I am thinking of buying a 2000 F250 XLT Super Duty,7.3 PSTD, auto trans w exhaust brake,RWD, limited slip, tow pkg,rear overload springs, firestone rear spring air bags, 2006 Lance 915 lite, no genie,AC or micro. I can not seem to do the math so my question is:1)Right truck for camper?2)how much weight may I tow? Also, do any of you haul trailers for extra stuff?

My Lance 915 Lite is not so lite

I will just chime in that the 7.3 is a awesome engine probably one of the best next to the 5.9 Cummins. It’s not a PowerStoke however,this is a International Engine, International then became Navistar. They built motors for for up to the 6.4 I believe. The issues that did arise were because Navistar built the iron and Ford made the software..The truck looks like it would be a good match for the camper, there are airbags to help level it if needed. Just make sure the tires are not dry rotted and at least E rated.

Thank you so much. I tried all the formulas and was just more confused. I appreciate the "not so lite". So, It sounds like the camper would work but would have to be very careful with stuff, especially liquids. That is why I wonder about towing a small trailer? Is hitch weight the only consideration? Thanks for any thoughts.

Other than the diesel, that is the same truck we bought in 2000 for our first commercially made TC. The camper package held our 2600 lb. camper great. If you have air bags, even better for keeping the back end up when inflated to 60-80 pounds. I will bet the lance 915 is about 2600-2700 empty, which should be fine. We never carried the water tank full because of the extra weight. We also sometimes towed a boat and trailer, which needed a 18" extension into the receiver. That weighed about 1300 lb, with about 80 pounds on the trailer ball. Again, that was fine. We have done the same with all 3 of our F250's and have weighed in at 10000 pounds loaded up for trips.

Thanks for the info. When you towed your boat did you experience much sway? did you use any connection beside the hitch?sway bar? I would like to tow a small trailer where I could set up an outside "room". I am somewhat concerned about the small space. Thoughts?

truck question | Good Sam Community

SidecarFlip
Explorer III
Sep 29, 2018
nodepositnoreturn wrote:
I will just chime in that the 7.3 is a awesome engine probably one of the best next to the 5.9 Cummins. It’s not a PowerStoke however,this is a International Engine, International then became Navistar. They built motors for for up to the 6.4 I believe. The issues that did arise were because Navistar built the iron and Ford made the software..

The truck looks like it would be a good match for the camper, there are airbags to help level it if needed. Just make sure the tires are not dry rotted and at least E rated.

It is a Powerstroke, I own one. Says on the side of the truck, on the EPA decal on the radiator frame and on the engine cover 'Powerstroke IDI Diesel'....

It's a great engine. Not big on power (mine was 323 horse stock) which it isn't now. I get great fuel mileage (I average just around 20 loaded and empty, city and highway all combined) and I have had no issues with the engine or drivetrain ever, other than some stiction with the injectors that I cured by using a nano-borate oil additive.

Best thing is, it smokes and it sounds like a diesel engine.
jimh406
Explorer III
Sep 29, 2018
Congrats on the Class C.
RoadRose
Explorer
Sep 29, 2018
Thanks for all the help. Ended up with a 2005 Lazy Daze. So good bye truck campers and hello Class C MH!
Grit_dog
Navigator
Sep 07, 2018
^1991?
Chassis wise it'll handle a 3000lb camper and could be fairly relaible if it's a low mile museum piece.
But, at that, it's an almost 30 year old truck. Better balance your expectations and budget.
One thing that's guaranteed is it will be underpowered.
jaycocreek
Explorer II
Sep 06, 2018
Okay, handy helpers.1991, F250XLT long bed, 7.3 diesel with Lance 1010. Some modifications,air shocks. Weigh in weight police-)Could it be too much weight, 2542 dry? Too old? 1991? I know there are no absolutes but I would hate to start out without a chance. Please, any opinion is welcome.

My opinion is ad springs first..Helwig helper springs made hauling my very heavy 35ft fifth wheel a breeze..They also made hauling my Lance camper easy without much sway at all...Both on a Ford F-250.

With the 1010 your going to be about 3500 pounds ready to camp..
RoadRose
Explorer
Sep 06, 2018
Okay, handy helpers.1991, F250XLT long bed, 7.3 diesel with Lance 1010. Some modifications,air shocks. Weigh in weight police-)Could it be too much weight, 2542 dry? Too old? 1991? I know there are no absolutes but I would hate to start out without a chance. Please, any opinion is welcome.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Sep 06, 2018
Bummer dude. Yup the economy is good and new trucks ain't cheap. So used truck are at a premium, especially the higher regarded ones
RoadRose
Explorer
Sep 05, 2018
The 7.3 truck was perfect. That's probably why it got sold before I could get there to pick it up. I am now in the process of starting over again. Truck camper seem to be plentiful but a reasonable truck is elusive. Thanks for your thoughts.
Steelhog
Explorer
Sep 05, 2018
A solid truck with the 7.3 is wonderful rig. Just an FYI the 4R100 is not quite as tough as the 5R110 found in 6.0 and later trucks.The 7.3/4R100 combo has a relatively small trans cooler and heat will kill the trans in no time. A set of gauges including trans temp and EGT is a must. Installing the trans cooler from a 6.0 is a very popular option. The factory trans temp is slow to react so all it does is notify you it is time to rebuild the trans. That said the 7.3 is much easier and cheaper to work on and buying a top of the line rebuilt trans is cheaper than the repair bills on a 6.0 etc. Ask me how I know!.
Travels_with_Yo
Explorer
Sep 01, 2018
burningman wrote:
Agreed, I carry my Hondas inside my camper, they really seal up nice, it’s just gas cans that reek.
The biggest trip I take involves a 50-gallon fuel tank and an extra 60 gallons of water, both fresh and grey. I’m kind of on the extreme end of carrying supplies.

"Kind of" seems to be an understatement to me :) What's an extra 780 lbs eh ?