"Slide in truck camper not recommended for this truck"
So digging through my owners manual of my 1997 F-250 HD I found a paper that said not recommended for truck camper???? Anyone know wht thats all about?
Forum Discussion
There are a lot of moving parts to this dilemma. My SHORT BED, 2001.5 Dodge 2500/CTD/4x4 came with the factory authorized and installed "Camper Package". In trying to find out what actual physical differences there were between camper and camper not authorized, I found that my 'camper' package added the 3500 upper secondary springs, factory anti sway bars, front and rear, the new bigger disc brakes all around, the H.O. CTD (HP-245/TQ-505#feet), NV5600 trans (26K pound rated), and a 35 spline (not 30 spline), Dana 80 rear axle. The snow plow prep package I also ordered included the NV 241HD transfer case with the extra wide chain HD (to blunt the snow plow shock loading on the chain), higher spring rate front coils, and nothing else that I could see. It does have a transmission skid plate that I assume came with the extra long NV5600. Maybe not.
The things that remained the same were the wimpy Michelin tires and 8800 GVW which both were in cahoots to keep the lawyer generated GVW lower and satisfy the bean counters.
For those that suspect you can just upgrade your tires and suspension to get incredible carrying capacity, I would argue that it depends on how close to the edge you are willing to go. I'm reminded of the Clint's famous quote, "Are you feeling lucky?"
Years ago I had a good laugh when a guy with a 1/2 ton Ford pickup announced he could carry any size camper. I asked how that could be and he replied, "because I have the fabled Ford 9" rear axle."
I have seen the 'no camper' certification ebb and flow during my lifetime, seemingly having nothing to do with the actual carrying capacity of that year, only litigious considerations.
jefe
The things that remained the same were the wimpy Michelin tires and 8800 GVW which both were in cahoots to keep the lawyer generated GVW lower and satisfy the bean counters.
For those that suspect you can just upgrade your tires and suspension to get incredible carrying capacity, I would argue that it depends on how close to the edge you are willing to go. I'm reminded of the Clint's famous quote, "Are you feeling lucky?"
Years ago I had a good laugh when a guy with a 1/2 ton Ford pickup announced he could carry any size camper. I asked how that could be and he replied, "because I have the fabled Ford 9" rear axle."
I have seen the 'no camper' certification ebb and flow during my lifetime, seemingly having nothing to do with the actual carrying capacity of that year, only litigious considerations.
jefe
