Just tossing it out there; I'M FAT!!

[Ski_Pro_3]

Finally weighed the truck with the camper, full water, propane, fuel, generator, dog, etc., all loaded up and ready to go. You name it, we packed it.

2006 Dodge Ram 2500 Laramie Package w/diesel, 6 speed manual tranny and 4x4 short bed truck and all the bells and whistles for suspension mods; overload springs, air bags, shocks, sway bars, rims Toyo 3750lb rated tires, etc.

2012 Lance 855S camper with solar panels, AC, 2 stage heater dual propane tanks 2 batteries, packed with enough food for a week for two people and a dog and full 30 gallons of fresh water.

Rear axle 7250 pounds
Front axle 4550 pounds

Total; 11800 pounds.

I have NO idea what my truck is rated at. I peeled off the door stickers when I bought the camper so I wouldn't let it worry me!

She drives like a dream; just went up to the mountains fishing for trout, then straight to the central valley for a few days of goose hunting. Total 500 miles of driving from sealevel to over 6,000 feet with lots of 70mph freeway speed limit. I never drove over 63mph. I stopped a couple times to check tire temperatures. By my hand, they were just barely warmer than the ambient air temps so I knew they are not getting hot flexing. Running full air pressure in rear tires, 65psi in front tires and 30psi in the air bags.


Anyways, I always find it interesting when other guys post up their stats so I thought now that I found a REAL scale, I'd do it too.

Cheers!

[Ski_Pro_3]

I have the same tiedowns and spray liner as well as the front shocks on the camper overhead to the hood. I also have a front receiver hitch that's got to weigh over 50 pounds. I know my wheels and tires weigh more than stock ones. I carrry a 20ton bottle jack, 2 large yellow tow straps, a heavy duty tire plug kit, small air compressor, Jake Brake is installed, a heavy mat in the bed to keep camper from sliding around, push bar on the front bumper, driving / fog lights, fender extensions, rear wheel fender liners, 2" front lift kit,, Lots of stuff that all adds up!

[Reelescape1]

skipro3 wrote:
Reelescape1, that's not a diesel engine, right? If not, I think the diesel motor is at least another 1,000 pounds of load. Add the 4x4 components and water, I'd bet that would total more than what I am at now.

Yes, 5.9 CTD/Auto. I forgot also Torque Lift tie downs and Superhitch installed. Spray in liner too if your counting 🙂

[Reddog1]

My 1996 Dodge 2WD Club Cab Log Bed with diesel, weighs 6,200 without me or the tailgate.

Wayne

[Ski_Pro_3]

Reelescape1, that's not a diesel engine, right? If not, I think the diesel motor is at least another 1,000 pounds of load. Add the 4x4 components and water, I'd bet that would total more than what I am at now.

[Reelescape1]

I have a 2007 (built June 2006) Dodge 2500 CC SB 2WD auto w/Hellwig rear sway bar and supersprings, Rancho 9000 shocks, rear Tembrens. Full fuel, me (165#), tailgate on: 6420. Loaded to camp, no liquids, w/'04 Lance 820:10360

[dadwolf2]

805gregg wrote:

~DJ~ wrote:

mdamerell wrote:

skipro3 wrote:


Total; 11800 pounds.

I have NO idea what my truck is rated at. I peeled off the door stickers when I bought the camper so I wouldn't let it worry me!

That's one way to deal with a 8,800# GVWR :S

Actually it is 9900 in reality. The only difference between the 2500 and 3500 is a couple leaf springs and the fender emblem. Same axles, brakes, etc. And he has increased his spring capacity with the bags.

People who think they are getting a truck with bigger axles, brakes and whatever for $700 more sure makes me wonder. :h

The 2500 has a 10.5" rear end the 3500 has a 11.5" plus springs and emblems

Not on a Dodge diesel...it's the same. I've got a Dodge 2500 with the 11.5" rear. I'm not guessing at this.

[805gregg]

~DJ~ wrote:

mdamerell wrote:

skipro3 wrote:


Total; 11800 pounds.

I have NO idea what my truck is rated at. I peeled off the door stickers when I bought the camper so I wouldn't let it worry me!

That's one way to deal with a 8,800# GVWR :S

Actually it is 9900 in reality. The only difference between the 2500 and 3500 is a couple leaf springs and the fender emblem. Same axles, brakes, etc. And he has increased his spring capacity with the bags.

People who think they are getting a truck with bigger axles, brakes and whatever for $700 more sure makes me wonder. :h

The 2500 has a 10.5" rear end the 3500 has a 11.5" plus springs and emblems

[_DJ_1]

skyhammer wrote:

~DJ~ wrote:

mdamerell wrote:

skipro3 wrote:


Total; 11800 pounds.

