picking a truck camper

[maxum1989]

I am doing my research and need the assistance of the truck camper forum specialists. I have been an RVer for quite sometime but truck campers are a new animal for me. This camper would be in addition to the fifth wheel I currently own and would be used for trips where just my son (12) and I would be going. I am looking for any suggestions I could add to my list of possible truck campers.

Current list of possible campers (all short box models)
Lance 825, 830, 865
Bigfoot 15c8.2, 15c9.5, 15c9.3
And maybe Adventurer 86fb, 89rb-both these getting a little heavy.

My truck is a 2008 2500hd Silverado crew cab 4x4 short box duramax.

Some concerns I have all relate to weight (which I assume is common). I would be pushing the numbers on any of these campers but I am willing to take the shot and give it a try. I know at least one on the list isn't made any more but used is fine so discontinued models are fine to suggest.
So, any models that anyone can suggest that are similar in size and weight to the above list would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

One thing I should add. I already have Nitto terra grappler tires with a 3750 weight rating already. Lucky break. I put those on last year just because I liked the look. Seems they are a popular tire for the truck camper crowd.

[JIMNLIN]

maxum1989 wrote:
A question for Sue.T:

You seem to have real world experience in dealing with the law enforcement pulling over Rvs. Would you know what would happen if I rolled through one of these situations with my truck over the gvwr by maybe 500 pounds over?

Pay close attention to para. 3 and 4 which is no different than any other Canada province or state weight regulations.


BC Motor Vehicle Act Regulations

Weight scales:

19.05 (1) The driver of a vehicle on a highway, when so required by a peace officer, shall

(a) stop the vehicle at the time and place specified by such peace officer for the purpose of weighing the whole or part thereof by means of stationary or portable scales, measuring the dimensions of the vehicle and load, measuring and inspecting the tires thereon, inspecting the load carried, or for any other purpose under this Act or regulations,

(b) drive the vehicle to the nearest public stationary or portable scales for the purpose of weighing the vehicle and load, and

(c) rearrange the load upon the vehicle or remove the whole or part of the load from the vehicle in order to comply with the provisions of the Act, regulations or permit before continuing to drive or operate the vehicle.

(2) The driver of a vehicle on a highway, when directed by a traffic sign on the highway to drive over scales, shall drive the vehicle to the scales for the purpose of weighing the whole or part thereof by means of stationary or portable scales, measuring the dimensions of the vehicle and load, measuring and inspecting the tires thereon, inspecting the load carried, or for any purpose under this Act or regulations.

(3) The gross weight of any tandem axles and the gross weight of any group of axles shall be the sum of the gross axle weights of all the axles comprising the tandem axles or the group of axles, as the case may be.

(4) The gross weight of any vehicle or combination of vehicles shall be the sum of the individual gross axle weights of all the axles of the vehicle or combination of vehicles.

What many BC folks say is vehicle owners in BC are required to have there trucks registered at a GVWR which can be the truck makers GVWR or the sum of the vehicle manufacturer axle ratings.

[deltabravo]

jefe 4x4 wrote:
... maybe stable loads are in order...

I'd recommend TorkLift stableloads too, before airbags.

http://www.torklift.com/index.php/products/suspension/stableload

[woodhog]

From this discussion it would appear that almost all truck camper owners with trucks registered in B.C. could be driving around with no Insurance?

Our little camper (8.5 feet) and truck weighs about 11,500 Gross, the sticker on the door is only 9900 pounds.

We did all sorts of mods to improve the handling and safety, however if we moved to B.C. and registered the rig there our insurance coverage would be useless, apparently.

[djg]

I have a northern lite TC and the sticker on the rear tag of the camper says 660KGs, that's 1454 dry weight supposed to go on a 1/2 ton small water tanks, no roof air but a shower, I have it on a 2002 Silverado 1500 put extra leaf springs in and loaded I am about 1.5" off the rear axle stoppers but now you guys have me thinking I should go weigh it even though I bought it the way it sits without the leaf springs.

