Forum Discussion

bs49's avatar
bs49
Explorer
Mar 07, 2017

Need some immediate help - will my truck carry camper

I have a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD Long Bed Dually Diesel pickup (I had forgot to mention it is 4x4). I purchased it specifically to carry a truck camper and pull either my 16 foot Tracker Aluminum boat or flat tow my Jeep 2 door wrangler.

The camper I am negotiating is a 2007 Okanagen 115TNT 11 foot. It's dry weight is 3600 lbs and has a generator. I'm thinking wet is 4500 lbs. The sticker in my glove box states a truck camper limit of 3050lbs. I calculated my payload at 4030 lbs. I assume I will have to add air bags and a sway bar. I have E rated tires.

Will I be able to pick it up and drive it home using my stock truck and then add everything I need to carry safely? I have a Happijack tie down kit installed but will eventually install a Torklift Superhitch with truss extension and the torklift back tie downs that install on the hitch. So I will have Happijac fronts and Torklift backs.

I am supposed to finalize negotiations tomorrow.

My other option is a 2015 Palomino HS-2902 9 ft if I find the Okanagen too heavy.
Truck Campers
  • bs49's avatar
    bs49
    Explorer
    Mar 07, 2017
    mike/kellie wrote:
    I have your truck (actually selling it) and a heavier camper. I would do the camper purchase and nurse the ride home with your stock set-up. I just have lower stable loads and anaftermarket sway bar. Towing is another conversation.


    Thanks for your response. I will add the stable loads, air bags, and the Helwig rear sway bar. So you think I can carry the camper but may run into issues towing? I assume the Jeep will be fine since it is flat towing. I will be using a Superhitch with a SuperTruss extension. I would not think the tongue weight on my 16 ft tracker aluminum boat would exceed 300 lbs (I do have 4 heavy marine batteries up front).
  • mike_kellie's avatar
    mike_kellie
    Explorer II
    Mar 07, 2017
    I have your truck (actually selling it) and a heavier camper. I would do the camper purchase and nurse the ride home with your stock set-up. I just have lower stable loads and anaftermarket sway bar. Towing is another conversation.
  • bs49's avatar
    bs49
    Explorer
    Mar 07, 2017
    jimh425 wrote:
    I'm not sure why your dually says 3050, but I think you are probably good. What does your sticker on your truck say for gvwr and actual weight of the truck?


    GVWR = 11,400
    GCWR = 23,500
    MAX TOWING RATING = 15,900

    I have not weighed my truck but did lots of research and came up with a 4,029 payload. The sticker in my glove box states a cargo weight rating of 3049lbs.
  • bs49's avatar
    bs49
    Explorer
    Mar 07, 2017
    I am in California and will be carrying it from Madera to Modesto so 70 miles. So I have two separate questions. Can I carry 70 miles with my truck stock and 2nd question is after adding all the suspension addons I have read here will it be enough to safely carry the camper and pull aluminum boat or flat tow jeep going forward? I appreciate the quick responses I am getting.

    I just joined today but have been reading here extensively. This will be my first truck camper. I currently pull a 32ft 11k lbs 5th wheel. However I want to start taking my boat on fishing/camping trips along the west coast thus the reason I am purchasing a truck camper.
  • jimh406's avatar
    jimh406
    Explorer III
    Mar 07, 2017
    I'm not sure why your dually says 3050, but I think you are probably good. What does your sticker on your truck say for gvwr and actual weight of the truck?
  • Reddog1's avatar
    Reddog1
    Explorer II
    Mar 07, 2017
    Your profile does not state where you are, and your post does not state where you are picking up the TC. How could anyone suggest your truck is or is not capable to carry the TC safely?

    Wayne
  • Reality_Check's avatar
    Reality_Check
    Nomad II
    Mar 07, 2017
    Oh boy.... here it comes, but remember, you did ask.


    The answer is yes and no. Just depends on your thinking and comfort level. Trust me, you're going to get lot's of answers.

About Travel Trailer Group

44,029 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 28, 2025