I sold my 5th wheel that we've had for 13 years & am now seriously considering getting a TC. I've owned TT & 5th wheel but never TC...so I'm ignorant when it comes to what I need etc. We've decided to try it for a couple of years to see which we prefer before making what will probably be our final RV purchase.My truck is a '98 Dodge 2500 desiel 4x4 short bed (6.5'), GVWR 8800. Front axle 4850, rear 6084. My truck weighs 6600 with me in it. (weighed it today :) )My tires are Goodrich LT265/75 R16 Load range E with Max. weight of 3415. Not sure if this matters but I have 4 leaf springs with 2 more above those (6 total on each side). I'm not real mechanically skilled so please excuse any unnecessary info or incorrect terminology.So, oh learned ones, my questions are as follows:1. My max pay load is 2200, correct?2. Given the above weight restrictions, what campers do u recommend? ( probably just hard sided as we sometimes camp late fall when the temps get below freezing at night.) oh, and please don't tell me to buy a 3500...it's not happening.3. Tie downs. Anybody with any experience with these: http://www.amazon.com/CR-Brophy-Machine-Works-HSSF/dp/B004OCM0C6/ref=sr_1_1/180-6986593-3422315?ie=UTF8&qid=1428002765&sr=8-1&keywords=truck+camper+tie+downs I don't really want to put out the $ for Torklifts & not sure I'm competent for DIY install, so until we determine we are sticking with the TC as our RV of choice will these be adequate? Given that my camper can't be real heavy I was hoping these would work.4.Do I need the "Stableload" from Torklift?I guess that's it...for now :)THX in advance!

If you decide to be strict about your payload rating and subtract the weight of your gear, the family, gas and water you will be pitching a tent in the bed of your truck.

You have to ask yourself "Do I want a good solid frost resistant camper with double windows and good insulation?" Then ask yourself "How much can I afford?" Often it seems people want a lot more than the truck will handle, however there is ways to make the wheels and tires and the suspension carry more than the posted GVW. Best thing to do is have a look in the forum for heavy and weigh and GVW and see what people carry and how they modify their truck to do it safer than the OEM that the truck came off the factory with.

Here is the link for the tie downs you have questions about;http://www.amazon.com/CR-Brophy-Machine-Works-HSSF/dp/B004OCM0C6/ref=sr_1_1/180-6986593-3422315?ie=UTF8&qid=1428002765&sr=8-1&keywords=truck+camper+tie+downsIf you are considering a hard sided camper I would suggest you look closely at Torklift or Happijac. They should be much more stable than the ones you referenced on Amazon.

I would look at 8' campers as light as possible. If a popup will work you, that would fall within your capacity.My son carries a Lance 820 on a Chevy 3/4 Ton w/6.5' bed. He added Torklift Stableloads and Airbags.He has carried the Lance 820 several thousand miles with no problem. Same tire specs as yours too.

Unfortunately, you really do not have the truck to haul a very big camper,, as someone else said you may want to look at about the 8 foot campers Certainly you Do not have anything big enough for a slide-out unit --and without doing some major major modifications to your three quarter ton truck, being that you have the diesel engine anyway (which creates a big load on your whole G.V.W.R. weight rating )you're very much going to be limited :Eif you want to do a real truck camper you really have no choice but to go with a 3500 dually ---Now lot of people say oh you can hold a Big camper- with what you have --but how safe do you want to feel and how confident do you want to be when you go around the corner or you get caught in a big cross Wind. With the semi coming by?????The choice is up to you --and I really don't think you have a big enough truck. Yes I have hauled truck campers:W

Bunch of Questions! | Good Sam Community

campn4walleye
Explorer
Apr 03, 2015
Torklift tie downs and fast guns are the best you can get. Try Tweety's prices as we saved quite a bit more than others. They also have free shipping.

Even though you may not think you're not DIY savvy, the install is fairly easy. My husband did it in about 3 hours including the super hitch.

