Looking for camper weight advice!

[Earth_to_Sean]

Sorry I didn't know how to title this thread specifically enough, and it's a long form questions, but here we go.

Before I get started here is a list of useful info regarding the rig we plan to outfit with a camper. The truck was scaled with the factory hitch with me plus a full tank.

2008 Chevy Silverado 3500 CC/DRW Duramax
Firestone airbags
6 Firestone Transforce tires rated for 2535# Each
Torklift Superhitch w/ tie downs

GVWR: 11,400#
total Curb weight ~7,840#
Steer axle weight 4,480#
Drive axle weight 3,360#
GAWR RR 8,200#
Tire load limit RR 10,140#

My girlfriend and I are planning a trip to Truck Camper Warehouse in the near future to look at two different Arctic Fox models we are considering; the 811 and the 990. Yesterday I had done a lot of research to figure out what the "real world" loaded wet weight is on these two AF models since AF is very reticent with their claimed dry weights by leaving out their "mandatory options". I found that people were claiming roughly 4500 and 4700 lbs respectively for these two models and I found this surprising. To give you guys some perspective, I've crunched some of the numbers above to find out "on paper" what my weight limits are.

"tolerances"
GVWR 3600#
GAWR RR 4840#
tire load limit 6780#

I'm perfectly fine with being over the GVWR, as this seems artificially lower considering the axle ratings and what the tires are rated to carry. However, I wanted to hear some of your thoughts on where the limits truly lie. I bought this truck specifically for the purpose of hauling a camper and towing our 6x10 enclosed trailer and it seems like the weight of the Arctic Fox campers put them into a very rare class of trucks. I simply don't see that many 4500/5500 trucks out there.

In my head our first camper should weight between 3800-4200 lbs fully loaded. Is this completely unrealistic? Am I over thinking it?
are the Gross axle weight ratings artificially low as well? If so, how close can you get to them, or how far can you safely exceed them?

I would like to know who out there has had experience with a similar rig and what they found when they went to the scales. If it turns out the Arctic Fox models are simply too heavy, we will likely end up with our first choice a Lance 975 or 995 since they actually publish a wet weight for their campers with standard equipment. Hopefully THEY'RE not hiding their weights too. Also we are planning on using the camper as much as possible. We are looking to get out at least one weekend a month over spring/summer and we plan on taking a week long trip south and southwest in early winter. So, suffice it to say we're not just going to use it "occasionally".

Thanks in advance!

[Kayteg1]

3 tons wrote:

burningman wrote:
At most scales in CA they get pretty upset if you drive a pickup through.

Agree, this is a boogyman issue, CA (or any other western state that I’ve traversed in 13 yrs) doesn't want RV’s in the scales...Been through western Canada too, scales were not an issue.... FWIW

3 tons

Pickup is not RV, although it can be in CA.
Few years ago, or rural CA highway I was driving my F450 and an officer set a check point at one of those temporary location.
I was planning to bypass him, but he spotted me and wave me in.
I was driving empty, but looks like he was seeking a revenue.

[Grit_dog]

54suds wrote:
in the past the Bc weight has been discussed to death with the final decision it appeared possible but "extremely" rare

And there may be a little validity to it, because there are mostly 3500s up there vs 2500s down here. Or maybe the Canuks are just smarter and forego the "almost a 1 ton truck" trucks.

[3_tons]

burningman wrote:
At most scales in CA they get pretty upset if you drive a pickup through.

Agree, this is a boogyman issue, CA (or any other western state that I’ve traversed in 13 yrs) doesn't want RV’s in the scales...Been through western Canada too, scales were not an issue.... FWIW

3 tons

[burningman]

At most scales in CA they get pretty upset if you drive a pickup through.

