Truck Camper for F-250
I'm looking to get into truck camping. I really like the versatility of a truck camper over a tow-behind camper...especially for some of the mountain campsites I go to.
I currently have a 2012 F-150, and in doing research, there are very few truck campers that will work without exceeding the payload capacity...especially since I'll occasionally be towing a 21' center console while the camper is attached; so...
I'm looking to purchase an F-250, 6.2L V8 Flex Fuel with a 6.5' bed. I'm opting for the gas, over the diesel engine, since the gas engine has 640# more payload capacity than the diesel engine (3100# vs. 2460#).
I've been eyeing a few models (leaning towards the Lance models, as I like their design and exterior color schemes better, although they are closer to the max payload weights):
Palomino HS-6601
Palomino HS-1806
Palomino SS-1251
Lance 650
Lance 825
Lance 865
I've done some rough numbers to get wet weights of the units. While all of them fall under the max payload weight (except the HS-1806, which is 167# over), the wet weight does not take into account the tongue weight of the 21' center console that I would occasionally be towing with the camper installed, which puts most of the models over the max payload.
Wondering if anyone else has experience with any of these units, or suggestions for others, on a similar F-250 truck (pics always welcome).
Are any modifications to the truck necessary (additional springs, airbags, etc.)?
If anyone has experience with a camper on an F-150, be interested in that, and any modifications done, as well.
Thanks for helping out a newbie!
- Jason
I currently have a 2012 F-150, and in doing research, there are very few truck campers that will work without exceeding the payload capacity...especially since I'll occasionally be towing a 21' center console while the camper is attached; so...
I'm looking to purchase an F-250, 6.2L V8 Flex Fuel with a 6.5' bed. I'm opting for the gas, over the diesel engine, since the gas engine has 640# more payload capacity than the diesel engine (3100# vs. 2460#).
I've been eyeing a few models (leaning towards the Lance models, as I like their design and exterior color schemes better, although they are closer to the max payload weights):
Palomino HS-6601
Palomino HS-1806
Palomino SS-1251
Lance 650
Lance 825
Lance 865
I've done some rough numbers to get wet weights of the units. While all of them fall under the max payload weight (except the HS-1806, which is 167# over), the wet weight does not take into account the tongue weight of the 21' center console that I would occasionally be towing with the camper installed, which puts most of the models over the max payload.
Wondering if anyone else has experience with any of these units, or suggestions for others, on a similar F-250 truck (pics always welcome).
Are any modifications to the truck necessary (additional springs, airbags, etc.)?
If anyone has experience with a camper on an F-150, be interested in that, and any modifications done, as well.
Thanks for helping out a newbie!
- Jason
