Finding right truck camper

[Griffman2012]

Looking at buying Lance 1172 I have a 2009 3500 gmc dually dura max long bed 4x4
I assumed putting a TC in the bed of a one ton dually was no big deal, then I checked the sticker in glove box Cargo Weight Rating is 2967 lbs. really for a one ton . The Lance 1172 weighs 3900 lbs. As I have looked at the current web info it seems as though I might have to switch to Ford or Dodge which makes no sense to me.buying a smaller truck camper doesnot make sense either. All this started with talking with a fellow who had a triple slide Chalet using a new F350. Any opinions or do I just have to deal with a fifth wheel or tag along with current truck.
Thanks

[deltabravo]

KD4UPL wrote:
If you do want to upgrade the truck going newer will help, regardless of brand. Your truck's GVWR is 11,400 I think. Just 2 years newer, in 2011, it was upgraded to 13,000 pounds. Ford also had a significant increase in 2011.

I bought my 09 August 31st of 2009. it really chapped my hide when the 2011 models came out with a higher GVWR... I had just paid off my 09 when that happened.

Oh well, I'm happy with the truck and the fact I don't have to deal with DEF like the 2011 and newer Duramax.
It hasn't hit 39k miles yet.

[KD4UPL]

The sticker in the glove box is likely assuming you have a 150 pound or heavier passenger in each of the truck's seat positions. Do you travel this way?
A majority of trucks hauling truck campers are over their GVWR, mine included. I am not over my axle or tire ratings, that's how most TC owners load their trucks, partly out of necessity as you are learning. My '05 Chevy dually has a GVWR of 11,400 but with my camper on and family in the cab I weigh in about 13,200. Hitching up the boat adds a couple more hundred pounds.
If you do want to upgrade the truck going newer will help, regardless of brand. Your truck's GVWR is 11,400 I think. Just 2 years newer, in 2011, it was upgraded to 13,000 pounds. Ford also had a significant increase in 2011.

[Griffman2012]

Thankyou all for the help. I called my servicing dealer. Service manager looked my truck up called me right back with payload rating (4821). Then I called Lance they said many trucks in the 350-3500 range carrying 1181 and 1191 which are very close in weight to the current 1172. He also recommended the Tork lift suspension. Just have to go get the camper and hit the road now.

[bighatnohorse]

Griffman2012 wrote:
Looking at buying Lance 1172 I have a 2009 3500 gmc dually dura max long bed 4x4
I assumed putting a TC in the bed of a one ton dually was no big deal, then I checked the sticker in glove box Cargo Weight Rating is 2967 lbs. really for a one ton . The Lance 1172 weighs 3900 lbs. As I have looked at the current web info it seems as though I might have to switch to Ford or Dodge which makes no sense to me.buying a smaller truck camper doesnot make sense either. All this started with talking with a fellow who had a triple slide Chalet using a new F350. Any opinions or do I just have to deal with a fifth wheel or tag along with current truck.
Thanks

Take a look at the rear tires on your truck.
Inspect the tire for the load rating
You have to use the lower rating for the dually configuration.
Read it carefully.

You can double that lower load rating (for a dually) to find the maximum amount of load that you can put in the truck bed.

[Butch50]

tonymull wrote:

deltabravo wrote:

tonymull wrote:
Really? My 2015 SRW Silverado glove box sticker is 3333. Going by the door sticker the payload is 3933.

2011-2015 weight ratings are higher than 2010 and prior models.

Yeah, I realize that, but a dually with a lower rating than a SRW???

Sure, go back and look at some of the older dually trucks and a lot of them well have a GVWR of 10,000# Today most of the 3/4 trucks have a GVWR around the 10,000# range. As stated the newer truck have higher GVWR than models just a few years old.

[tonymull]

deltabravo wrote:

tonymull wrote:
Really? My 2015 SRW Silverado glove box sticker is 3333. Going by the door sticker the payload is 3933.

2011-2015 weight ratings are higher than 2010 and prior models.

Yeah, I realize that, but a dually with a lower rating than a SRW???

[Bedlam]

My AF811 is about 4000 lbs when loaded with gear and fluids. Your DRW is six years old and each year, they seem to add capacity. As truck manufacturers add capacity, the TC are getting heavier. Your cargo weight sticker in the glove box assumes all seating positions will be filled 150 lb occupants - In a six-seat crew or extended cab, that may total 900 lbs more of payload.

I am currently looking at the large Chalets, Hosts and Eagle Caps. Even though they say can be used on 1-ton DRW, I'm glad I have a 5500 to deal with the weight and bulk of the units that interest me.

[deltabravo]

And here's my AF811 on my truck, at the dealer: (the one in the foreound)

[deltabravo]

Here's my weight headed to the dealer to pick up my camper:



Here it is again on my way home, loaded with the camper and about 1/2 tank of water, two batteries and two full propane bottles:

[deltabravo]

tonymull wrote:
Really? My 2015 SRW Silverado glove box sticker is 3333. Going by the door sticker the payload is 3933.

2011-2015 weight ratings are higher than 2010 and prior models.

[deltabravo]

I have a 2010 Arctic Fox 811 on a 09 Chevy CCLB 3500HD dually. It weighs over 4k loaded for a trip.

Another member, kerry4951 has an 09 GM dually and an AF1140.

I say put some Torklift Stableloads on and load up the camper and go enjoy it.

[tonymull]

Really? My 2015 SRW Silverado glove box sticker is 3333. Going by the door sticker the payload is 3933...and you have a dually. That just doesn't sound right. Check your door sticker to see if it is way different than the glove box.

[jmtandem]

Any opinions or do I just have to deal with a fifth wheel or tag along with current truck.

You might look at the Truck Camper Magazine web pages. They just purchased a Ram 3500 dually crew cab and if I am not mistaken it has a payload of 6000 +/- pounds. That will carry the camper you are looking at.