Forum Discussion

El_Camino_Man's avatar
El_Camino_Man
Explorer
Apr 26, 2013

New To TCs. Have A Few Questions

Hey guys! Im new around here. Me and my gf LOVE camping. We started out with an Airstream that needed "some" work which turned into a headache. It got sold and a TC took its place. Iv owned it for approximately a week lol.

We bought a package deal which was a 1996 F-350 DRW and a 1996 Lance Squire 500. Both are in good shape. I would like to sell the F-350 because I already own a F-250 and the truck is worth more than what I paid, which means I could have possibly got a free camper :)My F-250 is a manual tranny diesel. Itll hold its own but Iv never towed/hauled with it before. It has E-rated tires also.

My biggest 2 concerns are this: Will the SRWs be enough or should I really consider keeping the dually? And secondly, my F-250 is a regular cab, and the dually is crew. The front of the TC sits about 3/4 of the way over the hood on my F-250. I have yet to take it on the road with the F-250.

My TC has electric jacks. They get the job done... barely. They definitely don't like jacking up much once theyre on the ground. Do they make replacement motors for these? They say Atwood on them.

I hope I didn't ramble too much! Thanks guys!
Truck Campers
  • SugarHillCTD's avatar
    SugarHillCTD
    Explorer
    Apr 27, 2013
    WELCOME!

    Regarding posted camper weight, keep in mind that older campers seem to have optimistically LOW figures, or so it seems. So that 2300# figure might be for a unit with no options, batteries or fluids.

    It seems that more recent units come with more accurate figures.


    As far as your F-250 and camper test drive, some of the tippy feeling is the nature of these beasts. If your truck can handle the weight there are a few improvements available for suspension help, but some miles behind the wheel while carrying a heavy, high load will get you more comfortable.

    Good luck!
  • wintersun's avatar
    wintersun
    Explorer II
    Apr 27, 2013
    Personnally I would stay with the 4WD truck. The jacks are not designed to be used 4 at a time with battery power alone. Hook the camper up to 110V AC and you should notice a difference. With battery power only you should only two jacks at a time to keep the draw within the capacity of the battery to supply it.

    I like having items in the rear of the cab so that I do not have to go into the camper for every little thing. We keep snacks, cold drinks, jackets, photgraphy gear, etc. in the back of the extended cab of our truck. It is very handy to have that space available.

    Take the truck to a CAT scale and have it weighed with and without the camper as was suggested. Add 600 lbs. to the dry weight of the camper and then use that number for your expected payload and whether the F-250 can handle it or not.
  • wcjeep's avatar
    wcjeep
    Explorer
    Apr 27, 2013
    How strong are the camper batteries? If batteries are bad or loose connection the jack motors would slow down.
  • El_Camino_Man's avatar
    El_Camino_Man
    Explorer
    Apr 27, 2013
    Hehe I looked up the weight of it. If its the extended cab model, which Im sure it is, it weighs 2300 lbs. I told my gf what it weighs and she asks is that a lot? It turns out her car weighs only 300 lbs more lol!
  • El_Camino_Man's avatar
    El_Camino_Man
    Explorer
    Apr 27, 2013
    Whoops Im used to having a signature with all my info on it lol. I need to do that!

    Anyways, its a 1989 F-250 with the non-turbo 7.3 IDI diesel, 5 speed manual trans, 4x4 and 4.10 gears.

    The dually is a 1996 F-350 crew long bed, 7.3L Powerstroke turbo diesel, automatic, 2wd and 4.10 gears.

    I did actually set it in the bed of the F-250 today just for giggles and drove it down the driveway and back. Even at 10 mph it felt tippy lol. Its definitly a pretty heavy camper.
  • KD4UPL's avatar
    KD4UPL
    Explorer
    Apr 27, 2013
    If you're going to haul the camper with the F250 you'd better do it quick. The more you haul it with the dually the more you'll realize you made the wrong decision when you have it on the F250.

    Weigh the dually with no camper. Then weigh it with the camper. Then you'll know what the camper weighs. Now, weigh the F250 and add the camper weight to that. See where that puts you in relation to the truck's capabilities. I'd bet it will be over weight. Probably 90% of TC owners are overweight. I sure am, and I've got a dually.
  • James_'s avatar
    James_
    Explorer
    Apr 27, 2013
    Welcome El Camino Man!
    Trust me, you'll come to love that DRW.
    You can also see THIS
  • Sparky87k5's avatar
    Sparky87k5
    Explorer
    Apr 27, 2013
    Are you sure it's not the 1996 Lance Squire 5000 rather then the 500? Looks like it's 10' floor plan and therefore depending on the year of the F250 may be maxing the truck out. A DRW will always have better stability over a SRW truck when hauling a camper, and the crewcab will be nice for extra storage. Lot depends on year of trucks, mileage, powertrain and condition.
  • DianneOK's avatar
    DianneOK
    Explorer
    Apr 26, 2013
    Welcome to our world! We are a good bunch and help where we can.

    First, how much does the camper weigh? Also....what year is the F250? Have you put the tc on your 250, yet?

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