Buying a new TC

[Mammoth501]

Hey, I'm new to this site and Joining the RV world 🙂 So I've got a 2020 Ram 3500 6.7 cummins SRW 6"4" box and ordered the 2021 Northern Lite 8-11 EXLE. There're 2 things that I'm kinda hung up on and can't decide. (1) Should I really get the A/C? I live in lower BC and the summers don't get to hot here. We might get 2-3 weeks of +30C (86f) but other than that it's bearable. So I was thinking of saving the weight and eventually more sealant and getting the A/C deleted. I'm just not familiar with a TC and don't know if it gets hotter than usual in a small rig like that.
(2) Do I need some kind of suspension upgrade? I should mention that the TC I'm getting has a dry weight of around 2800lb. So I was thinking of getting the torklift lower stableload as a start and then go from there. Or is that a waste of time and money?
Any advice will be greatly appreciated!

[Mammoth501]

zzyzxpat wrote:
I have a 2020 F350 4X4 SRW with an AF865. It has an 11,300 GVWR, the camper wet is about 4200#. I am over the GVWR by a few hundred pounds, but well within the axle ratings. I changed the tires to 4080# rated Coopers and feel I am good to go.
As everyone has said, drive it first. I have added a Helliwig BigWig sway bar which was a huge improvement, and Firestone air bags to level it to keep the headlights out of others eyes. I am still experimenting, the overloads do not contact the bumpers even with the camper on, so I have added 2" bumpers to get the overloads to work. Taking it out this weekend so we will see.[ /quote]

That sounds pretty close to what I figure mine will be like. I will be upgrading my tires for sure, I don’t trust the stock Firestone tires much. My rear axle is rated for 7000# and the front for 6000#. **** I keep going back n forth ?? to upgrade now or later

[zzyzxpat]

I have a 2020 F350 4X4 SRW with an AF865. It has an 11,300 GVWR, the camper wet is about 4200#. I am over the GVWR by a few hundred pounds, but well within the axle ratings. I changed the tires to 4080# rated Coopers and feel I am good to go.
As everyone has said, drive it first. I have added a Helliwig BigWig sway bar which was a huge improvement, and Firestone air bags to level it to keep the headlights out of others eyes. I am still experimenting, the overloads do not contact the bumpers even with the camper on, so I have added 2" bumpers to get the overloads to work. Taking it out this weekend so we will see.

[billtex]

Mammoth501 wrote:
Thanks for all the input, it's really helped me make a decision. I've never really been a fan of A/C's and never needed them, but then again I've never been to the desert either 🙂 I'll go without it but have it prewired. 100lbs is not much but think how much more beer that is haha. I'm still a little hung up on the suspension problem. I know for a fact (looking at the numbers) that I will be pretty much maxing out my trucks payload capacity so I wonder if I should just get the lower torklift stableloafds or timbrens for now and use it for a while. Or maybe add a couple leafs would be worth it. It's a 6.5 hour drive for me when I pick it up so I just don't wanna run into problems half way though.

You will most certainly be fine for the drive home. Don’t stress. A lot of what you will feel the first year of TC ownership is just getting used to the “feeling”.
After your first season you can reassess. If you have too much sag, or decide you may tow something, then you can re-visit the suspension.
I am now a big fan of Stableloads. Super simple and do not effect unladen ride at all as there is no contact with springs when unladen.

My experience is anything you add as unsprung weight (leaf springs, bigger tires/wheels, etc) very quickly turn your ride to cr@p.

[Mammoth501]

Thanks for all the input, it's really helped me make a decision. I've never really been a fan of A/C's and never needed them, but then again I've never been to the desert either 🙂 I'll go without it but have it prewired. 100lbs is not much but think how much more beer that is haha. I'm still a little hung up on the suspension problem. I know for a fact (looking at the numbers) that I will be pretty much maxing out my trucks payload capacity so I wonder if I should just get the lower torklift stableloafds or timbrens for now and use it for a while. Or maybe add a couple leafs would be worth it. It's a 6.5 hour drive for me when I pick it up so I just don't wanna run into problems half way though.

[noteven]

Mammoth a couple more thoughts-

I hear ICBC and their enforcers are pretty strict on not exceeding mfg. door sticker weights if given the chance. Are you going to get stopped and asked to weigh if your rig does not look like a waddling tub going down the road? Prolly not... but weight is not your friend off highway boondocking nor at the gas pump.


Anyhoo pickup style campers by nature of their design to wing over a pickup box can only carry so much heavy stuff low down - the more weight you add “up high” the more moment of inertia there is to contribute to swayage and rock and rollage. I think roof units weigh in the 80-100lbs range?

[mbloof]

Given the generally accepted "rule of thumb" of adding ~1000lbs to the dry weight to get the ready for camping weight, your likely going to be over your GVWR. (for example, my '17 F250+NL9.6+gear weigh in at ~12000lbs)

The two NL groups on FB each has dozens of examples of folks with 1T SRW trucks carrying a 10.2 NL camper.

While in a recent survey ~70% of the SRW+NL owners did modifications to their trucks (tires+rims, shocks, suspension or all three) there are quite a few people using that setup.

With the above being said, ~30% made no modifications to their trucks.

