Kayteg1 wrote:
This is hard for some people to calculate, even that is primary school physics.
But simplifying - let's say your truck has 10' wheelbase and original hitch is 4' behind rear axle.
1000 lb tongue weight will put 1000 x 14/10=1400 lb on rear axle.
with 4' stinger it is 1000 x 18/10= 1800 lb on rear axle.
Now deduct that and empty weight from your axle rating and you have what you camper can add to the axle load.
Thank you! This helps a lot. My truck is a short box. The payload is confusing. The manual says 5000 lbs. The internet says only 2700! At 2700 even the lightest campers would be a push on their own at wet weight. That seems crazy that the campers are so heavy or that the payload is that light. Our current camper is 800lbs. We weighed it on a scale.
I feel like I am nowhere closer to making a decision, and go back and forth between minding the weights for the trailer and just giving up on the big trailer and camper combo all together so I have more options on the camper, especially after seeing these weights. It's frustrating that there are so few models near me to look at. It's either palomino, northern lite or adventurer. Have not seen a lance, northstar, cirrus or any other brands. I would maybe be interested in the travel lites but the only dealer is a 4 hour drive.
I am really hung up on the Cirrus because of the Alde heat system, and to be honest, the look. The inside and outside of all other campers are just so depressing and ugly. I don't know why they are all white outside and beige inside with that weird patterned wallpaper stuff on the walls. The northstar seems good in build quality but can't find their smaller unit near us so would have to go with the Laredo and it's still boring and still heavy-ish, so if I get that why not the cirrus? I think about buying another slightly better vintage camper since I like the interiors so much more, and adding electric jacks and Alde heat aftermarket. Seems like too much time and money to invest into an old junker camper through. Plus the potential for more leaks and problems down the road that we're already going through with ours.
The closest 720 to us I would have to ship from the US or across the entire country. That does leave an 820 within reasonable shipping or driving distance but then I am back to a heavier camper. I also was told that the 720 is not the same build quality as the 820 which is nerve wracking buying sight unseen.
This forum has been super helpful and I have been reading threads like crazy trying to learn as much as possible.
