S&S 2003 Ponderosa 8.5 SC

Question

Hello All, the last time I posted I was asking questions about a new to me 2002 F350 7.3L crew cab 8’ dually 4wd and my options in looking for a truck camper, and what I needed to still pull my 18’ fish & ski. I received a very nice welcoming and appreciated the quick education on truck campers.

I have the opportunity to look at a 2003 S&S Ponderosa 8.5 SC a few hours from home with an asking price of $7995. I’m assuming it is negotiable. I haven’t been able to dig up much information on it (specs) but it looks like dry weight is around 2300 lbs. From what I can see in pictures it is in very good shape. Most of the time I will be by myself, and maybe my wife occasionally. I also will use it in the winter for hunting season.

Any information about this brand/model, thoughts, advice on what to look at specifically and price range would be appreciated. Thank you— Glenn

d3500ram · Answer

Some 15+ years ago when I first started looking at truck campers I looked at one of the smaller S&S models and I think it could have been the same type as mentioned. Don't hold me to this, but I seem to recall that model camper has a single combined black and gray water holding tank. While not the end of the world for a camper, it was a feature that I did not want. I wanted separate B&G tanks.

It might be something to look for just so you know exactly how the drains side of the plumbing is fashioned.

old_days · Answer

If you are having trouble finding a good used TC in the Midwest, check out craigslist in Colorado you will find just about every brand for sale.

burningman · Answer

Dry weight is pretty much an imaginary number, campers always weigh lots more. But not to worry, your truck won’t have any problem with it.
S&S was a good brand, they’re generally nice campers. The front corner windows are a leak hazard though.
I’m an admitted Bigfoot and Northern Lite biased person, but that’s because I’ve owned a lot of older campers. Leaks and hidden rot are a huge issue with older campers and the older they get the bigger the advantage of the two-piece fiberglass clamshell construction of the BF and NL. You might look at that... but even older ones aren’t super cheap. For good reason.

That S&S is probably a great rig. With most used campers it’s all about the condition of it.
Open every cabinet and hatch and look hard for evidence of leaks or moisture.
I’d do a full exterior re-seal on it ASAP, regardless of how it looks. Old campers start leaking.

sidecarflip · Answer

...and 2300 pounds light is a pie-in-the-sky weight for an S&amp;S.  They were always heavy.  I'd say minimum 3K unladen.

mountainkowboy · Answer

My 1990 S&amp;S 11SC says it's dry at 3,050, it scales at 3,475...dry and 4,500 ready to camp.

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S&S 2003 Ponderosa 8.5 SC

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