Help....advice on purchasing truck camper

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.

Uh... yea. That's pretty much bullpucky.
While it may be true nothing will increase that little sticker on the door, it's more than obvious that aftermarket parts will increase performance and capacity of any vehicle. If not, then a whole lot of jeeps couldn't do the Rubicon or other off road trails.
Regarding COG; weigh your truck's front and rear axles separately empty and again with load. If the front isn't lightened more than a couple hundred pounds, you are good to go there too.
Things that will limit your carry capacity;
Tires- check the load rating
Suspension-if it sags, add overloads
Sway- if it does, add a high quality sway bar

The rest is all weight police ****. I have a 2006 RAM shortbed 4x4 diesel. With my camper, it weighs in at over 12,000 pounds. Sticker says 9,900. The truck EMPTY weighs over 8,800. According to the sticker on the door, I can't even fill all the seats with people without overloading this truck. So much for stickers.