Forum Discussion

Ziggy81's avatar
Ziggy81
Explorer
Sep 28, 2017

Help me make an informed decision

Curious on what some of you think about if I can get away without using a hitch extension for towing my open deck car trailer behind a lance 825 I'm considering buying. The wife and I are trying to decide between a new L650 or L825. We really like the 650 because it doesn't come past the back of the truck, the weight, and the size of the windows. What turns us off about it is, it's not 4 seasons capable and the toilet is a little cramped. The 825 hits all our marks too and provides more floor space for the dogs, more countertop space, and plenty of bathroom. Not thrilled of the weight and the overhang of the 825. Below are the specs of my truck and trailer. I really want to avoid a hitch extension if I can manage to. My trailer rides low and has a long tongue

2016 F250 6.7 short bed
GVWR 10,000 lbs
Tire rating 3,750 lbs
Bed Length 6'10"
Airlift 5000 airbags installed in rear
Rear HD sway bar pending install

Trailer
Loaded 6500 lbs
Tongue weight 650 lbs
Deck 15'
Tongue length 74"
Top of tongue to truck bed distance 20"
Hitch Ball Drop 8" from truck receiver

Lance 825
Wet with gear weight 2400 lbs
Floor length 8'6"
Estimated overhang from truck bed 20"

Lance 650
Wet with gear weight 2147 lbs
Floor Length 6'10"
Estimated overhang from truck bed 0"
Truck Campers
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    Sep 28, 2017
    On a 250/2500 and towing something, sorry, personally I would go as light as possible. What is the hitch weight of your trailer loaded as you would be pulling it? That has to be subtracted from your CCC b3fore you even consider adding a camper. BTW everything you have done to the truck does not add one pound to the MFGs listed GVWR number. And no, no one will stop you of force you to pull into a highway weight station, except in BC.
  • Kayteg1's avatar
    Kayteg1
    Explorer II
    Sep 28, 2017
    I don't think the 250lb campers weight difference will be a big deal, but not only bigger camper will have COG to the rear, but you will need about 2 feet hitch extension what really affects towing capabilities.
    In final point that can make load on your rear axle bigger in the range of 1000 lb (if not more -when you load the trailer more up front)
    That also calls for SuperHitch.
    Would you flat-tow the toad, you would not have tongue weight what makes everything much easier.
  • Ziggy81's avatar
    Ziggy81
    Explorer
    Sep 28, 2017
    Flat towing isn't an option since my jeep is wheeled hard and high potential for damage.
    The bigger camper 825 is for a short bed truck and the cog will be over the rear axle. The tongue weight of the trailer max is 650lbs but usually less because of how the jeep is loaded on to the trailer. As far as weight goes I'm not far off with ether camper and I agree, 250lbs doesn't make a huge difference.
    No offense but from other areas I read about this it seems like it's a knee jerk response that most people have saying I need a 24" extension to tow behind a TC. Looking at the measurements of my trailer compare to the overhang of the campers there's plenty of tongue even with a tight turn. Plus the 825 camper doesn't come down past the bumper to cover the hitch. Obviously not a worry with the shorter 650.
  • Ziggy81's avatar
    Ziggy81
    Explorer
    Sep 28, 2017
    Would you have concerns about not having the all weather package in a smaller TC cooldavidt?
  • Kayteg1's avatar
    Kayteg1
    Explorer II
    Sep 28, 2017
    Ziggy81 wrote:
    Flat towing isn't an option since my jeep is wheeled hard and high potential for damage.
    The bigger camper 825 is for a short bed truck and the cog will be over the rear axle. The tongue weight of the trailer max is 650lbs but usually less because of how the jeep is loaded on to the trailer. As far as weight goes I'm not far off with ether camper and I agree, 250lbs doesn't make a huge difference.
    No offense but from other areas I read about this it seems like it's a knee jerk response that most people have saying I need a 24" extension to tow behind a TC. Looking at the measurements of my trailer compare to the overhang of the campers there's plenty of tongue even with a tight turn. Plus the 825 camper doesn't come down past the bumper to cover the hitch. Obviously not a worry with the shorter 650.


    Over the years we tend to forget the things we learn in school, but this is primary school math.
    Your original hitch + ball mount will put ball about 5 feet behind rear axle. Knowing the distance between the axles you can calculate how much 650lb on the ball will put on the rear axle.
    Now do the calculation adding 2 ft extension.
    Sounds like you think without extension your trailer will swing under the camper without interference. That might happen, but next time you put Jeep a foot farther on the trailer and you will have very bad day later.
    Or simple doing a turn while crossing a ditch can bring a disaster.
  • Ziggy81's avatar
    Ziggy81
    Explorer
    Sep 28, 2017
    Things like doing a tight turn with a ditch involved is something that I didn't think about since I've never owned a TC and towed with it and is definitely something that could happen now that you mentioned it. I'm not sure if you were attempting to be a smarta*s or not but that part has nothing to do with primary school math. The loading the jeep differently simply won't happen as I have my stop points marked on the trailer.
  • joerg68's avatar
    joerg68
    Nomad III
    Sep 28, 2017
    There are other manufacturers that make campers, look at Northstar, Outfitter, Hallmark (the latter two are popup only, but have good cold weather properties). You might try to climb into some of these to get a better feeling,

    Also, I think Cruise America rents the small Lance. Why not rent for a weekend and see what that feels like in everyday use?

    Any camper on a short bed truck without overhang requires compromise. It works well to sleep and eat, but in poor weather when you can not spend time outside becomes very small very quickly.

    Why could you not trade your truck for a long bed?
  • Ziggy81's avatar
    Ziggy81
    Explorer
    Sep 28, 2017
    From where we live it's proven challenging to find available TC at the few dealers that sell them. I would like to check out a camplite and a Capri campers that are located a few hours from me. One other thing worth mentioning is the only dealer here in Delaware only sells Lance and Delaware is a zero sales tax state....

    I'll look into if any are for rent in my area. Good idea.

    Technically trading the truck for a long bed is an option but not one we'd want to take. We'd would rather use a smaller camper then a bigger truck. We've been tent campers for a long time and our plan for a camper use would be very similar to our tent usage with spending 90% of our time outside. We just want creature comforts of a comfortable bed, ac, cooking, storage, etc.
  • joerg68's avatar
    joerg68
    Nomad III
    Sep 28, 2017
    I think the rental TCs are only available out West and in Canada...

    A trip to truckcamperwarehouse (West Chesterfield, NH) might be a possibility.

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