Made for your half ton truck ;-)
It has started to dawn on me that when manufacturers say a camper is 'made for 1/2 tons' what they mean is that it will physically fit in the truck bed....not that it will be within your payload capac...
Forum Discussion
Geewizard wrote:
I know mkirsch and some others will cringe and froth with my comments.....they always do.
Anyhow....
Don't you think that the real-world experience of carrying a TC on my supposed-half ton Toyota Tundra without any problems since 2004 would speak for itself? Yes, I've exceeded the published payload of 1600# by 500#. Yes, I've looked at my frame members, bolts, nuts, axles, etc for damage. Yes, I've repeatedly had Toyota dealer and independent mechanics look my Tundra over for damage from carrying the weight. No one has found anything to be concerned about. The only problem I've encountered since 2004 is the left rear wheel bearing being destroyed when I hit a huge pothole going 70mph on the Alcan Highway near Destruction Bay. I had the rear part of my Double Cab packed full of stuff and the camper packed full of stuff since I was moving from AK to WA. The whole rig payload must have been at least 2500#. And it took another 4 months for that bearing to start telling me it was going bad.
One bearing in 10 years and that's it. Acceleration, handling, braking have all been quite normal.
I think the stickers and published data on the GVWR and payload of pickups are very much CYA numbers by the manufacturers. I'm not condemning them at all. It's just the way business is conducted in this litigious society we live in.
I would never advocate anyone doing anything dangerous or stupid. And I surely would not do anything that would endanger myself or those close to me.
Yes, the safest thing to do, other than stay in bed all day and make comments on the truck camper forum, is to buy a 1-ton dually to carry a light pop-up camper.
ok...let 'er fly....
Ah, I wouldn't do it, but hey if it works and you feel safe.
