Need Guidance on Buying the Right Truck

[BurbMan]

Hi guys, you may remember I posted last year about my 2002 Lance 811 that I acquired for free because it needs a little restoration ("How Bad Is This?")

Well the house remodeling is finally done, DW has her brand new kitchen, I sold the TT last week, and the project is ready to begin!!

I found this in the owner's manual, which was apparently prepared by the factory for this specific camper.



The previous owner was running this on a 80's vintage F-250 with 351 and 4-speed manual. I'm starting to scout for trucks and have some initial questions:

1. The weight is listed as 3017, so with full water (30 gals) and gear I'm probably in the 3600 lb range loaded? (the gear in the TT was 1600 lbs but it was 32' and had too much storage).
2. At this weight I probably need a 350/3500 something, but is a dually necessary or advisable? Looking more to offroad with this on the beach than travel long distances.
3. The distances in the center of gravity drawing add up to 8' so I guess I need a long bed? Can I consider 6.5' beds or is that off the table?

I know there are variables in truck ratings but since I'm buying used I want to at least filter down to the type I'm looking for.

Thanks in advance and y'all are staying out of the path of this virus. It's been bad here in NY and have lost some friends.

[JIMNLIN]

OP wrote:
I know there are variables in truck ratings but since I'm buying used I want to at least filter down to the type I'm looking for.

A used trucks ??
A 3000 lb dry TC will weigh closer to 4000 lbs by the time you get it loaded. And don't forget other necessary "junk" and bodies you throw in the truck.
Ford/GM Ram like to advertise their trucks huge GVWR based payloads like 4000-4400 lbs like WyoBull's truck. There is no 350/3500 srw trucks that can carry much more than 3600-3700 lbs in the bed without upgrading wheels/tires and rear spring pack as many truck camper owners have done. If done properly a one ton srw can work.

Or any one ton drw in the brand of your choice......in white of course. Good luck on your search .

[Kayteg1]

WyoBull wrote:
See truck in my signature. The Northern Lite camper it carries is 3600-3800 lbs wet and the two are a great match for one another.

That's what you say and then your signature lists:
"Torklift Upper Stableloads, Airlift 5000 Ultimate air bags, Airlift WirelessAIR onboard compressor system"
Why such great match needs all the gizmos to work?
Don't tell me you drive on factory-rated tires?

[theoldwizard1]

BurbMan wrote:
Looking more to offroad with this on the beach than travel long distances.

Go dually if you are going to drive on the beach ! Spread the load !!

[WyoBull]

See truck in my signature. The Northern Lite camper it carries is 3600-3800 lbs wet and the two are a great match for one another.

[Grit_dog]

By the looks of that spec sheet, you can haul it on a 67-72 Chevy pickup!

Agree, that camper will be around 4000lbs ready to roll.
It’s not special compared to any other 2ton camper and srw vs dually has been discussed about 11,217 times on rvnet. Cliffs notes: A HD srw will haul it fine with some mods to your liking, it’ll take a dually or one of them “fancy new high gvw “ srw trucks if you’re intent on going by the book or by the weight cops reccomendations.

Short bed vs longbed? No reason it can’t go on a short bed that I’m aware of. It’s not too long. I presume it’s able to go on a long bed as well? No storage or generator compartment in the rear wings?

I’ve been hauling a bit heavier camper on a short bed srw for years.
For the use you’re planning and to preserve the most “utility” out of the truck when not camper ing, I’d get any 2500/3500 short or longbed srw truck.

[Lwiddis]

I don't believe a one ton SRW should be considered at that weight.

[Kayteg1]

With 3000lb of camper and 1000 lb of personal stuff and food, you will need to modify 1 ton with SRW suspension to make it acceptable.
So yes, I'd say dually is highly advisable.