which truck camper

What's your budget like? Do you think you need a slide? You really need to step inside several floorplans. For me, there are only a couple floorplans I like which weeds out a LOT. Are you going to boondock, therefore tank size is important or are you going to stay in campgrounds and then tank size is secondary. Do you care if the kitchen has one round sink or a double bowl?

We can't answer these questions.

Is it just me, or do the suggestions usually point toward the heaviest (or a little heavier) camper than what you truck is designed for? Why not figure out if a lighter model would serve your needs as well as making for a more fuel efficient and easy to drive combination? Just asking.

Forget about the truck's payload rating as it is based on the configuration of the truck as it left the factory and subtracts 150 lbs. for every passenger seat in the cab. That is all that the manufacturer can do. But you can change the springs and change the tires with little effort and expense and increase the safe payload capacity.

The bottom line in terms of payload capacity is the load capacity of the rear axle and wheel bearings and the one in your truck is rated at 10,900 lbs. so it is easy to see that the true load limitation is the rims and tires of the truck.

If you go new the Lance 855s is what I would recommend for your truck. Plan on adding a set of Supersprings ($450) to add to the load capacity of your truck. The tires may also be a problem as the factory ones are likely to have 3195 lb load capacity and that will limit your trucks overall payload.

Take your truck to a CAT scale and weigh it to get the weight at the drive wheels and subtract that from the total max load for your truck's two rear tires. That difference is the maximum load you can put in the bed, which includes the camper, water, food, gear, toys, etc.

The very good thing is that your truck has a very solid frame and even the factory shocks are good ones. No need to do anything more than the SuperSprings and possibly the tires.

A new camper will likely cost you almost double the cost for a comparable one that is 3 years old. Part of it is depreciation and part of it is that new campers keep going up in price.

You can download brochures for prior years from the Lance website and this is very helpful in seeing what models will work for you and for your truck and this makes shopping for a used on much easier. For example the Lance 830 and 845 short bed models were excellent designs in many respects but they were discontinued. You can get a used 830 or 845 camper in excellent condition for a third of what you will pay for a new 855s camper.

Another thing that would help would be your payload rating. On the driver side pillar look for a yellow sticker like this:



And report back what it says for your truck (depending on your options this could vary a great deal)

1. Will you have something in tow (like me) or just the the truck camper?
2. Do you plan to stop at campgrounds with hookups or will you be self sufficient? If so, how many days off the grid?
3. Will your travels be limited to paved and graveled roads or will you be more adventurous?
4. How much time do you plan to spend inside the camper and what amenities do you want?

Not everyone knows what is considered a standard bed so please specify length. It used to be 8ft but now I think it's 6' 6".

Welcome to the TC Forum.

More info on your plans would be helpful. With the brief info given, it puts most of us in a position to simply justify the TC we have. Stating you preferences in camping, sightseeing, and what you intend to do with the TC after you complete your trip can influence the suggestions.

Wayne