Hey!I have a 2004 GMC Sierra 2500 crew cab 4x4 short bed, 4 inch lift with 17 inch wheels. I'm looking into a suitable camper for my truck. Lance advertises the 2500's as a suitable truck for the 855s model, but it is obviously well over the payload capacity when wet.... before adding everything else to the equation.Does anyone here "push the limits" successfully? I know all about the insurance issues with a set-up like this.Airbags and E-rated tires are on my truck as well.Thanks for your replies in advance.

The truck is fine. The 4" lift is not going to help.What's with the 17" wheels?Are thse bling wheels...what happened to the 16" OE's?B

I have a 2006 dodge with a 2" front leveling lift. I'm wondering if you can even get the camper high enough with the jacks to make it into the lifted bed. The primary limitation is with the tires and wheels. Make sure your tires are rated to handle the axle weight. My axle weighs 7200 pounds loaded on the rear. Nitto Terra Grappler tires are rated at 3750 pounds each and just barely make that requirement. Also, make sure your wheels are rated high enough to handle that weight as well. I had Hummer H2 forged aluminum rims and they were fine. I eventually went to Rickson 19.5" wheels and Toyo tires rated at over 5000 pounds each just to be comfortable and not worry I've over loaded the tires/wheels.

You'll also want a Hellwig Big Wig sway bar and some sort of overload springs, air bags, etc to keep your headlights from pointing too high in front. As far as getting into the camper on a 4" lifted truck, that's gonna be another thing you'll need to consider. You might want to consider restoring the original ride height.

billtex wrote:The truck is fine. The 4" lift is not going to help.What's with the 17" wheels?Are thse bling wheels...what happened to the 16" OE's?BMoto metal wheels...... they came with the truck when i purchased it. Same with the lift.I originally bought the truck for towing my travel trailer, which it does fine. Thanks!

Just recently traded in our 855s for an Eagle Cap 850. We had it on our 2012 Chevy 2500HDIf you have the usual 3200# rated E tires, you will be very close to their limit or likely over it- NOT good.We had 4000# rated tires mounted on OEM steel wheels plus Timbrens and a BigWig anti-swaybar.The 855s is HEAVY. Count on over 4000# loaded.

Lance 855s on a Sierra 2500 | Good Sam Community

SugarHillCTD
Explorer
May 05, 2015
Dodge Ram makes a shortbed dually. Very HD.
805gregg
Explorer
May 05, 2015
thanks for all the input..... you've re=confirmed my original thoughts.... sell my truck and upgrade to an HD or 3500...... gotta do what i gotta do. Thanks!

When you do get a long bed, many more camper options, isn't heavy duty short bed an oxymoron?
billtex
Explorer II
May 05, 2015
Non HD...yeah didn't catch that at first.

Go for the 1 ton and call it a day...

Good luck, Bill
SugarHillCTD
Explorer
May 05, 2015
If you do have the ability to upgrade the truck side- with your crew of 4- then you should give that strong consideration. Think long bed TC for 4 people, not short bed.

We are happy with our sb camper but we are 2 people with 2 medium/large dogs.

Good luck with your decision.
awhiting80
Explorer
May 05, 2015
thanks for all the input..... you've re=confirmed my original thoughts.... sell my truck and upgrade to an HD or 3500...... gotta do what i gotta do. Thanks!
MORSNOW
Navigator II
May 05, 2015
A non-HD (light weight axles if I'm not mistaken) and light weight tires will be severely overloaded with that camper. Your aftermarket wheels are probably cast vs forged and not rated for the weight of a truck camper, I would do some research. I'll bet the factory camper rating for that truck is in the 2,000-2,200lb range. I would re-think the heavy truck camper idea with that setup.
ticki2
Explorer
May 05, 2015
awhiting80 wrote:

I don't have a HD.....

Thanks again!

The regular 2500 is significantly less truck than a 2500HD , including the frame . I think the 855 is going to punish your 2500 , even with upgrades . JMHO , good luck
Buzzcut1
Nomad II
May 05, 2015
awhiting80 wrote:
SugarHillCTD wrote:
Have you ever had a really heavy load (1-1/2 to 2 tons) in your pickup?

It is a real eye-opener

That is going to be your first challenge- getting used to driving it with a heavy camper.

Can your truck do it? With enough mods to suspension and wheels/tires you will be able to carry it. Are you going to be reasonably comfortable at the wheel? That is the unknown.

Well, I have driven really big, red, vehicles with 500-1500 gallons of water in them on windy, country roads. Also I have been towing the trailer. I'll adjust my driving to the load I'm carrying. My biggest concern is overloading it to the point that it is not safe.
It's like driving the BRT with a half load of water on those roads Brother
hdflh
Explorer
May 05, 2015
I have the 855s on a 2005 2500 chevy. Gasser, I upgraded shocks air bags sway bar tires etc. so far no issues. I think the truck is a little overloaded, but really could not tell difference from my previous 845 lance
awhiting80
Explorer
May 05, 2015
SugarHillCTD wrote:
Have you ever had a really heavy load (1-1/2 to 2 tons) in your pickup?

It is a real eye-opener

That is going to be your first challenge- getting used to driving it with a heavy camper.

Can your truck do it? With enough mods to suspension and wheels/tires you will be able to carry it. Are you going to be reasonably comfortable at the wheel? That is the unknown.

Well, I have driven really big, red, vehicles with 500-1500 gallons of water in them on windy, country roads. Also I have been towing the trailer. I'll adjust my driving to the load I'm carrying. My biggest concern is overloading it to the point that it is not safe.

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