Truck camper, towing a boat and payloads

robertjp wrote:
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.

robertjp. If you pretty much know the TC you're going to get (2300 lbs.) and you know you're going to pull a light boat with a tongue weight of about 180 lbs, then my opinion is a 150/0 series truck is definitely not enough truck but a 250/0 series truck is adequate for what you are considering and all you really need. Having said that, you'll likely be over the legal carrying limit for a 250/0 series truck ... just like the majority of us are with our respective setups. A 350/0 truck has a higher GVWR and technically would be likelier to be street legal.

Either way, finding a truck with the factory "camper package option" is what I would do (and actually did do). This gets you a few extra goodies you'll appreciate (i.e. overload springs, trailer wiring, front and rear anti-sway bars, hitch receiver I believe etc.).

My TC weighs over 3,000 lbs and I pull a 3,000 lbs cargo trailer (with electric brakes) with a measured tongue weight of 300 lbs. My older F-250 has the factory camper package and I have larger LT265/75R16, E-load rated tires and I've added rear Sumo Springs (rated at 2,800 lbs. supplemental support - does not add to your legal GVWR limit). It drives and handles beautifully with minimal sway or porpoising.

A strong argument for purchasing a 350/0 series truck is for future consideration if you're looking to go to a heavier TC. We never will so I know our F-250 is just fine for us now ... and into the foreseeable future. ~ Bugjr ~