I am new to truck campers. I dont have one yet but am looking to get one soon. I fish alot so that is my reason for getting one so I can pull my 16' aluminum boat with 30 HP motor. The boat, motor and trailer combined weigh about 1500 lbs and I weighed the tongue weight at 180 lbs.I have my eye on a popup truck camper that weighs 1500 lbs dry (according to the spec sheet) and Im figuring it will weigh about 2300 lbs after I count water, food, gear, dog, etc.Here's my dilema...I need a truck too and I want to get a 1500 series truck (1/2 ton) but the highest payload I can find is the F150 at about 2200 lbs. The Chevy Silverado is about 1900 lbs payload. The price jump to a 2500 series is quite alot. So if Im slightly over by say 100-200 lbs, is this a big deal? I do realize the limitations with a 1500 series about not being able to upgrade the camper in the future. Does anyone out there pull a boat with a similar setup that I described? Thanks much.

Forget about published payloads. A truck needs to be loaded with passengers, pets, fuel, and all the stuff you'll carry and driven to the nearest scales (CAT scales are the most common... found at many - if not most - truck stops). Weigh the truck. You'll get front and rear axle weights along with a total weight. Subtract those weights from the weight capacities on the door sticker. And remember - it's not just about pulling; it's about stability and stopping, as well.Rob

Any 1/2 ton will be over GCVW. You will be better off with the 3/4 ton.

There are higher payload capacity F150s but it has been mentioned on this forum many, many times that to find one of those, it will need to be ordered. 2017 F-150 Specifications. To get the highest payload, chances are you may need to compromise and not go with a crew cab, 4x4, LB and all the nice options. You will probably also be in 3/4 ton $$$ area also. So, does it make sense is the question you will need to answer yourself.Honestly, you were given a good amount of information in the Tundra thread and now it seems you are only looking for someone to justify what you seem intent on doing anyway... happens on this forum a lot. Certainly not a very nice thing for me to point out but that is the way it appears to me.

Also forget the published camper weight. Don't just read the manufacturers' claims, search around a bit and see how heavy they are when actually scaled ready to go by owners. They always end up a lot heavier! And yes I said always!It's really simple. A half ton is the wrong choice for camper duty, you'll wish you had something stouter. The salesman may tell you whatever you want to hear. This place is full of guys who own and use these things, a good percentage of us have had many camper/truck combos. We will give it to you straight, we aren't trying to sell you anything.

Nope, wouldn't do it. 3/4 ton or better.

Truck camper, towing a boat and payloads | Good Sam Community

Second_Chance
Explorer II
Oct 22, 2016
Forget about published payloads. A truck needs to be loaded with passengers, pets, fuel, and all the stuff you'll carry and driven to the nearest scales (CAT scales are the most common... found at many - if not most - truck stops). Weigh the truck. You'll get front and rear axle weights along with a total weight. Subtract those weights from the weight capacities on the door sticker. And remember - it's not just about pulling; it's about stability and stopping, as well.

Rob
eHoefler
Explorer II
Oct 22, 2016
Any 1/2 ton will be over GCVW. You will be better off with the 3/4 ton.
RedRocket204
Explorer
Oct 22, 2016
There are higher payload capacity F150s but it has been mentioned on this forum many, many times that to find one of those, it will need to be ordered. 2017 F-150 Specifications. To get the highest payload, chances are you may need to compromise and not go with a crew cab, 4x4, LB and all the nice options. You will probably also be in 3/4 ton $$$ area also. So, does it make sense is the question you will need to answer yourself.

Honestly, you were given a good amount of information in the Tundra thread and now it seems you are only looking for someone to justify what you seem intent on doing anyway... happens on this forum a lot. Certainly not a very nice thing for me to point out but that is the way it appears to me.
burningman
Explorer II
Oct 22, 2016
Also forget the published camper weight. Don't just read the manufacturers' claims, search around a bit and see how heavy they are when actually scaled ready to go by owners. They always end up a lot heavier! And yes I said always!
It's really simple. A half ton is the wrong choice for camper duty, you'll wish you had something stouter.
The salesman may tell you whatever you want to hear. This place is full of guys who own and use these things, a good percentage of us have had many camper/truck combos. We will give it to you straight, we aren't trying to sell you anything.
Vinsil
Explorer
Oct 22, 2016
Nope, wouldn't do it. 3/4 ton or better.
robertjp
Explorer
Oct 22, 2016
Red Rocket,

"Honestly, you were given a good amount of information in the Tundra thread and now it seems you are only looking for someone to justify what you seem intent on doing anyway... happens on this forum a lot. Certainly not a very nice thing for me to point out but that is the way it appears to me. "

Seriously??? My other post was titled "Tundra payload" which is alot less than most 1/2 tons. So you are criticizing me the newbie for trying to get info on this expensive proposition? I have to buy a truck and camper and I will once I have all the facts. I am not an expert and dont pretend to be. My mind is not made up and this is why Im trying to get opinions from somebody who pulls a boat with a truck camper (so far I have no one who has come forward). That was not the gist of the Tundra payload post. I mean seriously.......To the rest of you guys I sincerely appreciate your help and you have been a huge help to me. Thank you.
Vinsil
Explorer
Oct 22, 2016
robertjp wrote:
Red Rocket,

"Honestly, you were given a good amount of information in the Tundra thread and now it seems you are only looking for someone to justify what you seem intent on doing anyway... happens on this forum a lot. Certainly not a very nice thing for me to point out but that is the way it appears to me. "

Seriously??? My other post was titled "Tundra payload" which is alot less than most 1/2 tons. So you are criticizing me the newbie for trying to get info on this expensive proposition? I have to buy a truck and camper and I will once I have all the facts. I am not an expert and dont pretend to be. My mind is not made up and this is why Im trying to get opinions from somebody who pulls a boat with a truck camper (so far I have no one who has come forward). That was not the gist of the Tundra payload post. I mean seriously.......To the rst of you guys I sincerely appreciate your help and you have been a huge help to me. Thank you.

Look right above you. I responded, read my sig. In case you missed it, I pull a boat. My set is heavier and larger than what your after but it took serious ($$$) mods to make my 3/4 work but I already had the truck. With your setup I would still need at least airbags and would be approaching e rated tire capacity. So, a 1/2 ton could do it but you need lots of mods to get there and since you don't have truck like some of us already did...take the advice and avoid going down the same road we have.
robertjp
Explorer
Oct 22, 2016
Vinsil,

Yes I am taking your guys advise and NOT buying a 1500 series. Now Im hoping I can do what I want with a 2500 series. Thanks much!
Vinsil
Explorer
Oct 22, 2016
No problem. Tires are your biggest concern, some stableloads and or airbags will take of the rest.

If going new and if you can, just buy a one ton as it most likely will cost the same and gives you the overload leaf to maybe avoid any suspension mods. Room to grow too!

Boat itis is real as you know...same with rv's sometime, chasing the bigger ones!
Bedlam
Moderator
Oct 22, 2016
Look again into pricing of the 2500 verses 1500 - I did not find that much difference and a Tundra actually cost more than my F250.