lifted truck?

[Buzzardcheater]

Hey all - soon to be making the shift to a TC, and that starts with upgrading my truck. I'm looking a getting a used dually, and one I'm checking out is lifted by several inches. It's running 18 inch wheels.

So - question for the assembled wisdom here: Does the lift pose any structural, suspension, or comfort issues when I put a large TC on the back of it? For the record, I'm trending toward a Lance 1172 (so,yeah, heavy)

Thoughts?

[Otterman]

I'm curious, those of you with stock Fords and Dodges. How high is your bed from the ground?

[2BLAZERS]

So how lifted is it?
18'' wheels does not effect anything as its the tire size that matters.

My 2011 Dually had a 3'' leveling kit and Supersprings on the rear also brought up the rear. I had no issues with it. Looking at doing the same on my 2016 dually.

I personally wouldn't do much more than a leveling kit if I was hauling a truck camper and or towing a large trailer.

On a SRW with a lighter camper or popup camper I could see doing a 4 to 6 inch lift on it for fitting larger tires for offroading.

So far in life my 2016 is the only truck I have owned that has not ended up being lifted or leveled out 🙂

[Travelon]

jefe 4x4 wrote:
The answer is not cut and dried. I mostly depends on what terra you are driving on. For most TC owners, the stock suspension height is just the ticket. A stock suspension is a LOT less trouble than any lifted, clabbed together one. This only changes if you are an XTC-er. I have a Gen2 Dodge which has a lot of clearance below the frame in stock format. Once I started using the TC like I used various 4WD's I've owned, I found I needed a little more clearance on the approach angle, the breakover angle, and the departure angle. Having a short bed helped in the last two angles but I installed 3" lift coils on the front axle, which, of course forced me to level things out by going with 8 leaves on the rear axle giving that 3" lift to the rear also. (5 leaves in the main pack and 3 leaves in the upper secondaries). The extra on the rear axle was it was stiffer and less apt to sway. On a trip up Goler Wash in Death Valley this past Spring, I used every bit of that clearance just to get over the trail.

Very stable, but I have an under 2000 pound wet camper with the lowest ceiling height, so only 10', 4" tall, overall. If i didn't enjoy 'the edge' while TC-ing, I would want a stock suspension setup with no lift.

I'm thinking you are in the 'normal' range of would-be TC-er's, so an unlifted truck should be your goal. jefe

Jefe4x4 is truly the 'Captain Kirk' of TC-ers "To boldly go where"...well you know the rest.

Travelon

[jefe_4x4]

The answer is not cut and dried. I mostly depends on what terra you are driving on. For most TC owners, the stock suspension height is just the ticket. A stock suspension is a LOT less trouble than any lifted, clabbed together one. This only changes if you are an XTC-er. I have a Gen2 Dodge which has a lot of clearance below the frame in stock format. Once I started using the TC like I used various 4WD's I've owned, I found I needed a little more clearance on the approach angle, the breakover angle, and the departure angle. Having a short bed helped in the last two angles but I installed 3" lift coils on the front axle, which, of course forced me to level things out by going with 8 leaves on the rear axle giving that 3" lift to the rear also. (5 leaves in the main pack and 3 leaves in the upper secondaries). The extra on the rear axle was it was stiffer and less apt to sway. On a trip up Goler Wash in Death Valley this past Spring, I used every bit of that clearance just to get over the trail.

Very stable, but I have an under 2000 pound wet camper with the lowest ceiling height, so only 10', 4" tall, overall. If i didn't enjoy 'the edge' while TC-ing, I would want a stock suspension setup with no lift.

I'm thinking you are in the 'normal' range of would-be TC-er's, so an unlifted truck should be your goal. jefe

[billtex]

Most of us modify our suspension for load carrying capacity (stiffer). "Lifted" trucks are typically for off-road applications-more compliant (softer) suspension.
Not what you need for heavy hauling.
I would pass on this one...

Bill

[James_]

Remember, a Lance 1172 weighs A LOT!

