Any one have a Lance 821 on a GMC 2500?

[Jack_Spratt]

I have zero experience with truck campers.
My 2011 GMC 2500 Duramax shortbed has air bags and does a good
job hauling our Montana.
Now there is a fellow nearby wanting to sell a Lance 821
that he hauled on a 3/4 ton Ford and says it would work fine.
Just curious if anyone has had this model at about 3,000#
on a truck like mine.
Thanks in advance
Jack

[Jack_Spratt]

Thanks to all for the input.
Fortunately there is no pressure to make a deal.
Just trying to get it right the first time.

[SugarHillCTD]

Yeah, but what kind of oil are you using......

Only kidding 😄


Look at my combo.

Depending on how long we are away, I have between 3500# and 3800# in the bed of my 2500.

Handles really well. We feel safe and I am comfortable with this TC/truck combo.

Timbrens, BigWig swaybar and 3970# cap. tires.

[Fishnmagician]

Jack, I have an 02 821 that I carry on a 2005 2500HD. With a full tank of diesel, and me in it, all tanks in camper empty, but loaded for a weekend of camping, I was 11,020lbs on a cat scale, 6740 on rear and 4280 on front.

Now I'm guessing your GVWR is 10,000 vs mine 9200. You didn't say what year 821 you're looking at. I'm betting it's 04 or 05 which puts it around 300lbs heavier than mine(02 was 2800lb dry,03-05 were 3080 dry). Mine has just about every option available in 02 including a genny and is 3700-3800lbs ready to camp, but no water in tanks.
I added air bags, sway bar and upgraded the shocks,wheels and tires to handle the weight. Hope this helps.

[monkey44]

Oppps ... forgot the 821 was a slide, so is much heavier than the 820 - which I believed was less weight than the 845 when I posted earlier ... With that in mind, I'd probably rethink the 2500 without adding some additional support, or maybe a heavier duty truck.

I'm still of a mind the weight police get a little too sticky about a few pounds. But, as in all variations in this kind of issue, the more homework you do, the better off you are. Then, make choices you are comfortable with.

[Reelescape1]

I have almost the exact rig and mods as Clotus but '04 Lance 820 and '07 CTD 2500. The 820 is heavy and it looks like the 821 is heavier. More truck is always better.

[clotus]

monkey44 wrote:
Lance 845 on my 2500 GMC 4x4 XCab SB Gas ... only modifications are Timbrens and a anti-sway bar for stability. Our Lance is about 3200 lbs wet and loaded.

Just returned from a six-month cross-country trip all thru the Rockies with no hassles. You'll be alright with the 2500 GMC and the Lance 821

I hate to be that "weight police" guy, but if you are planning on going over your GVWR you need to be completely informed. I currently have an 03 820 (non-slide version) and it is heavy on my Ram 2500. That being said, I just looked at the 03 brochure and the 821 (which is a slide-out model) has a DRY weight of 3080 LBS. Add the typical 1000lbs of gear and you are looking at a real-world weight of 4080 LBS.

That being said, if you do the research and determine you and your truck can safely carry 4k camper then go for it. Better to figure it all out before you buy though.

[kayco53]

My 2007 GMC extended cab 4x4 gas NBS 2500hd has a GVW of 9600lbs.With a full tank of gas myself lab and wife it is about 6200lbs on the scale.

[monkey44]

First, I believe the numbers on carry weight are a bit overdone (Weight police = worry about your truck, I'll worry about mine) - but, my truck weights 5426 lbs, and camper roughly 2750 dry - 3200 loaded and ready to go ... so, that's 8626 lbs total. Weight police would also have to catch me with full gas tank, and before I drink any water ... HA 🙂 🙂

We have no trouble with it the way it's set up - we drive it like it should be driven and don't overdue it. Don't speed, take our time when we go in areas that need extra care, and do good maintenance on it - 210,000 miles on it without a mishap ... that's what matters more to us.

Not trying to start a weight war here, but these truck are safe for a lot more than that number says - Tires are probably the main 'watch it' item, more than is any well-balanced weight.

[TomG2]

Johnny G1 wrote:
I don't know how you guys can haul a 3000 lb camper on a 2500 chev sb, I have the same truck with a sb Bigfoot and my gvw is 8600 lbs and I am overweight as of now at 8800 lbs.What gvw do you guys have that is different to mine on said truck???? My truck is a 2500 GMC sb extended cab 4x4 that weighs 5900 lbs empty.

2013 2500HD, Regular cab, gas, 9,300 pounds gvwr, 3,496 pounds cargo and passengers from yellow door sticker. Actual weight with driver, 6,200 pounds. I am not sure that I want a 3,000 pound plus TC on the back though.

[DrBaker]

Johnny G1 wrote:
I don't know how you guys can haul a 3000 lb camper on a 2500 chev sb, I have the same truck with a sb Bigfoot and my gvw is 8600 lbs and I am overweight as of now at 8800 lbs.What gvw do you guys have that is different to mine on said truck???? My truck is a 2500 GMC sb extended cab 4x4 that weighs 5900 lbs empty.

My GVWR is 9,500. When I was shopping for Chevy 2500hd trucks they had either 9,500 or 10,000 options.

[Johnny_G1]

I don't know how you guys can haul a 3000 lb camper on a 2500 chev sb, I have the same truck with a sb Bigfoot and my gvw is 8600 lbs and I am overweight as of now at 8800 lbs.What gvw do you guys have that is different to mine on said truck???? My truck is a 2500 GMC sb extended cab 4x4 that weighs 5900 lbs empty.

[1mtnman]

The lance 821 weighs about the same as my Wolf Creek and I carry it on my 2500HD Gas model Chevy. I have installed timbrens, stableloads and blistien shocks.

[Jack_Spratt]

Thanks Monkey.
Did not expect to go into any rough terrain
Just cruise around and see more of New England
before we hang up the keys.
The Montana is fun if you are staying for a while
but a bit much for a day of two.
Thanks again

[monkey44]

Lance 845 on my 2500 GMC 4x4 XCab SB Gas ... only modifications are Timbrens and a anti-sway bar for stability. Our Lance is about 3200 lbs wet and loaded.

Just returned from a six-month cross-country trip all thru the Rockies with no hassles. You'll be alright with the 2500 GMC and the Lance 821 ...

Note: A truck camper is a truck camper, and will ride a little bit top-heavy on turns and curves no matter what you do. But, for the most part, we have no issues with our set-up. If we bought another truck, would stay with the 2500 GMC Gas again. Although you will get more hauling power with the diesel.