Here is one for the weight police! I was going through some of my old photos the other day and found this. Taken in the early 80s it shows my rig....a F250 + 11 1/2 foot camper + 3500 lb boat on a 48" extension.I knew nothing about GVWR or axle weights or tire loading. Cannot believe I did that! Took my family several times across the Rockies from Alberta to BC. Mind you, I was not the only one doing this sort of thing in those days.One time my father-in-law borrowed the camper and loaded it on his 1/2 ton dodge and drove out to Vancouver for the worlds fair in 1986. It must have been a little hard to handle!!!

Yup, but I bet that 11.5 camper weighed less than many 9.5's today. No basement, way smaller tanks, lightweight and smaller overhead bed. Crank up camper jacks too, no air conditioner... so many things were just smaller and lighter back then.

Those older campers didn't weigh anything compared to new ones. It's got no roof air, no jacks, no generator, and I bet you even let your kids ride in the cabover. I don't even see where your tires are squishing. Ahh... the good 'ole days.I had 12 foot (not even 11 1/2--a real 12 foot) Real-Lite with the side door entry on an F250, completely stock suspension, and it didn't squat. I also loaded a boat behind it, and at that point the truck sat pretty much level.Those older trucks were over built, and the campers were much lighter.

The combinations I had and drove over the years scare the living **** out of me today. I often wonder was I that stupid or just overconfident?

Nah! You were fine...you had an weight appropriate counter balancing tire on the front bumper! ;)

We didn't know any better in those days. My dad had a 65 GMC 920, it was called a 3/4 ton but actually a heavy half, with a 283 (only V-8 available)three in the tree and no power anything. The dealer talked him out of the options, said no one would want them come trade in time. He drove that thing with an 8ft overhead camper for five years. It was a real handful in a prairie cross wind. :R

What was I thinking!!!! | Good Sam Community

naturist
Nomad
Oct 14, 2013
I'nit amazing what we survived in our foolish youth? Things that make our heads hurt now just thinkin' about it.

Which is definitely NOT to say anybody with half a brain would want to do anything THAT stupid today!
Dog_Folks
Explorer
Oct 14, 2013
fordsooperdooty wrote:
Nah! You were fine...you had an weight appropriate counter balancing tire on the front bumper! ;)

X2
romore
Explorer II
Oct 14, 2013
We didn't know any better in those days. My dad had a 65 GMC 920, it was called a 3/4 ton but actually a heavy half, with a 283 (only V-8 available)three in the tree and no power anything. The dealer talked him out of the options, said no one would want them come trade in time. He drove that thing with an 8ft overhead camper for five years. It was a real handful in a prairie cross wind. :R
SooperDaddy
Explorer
Oct 14, 2013
Nah! You were fine...you had an weight appropriate counter balancing tire on the front bumper! ;)
Dog_Folks
Explorer
Oct 14, 2013
The combinations I had and drove over the years scare the living **** out of me today. I often wonder was I that stupid or just overconfident?
Boatycall
Explorer
Oct 14, 2013
Those older campers didn't weigh anything compared to new ones. It's got no roof air, no jacks, no generator, and I bet you even let your kids ride in the cabover. I don't even see where your tires are squishing. Ahh... the good 'ole days.

I had 12 foot (not even 11 1/2--a real 12 foot) Real-Lite with the side door entry on an F250, completely stock suspension, and it didn't squat. I also loaded a boat behind it, and at that point the truck sat pretty much level.

Those older trucks were over built, and the campers were much lighter.
Artum_Snowbird
Explorer
Oct 14, 2013
Yup, but I bet that 11.5 camper weighed less than many 9.5's today. No basement, way smaller tanks, lightweight and smaller overhead bed. Crank up camper jacks too, no air conditioner... so many things were just smaller and lighter back then.

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