Help with Weight of Truck Camper
Hello fellow campers! I have a question that I would like opinions on - I am sure this tossed around a lot… I have a 2005 Dodge 2500 with the 5.7L Hemi Head. Great running truck! Since then, I...
Forum Discussion
The 3.73 gears are a factor. The 4.10 provides 25% greater towing and would help with keeping the truck engine in its peak power band going up the grades.
Current Ram trucks use AAM axles and wheel bearings that are rated for 10,900 lbs. and if you weighed your truck and found it weighs 3000 lbs. at the drive axle then that leaves 7,900 lbs. except for the load capacity of the springs and the tires. Not difficult to add Supersprings for more load capacity or to change out the tires to get 3750 at each wheel with your current rims. A big step up cost wise is to go to Rickman 19.5 rims and 19.5 tires and you then can have a load per wheel of up to 4400 lbs. or 8800 for the rear axle.
Long bed camper types fall into two categories, the ones with dry bath and lots of space and slides and with a dry weight of 4,000 lbs. or more and the other ones that will have a wet bath, less space, and weigh in at under 3,000 lbs. dry weight.
Go with as light a camper as possible as that will leave more weight capacity for people, gear, supplies, and water and other fluids in the holding tanks.
Adding an AC, a generator, a second battery, roof rack, solar panel, and other extras will also add weight. It adds up quicker than you might expect.
You can go buy a new camper or you can save up to 50% by buying one that is 3-4 years old and very lightly used. The brochures and website information for the new campers is useful in deciding which model and then you can decide whether to look for a used one or take your chances with a new one.
Current Ram trucks use AAM axles and wheel bearings that are rated for 10,900 lbs. and if you weighed your truck and found it weighs 3000 lbs. at the drive axle then that leaves 7,900 lbs. except for the load capacity of the springs and the tires. Not difficult to add Supersprings for more load capacity or to change out the tires to get 3750 at each wheel with your current rims. A big step up cost wise is to go to Rickman 19.5 rims and 19.5 tires and you then can have a load per wheel of up to 4400 lbs. or 8800 for the rear axle.
Long bed camper types fall into two categories, the ones with dry bath and lots of space and slides and with a dry weight of 4,000 lbs. or more and the other ones that will have a wet bath, less space, and weigh in at under 3,000 lbs. dry weight.
Go with as light a camper as possible as that will leave more weight capacity for people, gear, supplies, and water and other fluids in the holding tanks.
Adding an AC, a generator, a second battery, roof rack, solar panel, and other extras will also add weight. It adds up quicker than you might expect.
You can go buy a new camper or you can save up to 50% by buying one that is 3-4 years old and very lightly used. The brochures and website information for the new campers is useful in deciding which model and then you can decide whether to look for a used one or take your chances with a new one.
