Arctic Fox 811 or Lance 855S

[diver110]

I got a question on another thread that I thought I would turn into a fresh thread. There are, as best I can tell, only two camper dealers near me, Lance and Northwood (and neither are all that close, one is in Delaware, the other in PA). I am leaning toward a 3/4 ton Duramax as it will likely become a DD driver and has a more comfortable ride than a 1 ton. I know the Arctic Fox is heavier. Suggestions? How hung should I be about buying a camper with a local dealer?

[Bedlam]

I have the AF811 on the my F250. If you have the TC optioned like mine, expect close to 4000 lbs wet. It does fine with the upgrades I added and my 7000 lb trailer in tow - If I was buying the truck at the same time as the TC, I would be looking at DRW long bed to give me more TC options. I currently have no plans on replacing the paid off truck, so the upgrades were worth the cost over replacing it and taking on debt.

[ecoast]

12V Cummins wrote:
2500 vs 3500 ride is basically the same. Go with a 3500 Srw

ditto

[diver110]

daveshan wrote:
Personally I lust over an 855S but my F-250 (9800 GVWR) is within 200lbs of my max tire ratings (3195lbs each) when I have my 845 loaded and trailer/Jeep hooked up. The additional weight would put me over.

As others have said, start with a 350/3500 then decide. I spent a lot of $$$ making my truck that I already had equipped to handle the weight, it handles very well now, but if starting from scratch I would have gotten more truck from the get-go.

I admittedly have heard that before. Assuming I have the correct tires and axles (axles I think on Durmaxes don't change), I was hoping there was a air bag/helper spring configuration that would keep the ride quality of a 3/4 ton empty. Admittedly, I have not checked this out too well yet.

[12V_Cummins]

2500 vs 3500 ride is basically the same. Go with a 3500 Srw

[daveshan]

Personally I lust over an 855S but my F-250 (9800 GVWR) is within 200lbs of my max tire ratings (3195lbs each) when I have my 845 loaded and trailer/Jeep hooked up. The additional weight would put me over.

As others have said, start with a 350/3500 then decide. I spent a lot of $$$ making my truck that I already had equipped to handle the weight, it handles very well now, but if starting from scratch I would have gotten more truck from the get-go.

[jmtandem]

I got a question on another thread that I thought I would turn into a fresh thread. There are, as best I can tell, only two camper dealers near me, Lance and Northwood (and neither are all that close, one is in Delaware, the other in PA). I am leaning toward a 3/4 ton Duramax as it will likely become a DD driver and has a more comfortable ride than a 1 ton. I know the Arctic Fox is heavier. Suggestions? How hung should I be about buying a camper with a local dealer?

You might benefit from checking into the dry weight of each and then adding around 1000 pounds for water, stuff, people in the truck, dogs, fuel, tools, etc. You will likely be at or over the payload of any three quarter ton truck. The Lance 855S has a dry weight of 2620 pounds, putting it at around 3600 pounds loaded and ready to go on your truck. The AF 811 has a dry weight of 2870 plus a manditory option package that adds another 600 pounds and that is before you add your stuff and water. Get a one ton!

[billtex]

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