"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
- It's a 1997 truck. Well out of warranty. Put whatever you want in the bed.
It says "not recommended," which is not an absolute term in legalese. Even if the truck were brand spanking new putting a camper on it wouldn't affect the warranty.
That truck will easily handle 2500lbs in the bed all day every day, which puts you in a pretty nice 8-9' hardside camper with all the basics for civilized life. - We got the "truck camper option" with our F250. The more I think about it, it was just to get the "certificate" as a legal protection (not sure if for them or me)
- Definitely CYA.
A while ago I contacted GM to ask about their OEM steel wheel weight rating.
They gave me a reply 2 weeks later. What a surprise- the wheels are rated for the exact same amount as the OEM tires. Coincidence? I doubt it. More legal reasons than engineering. - 'It was suggested that the paper was CYA for the auto companies.'
This is it pure and simple. NO other reason. - My bet... Part legalese, part marketing.
The legal part... "Yeah, we recommended you don't do that. You did it anyway. Now it is all busted. Not our fault".
The marketing part... Anyone remember the "Camper Special" pickup truck models from the late 60's - early 70's? It wouldn't surprise me if they were throwing on a couple extra features - like a bed plug, adding a badge, charging a few extra grand, and calling it 'Camper ready' or something like that. Oh, and now we "Recommend this model if you are hauling a camper". Same basic truck, just more money.
-Eric - 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 - I'd run it!
- to get the certicate,you must buy camper pack
dhull wrote:
This is the chart I was referring to. Thanks for the link dhull .
camper guide
perhaps this is the link you are referring to...
I must say it could use a bit more information as to why a given truck is is recommended, and on others it is not. I haven't really studied the chart, and after doing so it might be more clear.
Wayne