[noteven]

maxum1989 wrote:
A question for Sue.T:

You seem to have real world experience in dealing with the law enforcement pulling over Rvs. Would you know what would happen if I rolled through one of these situations with my truck over the gvwr by maybe 500 pounds over?

With your truck set up properly with a reasonable small camper not waddling down the road like the Clampetts, and your new 3500 badges, you will be fine :)...

MOH enforcement can stand on the sticker GVWR number and say "unload that jug of water..then you will be safe..." but they are more likely to be after truly unsafe vehicle conditions...

If you find a unit and you are going to be close in weight without exceeding tire safety I would contact a law firm specializing in ICBC suing itself and get an opinion on just what circumstances could result in a claim being denied.

[Sentinelist]

kohldad wrote:
Will add 815 also as it is designed for both short and long bed trucks. For short bed, you just add the removable pods. Wet and loaded is only about 2,400#. Can only by used, but because the pods are plastic, no worries on rot, plus are usually pretty bare on options so price is usually on the low side.

Agreed. Bought mine used and am super pleased with it so far.

[maxum1989]

A question for Sue.T:

You seem to have real world experience in dealing with the law enforcement pulling over Rvs. Would you know what would happen if I rolled through one of these situations with my truck over the gvwr by maybe 500 pounds over?

[maxum1989]

I think Redsky pretty much sums up my situation. I think my truck can handle (with a few mods) the truck camper I would LIKE to get. But, to stay within the insurance weight rules, there is no way. I have really tried to look at every possible alternative- trailer, insanely small truck camper, Westvalia van, motorhome, getting a different truck, even staying with my current fifth wheel. I still don't know which way to go but the good thing is a guess I could just use my current fifth wheel and call it a day. Still have a lot of fun, just not quite the easy drive I was hoping for without a trailer.

[Redsky]

JaredWPhillips wrote:
They are pricey, but look up Livin Lite truck campers. All aluminum, lightweight. I'd love to have one.

They are not that light. The frame and side skins are aluminum but you still have the floor and inner sections and cabinets and appliances and holding tanks. They are only 10% lighter than a comparable Lance and 10% heavier than the Wolfe Creek 840/850 campers. Camplite 10.0 at 2290 dry weight versus Wolf Creek 840 at 1992 lbs. or 298 lbs. lighter.

As for the payload sticker that the factory put on it is based on the configuration of the truck as it left the factory. The AAM axle and wheel bearings for a 2008 GM Duramax truck is rated at 10,900 lbs. so the tires become the weak link. Go to any dealer's lot and compare trucks and payload ratings and you will see the difference the tires make. The Z package trucks will often have a sticker stating that the 1-ton truck is not to be used to carry a camper at all.

With the Duramax diesel the drivetrain can easily handle a 3500 lb. wet camper weight. The only question is whether the leaf springs need help or the tires need to be upgraded to support the load. Two Nitto/Toyo/BFG tires rated at 3750 or more pounds per tire will provide 7500 lbs. minus 3000 lbs. truck weight leaving a 4500 max payload.

If the law enforcement people are rigorously enforcing the factory sticker weight then the only solution is a DRW truck or going to a Class C motorhome. I would go with the motorhome and dispense with those clowns altogether.

[sue_t]

ejfranz wrote:
maxum1989 you do not need to worry about being pulled over and asked to unload. The safety inspections that are set up check commercial vehicles and will pull over anyone who looks unsafe.
I have never been pulled aside with either of my units.
The concern in BC is with ICBC.

Not true. There are safety inspections that pull over every vehicle on Highway 97, checking paperwork, plates, insurance, safety, etc. Have been through these checks when we lived on the Island and vacationed in Yukon. Usually at that weigh scale just south of Prince George, the new one in the middle of the highway so they can stop every vehicle. If you aren't in compliance, you can't leave with your RV.

