Hi everybody,Looking for some advice. We just sold our 33 LCDTS Silverback fifth wheel and are downsizing to a camper. We have a 2010 heavy duty 2500 diesel with Firestone air bags. We have taken a fancy to a...2000 Adventurer 90FWS EXT Camper.. We are going to view it at 10 a.m. tomorrow. Our truck is only a 6' 4" box but the fella said with the tailgate down we should be able to haul it. The previous owner apparently did. I think he said it's 2038 lb. I was just wondering if anybody else owns that same camper or similar to it and if you're happy with it. Also wondering what you are using to haul it with. Any bit of information you care to share with me would be greatly appreciated..Thanking you in advance.RegardsJo

Two most important considerations when matching a truck to a TC are the truck's rated payload which should be equal to or higher than the total weight of the truck camper plus everything else in the bed (equipment, tools, fuel, water, etc.) and cab (driver, passengers, etc.), keeping in mind the weight posted on the TC might be underestimated. Nothing you can do or add to your truck such as air bags, stabilizers, etc. can change its payload. Second factor is the TC's centre of gravity which must be above or in front of your truck's rear axle. The rest is a question of preference.

ykphil wrote:Two most important considerations when matching a truck to a TC are the truck's rated payload which should be equal to or higher than the total weight of the truck camper plus everything else in the bed (equipment, tools, fuel, water, etc.) and cab (driver, passengers, etc.), keeping in mind the weight posted on the TC might be underestimated. Nothing you can do or add to your truck such as air bags, stabilizers, etc. can change its payload. Second factor is the TC's centre of gravity which must be above or in front of your truck's rear axle. The rest is a question of preference.I guess I have been doing it wrong for almost 30 years. What is your truck and camper history and experience?

work2much wrote:ykphil wrote:Two most important considerations when matching a truck to a TC are the truck's rated payload which should be equal to or higher than the total weight of the truck camper plus everything else in the bed (equipment, tools, fuel, water, etc.) and cab (driver, passengers, etc.), keeping in mind the weight posted on the TC might be underestimated. Nothing you can do or add to your truck such as air bags, stabilizers, etc. can change its payload. Second factor is the TC's centre of gravity which must be above or in front of your truck's rear axle. The rest is a question of preference.I guess I have been doing it wrong for almost 30 years. What is your truck and camper history and experience?Not here to argue about one's experience or history with trucks and TCs. I am simply stating two demonstrated facts, that truck payload and TC's COG in relation to the truck are important factors to consider when matching truck and TC.

The COG required to be in front of the rear axle isn’t so much a fact as a common suggestion. The manufacturers don’t agree.

dezldog1 wrote:Hi everybody,Looking for some advice. We just sold our 33 LCDTS Silverback fifth wheel and are downsizing to a camper. We have a 2010 heavy duty 2500 diesel with Firestone air bags. We have taken a fancy to a...2000 Adventurer 90FWS EXT Camper.. We are going to view it at 10 a.m. tomorrow. Our truck is only a 6' 4" box but the fella said with the tailgate down we should be able to haul it. The previous owner apparently did. I think he said it's 2038 lb. I was just wondering if anybody else owns that same camper or similar to it and if you're happy with it. Also wondering what you are using to haul it with. Any bit of information you care to share with me would be greatly appreciated..Thanking you in advance.RegardsJo3/4 ton is ok for a light hardside but I think you will find that the short box might be an issue for COG. Also that weight of 2038 isn't realistic. We carried a Bigfoot full-size on a 1994 Ram 2500 longed. I think we were 2k over GVWR going down the road but the COG was good and it had a dana 80 axle (basically a 1 ton truck minus the spring pack) so the running gear and air bags made it a well handling rig. We have never had a truck and camper combo that was under the trucks GVWR. We have always been under axle, tire and wheel ratings. GVWR are a licensing marker not a true designation of the trucks capacity. In general I don't reccomend a long bed camper for a shorted truck. Others here may offer a different opinion and some campers are specifically designed for both and people have made all kinds of things work.Short bed trucks can be tougher to find a suitable camper especially for one designed for a longed. I would take anything any seller says with a huge grain of salt.

Help....advice on purchasing truck camper | Good Sam Community

17oaks
Explorer
Apr 22, 2019
Grit dog wrote:
"CoG: Your camper should have a marker on it showing the CoG of the camper. You certainly want to get that marker in front of the rear axle. Weight behind (rear) of the center axle put your truck out of balance and results in lighting the front load. This can make steering a bit iffy."

If you hadn't just posted a pic of your truck/camper in another thread showing the CoG sticker behind the center of rear axle, this advice may be more valid to those who don't understand.
Not that anything is wrong with your setup and not that taking a few lbs or a few hundred lbs off the front axle of a HD truck hurts anything, just that folks may think that statement is an absolute.

Grit, glad you brought it up and I knew that when I posted the pic.

That said: Here is a pic of the FRONT of the truck. You might note the front bumper and combo Winch and onboard air setup. All total I have about 500 lbs hung out on the front end. So I set it back just a bit. As long as you are in +/- 4 " of the centerline and you are travel loaded you are going to be good to go.

In addition, the centerline sticker on the AF 1150 does not take into account the forward storage on either side of the bed, which is a LOT.

