How much weight could be eliminated?

A bit of a hypothetical question here but I got to wondering how many items on a camper could be eliminated while still providing a camping experience with minimal compromise. To that end, I thought it would be an interesting exercise to list the items that could be eliminated or replaced with something else and to list what those weight savings might be. Note that this is an exercise only so cost isn't a factor and some of these suggestions are probably not suitable for all climates.

The items I can think of (not exhaustive, feel free to add to it) that could be eliminated / replaced and the estimated weight (if it say's unknown and you think you have a good estimate feel free to add it in) are:

1. Jack stands
Weight: Unknown
Alternate: None Needed
Alternate Weight: None
Weight Savings: Unknown
Alternate Notes: Can't remove from bed or reposition if needed

2. Lead Acid Batteries
Weight: ~160lbs (6v AGM Lifelines x2)
Alternate: LiFePo4 100AH
Alternate Weight: ~30lbs
Weight Savings: ~150lbs
Alternate Notes: Requires upgrade in other electrical items

3. Genset
Weight: Unknown
Alternate: Possibly add 1 additional 100AH LifePo4
Alternate Weight: 30lbs (1 additional battery)
Weight Savings: Unknown
Alternate Notes: Not ideal in warmer climate areas

4. Furnace / Water Heater
Weight: 30lb furnace, 24lb water heater
Alternate: Combi D 6 Diesel Heater / Water Heater combination unit
Alternate Weight: ~31lbs
Weight Savings: ~23lbs
Alternate Notes:

5. AC Removal
Weight: ~80lbs
Alternate: Fantastic Fan
Alternate Weight: ~10lbs
Weight Savings: ~70lbs
Alternate Notes: Might not be suitable for all climates

6. Oven / Stove Removal
Weight: Unknown
Alternate: Countertop gas or electric burner
Alternate Weight: Unknown
Weight Savings: Unknown
Alternate Notes:

7. Microwave Removal
Weight: 27lbs
Alternate:
Alternate Weight:
Weight Savings: 27lbs
Alternate Notes: Some, not all users don't need a replacement for a microwave

8. Gas Fridge to Compressor Fridge
Weight: Unknown
Alternate: DC Compressor Fridge
Alternate Weight: Unknown
Weight Savings: (might be no weight savings but allows for removal of propane bottles)
Alternate Notes: May not be actual weight savings

9. Eliminate Propane Bottles
Weight: 37lbs each (Typical Camper has qty 2)
Alternate: None
Alternate Weight:
Weight Savings: 74lbs
Alternate Notes: Requires switching to DC Fridge, Diesel Heater / Water Heater and alternate stove top.

That is about what I can think of right now. If you have some information (like Jack Stand weight) please post the information. If you have alternate suggestions or additional items that could be removed / swapped, please add it to the list using the same format.

Truck Campers

Kayteg1
Explorer II
Jan 13, 2021
What I think would benefit TC a lot are easy removable appliances.
You don't need AC on the roof when you go to Alaska.
Than you carry furnace all summer months.
Years ago I had Class A motorhome, when we've been camping in high Sierra.
Older generator was like 300-400 lb unit and I never used it, so 1 spring I removed the generator and AC.
Generator compartment made nice storage, but I did not notice any driving differenced due to less weight. That was 7 ton 27' motorhome, so similar weight to my TC set.
Bedlam
Moderator
Jan 13, 2021
My RV setup has progressively become heavier as I have more convenience and comfort items. I am not at a point where I am ready to pare back what I carry and not sure I want to RV the way I did the past with less.

My current battery banks weigh 600 lbs in my truck but were free to me, so I accept the weight rather than pay the price for something lighter. When this free resource is no longer available to me, I will then compare price to weight to capacity.

There are companies that make minimalist styled shells. If I was serious watching what I carry, I would start with one of those and build it out with the components I deemed worthy of the weight penalty.
Kayteg1
Explorer II
Jan 13, 2021
specta wrote:
Can you even tell the difference in shedding just a few hundred pounds?

I read once where someone claimed, driving an F-350 dually with a huge camper that he could tell a difference in the handling just by removing the spare tire from under the bed. :R

Spare tire is about 2' behind rear axle, when gray water tank is 7' behind the axle.
I did not try to remove spare wheel, but I drove once with ca 200 lb of gray water and truck was purposing.
But that is more about COG, than actual load.
6000lb camper on aluminum bed F350 dually is barely touching overloads.
burningman
Explorer II
Jan 13, 2021
I get what the intent here is (in-tent is where you’ll end up lol) but seriously you’ll never notice a few hundred pounds. The whole point of carrying a truck camper is to HAVE all those things.
I want AC, jacks, a microwave, etc.
if you insist on using a 1/2 ton truck, you shouldn’t be hauling a camper anyway.
I used to do it. Never again, and there’s NO reason for it.
You can buy a 3/4 ton or 1-ton just as cheap unless you’re only willing to buy a brand new diesel.
I see guys all the time saying they can’t afford a bigger truck when they’re already driving a truck that cost more than any of mine ever have. .
StirCrazy
Moderator
Jan 13, 2021
I think your making a mistake trying to eliminate the propane system. keep the stove fridge and furnace and tanks, they dont add up to much but they are the most convenient way to do things with out having to plug in. I guess you could look at using a diesel espar type heater, dont know about the weight savings but it would be a litle more efficent power wise. going to lithium batteries would be your biggest single shot weight reduction I would think. is there a certian amount of weight you need to lose, you could also make sure your utility trailer is loaded so only 10% of the total weight is on the hitch to minimize what your putting on the truck..

Steve
specta
Explorer
Jan 13, 2021
Can you even tell the difference in shedding just a few hundred pounds?

I read once where someone claimed, driving an F-350 dually with a huge camper that he could tell a difference in the handling just by removing the spare tire from under the bed. :R

I'm sure the from one trip to another my weight may have gone up or down by a couple hundred pounds and I've ever noticed a difference.

Maybe 1000 pounds would make a difference but I don't have 1000 pounds of stuff that I could eliminate.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Jan 13, 2021
jaycocreek wrote:
I don't worry about weight,never have, even with my 3/4 tons..I always have what I might need if something happened 50 miles from humanity and it has..I take my ATV trailer for my UTV,no other way to have them with you with a truck camper..If I was staying for a long time back in the mountains,my ATV trailer would also have extra water/propane and gas..

The first time I ever weighed anything but a semi,was when I was first on here and out of curiosity only..

Amen brotha! Except I’ve never gone across the scales except at the garbage dump.
And since I haven’t thrown away a camper, I don’t know what one weighs!
happycamper1942
Explorer
Jan 13, 2021
Take off the truck tailgate, remove one propane tank, travel with fresh water tank half full,( or less if you are heading somewhere with hook-ups), empty your tanks frequently.
Bt doing this you will save quite a few pounds and won't affect your camping experience.
Kayteg1
Explorer II
Jan 13, 2021
600 lb?
Ford's aluminum body and other diet shaved 500lb between MY 2016 and 2017.
jimh406
Explorer III
Jan 12, 2021
600 lbs isn’t significant. I’m not sure what your end game is. Are you just trying to exercise your mind? You could probably lose 600 lbs off the truck as well, btw.

It’s not clear to me that you’d be better off removing items compared to selling and rebuying. But, I’ve only said that 2 times. Maybe 3 times is the charm. :D