Good afternoon! I am new to this community, and my husband and I are deciding between two types of truck campers, but we are torn due to payload capacity on our truck. Please give me some feedback if you could. I might be a bit paranoid about going over payload capacity. Thanks for reading!Truck: Chevy Silverado 2010 1500 (truck dealer calculated payload to be about 1654 lbs).Truck campers we are looking at:- Travel Lite Air (weighs around 1100 lbs) Really cool camper, but has much very little to no storage, and no shower area for storage or portapotty). - Travel Lite 770R Super Lite (weighs around 1300 lbs). Has a small shower for storage and porta potty and more storage for us. This is the one I really like. Both campers are nice and suitable for us, but the 770R is a bit more lux since we'd have more space for storage and a porta potty. The 770R + human weight + gear would probably equal around 1800 lbs, and the Air would probably be 1600 (just about payload capacity). Is going 150 lbs over payload capacity going to be a huge deal? We are planning on getting air bags either way of course. Any recommendations and advice would be greatly appreciated, as we want our truck to be in good shape after a ton of road trips. Thanks!

Welcome!Going 150 lbs over GVWR is probably not a great deal if that is all it is.Their website implies those are starting base weights which means anything they consider an option will add to the weight. Batteries, propane, and water may be above that weight as well as tie downs etc. You should think about how you will camp. If there are shower and bathroom facilities nearby, then a shower is obviously less important.

Thanks for the response! I just got off the phone with Travel Lite, and they mentioned they'd rather be lighter since the 770R is probably closer to 1500 lbs fully wet + humans. We will be doing a ton of boondocking, so we likely won't need a shower anyways.I think we may go with the Air (smaller one). Thanks!

This is a no-brainer. go with the one YOU like, and then tell Hubby a year later he needs a bigger truck , (to make him happy)And in both cases , this year and next,,,,, your a hero.......

As my profile states, I had a Travel-lite TC on my 2011 Silverado 1500 LS.I looked up the RPOs or as built codes of my truck. And found it was a "work truck" with increased strength frame, 3.73 rear end 5.3 gaser. I added AirLift air bags, E rated tires and Bilstiens shocks. All which were NEEDED. I also added an air dam between the cab and cab over to reduce buffering.So check your truck! Others will say it will be ok, but you are stressing it to the max, and may be unhappy down the road.We moved to a TT because of the DW. Wife is now happy now, life is good.

WNYBob wrote:As my profile states, I had a Travel-lite TC on my 2011 Silverado 1500 LS.I looked up the RPOs or as built codes of my truck. And found it was a "work truck" with increased strength frame, 3.73 rear end 5.3 gaser. I added AirLift air bags, E rated tires and Bilstiens shocks. All which were NEEDED. I also added an air dam between the cab and cab over to reduce buffering.So check your truck! Others will say it will be ok, but you are stressing it to the max, and may be unhappy down the road.We moved to a TT because of the DW. Wife is now happy now, life is good.Hi WNYBob, How much did a Travel-lite TC weigh? Sounds like I might be maxing my truck out if I get the 770, and may be happier with the Air model. Also, what is a TT and DW? Sorry - I'm a newbie to this camping lingo. : )

Help needed: deciding between 2 Travel Lite Campers

Wardster
Explorer
Apr 19, 2017
SidecarFlip wrote:
You get what you pay for like anything.

Understood, and I definitely agree with this statement.
languiduck
Explorer
Apr 19, 2017
ajablaja wrote:
GeoBoy wrote:
They should seriously consider the Northstar Vista before they get stuck with a bad TC.

Would a Northstar weigh less than 1500 lbs? Our payload capacity is 1650 lbs...that is why we were looking at travel lite. We would prefer a Four Wheel camper...but their price tag is a bit steep.

If anyone has any suggestions for lightweight (less than 1500 lbs) campers, I'm all ears...but unfortunately, Travel Lite makes a camper that weighs less than a popup. Suggestions appreciated. Thanks!

They aren't the only ones who make a camper in your price point and weight. I can confirm that their sticker weight on my old TL was not real world. I know I'm harping on them, I just can't stress enough how quickly and far away you should run from that brand.
SidecarFlip
Explorer III
Apr 19, 2017
Wardster wrote:
SidecarFlip wrote:
Actually, any camper with 'Lite' in it's name scares me. 'Lite' in the RV world seems to allude heavy and poor build. When I think of 'Lite' I think of beer and yogurt, not campers.....lol

As a Northern-Lite owner, I have to disagree.

Some are better built than others. What I'm alluding to is the term 'lite' There is nothing 'Lite' about TC's in general. It's a buzzword and nothing more.

You get what you pay for like anything.

Get into a Hallmark or a 4 wheel camper or Northern 'Lite', the build quality will be on par with the price.

From what I've read online, Travel Lite is a sub par build. Whether it is or not, I don't know as I don't have one and from what I've read, I would not consider owning one.
ajablaja
Explorer
Apr 19, 2017
FlyfisherBob wrote:
FYI;
Do not believe the Travel Lite sticker on the back of camper. Mine was off by 200lbs.

Great camper if built right.

That is one strange business with all the issues they had in the past. Hope things are better now.
Bob

Do you have a travel lite?
ajablaja
Explorer
Apr 19, 2017
Now also looking at the Four Wheel Hawk (although not as comfy on the inside, its probably more durable).The Hallmark expedition would be great as well, but a little more on the pricy side.
Wardster
Explorer
Apr 19, 2017
SidecarFlip wrote:
Actually, any camper with 'Lite' in it's name scares me. 'Lite' in the RV world seems to allude heavy and poor build. When I think of 'Lite' I think of beer and yogurt, not campers.....lol

As a Northern-Lite owner, I have to disagree.
ajablaja
Explorer
Apr 19, 2017
GeoBoy wrote:
They should seriously consider the Northstar Vista before they get stuck with a bad TC.

Would a Northstar weigh less than 1500 lbs? Our payload capacity is 1650 lbs...that is why we were looking at travel lite. We would prefer a Four Wheel camper...but their price tag is a bit steep.

If anyone has any suggestions for lightweight (less than 1500 lbs) campers, I'm all ears...but unfortunately, Travel Lite makes a camper that weighs less than a popup. Suggestions appreciated. Thanks!
GeoBoy
Explorer
Apr 19, 2017
They should seriously consider the Northstar Vista before they get stuck with a bad TC.
SidecarFlip
Explorer III
Apr 19, 2017
Just spent the last 45 minutes surfing the web looking at Travel Lite comments. Seems most are negative and some are downright nasty.

Travel Lite obviously had or have build issues. Don't believe (after reading comments) I'd want to take a chance on one. One negative commenter said he had a brand new unit and the table was warped and the lights fell out of the ceiling because the holes were too big... Scary stuff. he went on to say the cushions lost all their loft right away and the door hinges fell off... All on the first trip out.

Actually, any camper with 'Lite' in it's name scares me. 'Lite' in the RV world seems to allude heavy and poor build. When I think of 'Lite' I think of beer and yogurt, not campers.....lol
burningman
Explorer II
Apr 19, 2017
I'm so glad I don't suffer from ratingphobia.

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Help needed: deciding between 2 Travel Lite Campers

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