Camper looks like its not level

srschang wrote:
I bought a 2022 Ram longbed diesel dually in January. When I load up my Northstar 12STC (4800# ready to camp), it looks like its leaning back as well. I was thinking about installing airbags, but the top and bottom overloads are just engaged as it is now. The airbags would lift it off the overloads if I try to make it look level. Don't want that.

Instead, I reregistered my truck at 13,900# so it's legal. When the dealer registered it in January, they registered it for 9200#, which is 300# more than the truck weighs empty. I was going to leave the registration at 9200# and keep my fingers crossed I wouldn't get weighed, but the way it leans back makes me feel more likely to get weighed. Not a big deal, the difference between 9200# and 13,900# is only $35 / year. The worst part was waiting in line at the DMV - 3 windows open, 21 people in line.

I am totally confused.

First I live in NY, have owned TCs for many years, and have never heard of any official weighing a truck camper or any RV. My trucks have always been initially registered by the dealers at the weight rating from the manufacturer. No one has ever questioned the weight I actually carry. Nor can I imagine how that would happen. There are no scales near where I live and I certainly do not stop at the commercial truck weighing stations on the highway.

Next I am puzzled about the weights. The Northstar weight of 4800# seems about right. But the base weight of the truck at 9200 minus 300 is 8900#. I would not be surprised if your rig is actually over 13900. In any case the 4800# and about 3500# for the truck, sit on the rear axle. That is over 8000# on the rear axle or over 4000# on each tire. Are your wheels and tires rated for that load?

I recommend you load up the rig and check the weight on each axle. In fact you should check the weight on each tire. My Northstar had lots more weight on the rear right than the rear left tire. The water tank was offset a bit towards the right, and the refrigerator, propane tanks and generator and overhead storage were all on the right side. Perhaps Northstar has done a better job on your rig but it is also easy to load one side way more than the other.