Wife and I looked at an 1191 yesterday and the weight as configured was ~4400 pounds which exceeds the GVWR of the truck but is below the GAWR's. So loaded ready for a trip I'm guessing 5400 pounds. Usage would be weekend trips no more than once a month(aggressive schedule) with the occasional two week vacation. The truck is almost paid off and also my daily driver and needs to fit in my parking garage so don't really want to get a new larger truck. We have two very active kids 6&7 and need/like the roominess of the 1191. Anyone carrying a Lance 1191 on a 2010 Crew Cab Dodge Ram 3500 DRW? This would be our first camper. Any input/advice would be appreciated. Lastly if you can think of any other camper mfgr/models that would accomodate us comfortably I would be interested in that information as well. Thanks!

Where are you going "bigger" from a crew cab dually?Campers that size are generally going to weigh between 5000 and 6000lbs loaded and ready to camp. If the weight is setting off your angina, the only alternative is a smaller camper.The truck can be made to carry the load, for sure. You'll probably want airbags and/or stableloads and/or helper springs, a big sway bar, Rancho or Billstein shocks... You know, all the goodies.

you should be ok if you drive it reasonable..if you don't have a rear sway bar i would look into a helwig unit to deal with the high center of gravity.. ford used the same model rear axle as your truck under mid 90's super duties and they had 11,000lbs gawr..biggest thing is if your comfortable with it..i was going to run my fraklin which is nearly that heavy on my d250..

1191 owners i have spoken with are in that 5500# plus range.As said, you have to take it easy and be paying attention every second of the trip. Avoiding a roadway hazard or animal is going to challenging.If you have your heart set on the 1191 floorplan, there is the utility trailer option for you. Its just a suggestion that might work for you.Towing your stuff (bikes, water toys,chairs,screenhouse etc) seems to work better for us rather than hauling it all in/on the truck. Plus, its our walk-in closet, extra porta-potti for kids as well as our shed. :)If you are interested doing that PM me and i will show the pics of my set up.Good luck in your your decision, Bob .

The Dodge DRW truck has those big 9350 RAWR for carrying big loads. Use it.

My AF 1140 weighs that. I have no issues hauling it. My truck, TC, and mods are listed in my signature. I have no sag or sway, in fact my truck rides higher in the rear. You have to drive smart, reasonable speed, and no tail gating with any heavy TC. Its amazing how stable you can make these duallies.

Lance 1191 on Dodge Ram 3500 DRW | Good Sam Community

Road_Ryder_s
Explorer
Aug 08, 2013
I run this set-up (2004 DRW Dodge/2010 1191 Lance) with all of the previously mentioned suspension options including 19.5 wheels. We just returned from 31 days, 10,200 miles, 31 National Parks/Monuments/Battlefields through 28 states without any problems with the truck or the camper. Plenty of room for the kids (I have 3) and friends. You have the advantage of parking or camping in almost any spot. The only down side is that the fuel mileage wasn't what I was hoping for (averages between 9 and 12 mpg depending on terrain). Drive smart and stay out of high winds and you'll love it!

Mike
Fuzzy_Bear
Explorer
Aug 02, 2013
I have a 2008 Dodge 3500 DRW and a 2007 1191. On our two week road trip in May we were at 14050 lbs. Front and rear axle weights were just under the maximum. I have air bags and stableloads. Switched from guessing air pressure in the bags to measuring the distance from the top of the tire to the fender. Get them both the same distance and still keep the overloads in contact with the stableloads and there is no sway. Handled so well I had no issue negotiating all the tight corners on HWY 1 from Ft Bragg south. Did work the exhaust brake and tow/haul mode hard though.

Doug
RenoAl
Explorer
Aug 01, 2013
We have an 1191 on a 2005 Dodge DRW (see sig.). I have added:
- sway bar
- air bags with in cab control
- Rancho 9000 shocks (manual control
- Stable loads.
90,000 miles over all types of terrain. About 10-15% pulling a 3000 lb. fishing boat. No problems, handles well.
Go for it you will thoroughly enjoy it.
justkickenit
Explorer
Jul 30, 2013
Thanks for all of the thoughtful replies. This is exactly the kind of input I was looking for.
CAJW
Explorer
Jul 29, 2013
I too had your concerns about GVWR vs. GAWR and after studying it ad nauseum, went with my current setup. Many opinions here on the forum, you just have to figure out which ones (if any) to filter out and go with what you're comfortable with. I'm a by the book numbers guy and at first had a hard time going with a rig that was right at GVWR (well under GAWR), but have made some adjustments and am very happy with what we have. YMMV
zb39
Explorer
Jul 29, 2013
I am close to what you have, see sig. No issues at all. enjoy!
kerry4951
Explorer
Jul 29, 2013
My AF 1140 weighs that. I have no issues hauling it. My truck, TC, and mods are listed in my signature. I have no sag or sway, in fact my truck rides higher in the rear. You have to drive smart, reasonable speed, and no tail gating with any heavy TC. Its amazing how stable you can make these duallies.
JIMNLIN
Explorer III
Jul 29, 2013
The Dodge DRW truck has those big 9350 RAWR for carrying big loads. Use it.
bobndot
Explorer II
Jul 29, 2013
1191 owners i have spoken with are in that 5500# plus range.

As said, you have to take it easy and be paying attention every second of the trip. Avoiding a roadway hazard or animal is going to challenging.

If you have your heart set on the 1191 floorplan, there is the utility trailer option for you. Its just a suggestion that might work for you.
Towing your stuff (bikes, water toys,chairs,screenhouse etc) seems to work better for us rather than hauling it all in/on the truck. Plus, its our walk-in closet, extra porta-potti for kids as well as our shed. :)

If you are interested doing that PM me and i will show the pics of my set up.

Good luck in your your decision,

Bob .
recycler
Explorer
Jul 29, 2013
you should be ok if you drive it reasonable..if you don't have a rear sway bar i would look into a helwig unit to deal with the high center of gravity.. ford used the same model rear axle as your truck under mid 90's super duties and they had 11,000lbs gawr..biggest thing is if your comfortable with it..i was going to run my fraklin which is nearly that heavy on my d250..