payload

[VincentL]

I have a 2009 GMC 2500hd diesel. The door sticker indicates a GAWR RR at 6064lbs and GAWR frt at 4860lbs. I am interested in buying an artic fox 811 truck camper with a dry weight of approximately 2873lbs and gross weight of approximately 4000lbs. Will my truck handle this and do I have make modifications. All info is very appreciated...Thanks

[VincentL]

I very much appreciate the info from jimh425 and twodownzero, but azdryheat comments "Get the proper truck and keep the rest of us on the roads safe" was uncalled for. I was interested in getting information not commentary

[Buzzcut1]

A dually would be the best choice for that camper but if your heart is set on it and a new truck is out of the question you would need to upgrade to commercial 19.5 wheels and tires (245/70R19.5) to give you a wheel and tire combo at each axle capable of carrying 9000 pounds because I guarantee that your rear axle will scale over 7500 with the camper. Then you will also be looking at beefing up the suspension. I went that route on my old SRW F350 and drove that way for years. I upgraded to a Dually 3 years ago and the ride is phenomenally better. wet my camper weighs 4600 pounds

[cewillis]

If you check your (original) tire max load, you'll most likely find the value is `3032 lb -- so GM lists GAWR at 2 * 3032. Your AAM rear axle actually has a capacity or over 10,000 lb. So if you are willing to significantly upgrade your wheels, tires, and rear springs (as I did - springs), you can probably carry that camper weight.
HOWEVER -- that's still a lot of weight for a single rear wheel truck. And just because the numbers work does not mean it's safe or reasonable. My gross camper weight is less than 3000.

[azdryheat]

No, your truck will not handle it. I had the same truck as you and the payload sticker was in the glove box door. Payload was less than 2000 lbs. 4000 lbs is 3500 dually territory. Get the proper truck and keep the rest of us out on the roads safe.

BTW my dually's payload is just shy of 5,000 lbs and my trailer puts 3500 lbs in the bed.

[twodownzero]

You haven't listed the GVWR. If you had, you'd probably recognize that this camper weighs abouit twice your available payload. GAWR likely doesn't matter as you will bust the GVWR before you ever get near the GAWR. The 6064 pounds is probably just the two tire ratings in the rear @ whatever max psi is recommended in your door jam.

A camper that weighed 2873 pounds dry would overload my 1 ton SRW truck before I even got in the driver's seat by nearly 200 pounds and adding gear, water, and people to the camper and cab would only increase the overloading from there.

[jimh406]

There are plenty of people who’ve made it work. The issue is tires more than anything else. Some of added lower stable loads. Others have added heavy adjustable shocks like Rancho 9000s. Your level of comfort with the setup may vary.

If you do some searching including the archive, you’ll see many people with a similar setup. If you look at their signatures, some will have details about what they added. Of course, there are also many similar threads.

[Grit_dog]

Please do some reading before the barrage of responses hits......and then you can make up your own mind.
Btw there’s enough reading about it just on here to keep you occupied for a while!

Bottom line, yes I'd do it. I have the same camper essentially on a 3/4ton. Hauled it all over this country including to AK and back, all conditions. Never been an issue. Do need some upgrades to the ole pickemup truck though.