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!

[emcvay]

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

[54suds]

I had the same truck 2008.5 duramax and carried a Bigfoot 3000 series c1002 fully loaded air, gen . 4 batt full refrig lots of extra stuff .it was in the 5000 lb range going down the road . Highly recommend large dia roadmaster anti swar bar,tork lift top mount stable loads use you air to adjust ( 5 to 12 lbs )how quickly stable loads engage the over load spring .
Lower stable loads can be used to further adjust ride & level

ps do you have a stock hitch or a tork lift i have a used tork lift 20 k one with a 36 inch extention hanging around here that I no longer use.

[burningman]

Have you ever been pulled over by the DOT or are you making that stuff up?
They do not look at those things, at least not in any of the many times I have been over the years. They look at tire capacity, by size only according to their own charts and not by rating stamped on the tires, wheelbase (they call it “bridge”) and how much weight you paid license fees for. They look at legal - not rated - axle limits but a pickup can’t approach those.
This is in the US. Canada they do check the factory ratings. I wouldn’t take an RV to Canada.

[kohldad]

My take on all this weight stuff.

If you travel in the US only, then the key numbers are your GAWR. If you are ever pulled over and weighed (nver heard of it though), these are the numbers they will be looking to make sure you are under. The GAWR will also be the main numbers they will look at if you are in an accident.

If you plan on traveling in western Canada, then you had better do some research. I have read but not confirmed that they do force RVs to be weighed. They will make you park it right there if you are over weight. I have taken this to mean over GVWR but they may too be looking just at GAWR. Since my rig is well under GAWR, I haven't dug into it too much.

Don't forget to subtract 110% of the trailer tongue weight from you payload, rear GAWR, and/or GVWR unless you plan on running a weight distribution hitch. The extra 10% is to account for the leverage of the tongue being behind the axle.

Again, just my take and how I play the game.

[Jack_Spratt]

Our 811 short bed with generator, full water tank, packed for long trip weighs 4,000#
SRW 2500 handles it fine
I did add Superspring, Swaybar and air bags
You will enjoy the camper

[Grit_dog]

^ Lol. Pay no attention....lotsa grumpy old men on here. It's like virtual barber shop or local cafe on a weekday morning, hahaha.
Either of those campers will be a perfect match for your truck. No concern about tire, axle or weight capacity. May still want to stiffen up the rear suspension though with a sway bar or some sort of helpers for the springs, but you can decide later. It'll haul the camper home bone stock no problem. I'd install tie downs first if you're sure you're getting a camper.
Have had 2 AF 860s. Same camper as 811 basically but older. Long bed truck won't require any or minimal hitch extension for towing. 990 will give you a bigger bath and I think the dinette is bigger on the other side.
Either way, I've had virtually no complaints with the old AF campers we've had. Solid choice IMO.

[Earth_to_Sean]

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.

[whizbang]

With "stuff" and full tanks, both camper will weigh over 4000 pounds.

But, you have the right truck for the job. You will be at or under all the ratings. It will be safe and handle fine.

[burningman]

Well the good news is you did it right when you bought a truck.
I’ve carried large campers while towing a 10,000 trailer for years with similar trucks.
It’ll do it, and live to tell about it.

[Kayteg1]

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.

[Earth_to_Sean]

GeoBoy wrote:
Sean, if you want a AF with a full wall slide then the 811 long bed version would suit you truck fine. As Bedlam stated the 811 with it’s shorter overhand would require a very short Super Truss or no extension at all.

I was looking at their charts earlier and forgot to consider that there’s no way we’re going to pack an additional 500# of personal belongings. Between clothing and food I’d estimate we usually had no more than 250# of stuff, at least that was the case with our old class C.

Thanks so much everyone for all the advice

[towpro]

Go to truck camper mag website and look at buyer's guide, there weight guide is realistic. My 990 is around 4300 lbs loaded with some water

[GeoBoy]

Sean, if you want a AF with a full wall slide then the 811 long bed version would suit you truck fine. As Bedlam stated the 811 with it’s shorter overhand would require a very short Super Truss or no extension at all.

[donn0128]

lawrosa wrote:

The rear axle in your truck is made by AAM and has a 10,000 lb rating, wrote:

Where can I find such info? Ive looked high and low for GM 8.6" rear info to no avail...

You need to search to find what the mfg uses. Most mfg use AAM axles of different configurations.

[lawrosa]

The rear axle in your truck is made by AAM and has a 10,000 lb rating, wrote:

Where can I find such info? Ive looked high and low for GM 8.6" rear info to no avail...