Host, Eagle Cap, Lance Suspension Requirements

[wjlapier]

So, for now in our initial search we have narrowed it down to these three truck camper companies. We’ve talked and talked about why we would go from a Grand Design Imagine 2500RL TT to a truck camper. My wife wants the space the Lance 1172 provides. What we have been told is we would need to modify the suspension and tires. And wheels? Extra cost on top of the price of the camper and trading in the Imagine.

What is needed to be done for a 2019 Silverado 3500HD DRW truck to carry the 1172? I’ve been told nothing needs to be done to our truck for the Host Cascade. I haven’t heard anything yet regarding the big Eagle Cap campers.

Thank for any info you can share.

[reddrum]

You will want a rear sway bar for sure. Shocks would be nice as well. Air bags or something fancier are that much better. Go weigh the truck and subtract that from GVWR to get your payload. Well worth the time to do. Then sort through the TCs weights. I have an Eagle Cap 1160 on a 3500 with sway bar, shocks, and air bags. It has been to 48 states over the years. Great truck and camper.

[markowwes]

toddb wrote:
Skip the band aids and go to kelderman.

Yup

[JIMNLIN]

GM gives that year model truck a 9350?? rawr for carrying weight in the bed. These trucks rear axle may weigh in the 3400 lb range for approx 6000 lb in the bed payload.
You have the truck so drop by your local CAT scales at a truck stop and get your trucks separate front and rear axle weights with close attention to rear axle weights as its carrying just about all the TC.....That way you know how much truck camper your particular 3500 DRW can carry.

I wouldn't do a thing to the truck before adding a truck camper and make a short local trip. Then is the time to decide if suspension help is needed.

[brain]

Can't argue the Kelderman plug, but it's pricey, I know 🙂

When we first pushed the OK117DBL onto the F350, we had good luck with Timbrens and some bump stop extenders. Those are cheapest and I'd try them first.

And a rear sway bar, as noted.

Jim

[Grit_dog]

OP, you can safely haul virtually any factory TC out there with judicious to normal loading of gear and provisions with any new dually pickup with minimal modifications.
(Qualified for the overtly literal members here who will refute based on hauling rock collections or such and then saying how it’s unsafe to haul a 7500 lb camper (with 500 lbs of rocks and 1000 lbs of extra gear)

You WILL need some suspension help though.
Tires/wheels/axle/chassis is good for any easy 6000, maybe 6500lbs.
But a big rear sway bar is recommended and your choice of helpers for the springs will be necessary to take some of the compression out of the springs

[Grit_dog]

toddb wrote:
Skip the band aids and go to kelderman.

And you’re buying? Lol.

[toddb]

Skip the band aids and go to kelderman.