Over the winter I picked up a 2008 Lance 805, mostly to use as a sleeping spot for racing events I participate in. Since then, my family has been bit by the TC bug and I'm starting to look for a newer truck so we can take longer trips.I have been looking mostly at 2015+ GM 3/4 tons but I don't have any objections to a F250. I found a 2016 F-250 that I like but I feel like somewhere I have read about fit issues with the Superduty's? Maybe hitting the cab? I can't seem to locate what I had read so I am wondering if anyone has had issues with a Lance/Superduty combo? What measurements should I be taking, is it bed floor to cab rooftop that is the issue or the bed wall heights?Here are some pics of my current configuration:

Yes, Ford has issues with cab clearance which can easily be resolved by building a short platform. Same with bed rail height.The other and more critical area is the width at the tailgate. Some campers have problems, some don't.If your family has been bit by the bug, I would suggest going 1-ton to get more capacity allowing for a bit of upgrade in the future or handle the weight of the family. 1-tons are often same price and sometimes cheaper used than a 3/4 ton. Ride won't be much difference and operating cost will be the same.

Ditto on Kolhdad's recommendation of going right up to a 350/3500 series truck.

Thanks for the input, I have read many threads here from those who are trying to get a TC on a 3/4 ton truck that is better off on a 1 ton so I appreciate the perspective.I'm looking for a truck with some factory warranty remaining for under $30,000 so even 3/4 tons are few and far between. A DRW truck is out of the question for several reasons not related to the camper.Maybe I should clarify a bit, my family has been bit by the camper bug (not exclusively the TC bug). If we upgrade, it would be the smallest bumper tow toy hauler I can find with enough room for an UTV. The TC I have now was intended for half ton trucks (listed at 1535lbs FWTW) so weight and handling hasn't been an issue. I don't expect to grow into a larger TC.If I was looking at a SRW F-250 or F-350, is there a guaranteed fit issue or is it on some campers and not others? If I took measurements at the dealer, how much room would be recommended between the top and cab and bottom of sleeper?Even if it did fit, I'm not even sure if my jacks even be able to get the camper on/off the truck.

.....jack extension bolt-ons are available for some jacks; I can't tell from the photos if your jacks are round or square leg?Really REALLY pay attention to the rear truck bed opening width vis a vis your existing (or contemplated) truck camper rear tub width (as Kohldad writes, above). You can get the truck bed widths from truck manufacturer's up-fitter web databases (like GM body builder up-fitter drawings for all years light-duty truck models, here--> )

Usually you want 2-3" clearance above the cab. Make sure you check out Texas. Have heard lots of stories where one saved money by flying to Texas to pick up their truck. Lots of big dealers down there do a fantastic job properly documenting the truck so you get what you are expecting when you arrive in town.

Shopping for a 3/4 ton, What fit issues should I expect?

Kayteg1
Explorer II
Jun 30, 2017
hedge wrote:

I've often said the same thing about 250's no idea why they make them, same truck but with neutered ratings.

Registration fees.
The law changes between states, but commonly F250 will be registered at 9900 lb, while F350 will make 14,000 gross, what comes with hefty weight fees.
Probably the same with insurance, although this is harder to compare.
n0m4d
Explorer
Jun 30, 2017
Redneck bling wrote:
I have a 2016 f-250 crew cab....and a 2006 Lance 861 short bed camper. The fit is ideal. Plenty clearance between the cab lights and the camper, which was my 1st concern.
I had a 1999 crew cab...and now the 2016....I can not really discern a difference worth mention. The 2016 is a little closer fitting, but I actually like it because it makes centering easier for me by eye...where as I used to use a tape measure with the 99. I would say F-250 no problem.

Thanks, This is exactly the info I was looking for.
hedge
Explorer
Jun 30, 2017
mkirsch wrote:
Don't get hung up on 1 ton SRW trucks. They're pretty much impossible to find unless you are very lucky, or order one new. I don't know why manufacturers even bother making them. They should just have the half ton, 3/4 ton, and 1 ton dually. The difference between a 3/4 ton and a 1 ton SRW only involves a few parts, and most 3/4 tons are already rated at what a 1 ton SRW was rated for just a few years ago.