Lance 1172: dry weight, 3,923 pounds + 42 gallons fresh, 350.3 pounds + 6 gallon full hot water heater, 50 pounds + 2x 30-pound full propane tanks, 54 pounds + 2 batteries, 130 pounds + stuff, 500 pounds = 5,007.3 pounds.

[_DJ_1]

Buzzardcheater ~ Love your handle!!

From a guy with a lifted truck, 4" suspension and 35" tires, a lifted truck would not be ideal for normal camper hauling duties. As mentioned, softer springs for better articulation and the taller height creates more of a roll tendency. I get away with it as I only have a small pop up.

I would especially be aware of a lifted dually. For larger rear tire clearance one would need spacers, very hard on lug studs and bearings.

[Ski_Pro_3]

My Lance 855S can be lifted to a maximum of 45" from the ground to the bottom of the camper. My truck's bed is 42", giving me 3" of clearance if I go all the way up. I usually only go 1 1/2" higher than the bed in order to clear and set the camper in or take it out.

[discovery4us]

Also depends on the truck. My current toad is a Chevy 2500 W/ 4" lift and 35" tires and I am the same height as a stock Dodge Ram 2500 on a good day. While I don't have a camper for this truck I wouldn't hesitate to put one in it and head cross country.

Not necessarily a good comparison but I carried a Lance squire light in the bed of a lifted Chevy 1500 and never had issues. Moved up to a lifted F-250 and life was even better so it can be done and can be done safely.

[Bedlam]

Artum Snowbird wrote:
The other item is your steps in. Some use platforms to put the lower step on, but even then, getting the scissor steps to work well when there is a lower back end to put the steps on is really difficult and dangerous at times. Family and dogs coming up and down sloping steps is not fun.

Torklift GlowSteps and GlowGuide are very adjustable. Torklift even made me a heavy duty 7-step version of their 8" tread to allow GlowSteps from the door opening instead of using a basement step. With the LandingGear on the end of the steps I even adjustment when the truck is blocked level on a side slope. SafeSteps give my DW additional confidence in climbing the seven stairs to the door even though she already has a hand rail.

[mkirsch]

mooring product wrote:
I had a F250 with 4" and 35" tires. It was a pain to load and unload the camper.

I ended up installing 33" tires.

1" of height made a noticeable difference?

Before someone points out that the tires are 2" shorter, let me point out that the distance that matters is between the hub center, aka the middle of the tire, and the ground. HALF the diameter of the tire, aka the radius. 2" difference in diameter is 1" difference in radius, thus 1" difference in overall height of the vehicle.

[Grit_dog]

Artum Snowbird wrote:
A couple of things to start.. Likely your jacks will be at full extension, or even up on blocks in order to remove or remount your camper. That can be OK when on pavement, but if you plan to remove the rig at your destination in a campground, you have to be extra careful with having a stable flat surface to put the jacks on.

The other item is your steps in. Some use platforms to put the lower step on, but even then, getting the scissor steps to work well when there is a lower back end to put the steps on is really difficult and dangerous at times. Family and dogs coming up and down sloping steps is not fun.

Yeah, so a dually would probably still haul it fine...... But if you haven't had a lifted truck before, you'll go thru steering and driveline parts quicker. Yes it will roll more, but plenty of camper s on jacked up trucks, although not my first choice. And height may be an issue.
My srw stock suspension ram is tall enough that I almost have to max out the jacks to load it. If it had even a 4" lift and 35s I'd have to put blocks unsolder the jacks to get the camper up enough to load.

[mlts22]

Buzzardcheater wrote:
... and this, ladies and gentlemen, is why I dig these forums. Quick responses to my question with a lot of good insight. y'all confirmed some of my concerns and I'll keep hunting for a non-lifted truck.

Very wise. I also live in Austin... and even though truck prices are high, there are many, many non-lifted trucks to choose from.

[mooring_product]

I had a F250 with 4" and 35" tires. It was a pain to load and unload the camper.

I ended up installing 33" tires.