I have NO idea what my truck is rated at. I peeled off the door stickers when I bought the camper so I wouldn't let it worry me!

That's one way to deal with a 8,800# GVWR :S

Actually it is 9900 in reality. The only difference between the 2500 and 3500 is a couple leaf springs and the fender emblem. Same axles, brakes, etc. And he has increased his spring capacity with the bags.

People who think they are getting a truck with bigger axles, brakes and whatever for $700 more sure makes me wonder. :h

I don't know about the Dodge, but there is a difference between the F-350 and F-250.
The internal axle is not the same size (kindly notice that the 1.36” minor shaft size of a F250 is SMALLER than the 1.5” minor shaft size of a F350), the diameter over the splines is ALSO different (F250 is 1.50” and F350 is 1.57”), this is for the same Sterling axle.
The F-250 axle shaft has 35 spines and the F-350 has 37 splines.There must be a reason for this.
Also the 6.2 gas engines rear end has 2 spider gears and the 6.7 diesel has 3 spider gears.

Yes, we are talking about the OP's Dodge. I owned an 01 2500 CTD and 05 3500 dually CTD and researched them extensively.

I haven't looked into my Ford 250 yet but I will pay a visit to the parts dept just for giggles!! 🙂

[kbaum]

dadwolf2 wrote:
Skyhammer:

I understand your concern but the Dodge the 2500 and 3500 SRW is the same truck except for the badge and a leaf spring (at least with the diesel option). Same axle, pumpkin, brakes, engine, radiator,etc..

I believe the DRW Dodge has all the same except two tires on each side and the necessary hardware, fender etc...

[dadwolf2]

Skyhammer:

I understand your concern but the Dodge the 2500 and 3500 SRW is the same truck except for the badge and a leaf spring (at least with the diesel option). Same axle, pumpkin, brakes, engine, radiator,etc..

[okan-star]

billtex wrote:
skipro...I would be very curious to know what the 855S weighs. The numbers you posted-witout weighing your truck-don't mean much.

Best GUESS is your truck weighs 7100#-7400#?

This mean your 855S locked/loaded = 4400#-4700#?

Anyone have same truck that can comment?

Bill

I think these numbers are probably about right

If it was me I would weigh the truck without the camper to see if the number for the front axle is less with camper, the over all weight is not totally a concern to me since its within axle and tire limits but a camper should add a little weight to the front not unload it
But if it feels safe and your happy thats whats important

I think alot of the reason 2500 trucks have a lower gvw than they should have may be because the manufacturer wants to sell them and a higher # would mean increaced insurance and dmv weight fees for reg.
Most folks use 2500`s like cars, and if you want a diesel you cant buy a 1500
On my Dodge 2500 quad cab 4x4 diesel a 1200 load capacity is a joke
I would`nt have even been able to carry any of the 3 popups Ive had on it if I went by that

[skyhammer]

~DJ~ wrote:

mdamerell wrote:

skipro3 wrote:


Total; 11800 pounds.

I have NO idea what my truck is rated at. I peeled off the door stickers when I bought the camper so I wouldn't let it worry me!

That's one way to deal with a 8,800# GVWR :S

Actually it is 9900 in reality. The only difference between the 2500 and 3500 is a couple leaf springs and the fender emblem. Same axles, brakes, etc. And he has increased his spring capacity with the bags.

People who think they are getting a truck with bigger axles, brakes and whatever for $700 more sure makes me wonder. :h

I don't know about the Dodge, but there is a difference between the F-350 and F-250.
The internal axle is not the same size (kindly notice that the 1.36” minor shaft size of a F250 is SMALLER than the 1.5” minor shaft size of a F350), the diameter over the splines is ALSO different (F250 is 1.50” and F350 is 1.57”), this is for the same Sterling axle.
The F-250 axle shaft has 35 spines and the F-350 has 37 splines.There must be a reason for this.
Also the 6.2 gas engines rear end has 2 spider gears and the 6.7 diesel has 3 spider gears.

[Ski_Pro_3]

~DJ~ wrote:
Actually it is 9900 in reality. The only difference between the 2500 and 3500 is a couple leaf springs and the fender emblem. Same axles, brakes, etc. And he has increased his spring capacity with the bags.

Actually I used overload springs AND the air bags. Here's the springs I used;

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001UFRV9M/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1

They are rated to handle 3500 extra pounds when installed. And I must say, they certainly eliminate most of the sag when the camper goes on. I drop about an inch in ride height when I put the camper on. The air bags I inflate to 30psi which just starts to return the 1 inch back. Otherwise, more air and the truck rides stiff as if it's empty.

[bobndot]

dadwolf2 wrote:
So that's what I need to do get that new bigger camper! Thanks Skip. Does the sticker residue come off cleanly or do I need some GooGone?

:B I like the way u think :B