Purchasing a truck camper dilemma

[ajcc]

So I'm currently looking at trading in my TT for a truck camper as we don't enjoy the TT as much as we thought we were going to.

The issue I'm running into though is my truck (2015 GMC Sierra 2500HD Denali) has a max payload of 2249 lbs, and by my calculations, the Lance 650 would put us over by ~300 lbs. I tried looking for a truck camper that could fit within the max payload, but I haven't been able to find too much.

I'm debating if I should trade in my truck for a 1 ton possibly drw and dramatically increase the max payload, use the Lance 650 with my current truck, or try to search for something light enough to fit the payload rating.

My truck is currently my daily driver, so I'm not sure how daily driving a drw would be however I do live out in the sticks, and I don't drive anywhere but to work and back really.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[sljohnson1938]

I have not read all the replies, so, have you considered a pop-up TC ?.

[S_Davis]

I have a 2013 Chevy 2500HD DA, my card in the glove box says 1607lbs. I haul a 3000lb work cap with upgraded shocks, wheels, tires and air bags, truck handles like a caddy.

[mountainkowboy]

If you are serious about a TC...then get a dually and be done with it. That's where most end up who prefer TC's

[joerg68]

1/ Search TC forum for "weight police". Read through some of the discussions and make up your own opinion which side of the discussions you favor.
2/ Weigh your truck, get both axle weights.
3/ Compare actual axle weights with axle ratings on your door sticker.
4/ The difference between axle weights and ratings should give you a good idea of what the truck can safely do, even without modifications.
5/ bonus: try to understand the relationship of the position of camper COG and the resulting weight distribution of the payload between both axles.

In my opinion, it will handle a 650 just fine, but you will be over posted GVWR.
Chances are it drives OK without modifications.I would not modify before I have tested how it handles first, then address specific issues.
Just try not to exceed the rear tire weight ratings.

[jimh406]

The slidein pickup weight assumes you will carry a full load of people. The cargo weight will always be higher.

The Lance 650 is a small TC. I would call a 8 1/2 to 9 1/2 single slide to be moderate. I think you’d be better off going to see a lot of TCs of different sizes. Then, decide if you want to keep the current truck or not. My 9 1/2 double slide is huge compared to the 650.

I had a SRW with my current TC in my signature for over 8 years before no longer needing it for my daily driver. Actually, it was impossible even with a Supercab to park where I worked in Seattle. It was both too long and too tall.

Now, I have the F450 DRW. It’s obviously more stable heavily loaded even though we got by with the SRW. The difference was whether we pushed the weight or not. As is, we can bring whatever we want and are still under GVWR and have a lot more room in cab with the Crew Cab. Also, no problems when I pulled my wife’s Aunt/Uncles TT on a trip to Yellowstone about 1000 miles including the Rockies.

As far as driving the DRW goes, it’s pretty big. There are a few drivethroughs I can go through with the F450 because it turns so tight. I park at the end of the world even in the sticks or the “big” city of Missoula when I go there. Yeah, tiny city compared to Seattle. It’s a lot wider and that’s noticeable in parking lots or driving curves. I think it depends on how much you need to drive in town where it is busy if you’ll notice the difference with a DRW or not.

[FireGuard]

Check out the Lance 825 or 865. A little bigger than the 650 and should work on your truck.

[ajcc]

Grit dog wrote:

You didn't say how many people, but presume if you're taggin along with grandparents then you're really young. I'd slap some heavy duty tires and sway bar and bags on the pickup and get a moderate size hard side TC. But that's just me.

It'll just be My fiance and I, would you consider the 650 to be a moderate size TC, if not could you suggest a TC? I'm leaning to keeping the current truck and making it work for now.

[ajcc]

Thank all of you for comments. I'm currently leaning towards getting the Lance 650 with my current truck and throw some money into upgrades.

Now I got my weight from the tire placard but I found this in the glove box. Would the cargo weight rating be an issue and is it different from the weight rating on the tire placard?

[Grit_dog]

ajcc, will stay out of the payload discussion. You can read for days about that, didn't need to ask the question even. Just starts an argument here.
Regarding convienence, TC or class B or C is the obvious choice for touring where you drove long distances and only spend a night or 2 in each location.
Agree, hauling a big trailer and different location every night, out west, mountains etc doesn't make sense for a TT, unless talking small one like a Rpod or popup that doesn't hinder or make steep grades, sharp turns, multiple u turns (hey lets go back an look at that....5x a day)
TC and b or C are easiest setup nightly. There basically is none.
B or C means considerable more expense than you will spend for a comparable truck camper, unless you plan on losing/spending more money for a dually when you already have a good truck. Then it may be more of a wash.

