you run it while you are inside at night cooking dinner...shut it down when you go to bed.
With a good charging system and AGM's you are well charged in 2-3 hrs...can't do that with solar panels.
Solar with a large bank of batteries and a quality inverter...is expensive...and heavy.
Way heavier and a greater investment than a genny...
Everyone has to think about their power needs and campers useage before they invest...

I do not see the convenience of a generator. I would need to carry a gas can and store it in a vented compartment. I would need to baby sit the generator and watch the charge level of the batteries. I would need to pull out a portable generator each time for use and attach the power cord or have the noise of a built-in generator.

With solar panels our batteries are always at 100% charge by 11:00 AM in any weather. When the camper is not on the truck there is no need to attach a trickle charger to keep the batteries healthy. The only time we would be using a generator would be to power the AC and instead we stop at a campground with hookups for a night and then head for cooler country.

We did this on a trip earlier in the month when the temperatures around Bishop, CA hit 100 degrees. One night in Bishop and then we headed to campsites above 7,000 feet where the temperatures were 25 degrees lower.

Solar panels are a great deal more convenient for us than a generator.

billtex wrote:
IIRC the 855/855S can go on a LB also...

mikeashford wrote:
That's true, but you loose the space for an on board generator.
But that is a viable option..........

And you would have to lose the black tank also.

The 855S cannot fit on a LB unless it isn't all the way forward in the bed.

I agree, "I have only 3 good things to say about an on board generator.......convenience, convenience, and convenience. "

To get the higher payload you need to only look for 2011 GM trucks and newer. From my experience, I suggest you look at 1 tons SRW.

Paul

mikeashford wrote:
Wow, I just spent the last 45 minutes reading David"s (from St. Petersburg, FL) saga of fitting his new Lance 855-S to his 3/4 ton P/U. That was an amazing 'thread' with lots of good suggestions and insight. I do think that finding a one ton is the way to go. Thanks, David for sharing your experience. Hope you can now enjoy the 'fruits of your labor'.

Mike in Oly

Yeah...I read that entire thread also...wow...

No offense David, but I think you could have got there with airbags and tires...
You sure took the long the long way home.

Anyway, good luck, nice setup...now get out and enjoy it.

TC's rock!

B

Do yourself a favor and read the truck camper tip in the current issue of rvtravel.com.

elkhornsun wrote:
If you are going to special order a truck from a dealer you may as well get a 1-ton but when I went shopping I bought a 2011 3/4 ton as the only difference was the 2500HD has 1/4" smaller rear rotors, does not have a second overload set of leaf springs, and I got the extended cab which was not available in a short bed 1-ton from GM and I saved more than $5,000. I also got at no extra cost a bed liner, chrome side steps, camper mirrors, and an aluminum diamond plate tool box (which I sold on craigslist for $200).

I wanted the shortest practical wheelbase as I could get and a 2500HD with the extended cab and short bed fit the bill. With a 1-ton I would have had to get the long bed truck with a longer wheelbase and a longer camper neither of which I wanted.

Something to think about is that there are far fewer options for a larger fuel tank with short bed trucks. With long bed trucks there are 60+ gallon fuel tanks from Aero and Titan which add for flexibility when traveling in the boondocks, especially with a diesel engine.

I lost my notes now, but the other thing to consider is the rear axle. They are different between the 2500 and 3500. Unless, the 2500 is a diesel or came with my gas motor (2005 GMC 8.1 liter gas). There might be other combinations of year/truck/motor, but thank goodness, I have the heavier axle that came with the 3500 series. There are even pictures online so you can visually check what you have, just an FYI.

You are correct the though. The spring shop said I was lucky that I have the 2500 HD(they said the HD is a great upgrade), he said with the work they did and the axle that my truck has, its a 3500HD now. I am just glad I didn't have to pay for it :)

mikeashford wrote:
Wow, I just spent the last 45 minutes reading David"s (from St. Petersburg, FL) saga of fitting his new Lance 855-S to his 3/4 ton P/U. That was an amazing 'thread' with lots of good suggestions and insight. I do think that finding a one ton is the way to go. Thanks, David for sharing your experience. Hope you can now enjoy the 'fruits of your labor'.

Mike in Oly

Yeah, we do enjoy it now, thanks. It sure was an eye opener and I am happy to help anyone these days :)

I don't think I documented all of the times I brought it back for the "Lance plug" which wasn't wired properly to charge the onboard battery...3 trips later going back and forth, they rewired it and threw in an additional battery. They DID take care of me, I just wish they did it sooner. It's really nice now though and as much as I love it... I would take a 1 ton in a heart beat if I had the money.

Good luck with yours. Reading back through that thread, you can see how I was "learning" along the way, pretty funny now. I just wish I knew all of these before hand.

If you are going to special order a truck from a dealer you may as well get a 1-ton but when I went shopping I bought a 2011 3/4 ton as the only difference was the 2500HD has 1/4" smaller rear rotors, does not have a second overload set of leaf springs, and I got the extended cab which was not available in a short bed 1-ton from GM and I saved more than $5,000. I also got at no extra cost a bed liner, chrome side steps, camper mirrors, and an aluminum diamond plate tool box (which I sold on craigslist for $200).

I wanted the shortest practical wheelbase as I could get and a 2500HD with the extended cab and short bed fit the bill. With a 1-ton I would have had to get the long bed truck with a longer wheelbase and a longer camper neither of which I wanted.

Something to think about is that there are far fewer options for a larger fuel tank with short bed trucks. With long bed trucks there are 60+ gallon fuel tanks from Aero and Titan which add for flexibility when traveling in the boondocks, especially with a diesel engine.

Wow, I just spent the last 45 minutes reading David"s (from St. Petersburg, FL) saga of fitting his new Lance 855-S to his 3/4 ton P/U. That was an amazing 'thread' with lots of good suggestions and insight. I do think that finding a one ton is the way to go. Thanks, David for sharing your experience. Hope you can now enjoy the 'fruits of your labor'.

Mike in Oly