I also know someone who had to get a special permit for their fifth wheel to complete their journey home to the Okanagan because it caused their truck to be over its GVWR. Those safety checks are wicked.

Yukon also has checks that stop every vehicle, usually at the junction of the Alaska & Cassiar Highways.

[ejfranz]

maxum1989 you do not need to worry about being pulled over and asked to unload. The safety inspections that are set up check commercial vehicles and will pull over anyone who looks unsafe.
I have never been pulled aside with either of my units.
The concern in BC is with ICBC.

[maxum1989]

Sticker in my glovebox says camper loading to be no more than 1500lbs. The last time I weighed my truck it came in at something like 7250 pounds. Later today I am going near a scale again so I will weigh it again to be sure on that number.

I was ok with going over my gvwr and beefing up the necessary parts but I am not ok with breaking the insurance rules. I would be driving worried all the time. Especially in B.C. where they can insist that you unload it or don't continue on.

I will however look over the list of suggestions just posted to see what they are like. Thanks.

[sky_free]

I don't think this is impossible at all. Assuming you want the loaded weight to be less than 2,000 lbs with water and gear, all these hardsides would work:

Travel Lite 690W, 700W and 770 Super Lite
Sun Lite 690 (used if you can find one)
Four Wheel Hawk hardside (may need to find one used -- not on their web site any more)
Capri Sportsman or Rodeo
Panther Sierra or Cascade
Northern Lite 610 (elusive used)
EZ Lite 8.01
Adventurer 80GS

All of the Four Wheel popups would work too.

[maxum1989]

I have come to realize to stay legal with my current truck with even the smallest truck camper made is impossible. Even pop-ups would put me over. Seems crazy but it's the facts. So, this (truck camper idea) is a dead deal until I figure out what to do next. The whole basis of doing the truck camper thing was to have a totally different RV experience and it was easy to do as I already had the truck (most expensive part) taken care of. Well, not so much.
Now I am actually considering a very small travel trailer instead. If I could live with the living space of a truck camper, then the new travel trailer could be very small. I wouldn't even now it was back there (weight wise) and with the small length maybe towing it would have very few issues compared to towing my bigger fifth wheel. I was hoping to get away from towing anything at all but it does not seem possible unless I change trucks.

Maybe something similar to this:
http://www.livinlite.com/camplite14dbs-overview.php

I know being in the truck camper forum and talking about trailers is about as bad as it gets. But, I am running out of ideas. A trailer like this would give me WAY more outside storage space and more living space inside. But, parking and issues surrounding that are back into play.

[twodownzero]

kohldad wrote:
Will add 815 also as it is designed for both short and long bed trucks. For short bed, you just add the removable pods. Wet and loaded is only about 2,400#. Can only by used, but because the pods are plastic, no worries on rot, plus are usually pretty bare on options so price is usually on the low side.

My 815 weighs over 2200 lbs empty. My 1 ton SRW truck has 2700 lbs of payload capacity with a full tank of fuel. A 3/4 ton has 1100 fewer pounds of payload and would likely be 40-50% overloaded with my 815 on it.

You probably need to look at the very light pop up style campers that are designed for 1/2 ton trucks. Many also seem to think that the smaller Lance TCs are 1/2 ton capable, but if you actually weigh them you will find out otherwise.

If you are going to severely overload your 3/4 ton truck, you already have a good set of tires and the wheels on your truck are the same as a 1 ton. At a bare minimum, you should consider installing the entire leaf spring pack from a 1 ton and probably a set of airbags as well. I used airbags on my truck and have since before I had the TC. They are great for leveling a heavy load.

The first and most important capacity to concern yourself with is tires, and you've got that covered. Assuming that your truck has a full floating rear axle, next is the rear suspension on your truck. After that, sway bars, shocks, and any supplemental load leveling stuff is probably next.