Help deciding camper

[Freeborn530]

Last month a tree fell and destroyed my camper! It was my first camper and like many did not think about truck requirements, options...
Considerations for the next camper:
My truck is a 06 Dodge 2500 crew cab long bed diesel, beefed up suspension with extra leaf springs installed.
I will be full time camping next year, just me, no wife, kids, pets.
I need to have AC, electric jacks.
I will be boon-docking occasionally so what options for generator?
Camper will be used as my budget is approximately $18,000.
So, any advice greatly appreciated.
Note: Many have suggested a WolfCreek 850 as a option, newer than 05?

[Grit_dog]

To add to my PM, for full timing, I'd want to set up a good charging lead off the truck, add some solar charging, 6V batteries and favor a Honda over a noisy built in propane sucking Onan generator.
Oh and a 6cf fridge not the small ones.

And when I was shopping, I only considered ones that showed reasonable proof of being stored under roof or a least under cover.

[Powerdude]

I carry a Lance 820 on a crew cab, short bed F250.

Wet weight will be much higher than the dry weight. Mine is at 3200 lbs loaded.

Truck's over GVWR, but well under rear tire ratings.

With stableloads and an extra leaf spring, you will be just fine. I'm sure a dually would be nicer, but you always take a bath when trading trucks into the dealer.

That's how dealers make money.

[Grit_dog]

Realizing our opinions are jsut that, opinions.....
1. Your truck will easily handle a camper up to 4000lbs or so with the few mods you have.
2. I’d be looking at 8-9’ long campers. You don’t need a huge amount of room and with a long bed you’ll have hardly any overhang and decent weight distribution. IE you may actually get some of the weight on the front axle.
3. Brand and budget? I’ve only had 2 AF campers. Both have been pretty trouble free and I’d expect good service out of a well cared for model like you’re suggesting.
That said, I believe most brands would be the same l, as in reliability based on how they were maintained.

[d3500ram]

I agree with the sentiments alluded to by Artum regarding weight on axle (not that is is the concern) but moreover the tires. There is not much choice in high Load Index (LI) tires for a 17' wheel.

I stepped up to Nitto tires in a 285 to gain extra wight carrying capacity but there is no definite documentation on capacities of factory wheels... one can safely assume that truck manufacturer lawyers will make sure that the wheels are at least capable of the limits of the tires that are installed around them.

Camper weights add up quickly without realizing it and I can say with almost certainty that tires and wheels on an '06 Dodge will be the weakest link.

With my setup (sig below) I am under my axle weight, over gross, under tire LI but over KNOWN wheel capacity on steel wheels by #75.

[MORSNOW]

A Wolf Creek 840 or 850 would work great on your 2500 truck, I've been carrying mine 5 seasons now on a 2500. Lower StableLoads and maybe a stabilizer as you have a Dodge/Ram. My actual loaded weight is 3,180 lbs +or- 2 lbs. I think the 850's started around 2012-current years.

[bigjimcruising]

Before everyone starts adding their opinions about campers tell us what is your style of camping? Things like:

RV parks only?

Do you travel everyday or tend to stay at locations for a while.

Do you plan on taking the camper off the truck often to use the truck alone?

Boondocking?

Do you like getting far into the back country?

Large enough for big TV's and sat dish?

Small enough for extreme off roading?

Any info you can offer will help to find a camper for what your needs are.

[GeoBoy]

Buy a Northstar TC, you won’t be disappointed. Great build quality.

[jaycocreek]

Most any of the 8ft Lances would work great also.I had an 8ft Lance on a 1976 Ford F-250 and the only upgrades to the suspension was some Helwig helper springs I used for a 35ft fifth wheel...The Lance road extremely well on the old ford without any upgrades other than the springs.

Lot's of 8ft campers out there in that price range to choose from.

[work2much]

Freeborn530 wrote:
*Wolf Creek 850: dry weight, 2,008 pounds + 33 gallons fresh, 275.2 pounds + 6 gallon full hot water heater, 50 pounds + 2x 20-pound full propane tanks, 40 pounds + 2 batteries, 130 pounds + stuff, 500 pounds = 3,003.2 pounds

+ 2 people 400 pounds, + full tank of fuel 200 pounds + A/C 150 pounds + generator 150 pounds+ other options i.e.: microwave, stereo, tv, oven etc...100 pounds. = 4,000+ lbs

[work2much]

We really liked our Bigfoot 10.6 We ran it on a 1994 Dodge 2500HD diesel with airbags, rancho 9000 shocks and aftermarket sway bar. We did order it without A/C and Genset to save weight as we only had a 2500. IMO that was a great set-up albeit overloaded per manufacturer sticker for GVWR. When we replaced it with a larger camper we also traded the truck in for a 3500 dually.

[Artum_Snowbird]

Because you have a crew cab, and a long bed, the weight of a camper will fall on the rear axle almost completely. The best suggestion might be to fill your truck with fuel and what things you might carry, then weigh the axles. Look at your tires and see what their capacity is at maximum.

That difference then becomes your ability to carry a camper loaded with a years supply of everything you need. You may need 19.5 wheels and tires to make it work for you if your axle is rated high enough for the load.

Remember, the posted dry weight of a camper does not include jacks or A/C either, and generally without any options, so weight really adds up.

Good luck.

[Freeborn530]

*Wolf Creek 850: dry weight, 2,008 pounds + 33 gallons fresh, 275.2 pounds + 6 gallon full hot water heater, 50 pounds + 2x 20-pound full propane tanks, 40 pounds + 2 batteries, 130 pounds + stuff, 500 pounds = 3,003.2 pounds

[Freeborn530]

Wolf Creek 850. Dry Weight, 2008 lbs,

[donn0128]

SIL bought a 9 foot Bigfoot to mount on his 3500 Dodge. He now wishes he had listened to me and bought a dually. You simply not going to like loading that much camper on your truck.