Host mammoth on 3500 HD 07 Chevy dual rear wheel

[Devocamper]

We are looking to down size from a 35 foot fifth wheel and looked at the host mammoth yesterday day an we are thinking it could work for us but have many questions. I was thinking about this change about a year ago and asked some questions here back then and I thank all the TC people for your help then.
This time the questions are about Host Quility in the world of truck campers , the three we looked at seemed well made much better than the small motorhomes we had first thought about and had been looking at and the mammoth seems like a good floor plan to downsize into with its large tanks ( for longer stays in one place)and fair amount of room . Where does host fall in with the other manufactures in terms of quality?i Second question is can I even handle this slide in with my 07 Chevy 1 ton dual rear wheel Chevy diesel ? I have a rear axle rating of 8200 lbs and run around 3300 lbs with just the fifth wheel hitch and a bed storage box with a couple Honda 2000's and some other stuff and a full fuel tank so I would think I am about 3000,3100 lbs empty with fuel . The dealer we were at says no problem with upgraded shocks and air bags but I have heard that before when shopping for fifth wheels years ago ,sure you can tow that! the host website said the base unit weights 3360 with out options but they don't list the weight of the options in fact the website is not great and is confusing , lists the slide outs as options or extras ? We never travel with water in any of the tanks so I am not thinking that would be added weight .Anyway any help would be greatly appreciated we are retiring soon and want to do more traveling out west from here in the east and a 35 foot fifth wheel as nice as it is it a big load to tow around the country. Thanks in advance for any help
Mike

[KD4UPL]

I've been carrying almost 9,000 pounds on the rear axle of my '05 Chevy dually for thousands of trouble free miles. My truck loaded with the camper and family ready to camp is about 13,100 pounds. That's around 8,700 on the rear and 4,400 on the front. We recently finished a 3,550 mile trip from VA to CO and back with no problems and the truck has 214,000 miles on it.

[mike_kellie]

Mike, meet me. I have your name, truck and Host camper and lastly went from a 36' 5th wheel. I have traveled several thousand miles without an incident but I know my camper is at 6,000 lbs loaded. I'm currently looking at a Ram 5500 cab and chassis to ease the needle off the payload gauge (currently pegged) add more storage and the ability to tow something. There are a lot of 3500's hauling Host campers and I'm sure many are wondering if their trucks are up to the task. You can PM me if you have any questions-

[Bedlam]

I would rate the Northern Lite, Arctic Fox and Host campers as better made brands. We just finished a tour of the Host manufacturing plant in Oregon and are looking at which dealer will get our business. We really like our Arctic Fox and have had little go wrong even though we camp close to 90 nights a year in ours. We would get another one if they offered something comparable to the Mammoth.

Expect weight to be 5500 lbs or more once you load one these up with options, water, supplies and gear. You can squeak by using your current truck if you never plan to tow anything with hitch weight (flat towing would be fine). You will be close to your rear axle limit, so wear will be faster than with a lighter load. Suspension will need help with additional springs and a stabilizer bar if you do not already have these. The triple slides from Host and Eagle Cap are better carried on Class 5 trucks where you will still have the option of using a trailer at later date and be able to use OEM suspension instead having to add supplementals.

The Host comes with a folding 4-step side door entry. Even this may not reach the ground for some trucks, so look at the Torklift GlowStep Revolution. Once you get the camper on the truck, you can measure the threshold height and get the correct number of steps from Torklift.


The Host web site is lacking and some options are not listed unless you ask for them. Host is good about doing customizations that you will not see from Eagle Cap, so think about what you want and if it is offered or possible...

[GeoBoy]

They are a beautiful camper. My wife and I were really considering them and loved the triple slide, fireplace, etc., but after looking at it a couple of times we noticed we couldn't use the bathroom without opening slides, the first step coming out of the camper is deep and shallow, a misstep coming out of the camper is quite a fall to the ground. Then adding up all the options, LPG, batteries and water to flush the toilet and washing up after came close to 6K lbs., so we went looking for a RAM 5500 and just couldn't bring myself to buying one. So back to looking and my wife loves Arctic Fox and the 990 floor plan, I like GM trucks and the rest is history. Host is nice but heavy. We would go with a Lazy Daze class C if we want more room.

[zb39]

Host has a great reputation for quality.

[jmtandem]

This time the questions are about Host Quility in the world of truck campers ,

Host has enjoyed a good reputation in the truck camper world. I would expect that camper to weigh at least 5000 pounds perhaps 5500 with stuff and water. You said you don't carry water so that saves 8.3 pounds per gallon. If the weight is an issue, and it should be, ask to take the camper to a local scale and get it weighed. Then add about 500 pounds for your stuff. With your truck you will be at or even a little over gross, but many are far more concerned with staying under tire, wheel, and axle weights and less concerned with gross weight. I usually calculate the weight of Torklift tie downs as about what the tailgate weighs so that is a zero sum issue. You should have in excess of 12,000 pounds rear tire/wheel capacity so any tire/wheel concern is well covered. For it to handle nicely you will likely need air bags, more springs, or overload spring bumpers. Nothing is impossible, all doable.

[Grit_dog]

More knowledgable folks about Host campers than me will come along, but in regards to your truck, figure you'll have a 5000lb plus load. Your rear axle rating by GM is sort of designed to match the gvw program of the truck. Actual rating by AAM is 10klb.
The AAM 11.5 axle is a very robust axle and now been in use by 2 of the big 3 for 15 years and counting in all 2500/3500 apps. In fact Ram just recently upgraded the 3500 drw rear axle slightly in the last couple years and GM I think? still uses it across the board.
Combine that with your dual rear tires and some suspension help likely needed and you have a capable vehicle for that camper.
Ideal rig would be a class 4 or 5 just like ideal for me would be a long bed 3500 or short bed dually.
If the truck is in good shape, well maintinaed and not a zillion miles, I'd expect good service from it with a large camper like that.
I've put a lot of hard miles (not that many, maybe 20kmi, but plenty of rough stuff like the Alcan) on mine, starting at 100kmi and the axle has held up great.
And it's still about the best you can do without going to a brand new F450 pickup, or any variants of 450/550 or 4500/5500 chassis cabs.