[Earth_to_Sean]

To be clear, I never had any questions about the legality of being over gvwr. My question was for people who found themselves close to or exceeding their gross axle weight, and whether or not they found it too cumbersome or if they had caused any damage to the vehicle. The legal aspect has been discussed from every angle with little evidence of people actually being pulled over. I didn’t intend to open that can of worms lol

[54suds]

in the past the Bc weight has been discussed to death with the final decision it appeared possible but "extremely" rare

[GeoBoy]

WyoBull wrote:
For me, my truck is a daily driver and I did not want to drive a dually every day so I opted to max out the payload for the truck I wanted. That ended up being an F350 CCSB with the XLT and camper package. My payload is 4226 lbs and I am well within my weight specs on our Northern Lite 8.11 QC SE.
It sounds to me like for your needs you will be traveling full time in yours and in that case I would definitely be looking at a dually. I agree with the recommendations of choosing the camper you want first and then matching the truck to the camper.

Did you read the OP’s post, he has a 2008 GM 3500 CC LB diesel dually.

[GeoBoy]

Duplicate post

[Kayteg1]

Grit dog wrote:

emcvay wrote:
The whole BC Canada thing bothers me. All the evidence I could find tells me this is an old wives tale. In fact, on one site an RCMP officer said it was bunk. I lived in BC for 20 years and saw plenty of heavy campers going down the road. Never heard of any being weighed.

Just my 2c

Bingo, what’s the easiest place to bust overweight trucks? At the border. I’ve run my 4000lb camper on a 2500 thru the border and thru BC without a second look. Well they asked me if I had any fruit. Maybe the weight of the fruit was an issue?? Lol

I think Border Patrol is not qualified for weighting anything but dope?
The issue was discussed in other topic having California laws in mind.
The laws are very old and historically were/are not observed, but if you keep commercial registration on your truck and have > 11,500 lb GVW (not sure the exact number) - you have obligation to drive via California DOT scales. Different states have different laws, but when you visit CA, the law applies to you.
When nobody chased scales by-passers in the past, now it becomes state revenue source and more and more members report actuall chases.
So if BC has the old laws, like CA, how long till they figure out the way to make money on it?

[Grit_dog]

Lol, I de badged the truck. It’s a 1 ton if anyone asks!

[Grit_dog]

emcvay wrote:
The whole BC Canada thing bothers me. All the evidence I could find tells me this is an old wives tale. In fact, on one site an RCMP officer said it was bunk. I lived in BC for 20 years and saw plenty of heavy campers going down the road. Never heard of any being weighed.

Just my 2c

Bingo, what’s the easiest place to bust overweight trucks? At the border. I’ve run my 4000lb camper on a 2500 thru the border and thru BC without a second look. Well they asked me if I had any fruit. Maybe the weight of the fruit was an issue?? Lol

[WyoBull]

For me, my truck is a daily driver and I did not want to drive a dually every day so I opted to max out the payload for the truck I wanted. That ended up being an F350 CCSB with the XLT and camper package. My payload is 4226 lbs and I am well within my weight specs on our Northern Lite 8.11 QC SE.
It sounds to me like for your needs you will be traveling full time in yours and in that case I would definitely be looking at a dually. I agree with the recommendations of choosing the camper you want first and then matching the truck to the camper.

[hedge]

emcvay wrote:
The whole BC Canada thing bothers me. All the evidence I could find tells me this is an old wives tale. In fact, on one site an RCMP officer said it was bunk. I lived in BC for 20 years and saw plenty of heavy campers going down the road. Never heard of any being weighed.

Just my 2c

Right on the government website, but you are correct in that it is rare to get pulled over.

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/driving-and-cycling/traveller-information/seasonal...

[Kayteg1]

Earth_to_Sean wrote:

Kayteg1 wrote:

Earth_to_Sean wrote:
there’s no way we’re going to pack an additional 500# of personal belongings.

Common size 40 gallons of fresh water weight 333 lb.
Add couple boxes of water, some beer and you have no capacity for your socks and undies.

Serious question...

Why do you even post here? You’ve contributed nothing to this thread. I’ve only been on this forum three months and I’ve seen you trolling other people’s threads as well.

So you are one of those
"Don't confuse me with facts, I have my mind already set" ?
If you don't like the real life numbers, you should't post on technical forum.