2005 2WD 2500 Ram Crew Cab HD SLT SB Auto Cummins

[Squattingdog]

I am going to look at a few Lances campers this week. Looking for suggestions for those in the know regard what Lance camper 'models' I should be looking at. I'm am more than willing to add air bags, stiffer springs etc., for a safer ride. I would like to be a little more intelligent when looking. If my truck isn't safely capable of doing this, I can live with that answer and will pursue another avenue.

Regards,
-JW:

[FireGuard]

Lance 815, 825 or 865.
“Maybe” a 845 or 855 but much heavier.

[Squattingdog]

Oops, that was a typo. It weighed in at 6,900 pounds with us both in the truck and a full tank of gas. The scale was at the City of Phoenix dump. Keep in mind my truck is 2WD.

[Slowmover]

Squattingdog wrote:
Just to resurrect an old message. I weighed my 2005 Ram 2500 truck last week at the dump. It had a full tank of diesel and two adults, my son-in-law and myself. Cam in at 6,700 pounds.

Seeing as that’s lower than the manufacturers published shipping weight, that scale is way off.

The MSW on my 2004 2WD (8’ bed) is 6,860#. With Leer bed topper, max fuel, driver and gear kept aboard it was 7,400+. The topper is probably 250#.

Take it to a CAT Scale. Certifiable, repeatable results nationwide.

In the eleven years I’ve had my Dodge it’s now up to 7,940-lbs solo. Within 40-lbs at each corner.

The limits are the tire/wheel/ axle ratings. The problem with truck campers is being top heavy. Not just weight.

(And I also answered your travel trailer questions on CF).

.

[Squattingdog]

Just to resurrect an old message. I weighed my 2005 Ram 2500 truck last week at the dump. It had a full tank of diesel and two adults, my son-in-law and myself. Cam in at 6,700 pounds.

[Squattingdog]

... naturally I liked the Arctic Fox 811 too. The Lance 825 was ok too but I liked 855S with the side. Wish I had a LB truck instead of the SB. I also saw a nice Lance 861 that I liked.

On another note, I found a 1997 Lance SL Squirelite 185 in my neck of the woods. 🙂

-SD:

[Grit_dog]

Squatterdog has a short bed. Yes then 10-11’ camper = bad.

[Grit_dog]

jimh425 wrote:

Kayteg1 wrote:
Fact is that for new generation Hosts, even 3500 dually becomes marginal..

Not a fact and none as heavy as you say your truck camper is.

He may have the worlds heaviest TC, but his car gets unworldly best mileage of any vehicle ever produced......

[mkirsch]

Squattingdog wrote:

mkirsch wrote:
Which camper appeals to you? If you are looking at the 10XX and 11XX series campers, then no, your 2500 Ram is not going to cut it long term, but I listed you two models that would work in your truck perfectly well, and explained why in what I thought were simple terms most anyone could understand.

Am I just not making any sense at all?

Sure you are making sense. I REALLY liked the 10XX/11XS series. Plus to do it right I'd like a 4X4 3500. Sure wouldn't want to get stuck somewhere.

I thought the Lance 855S was nice.

I also looked a a couple used ones, 861 and a 992.

Ahh, ok, makes sense... Unfortunately not at all suitable for a short box 2500 truck even ignoring any weight concerns. The practical rear overhang limit is about 3-1/2'. You never see long bed campers with more than 11-1/2' floors, and short beds with more than 9-1/2' floors. 11XX would be hanging off 5'. Even if it holds up structurally and doesn't overload the rear axle and tires, you probably would not like driving it.

[jimh406]

Kayteg1 wrote:
Fact is that for new generation Hosts, even 3500 dually becomes marginal..

Not a fact and none as heavy as you say your truck camper is.

[Kayteg1]

Fact is that for new generation Hosts, even 3500 dually becomes marginal.
That is why I think several owners of older Lance did whole rebuild for more $$$ than campers cost new (several pictorials on Lance forum).
New trend is go "bigger, wider, more slides, higher) that with add of big screens puts TC in heavy hauling category.
Good if you can figure out what is best for you.

[Squattingdog]

JimK-NY wrote:

Squattingdog wrote:
.... I REALLY liked the 10XX/11XS series. Plus to do it right I'd like a 4X4 3500. Sure wouldn't want to get stuck somewhere. ....

If you are going to look at 10 or 11 foot campers you need to consider a 3500 dually. The weight can get up there really quickly.

Thanks, I realize that ... but that's what I 'liked'.

[JimK-NY]

Squattingdog wrote:
.... I REALLY liked the 10XX/11XS series. Plus to do it right I'd like a 4X4 3500. Sure wouldn't want to get stuck somewhere. ....

If you are going to look at 10 or 11 foot campers you need to consider a 3500 dually. The weight can get up there really quickly.

[Grit_dog]

^ If you have a long bed, 10-11' campers are still a possibility, but you need to stay on the lighter end of those models IMO.
Bottom line, stay at or under 2 tons loaded. Add 1000lbs to any "dry weight" you see published for a round number for actual weight.
Upgrade suspension and tires (not necessarily 19.5s but they do provide a better factor of safety and are the weak link for the truck)

I and many many others haul 2 ton campers on the same chassis truck as you have with ZERO issues.

Don't be worried you can't haul a TC. You have alot of options that will work.

[Squattingdog]

mkirsch wrote:
Which camper appeals to you? If you are looking at the 10XX and 11XX series campers, then no, your 2500 Ram is not going to cut it long term, but I listed you two models that would work in your truck perfectly well, and explained why in what I thought were simple terms most anyone could understand.

Am I just not making any sense at all?

Sure you are making sense. I REALLY liked the 10XX/11XS series. Plus to do it right I'd like a 4X4 3500. Sure wouldn't want to get stuck somewhere.

I thought the Lance 855S was nice.

I also looked a a couple used ones, 861 and a 992.