Your keen observation is well taken.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Apr 22, 2019
^ To the newbies (and some oldbies, lol), alot of these type of things are not absolutes even though they get tossed around as if they are.
If one "assumes" the center of gravity of a camper is where it says by the little sticker, that will be close enough if no extraordinary loading conditions exist.
As well, if you need proof, a quick sample moment diagram assuming the CoG location as the rear axle pivot point and the front axle as the other support of the beam, you can throw some weight forward and backwards of that and see how much it affects the front axle. Then compare it to everyday use. IE, if you have 400lbs of front seat passengers and a winch up front, does the truck steer significantly different? Or if theres 500lbs of grout sacks at the back of the truck bed (aft of the axle) does it steer different?
Just relate it to normal "stuff" and it makes campers easier to understand and not so magical.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Apr 22, 2019
"CoG: Your camper should have a marker on it showing the CoG of the camper. You certainly want to get that marker in front of the rear axle. Weight behind (rear) of the center axle put your truck out of balance and results in lighting the front load. This can make steering a bit iffy."

If you hadn't just posted a pic of your truck/camper in another thread showing the CoG sticker behind the center of rear axle, this advice may be more valid to those who don't understand.
Not that anything is wrong with your setup and not that taking a few lbs or a few hundred lbs off the front axel of a HD truck hurts anything, just that folks may think that statement is an absolute.
17oaks
Explorer
Apr 22, 2019
WOW, some thread, lots of data point:

Not sure about using your truck tailgate to support on its own. Certainly, you can put a lot of weight on it, but how much is ??? I would get a piece of 3/4 4x8 marine grade plywood to supplement that tailgate.

CoG: Your camper should have a marker on it showing the CoG of the camper. You certainly want to get that marker in front of the rear axle. Weight behind (rear) of the center axle put your truck out of balance and results in lighting the front load. This can make steering a bit iffy.

As for "band aides" call it what you will but they are useful in expanding your safety and performance envelope. I replaced my anti-sway bar with a Hellwig BIG WIG, and my shocks with Rancho RS 9000 Adjustable. I added Tork Lift Stable loads on the UPPER overload springs. I suppose if your truck does not have already shocks and an anti-sway bar that would be band aides. My driving style dictates these items on my dually and the AF 1150. Fully loaded out I am around 5,600 lbs.

In closing: If you already own a truck then buy a TC that works with it or sell your truck and buy a TC/Truck to give you what you want.

I have had a motorcoach, 2 5th wheels and a TC, NOTHING has given me more pleasure and make better sense to me than a TC.

your mileage may vary...
GeoBoy
Explorer
Apr 21, 2019
work2much wrote:
jaycocreek wrote:
GeoBoy wrote:
What’s with all the band-aids? Either buy a camper that properly fits the truck you have or buy a truck that will carry the camper you want without any band-aids.

I'm not seeing many if any here that do not have atleast one bandage on there truck, new or old whether an aftermarket sway bar or one of the torklift uppers or lowers..

100% stock with a big TC is rare on the internet.

Completely stock. 15k trip over 6 months. We did add a sway bar after this trip when one became available for our truck All TC trucks should have a sway bar IMO.

I don’t consider a swaybar a bandaid. Like you said a swaybar should be standard equipment on a truck carrying a TC.
work2much
Explorer
Apr 21, 2019
jaycocreek wrote:
GeoBoy wrote:
What’s with all the band-aids? Either buy a camper that properly fits the truck you have or buy a truck that will carry the camper you want without any band-aids.

I'm not seeing many if any here that do not have atleast one bandage on there truck, new or old whether an aftermarket sway bar or one of the torklift uppers or lowers..

100% stock with a big TC is rare on the internet.

Completely stock. 15k trip over 6 months. We did add a sway bar after this trip when one became available for our truck All TC trucks should have a sway bar IMO.
dezldog1
Explorer
Apr 21, 2019
Yes AnEv942, we did go look at it... was a huge no no...Pile of *****
BUT did buy at 2008 Okanagan 90w.
I really appreciate everybody's input and advice...we are seriously consider trading our Laramie 2500 on a one ton...know we can't do it this season but hopefully next camping season. I am really nervous now but will be ever so cautious and pray nothing happens..this camper was an AWESONE deal...original owner looks as new ..VERY WELL maintained..Could not pass it by...??????
****....????
AnEv942
Nomad
Apr 21, 2019
dezldog1 wrote:
.. We have taken a fancy to a...2000 Adventurer 90FWS EXT Camper.. We are going to view it at 10 a.m. tomorrow...
Jo

Soooo did you go look at it?
Grit_dog
Navigator
Apr 19, 2019
Had a long response typed up but lost interwebbs.
Bottom line the weight is not an issue for that truck with the right mods, regardless of what the rvnet weight cops say.
Tailgate, some say no, I haul the camper with 3' bed overhang and alot of other stuff on tailgates. Just be smart about it.
Length is questionable, would be my biggest concern.
First because it appears to be a long bed designed camper, make sure the camper will handle a 3'+ cantilever (without tailgate).
Second, you want to pull a trailer. You may very well need a 3'+ hitch extension.
Good luck camper shopping.
jaycocreek
Explorer II
Apr 19, 2019
GeoBoy wrote:
What’s with all the band-aids? Either buy a camper that properly fits the truck you have or buy a truck that will carry the camper you want without any band-aids.

I'm not seeing many if any here that do not have atleast one bandage on there truck, new or old whether an aftermarket sway bar or one of the torklift uppers or lowers..

100% stock with a big TC is rare on the internet.