Get the setup all loaded up for camping and do a test drive or two. You will soon know if you need modifications (or NOT!) to your truck.

Happy camping!


- Mark0.

[billtex]

Mammoth501 wrote:
They sure don't make trucks like they used to.

Thank God.
Today’s trucks are much more capable (payload, economy, reliability...) then just a few years ago.

Your one ton should be fine for that NL.

[Bert_the_Welder]

If your over by a bit, I'm sure the pucker factor that is built in over and above the sticker max will be more then enough to handle the load. And if your truck is a 5 seater, and it's just two of you, there's some spare cargo capacity available. Also add to that (or minus as the case is) the tailgate will be removed, shedding further weight.
But yeah, if you're a die-hard boondocker, nix the A/C. But as pointed out, at least get the wiring there would be smart.
Have you been given a wait time for your build? Last I heard NL's were gonna be next Nov.

[Grit_dog]

The rear springs "look" not quite up to the task, although I think you'll be surprised how stiff they really are.
Not saying you won't want/need to add something, but wait until the camper is loaded and then full, ready to camp and see how much it really sags and also will give you some time to analyze the rear suspension options as there are about a half dozen different ways to go with it.
Add a leafs, bolt on.
Roadmaster
Timbrens
Sumo Springs
Air bags
Upper stable loads
Lower stable loads

All are a bit different in characteristics or adjustability.

That said, a sway bar will be, not mandatory, but highly desirable. You could add that now, knowing that you'll want that regardless of what you do to take the sag out later.

[Mammoth501]

WOW! I'm glad I came to this site, so much food for thought. Thank you very much everybody! I'm starting to lean more towards the A/C delete. I'm getting this camper to go hang out in the bush, dry camping, I don't like campsites that much 🙂 I do have a Honda 2000 generator that would run the A/C easy and on the new NL it looks like its pretty low profile (it's still the highest part of the rig) but since I plan on staying more off grid and in the trees I think I'll just make sure that it's pre wired for it just in case I change my mind, it'll be easy to just pop it in later. That being said I'll move on to the weight. I do have to be weight conscious, even with my truck being a 1ton. The camper will be somewhere around 3300lbs wet, that only gives me about 600lbs for stuff including the wife and me. GVWR on the truck is 11800 and the truck weighs about 7900. That's really pushing it but what TC isn't overweight out there 🙂 They sure don't make trucks like they used to. Anyways, I know the truck will be maxed out according to the stickers so I'm sure I'll have to help out the suspension a little bit just to make the ride more safe/comfortable. I will go with the advice of trying it stock first and feel it out to see what exactly I need. I'm not a mechanic but to me it seems like it's not enough to carry the weight. Looks like I got 3 springs and one helper spring. I don't know, what do you guys think?

This is basically what my leaf springs look like
https://www.carid.com/dorman/leaf-springs.html?urlId=91086214

[billtex]

AC pre-wire is a good idea. Pretty sure they are all built with the wiring harness in there anyway. But you can ask.

[trailernovice]

I have never had a truck camper...so can't speak to the suspension issue

Re. 'to a/c or not a/c'....a few thoughts....

You sure you'll never end up traveling in the summer anywhere it gets above 90 degrees or so?

Also, seems to me it depends on how you'll use it...i'm assuming that, because of their small size, most truck-camper folks use their rigs mainly to be where they want to be rather than as a destination in & of themselves....that the truck camper is simply a place to sleep, shower and eat while in a state park or wherever, with most of the time spent outside or on 'excursions' rather than sitting inside just to sit inside...

seems to me no up-front need for a/c if you know you'll camp mostly or exclusively where it's cool even in the summer, you don't plan to spend a great deal of time in the camper except for sleeping, and you're not worried about marketability if/when it comes time to move the rig on to a new owner...i DID like the 'even if not, get it prewired for a/c' idea

[Grit_dog]

ICamel wrote:
You should be able to use the electric fan function of the AC from your 12V camper battery.

This is an interesting statement. Does the AC on your AF run off both 12V/120V?

[ICamel]

Unless you camp where there is 120V(30A) electric service OR have a portable generator(or onboard generator)which will handle the electric load that AC will be pretty much useless for you. You should be able to use the electric fan function of the AC from your 12V camper battery.

[Bert_the_Welder]

I'm over on the Island and just got a new NL 10.2. I too was thinking of deletions. AC, microwave, stereo, TV. But as my wife pointed out, deleting them might affect resale potential. And the $ savings and weight savings were likely not a massive savings anyway. And as others have said, you don't have to use them, but if needed, nice to have it there.
We went with a F350 dually, due to it being a 10.2. As others have said, take a bunch of trips with the TC and truck stock. No sense spending $$$ on stuff you don't need. Get a feel for what it's doing. If there's something of concern, then post what you are unhappy about and hopefully get some advice from those on here, with similar rigs and same issues. Not a guarantee of a solution for you specifically, but at least a rough idea.
It's not going to drive like when empty so keep that in mind. I think multiple trips are the best idea as it gets you experience with your rig and gives your brain and butt time to make adjustments to how you drive with the TC on. It's gonna do things that feel odd, even scary to some, but it's a matter of if those things are outside "normal" or not.
Save your money for now and enjoy!
Congrats!