Camper Weight vs My Truck....? HELP.... QUICK...LOL.

I'll post here because I think I can help a little bit. I did just what you're asking about. Camper was a good price, and that dodge isn't a small truck. Problem is, you don't realize that the camper is huge also.

Here's a picture.


Truck has more than enough power. I have a stock 12-valve. 215 hp 5-speed truck. Which means I also have a Dana 80 rear end. My tires are rated for 3750lbs per tire. I know the truck weighs 6500lbs and my and your GVWR is 8800lbs. I was way over the ratings of the truck. With airbags and a rear sway bar it still wasn't confidence inspiring.

Here's the big thing...it drove like ****. That huge, top heavy load was not very easy to control with 4x4 dodge steering. Every bump or pothole I hit made an impact in control. This could have been due to tires, suspension, steering components, a bunch of other possible things. I love my dodge, it's my baby, but it wasn't going to work for this camper.

Here's my new setup.


Drives great. Truck was built for heavy hauling and it shows going down the highway. Now I'm able to drive with one hand on the steering wheel and nothing affects me anymore. Wind, bumps, sweeping fast turns, it stops excellent. Everything about this truck amazes me when the camper is on it.

Thought I would just give you a first hand experience.

And keep in mind, you're truck may or may not be heavier. New technology, mechanical motor vs computer controlled. Different axle, different transmission. Either way, it weighs 6500 lbs minimum.

Hope I helped.

My '96 is an automatic. Airbags without overloads.

The use of ratchet straps is doable, if you use straps with a heavy capacity. The road conditions and your speed make a difference. A flat smooth road requires much less tiedown than a windy road. The slower the better.

I think the OP should do as search. 4000 lb TC on a 2500 is not a new thing. A good start would be a review the Photo Thread - Post a Photo of Your Truck Camper Here thread.

Personally, I would not haul a 4000 lb TC on any factory stock 2500 (3/4 ton) truck. I might consider 20 miles depending on the road and traffic. It would be white knuckle for me.

I hauled my 11.5 foot, 4200 lb TC on my '96 2500 for over ten years and 150000 miles without any problems. I have made many upgrades to my truck. My 4200 lb 11.5 foot TC added 200 lbs weight to the front axle, and the other 4000 on the rear axle. My biggest issue was tires. I solved that issue with 19.5 tires.

We all have opinions and our own comfort zones, and I think it is fair to express them without promoting our own agenda. If you are of the belief the door sticker is your comfort zone, do not consider hauling TC that exceeds that. In my opinion, the tires are the safety issue.

I recently purchased a '04 3500 DRW Ram Quad cab 4x4. When I load my 11.5 foot 3800 lb TC (without Stablelift) it reduces the front axle weight by 100 lbs. All of the weight is on the rear axle. I think it is interesting how the wheelbase of the truck changes the load distribution.

Wayne

it is a auto tranny... and I was going to use ratchet straps to hold it down... will that work...?

brothers wrote:
will it work okay to haul it 20 miles?

Probably, but you also need tiedowns etc. It would be better to have someone with a proper truck to move it for you. Maybe the current owner would consider moving it.

First of all your 01 is actually a 3500 in disguise with softer springs. They did not make a 3500 SRW that year, only dually. If you have the auto tranny you have a Dana 70 rear axle. If you have a standard shift you have a Dana 80. Either axle can handle the weight, springs, not so much.

That said, I agree with Steve in 29. An 11' camper really belongs on a dually.

I did it with my 11' camper on F250.
Bought new, highest capacity tires for the trip and first stop after loading was at scales.
After finding the rear tires about 15% overloaded, it was scary trip.

will it work okay to haul it 20 miles?

I don't want it bad enough to trade trucks for it, but it's too bad for me that my 2500 is too light in the pants for it, because it sure has a good price on it.

I guess my 2500 would be able to haul it home 20 miles if I wanted to resell it...?

An 11foot TC has no place on a 2500. Either look for a different camper or trade up to a 3500DRW.