I have backed off wanting an 11' camper with a 1 ton duelly as it just seems too overwhelming; that I would end up never taking the camper off the truck as it is too big and heavy.We have now settled on getting a new Lance 855-S, short bed camper with a single slide and a dry weight of 2900 lbs. We will be looking for a low mile used Chev or GM diesel shortbed p/u. My question is should I get a 1 ton shortbed or a 3/4 ton shortbed and do the suspension mods like airbags, Rancho shocks, addition springs (forget the name) and maybe anti-sway. Is the 1 ton with just airbags a better choice as it is factory set-up for more weight?Your thoughts for a truck for this size camper?Thanks for your input.Mike in Oly

The only difference between a 3500 and 2500 is badges, a set of overload springs and a higher gvw sticker.Entire drive train and chassis is the same for srw trucks. You may not need the bags with a 3500 but I'd guess you'll want them anyway to maintain OE ride height. Looking used, personally I'd look for the best truck/deal regardless of the badge on the side giving a slight nod to the 3500 over the 2500. Your choices will be more plentiful in 2500s and can be easily and reasonably made more stout than a stock 3500. The weight police on here will tell you different but that's your call.

My camper weighs about the same as yours. When I bought my truck, I didn't want the truck to ever dictate what camper I could haul. Buy the 1 ton and know that you are stress free with the current camper and maybe even have a little room to grow or at least entertain the idea of pulling a nice boat or trailer behind you.

I already had my 3/4T before I bought the TC. There is very little difference between mine and the 1T due to the option packs I had selected when I bought it. I basically have spent the same or less on upgrades as I would if I had bought the 1T, but I still only pay for 3/4T road tags and insurance. Both will do the job, but you may have to throw a few hundred more into the 3/4T suspension so figure that in to your costs when looking at what is available for sale.

I think you have the dry weight wrong on the 855S...don't they list at ~ 2400#?Anyway..I saw your other post about 1 ton vs 3/4 ton. If you are buying a truck...get the 1 ton. There is no reason not to.Having said that, we have a 3/4 ton, which we owned before we had the TC. We looked at the 855S and really like that floorplan. The most spacious we have seen for a SB.I would not hesitate to put that on our 3/4 ton.It is ~ 500# more than our current TC.Again, knowing what I know now, if I were buying a new truck...it would be 1 ton for sure.Good luck, love that 855S.Buy as much truck as you can...not as little as you can get away with.B

I have a 2005 chevy 2500 sb cc and we had a 2011 855, all loaded up I knew it was there but had to watch my speed as I got a little fast a times. I have air bags, bilstien shocks and roadmaster sway bar. I had zero issues with sway or my tires. I was running 265/75/16 Bfg at's. The combo always felt safe. I will be picking up 2013 af 811 on sat and having 19.5's put on due the weight. I did look at the 855s but it was lacking in storage. Good luck you will enjoy it!!

3/4 ton vs. 1 ton shortbed for a Lance 855-S | Good Sam Community

33 Replies

Bedlam
Moderator
Jun 19, 2013
I already had my 3/4T before I bought the TC. There is very little difference between mine and the 1T due to the option packs I had selected when I bought it. I basically have spent the same or less on upgrades as I would if I had bought the 1T, but I still only pay for 3/4T road tags and insurance. Both will do the job, but you may have to throw a few hundred more into the 3/4T suspension so figure that in to your costs when looking at what is available for sale.
Super_Dave
Explorer
Jun 19, 2013
My camper weighs about the same as yours. When I bought my truck, I didn't want the truck to ever dictate what camper I could haul. Buy the 1 ton and know that you are stress free with the current camper and maybe even have a little room to grow or at least entertain the idea of pulling a nice boat or trailer behind you.
Grit_dog
Navigator II
Jun 19, 2013
The only difference between a 3500 and 2500 is badges, a set of overload springs and a higher gvw sticker.
Entire drive train and chassis is the same for srw trucks.
You may not need the bags with a 3500 but I'd guess you'll want them anyway to maintain OE ride height.
Looking used, personally I'd look for the best truck/deal regardless of the badge on the side giving a slight nod to the 3500 over the 2500.
Your choices will be more plentiful in 2500s and can be easily and reasonably made more stout than a stock 3500.
The weight police on here will tell you different but that's your call.

Forum Discussion

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

33 Replies

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

Lance squire 3000 on shortbed?

bigfoot on shortbed srw

Hardside TC for 3900 pound payload shortbed

Goosebox shortbed owners

F350 Shortbed Hitch