Hardside TC for 3900 pound payload shortbed

[Fish_mojo]

What are some of the choices in Truck Campers to go on a Ram 3500 shortbed? Hardside, wet bath, no slide, less than 10 years old. Payload sticker reads 3900 pounds. Cummins HO motor. Will also be towing 3500 pound single axle boat trailer. Long term Boondocking not important.

[MORSNOW]

Wolf Creek makes 3 models that fit your requirements (tried and true 850, outgoing 840, and new 890). I've had my WC850 for 10 summer seasons and love it (3,200lb wet and loaded ready to camp). They are made on the same assembly line, same interior looks, and same quality as Arctic Fox campers.

[mbloof]

Northern Lite 8.11 - it is made for short beds

[ryoung]

I had a Wolfcreek 840 on my Ram 3500 SRW diesel which I recently sold both of them. It was within all the weight parameters of the truck. I liked it very well.

ryoung

[Grit_dog]

There’s only a handful of brands in your category.
But any 8-9’ shortbed capable camper, slide or no slide. (slide out is really nice in a small camper like that.). All will fit and truck will haul any of them smartly.

[FireGuard]

I had a Lance 865 on a 17 Ram 3500 and it was a good fit.
For a little more room and amenities look for a Lance 855.
It’s a little harder to find than the 855s (slide) but should be a good fit.

[mkirsch]

Fish mojo wrote:
What are some of the choices in Truck Campers to go on a Ram 3500 shortbed? Hardside, wet bath, no slide, less than 10 years old. Payload sticker reads 3900 pounds. Cummins HO motor. Will also be towing 3500 pound single axle boat trailer. Long term Boondocking not important.

Telling you to look for a specific brand and model is generally futile. We don't know what's commonly available in your area. We don't know how far you're willing to travel or what your budget is.

My recommendation is to do some ground-pounding. Do any of your local RV dealers handle TCs? Check their inventory regularly. Watch Craigslist and Facebook marketplace. Check with some of the bigger well-known dealers like Truck Camper Warehouse. You will quickly become familiar with the brands and models yourself, and get a better idea of what will work for you, and what won't.

[gregchambers]

We have a 2015 gmc 3500 4x4 sb 6.0 gas truck that we carry a 2015 Lance 855s on and it does fine with only Torklift upper stable loads to keep headlights at the right level. It came with a 3750 lb payload and yes we are a bit overloaded but we upsized tires one size and it has done great for over eight years. There is someone on the Lance TC forum that carries our same camper model (likely a few hundred pounds heavier as we opted not to get generator, microwave, tv, bunk, slide out cover, etc.) on a Toyota tundra with a 1700 lb payload. That in mho is borderline insane but it works for him! There are lots of options out there, have fun!

[LadyRVer]

I had a 2019 Palomino hardside. Nice camper, was like 2400 dry. Had it on a 2500 Dodge 5.7. Was a great combination and handled very well.

[jimh406]

Truck Camper Magazine only lists their advertiser brands, so a pretty incomplete list. There are a lot more brands out there.

I'd probably look at an aluminum sided Lance or Northern Lite without a basement. I probably wouldn't go for a filon camper because they are generally heavier. As others have said, you should also consider a popup. Some are pretty nice with similar features. Of course, you do have to raise the roof to be usable.

I'd also consider a side door model if you can find one. Finally, keep in mind that most TCs are a lot heavier than the specs say.

[Old_Days]

I used to have a 2010 Lance 825 truck camper, loved it but getting in and out of bed was a little tough for the wife. Plus the gray tank was only 11 gallons. Weight was 3000 pounds ready to camp.

[mellow]

I would recommend reading this and all the sub articles: https://www.truckcampermagazine.com/truck-campers-buyers-guide/

You are going to need a lite TC, probably a pop up if you are towing as well.