Camper Gets a New Truck - 2016 GMC 3500

[hotrodfords]

I never thought I'd sell my '06 Silverado 2500HD single cab, but life snuck up on us and the next thing I knew we had 3 dogs and a 9yo. So I decided I'd get a new truck as my option (according to SWMBO) was camping solo. We have a Lance 835.

After a lot of thought, I knew I'd be getting a 3500HD SRW truck. Took some time to decide on gas vs diesel, but decided on the 6.0L - no complaints with my previous truck and it has 60 more HP than it did in '06.

So here it is, 2016 GMC 3500HD, doublecab, 6.0L, SRW, 4x4, 4.10 gears, 11,000GVWR:







GMC makes a 10K GVWR and a 11K GVWR in this configuration...I knew I wanted the max I could get so I looked for and found an 11K...but after a side by side inspection, the spring package looked identical. Here's mine:



For those that care, here's the weight limits:





I have 2,000 miles on it, and so far it's getting about 1.5 MPG better than the previous rig at high 13s. I'm digging it and have the happijacs and harness installed in the bed - can't wait for our first camping trip - Zion NP for Thanksgiving.

[MORSNOW]

trail-explorer wrote:
CUrious about those happijack buttons on the rear bumper, and what method is used to attach them in that plastic step area of the GM rear bumper.

I've seen that system used on other trucks, and more often than not, the rear bumper is tweaked upwards from the stresses placed in it using it as a camper tie-down point. That aspect is another reason to go with TorkLift tiedowns.

It will be fine, there is additional supports included with the buttons. I've been using them for 4 years on my factory GM bumper with off road angles experienced just about every trip and my bumper is just fine.

[hotrodfords]

trail-explorer wrote:
CUrious about those happijack buttons on the rear bumper, and what method is used to attach them in that plastic step area of the GM rear bumper.

I've seen that system used on other trucks, and more often than not, the rear bumper is tweaked upwards from the stresses placed in it using it as a camper tie-down point. That aspect is another reason to go with TorkLift tiedowns.

The bumper is steel where you drill, the vinyl is a covering. The kit comes with a 1x3x1/8" plate that is provided for the GM step bumper; it goes behind the bumper to distribute the load. I suppose you would have an issue if you didn't use the plate.

FT-CG14 instruction

[trail-explorer]

CUrious about those happijack buttons on the rear bumper, and what method is used to attach them in that plastic step area of the GM rear bumper.

I've seen that system used on other trucks, and more often than not, the rear bumper is tweaked upwards from the stresses placed in it using it as a camper tie-down point. That aspect is another reason to go with TorkLift tiedowns.

[trail-explorer]

Grit dog wrote:
Nice truck, congrats!
Yes the gvw difference is on paper, for commercial and private owners alike. Commercial trucks over 10kgvw require DOT driver files, inspection records, etc.
Not unlike some licensing requirements as well. One place the OEs are helping owners by giving them options that don't complicate their lives unnecessarily with DOT and DMV laws.
Now convince those that think the printed gvw is the real capacity of the truck......

THE DOT thing only applies if a truck is registered commercially.

[Bigimac]

Nice! We upgraded our 3500 from a basic work truck to a LTZ crew cab (both gassers) last year to ride in a bit more comfort & give our old dog a seat in the cab. GVW 16,700# (8.0mpg) when dragging the bigazzed boat. Much happier with Torklift than Happyjack.

[sharkman]

Nice rig, we're looking for a SWD 1 ton to put our 815 on, thanks for sharing the info.

[realter]

The 835 was a nice camper, too bad they quit selling them.

[hotrodfords]

Well, as promised, here is the scale weight of the new 2016 3500HD rig with the Lance 835 on it:




The new 3500 4x4 double cab truck is ~1700#s more than the old '06 2500 single cab RWD. Both have 6.0L/autos. Old truck:



Overall the new truck was easy on the ride up and back to Zion National Park. I really like the way it handles with the 3500 suspension, and the override springs are just barely touching the perch with the loaded camper on the truck. I have 1600#s of tire load to go - nice!

[hotrodfords]

Couldn't get this to post before - too many people Christmas shopping the net. Here's the new truck with the Lance 835:

[nomadictxn]

Nice!!! Love that 6.0 and chrome on white. I haul a 3300 to 3500 wet Lance on a 9600 gvwr just with stableloads and 1 size up tires. Nice performer with the 6.0.

[Ventura_Dogman]

I have the same truck, but the diesel version. I picked it up end of August and could not be happier. Great truck!

My camper is on mine full time. I filled out some CA DMV paperwork and had the truck reclassified as a passenger vehicle. It should save me a few bucks on registration fees and possible hassle out on the road.

[hotrodfords]

Grit dog wrote:
Nice truck, congrats!
Yes the gvw difference is on paper, for commercial and private owners alike. Commercial trucks over 10kgvw require DOT driver files, inspection records, etc.
Not unlike some licensing requirements as well. One place the OEs are helping owners by giving them options that don't complicate their lives unnecessarily with DOT and DMV laws.
Now convince those that think the printed gvw is the real capacity of the truck......

Here in Nevada I pay about $80/year more on tags to have the 11K GVWR truck vs the 10K GVWR truck. It will be interesting what will happen when I retire and take it to Washington State, and it won't be tied to a commercial effort. But that's about 6-9 years out.

[hotrodfords]

gregchambers wrote:
I agonized over the same issue of gas vs diesel and went gas. Very happy with the choice so far. The mileage sucks when loaded with my Lance 855s as I average about 9.5mpg with the 4.10 rear end but there is plenty of power. Where the second battery that a diesel requires would have gone in the engine compartment I have installed a "fat 50 caliber" metal ammo can which holds a lot of tools. The 6.0 actually looks like an engine unlike the diesel mess! Great choice on the truck/engine but now those happy jack tie downs on the other hand....

I expect similar mileage with the camper on the truck as with my '06 which was 9-10, just like you're saying.

As for the happijacs..too late, they are already on Lol! It's just a few holes in the bed...when I sold my old truck nobody cared. What was more important was it was clean on the outside, no dents.

[Grit_dog]

Nice truck, congrats!
Yes the gvw difference is on paper, for commercial and private owners alike. Commercial trucks over 10kgvw require DOT driver files, inspection records, etc.
Not unlike some licensing requirements as well. One place the OEs are helping owners by giving them options that don't complicate their lives unnecessarily with DOT and DMV laws.
Now convince those that think the printed gvw is the real capacity of the truck......