You didn't say how many people, but presume if you're taggin along with grandparents then you're really young. I'd slap some heavy duty tires and sway bar and bags on the pickup and get a moderate size hard side TC. But that's just me.

[midnightsadie]

small class C fix,s everything.

[SidecarFlip]

work2much wrote:
All my truck/camper combos over the last 25 years have been over GVWR but under axle, wheel and tire ratings.

The GVWR is more of as licensing number. I wouldn't fear putting that Lance on your current truck. You may want to add stableloads or equvilant as well as a sway bar if the truck doesn't have one.

All mine to, except my current one. My current one is way below the truck's payload capacity. Makes for an enjoyable drive.....

[hedgehopper]

Rent a truck with truck camper and see how you like it!

For years we thought we wanted a Northern Lite. So we rented one on a new Ford SRW. Within a day or so our minds were made up:

We still wanted a Northern Lite but a different model than what we had thought we wanted. And the SRW did not have the stability we wanted. So we wanted a DRW.

A new Northern Lite was way out of our price range. And used ones sell quickly. But within weeks we found exactly the NL we wanted. And it was on a DRW truck!

The rig was 12 years old but had only 18k miles. The only hitch was that it was several states away. So we flew from Denver to Spokane and drove home in our “new” rig. And it suits us quite well.

[ajriding]

Many, many trucks are "overloaded" according to the gross weight limits.

A few hundred pounds is not too much to worry about, but be careful how much stuff you pack as that weight adds up quick, to hundreds of lbs.

What is the limiter for the truck? The truck frame? No. The tires, the wheels, the axles, the springs???? Some of these can easily be over-come like wheels and tires. Rear springs can be helped with air bags, or helper springs or other devices (front springs are usually not the issue).
Consider that a 1 ton and a 3/4 ton truck usually are identical except for the springs, then many times it is the springs that are lacking.

If your truck can handle a 2,000 lb payload and you are looking at a TC that, loaded, will be 2,500lbs, then you can fix the truck. However, I would not get a 5,000lb TC and expect much safety out of the truck unless you do heavy modifications.
Actually, if your truck says it is good for 2,000lbs payload then you will have lots of company with others who over-load their truck by 500 lbs with thousands of miles of no issues.

[Kayteg1]

From my experience, I would not be comfortable in any camper that could go on SRW truck.
We spend 5 months in our 12-footer in year 2017, when we sold the house and now we left 3 weeks ago for 3 months trip to Alaska.
Our Fleetwood is wide, basement model with plenty of storage, so we are carrying hammocks with steel frame, 3 cases of beer, 3 cases of bottled water, summer and winter clothing, dog food and dog supplies, still having lot of storage left.
In the past we used 12-foot Lance and I could not figure out why Lance is less comfortable beside not being basement model.
Finally compared that Lance is 3-4" narrower than Fleetwood. That 3" converted shower from one where I constantly had curtain on my back (regardless modifying the rail) to one where I can turn comfortably.

[K_Mac]

We had everything from a tent up to a 31'"C", bought a used (super clean) TC to see if it would work once we became empty nesters,(best RV'in way by far) and being a mason I've always had some sort of truck, but didn't want to drive a truck everyday after retirement(which I do) so I settled on a 1 ton SRW ( w/ luxuries) as my daily driver. Like your G.P's we like to roam also. We (DW) decided on a hard side non slide for a T.C.(see Sig.) I researched and trolled the net for 5 yrs. before purchasing our forever T.C. We can camp 12 months a year and just about stop anywhere you want for the night without looking out of place. A one ton will open up your choices immensely w/out feeling like a lot of truck,(my personal opinion). Some TC's will be too much for a 3/4 or 1 ton also, no MATTER what the salesman TELLS you. Lots of choices to be had. Pop-ups are a great choice for 3/4 ton also. Check out Northstar, and Outfitter, (just a few) if you like 4 wheeling. TC's also give you the option to (trail) your toys around with you. Truck Camper Magazine has a great "newbie" section you should investigate. Mods (suspension) also come into play, I'm happy w/ just 2, Torklift stableloads, and 19.5" wheels and tires. Good luck with your search,and "ASK" lots of questions, only the dumb ones weren't asked. K-Mac.