Looking for camper weight advice!
Sorry I didn't know how to title this thread specifically enough, and it's a long form questions, but here we go.
Before I get started here is a list of useful info regarding the rig we plan to outfit with a camper. The truck was scaled with the factory hitch with me plus a full tank.
2008 Chevy Silverado 3500 CC/DRW Duramax
Firestone airbags
6 Firestone Transforce tires rated for 2535# Each
Torklift Superhitch w/ tie downs
GVWR: 11,400#
total Curb weight ~7,840#
Steer axle weight 4,480#
Drive axle weight 3,360#
GAWR RR 8,200#
Tire load limit RR 10,140#
My girlfriend and I are planning a trip to Truck Camper Warehouse in the near future to look at two different Arctic Fox models we are considering; the 811 and the 990. Yesterday I had done a lot of research to figure out what the "real world" loaded wet weight is on these two AF models since AF is very reticent with their claimed dry weights by leaving out their "mandatory options". I found that people were claiming roughly 4500 and 4700 lbs respectively for these two models and I found this surprising. To give you guys some perspective, I've crunched some of the numbers above to find out "on paper" what my weight limits are.
"tolerances"
GVWR 3600#
GAWR RR 4840#
tire load limit 6780#
I'm perfectly fine with being over the GVWR, as this seems artificially lower considering the axle ratings and what the tires are rated to carry. However, I wanted to hear some of your thoughts on where the limits truly lie. I bought this truck specifically for the purpose of hauling a camper and towing our 6x10 enclosed trailer and it seems like the weight of the Arctic Fox campers put them into a very rare class of trucks. I simply don't see that many 4500/5500 trucks out there.
In my head our first camper should weight between 3800-4200 lbs fully loaded. Is this completely unrealistic? Am I over thinking it?
are the Gross axle weight ratings artificially low as well? If so, how close can you get to them, or how far can you safely exceed them?
I would like to know who out there has had experience with a similar rig and what they found when they went to the scales. If it turns out the Arctic Fox models are simply too heavy, we will likely end up with our first choice a Lance 975 or 995 since they actually publish a wet weight for their campers with standard equipment. Hopefully THEY'RE not hiding their weights too. Also we are planning on using the camper as much as possible. We are looking to get out at least one weekend a month over spring/summer and we plan on taking a week long trip south and southwest in early winter. So, suffice it to say we're not just going to use it "occasionally".
Thanks in advance!
Before I get started here is a list of useful info regarding the rig we plan to outfit with a camper. The truck was scaled with the factory hitch with me plus a full tank.
2008 Chevy Silverado 3500 CC/DRW Duramax
Firestone airbags
6 Firestone Transforce tires rated for 2535# Each
Torklift Superhitch w/ tie downs
GVWR: 11,400#
total Curb weight ~7,840#
Steer axle weight 4,480#
Drive axle weight 3,360#
GAWR RR 8,200#
Tire load limit RR 10,140#
My girlfriend and I are planning a trip to Truck Camper Warehouse in the near future to look at two different Arctic Fox models we are considering; the 811 and the 990. Yesterday I had done a lot of research to figure out what the "real world" loaded wet weight is on these two AF models since AF is very reticent with their claimed dry weights by leaving out their "mandatory options". I found that people were claiming roughly 4500 and 4700 lbs respectively for these two models and I found this surprising. To give you guys some perspective, I've crunched some of the numbers above to find out "on paper" what my weight limits are.
"tolerances"
GVWR 3600#
GAWR RR 4840#
tire load limit 6780#
I'm perfectly fine with being over the GVWR, as this seems artificially lower considering the axle ratings and what the tires are rated to carry. However, I wanted to hear some of your thoughts on where the limits truly lie. I bought this truck specifically for the purpose of hauling a camper and towing our 6x10 enclosed trailer and it seems like the weight of the Arctic Fox campers put them into a very rare class of trucks. I simply don't see that many 4500/5500 trucks out there.
In my head our first camper should weight between 3800-4200 lbs fully loaded. Is this completely unrealistic? Am I over thinking it?
are the Gross axle weight ratings artificially low as well? If so, how close can you get to them, or how far can you safely exceed them?
I would like to know who out there has had experience with a similar rig and what they found when they went to the scales. If it turns out the Arctic Fox models are simply too heavy, we will likely end up with our first choice a Lance 975 or 995 since they actually publish a wet weight for their campers with standard equipment. Hopefully THEY'RE not hiding their weights too. Also we are planning on using the camper as much as possible. We are looking to get out at least one weekend a month over spring/summer and we plan on taking a week long trip south and southwest in early winter. So, suffice it to say we're not just going to use it "occasionally".
Thanks in advance!
