Forum Discussion

996Pilot's avatar
996Pilot
Explorer
Jul 13, 2018

Try A New Camper Before Buying - Truck Load

I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with bringing their truck to an RV dealer and asking to load a camper on their truck to see how it feels? I know this is a wacky request but it got me thinking. We've all gone to the dealer and heard "oh yeah, you've got plenty of truck to haul this camper" or "you've got a 3/4 ton, you'll be fine" (I hear from ALL of them - oh you have a 1 ton, your golden). Just once I'd like to ask them "mind if I load that one up and see how the truck handles?"

I seriously doubt ANY dealer would allow me to do it. Citing insurance prohibitions, liability, wear and tear (of ONE loading/unloading), or whatever excuse (some may be valid). I'd really like to try loading one of these "you'll be golden" weight campers and see how my truck (with rock stock suspension) feels with bounce, sway, sag, etc. I think it's reasonable in these days of $30K-$50K truck campers to be allowed to take a "test drive" before I write the check.

Any thoughts on this? :h
Truck Campers
  • dls0008's avatar
    dls0008
    Explorer
    Jul 16, 2018
    I talked the dealer into test loading my new Wolf Creek 850 on my F-250 before purchasing it. He wouldn't let me drive it, but I got to see how the truck sat with the weight on it.
  • mkirsch's avatar
    mkirsch
    Nomad II
    Jul 17, 2018
    That's more than I'd expect from any RV dealer.

    Think back to that "Allstate/Mayhem" commercial where Mayhem takes a motorcycle for a test drive, gets to the end of the street, dumps it, and takes off running. THAT is what the RV dealership is thinking about when they don't allow test tows/hauls/loads.

    You just never know who you're dealing with or what their motivations are. I could see Mayhem taking a camper for a "test drive," hitting the first corner going too fast, rolling the whole works on its side, then running off giggling like a school girl.

    But you'll crow indignantly, "I'm RESPONSIBLE! I would never do such a thing!" They don't know you from Adam (or Mayhem) and Mayhem just said the exact same thing before he dumped a brand new camper on its side in the middle of the street.
  • maddog348's avatar
    maddog348
    Explorer
    Jul 19, 2018
    mkirsch YES I can see that. Friend was selling her MC. Buyer on test drive headed across parking lot ~ ran into a wall ~ fell over and walked off.

    "MAYHEM" is one of the few commercials I like. JM2¢ ~~ YMMV

About Travel Trailer Group

44,029 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 13, 2025