How about driving this puppy? Volume 2

I think the problem is the axle bearings on a semi-floating axle. That's where the stress is. I personally would not carry any camper of any significance on a vehicle with a semi-floating rear axle. A 1/2 ton truck with no other modifications other than proper rear springs for the weight and a full floating axle would be much safer than without those modifications. That's not to say the rest of the truck is up to the task, but what makes it especially dangerous to overload a 1/2 ton truck is those rear axle shafts and bearings are not designed to take that kind of load.

double :o

My first ClassC was 5000lb with 3 axles on it.
Now you can have TC heavier than that.
We do want luxury with time and that is something understable.
I bought my camper with F250 and had to switch to dually fast.
Point is that F150 with 2000lb camper might be as big overload as F350 SRW with 3500lb camper. It is not only the weight, but center of gravity that counts.
On 8' camper center of gravity is about 3' behind cabin, so good % of weight goes onto front axle.
Once you go 11' the center of gravity is very close to rear axle, so all weight goes on it.

jaycocreek did you ever take your set to scales?

Never did infact,the only time I have ever used the scales other than on my semi trucks was just recently for a Class C this forum had me curious about, compared to a pickup camper in actual scale weight.

Agreed some old campers used to have in some cases just a potti room for a porta potti or none at all which made them lighter but then again,1/2 tons back in those days were lighter duty in general in comparison to modern day so called/labeled 1/2 tons.

My point only being that it seems most 3/4 ton and 1-tons on this forum are at max or overweight just as some of the older 1/2 tons..I come from getting firewood every year and see in person multiple times just what said pickup can handle without problems on very bad back country roads...It just might surprise some just how tough these older trucks were.

The new RV mentality(No offense intended to anyone) is payload/payload and payload.While important, there are alot of other factors involved besides manufacturers rated payload in carrying a heavy load on your pickup truck and stability.

Over payload is over payload regardless of rating.Handling is everything to me.If it handles well in the wind/bumpy roads and corners,I'm good with that because it must be setup fairly well for the given load.

Scales are something most trucker try to avoid and I guess it carry's over to when you don't own or drive them anymore also,atleast in my case,it does.DOT scales have no mercy.

jaycocreek did you ever take your set to scales?
8 ' camper with no bath per my estimate can add 1000-1500 lb on rear axle.
I took my 11' camper with full bath to scales and it add 4000lb empty.
60% of holding tanks can add additional 600lb.

I'm loving these 1/2 ton camper threads.Seems not many have actually done it.I have, atleast three different times..Set them up just like you do your 3/4 or 1-ton for heavy loads and they work just dandy..Never had any kind of failure due to it being a 1/2 ton with an 8 foot overhead camper on it and it drove and handled actually better than some of my 3/4 tons with larger 9-10 foot campers on.

If done right,they work just fine within reason and in my case, limiting them to 8ft only campers.Never broke an axle/hub/wheel/rim or bent the frame in any I set up for truck campers with heavy off pavement use.

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It has slide like mine, but is over a foot shorter than my 11 series Fleetwood.
So my estimate is only adds 3000 lb on rear axle.

Just add some air bags, it will be fine. Of course, we don't get a story with this one. It could be there temporarily. ;)

It looks like it's riding better than some of the newer trucks. Just sayin