I'm putting the cart before the horse as you have no TC as yet. Just don't discount Torklift based on cost.

Also, you didn't say what type of camping you do or who will accompany you. That will determine what TC should be matched to your camping style.

Read everything in truck camper university. It will answer most of your questions. Go through old threads. Someone asked the same questions a couple of weeks ago. He ended up buying a TC larger than was recommended. He says it's fine. Some will say yes and some say no.

Safety and comfort should be your main focus. Evaluate your "must haves" and "would likes". It might surprise you. You should also be aware that TC weights can be deceiving; (they many times weigh more than the listed weight).
Dave_Pete
Explorer II
Apr 02, 2015
I've run a 9' pop-up on my 2006 Dodge diesel 3/4 ton, just added air springs. And use the Happijac tie-downs mainly because of the weaker beds in that year than in say.... the '70's.

Now putting on a restored 2400-2800 lb 8.5', max custom for systems, but still very small in size (and really in weight). I'm wild guessing the weight at this time.

I won't tell you to buy a 3500, but if I were to go bigger than what I have had or intend I'd either buy a 3500 or have a spring shop set me up right for at least suspension. I think my brakes, frame and axles are rated higher than the 2500 status, but springs just might get you.

Good luck, you've just started asking the right questions. I wouldn't hesitate to look close at several brands, but maybe some of the smaller Northstar campers would work for you. Wolfcreek another good lighter outfit (meaning no slides and smaller wall thickness than their heavier cousins, Arctic Fox). Lance is a good choice, but can be heavy, I think. Any slide will knock your truck out of the running without more mods.
bfast54
Explorer
Apr 02, 2015
Unfortunately, you really do not have the truck to haul a very big camper,, as someone else said you may want to look at about the 8 foot campers

Certainly you Do not have anything big enough for a slide-out unit --and without doing some major major modifications to your three quarter ton truck, being that you have the diesel engine anyway (which creates a big load on your whole G.V.W.R. weight rating )you're very much going to be limited :E

if you want to do a real truck camper you really have no choice but to go with a 3500 dually ---
Now lot of people say oh you can hold a Big camper- with what you have --but how safe do you want to feel and how confident do you want to be when you go around the corner or you get caught in a big cross Wind. With the semi coming by?????

The choice is up to you --and I really don't think you have a big enough truck.

Yes I have hauled truck campers:W
JumboJet
Explorer
Apr 02, 2015
I would look at 8' campers as light as possible. If a popup will work you, that would fall within your capacity.

My son carries a Lance 820 on a Chevy 3/4 Ton w/6.5' bed. He added Torklift Stableloads and Airbags.

He has carried the Lance 820 several thousand miles with no problem. Same tire specs as yours too.
NEOK
Explorer
Apr 02, 2015
Here is the link for the tie downs you have questions about;
http://www.amazon.com/CR-Brophy-Machine-Works-HSSF/dp/B004OCM0C6/ref=sr_1_1/180-6986593-3422315?ie=UTF8&qid=1428002765&sr=8-1&keywords=truck+camper+tie+downs

If you are considering a hard sided camper I would suggest you look closely at Torklift or Happijac. They should be much more stable than the ones you referenced on Amazon.
Artum_Snowbird
Explorer
Apr 02, 2015
You have to ask yourself "Do I want a good solid frost resistant camper with double windows and good insulation?" Then ask yourself "How much can I afford?" Often it seems people want a lot more than the truck will handle, however there is ways to make the wheels and tires and the suspension carry more than the posted GVW. Best thing to do is have a look in the forum for heavy and weigh and GVW and see what people carry and how they modify their truck to do it safer than the OEM that the truck came off the factory with.
Super_Dave
Explorer
Apr 02, 2015
If you decide to be strict about your payload rating and subtract the weight of your gear, the family, gas and water you will be pitching a tent in the bed of your truck.

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