Max Truck Camper weight for a half ton 08 Sierra

[rileybrake]

Looking at buying an older truck camper. Not sure the weight but I think its about 1500 lbs. (The info plate on the camper is not readable) I want to haul it with a 08 GMC Sierra half ton. The rating in the glovebox for slide in truck campers says 774lbs. I just looked online and the payload is rated at approx 1700 lbs. I haul my snowmobile around in the winter with a plywood sled deck and ice fishing gear (probably exceeding 774 lbs that its rated for) and it doesn't have a problem hauling it and its not a light sled. Anybody have any info that would help? Is the weight rating in the glovebox accurate?

[JIMNLIN]

rileybrake wrote:
Alright thanks guys. I'll have to pass on this camper I guess even though it is a good deal. Not worth busting springs or hurting anybody over a truck camper. I may end up looking for a small trailer instead.

I'm surprised you didn't post this in our truck camper forum. Ask the mod/adm to move you over there. It would be a much better source for input for a truck camper than a tow vehicle forum. Those guys over there may have the same setup and can give you advise on what actually works and how to make it work.

[KD4UPL]

I used to have an older (80's I think) 8' pop up TC. I hauled it on a 1500 Dodge. The camper added about 1,700 pounds to the truck. This camper had no bathroom and very minimal options.
The truck was overloaded on the GVWR by about 600 pounds with no passengers. I added E rated tires and air bags and ran it that way for about 1.5 years. It's not something I would recommend.
Basically, a 1500 truck is not going to cut it for any type of TC. If you travel alone, pack very light, and have a stripped down 2wd reg. cab truck you could possibly get buy with it.

[rileybrake]

Alright thanks guys. I'll have to pass on this camper I guess even though it is a good deal. Not worth busting springs or hurting anybody over a truck camper. I may end up looking for a small trailer instead.

[kw_00]

Thanks for the info.. kaydeejay, I did not know that but more the wiser now.

[kaydeejay]

kw/00 wrote:
I have seen just a small amount of campers for a 1/2 ton truck out there. They have a pop up top and have canvas. I agree with the others about the camper in question. Keep ur search going for a lighter unit. Now the glove box number confuse me as well. My truck says its payload it 2997, however the glove box sticker is slightly less then that.. so I think the glove box number is the safety margin for a slide in truck camper since its so top heavy but I could be wrong. Either way I would not want to exceed the number listed in my glove box for the slide in camper.

The glove box sticker quoting max camper weight is what is left of the truck payload after subtracting 150# for each available seat.
You can add 150# to that Camper rating for each empty seat in the truck.
But OP, you are NOT going to get anywhere near capacity for that camper, which is going to be a lot more than 1500# by the time you are ready to camp!!!
Also, the true payload for your truck may or may not be 1700#. Take a look on your driver's door pillar. There is a yellow/black Tire loading info label with a number "Weight of occupants and cargo must not exceed XXXX#"
"XXXX" is the rating for YOUR truck, "as built".
With a "Reserve Capacity" (max camper weight) of 774# I rather suspect your actual payload is going to be closer to 1524# (that being 774 plus 5 x 150).

[kw_00]

I have seen just a small amount of campers for a 1/2 ton truck out there. They have a pop up top and have canvas. I agree with the others about the camper in question. Keep ur search going for a lighter unit. Now the glove box number confuse me as well. My truck says its payload it 2997, however the glove box sticker is slightly less then that.. so I think the glove box number is the safety margin for a slide in truck camper since its so top heavy but I could be wrong. Either way I would not want to exceed the number listed in my glove box for the slide in camper.

[mbutts]

In addition to what DaveF said, the tippiness of a truck camper really demands a HD truck. You KNOW you won't actually capsize, but it sure feels like it's going to.

[DaveF-250SD]

That 1500 pound camper will hopelessly overload your truck. You might find a pop-up camper that weighs less than 800 lbs., but it is not likely. Your payload is limited to 1,700 lbs. including all passengers and all the stuff you load into the camper and truck.