I guess they send them all up here to Canada. Around here a 250 is a rare beast almost every SRW truck is a 350/3500

I've often said the same thing about 250's no idea why they make them, same truck but with neutered ratings.
Redneck_bling
Explorer
Jun 30, 2017
I have a 2016 f-250 crew cab....and a 2006 Lance 861 short bed camper. The fit is ideal. Plenty clearance between the cab lights and the camper, which was my 1st concern.
I had a 1999 crew cab...and now the 2016....I can not really discern a difference worth mention. The 2016 is a little closer fitting, but I actually like it because it makes centering easier for me by eye...where as I used to use a tape measure with the 99. I would say F-250 no problem.
d3500ram
Explorer III
Jun 29, 2017
SidecarFlip wrote:
d3500ram wrote:
Actually, the SRW 3500 series/ 1 Ton trucks fill a valid need... at least with respect to Dodge models: I do not need nor want a dually and there is absolutely NO WAY I would ever own a pick up truck with rear coil springs.

Gee, thats another thread...lol

Nope... not hijacking, just respectfully responding to member mkirsch who wondered why mfgr's make SRW 1 ton trucks.
SugarHillCTD
Explorer
Jun 29, 2017
Hey n0m4d,

We are north of you in the Franconia area. We have a heavy Eagle Cap on a 3/4 ton '12 Chevy. I agree that 1 ton single rear wheel pickups are not easy to find in the northeast.

I run 285/75-17 tires (rated for 3970# each) on the stock steel wheels and with air bags at 30#, a BigWig swaybar and Bilstein shocks. I am comfortable with the handling and have been all over New England and up into the Maritimes of Canada.

Good luck with your truck search.

John
deserteagle56
Explorer II
Jun 29, 2017
mkirsch wrote:
Don't get hung up on 1 ton SRW trucks. They're pretty much impossible to find unless you are very lucky, or order one new. I don't know why manufacturers even bother making them. They should just have the half ton, 3/4 ton, and 1 ton dually. The difference between a 3/4 ton and a 1 ton SRW only involves a few parts, and most 3/4 tons are already rated at what a 1 ton SRW was rated for just a few years ago.

Must be an East coast thing. Out here it's just the opposite - most of the heavy-duty pickups on the lots are F350/3500 models; most are SRW with a few duallies here and there. The local Ford dealer is loaded with F150s and F350s, very few F250s.

This applies to Ford and Ram. Can't speak for GM...since GM pulled all their dealerships from "small" towns several years ago the nearest GM dealer is 130 miles away. Consequently, not many GM vehicles in rural Nevada.
SidecarFlip
Explorer III
Jun 29, 2017
d3500ram wrote:
Actually, the SRW 3500 series/ 1 Ton trucks fill a valid need... at least with respect to Dodge models: I do not need nor want a dually and there is absolutely NO WAY I would ever own a pick up truck with rear coil springs.

Gee, thats another thread...lol
SidecarFlip
Explorer III
Jun 29, 2017
n0m4d wrote:
noteven wrote:
New take off factory 18" wheel/tires are often available at dealers when folks want to finance aftermarket wheels and tires on a new truck. 18's are rated around 3700lbs capacity.

That's good to know, I was just thinking a Load Range E tire was the same regardless of wheel size. I usually get a spare set, so I can run studded snows in the winter for plowing.

I would guess my TC weighs in at no more than 1800lbs loaded so I could defer a tire/wheel upgrade until I need new tires.

I suspect that is a bad guess. Probably more like 2500 loaded, maybe more. One way to find out though. Visit a Cat scale and weigh it camper on and weight it camper off. I think you will change your weight estimate...upward quite a bit. My old Lance weighed 2200 not ready to go camping, no water, no stuff, just propane and battery.

I'd be looking for a 1 ton.

My Palomino soft side (pop-up) weighs 1850 dry and I don't have full walls either. Loaded up, she weighs 2200 pounds (stuff water and provisions).
silversand
Explorer
Jun 28, 2017
I'm not understanding why the tailgate opening is a potential issue, my camper is 48.5" wide all the way to the tail and I'm certain the tailgate opening is much wider than that.

....a lot of truck campers have a T shaped tub :)

If you decide to get a different truck camper, check the tub configuration...