Really Disappointing (T/C Weight)

[GAR2]

I found a t/c I really like but looks like weight will be too heavy. I know some of the members here have said my truck will handle more than the gvwr assigned by Ford but it has me concerned.
I still haven’t weighed my truck (2002 F350 4/4 Dually Longbed/ 7.3PSD, Loadlifter 5000# airbags) but has got to be in the 8200# range + or - and Ford says gvwr is 11,500.
The T/C is a 2016 Livin Lite Ford 10.0 and dry weight is estimated at 3K and wet weight at 4K. It would have looked great matched up on the F350.
It still spooks me to run over the GVWR by much and then get pulled over and checked.
I read the story behind the start up of the all aluminum Livin lite campers, merge with Ford, and then buy out and shut down of the Company - what a shame!

[GAR2]

My plan to weigh truck last night went to heck, but I did talk to the farmer where I deer hunt (dropping off their Christmas gift). He didn’t know about RV,s but he said the state police / County has been getting bad about pulling guys over in pickups pulling trailers that they suspect are overloaded. He also said his Dad got pulled over a couple times last year with their farm trucks for not having the State inspection sticker on them (you’ve gotta love Illinois.....Not!)

One question as I work through this: I found the specs. on-line and the 10.0 Livin Lite will hang out almost 3’ past the back of my 8’ truck bed which means I’m also looking at a super truss hitch or building the equivalent for my Dyna Trak 18’ fish n ski / 3500# gvw trailer. Q. Do I need to also figure in my tongue weight as part of my gvw also or does that fall under gross combined weight rating (truck/trailer) Probably only 350-400 lbs though.

[GAR2]

Grit dog wrote:


Easy bud, no reason to get defensive....I actually thought I was being conscientious of your opinion.
But then I re read your first post and realize I missed the fact that you have a dually and you're pining over whether it's good for the camper you described.
I now understand you've never had a Truck Camper and realize you likely don't have much experience hauling heavy stuff, but? You're concerned about a 4klb camper on a super duty dually ? You've got one of the biggest most capable pickups made. Honestly, it's 100% ok.
Merry Xmas!

Grit dog, Then I misunderstood the intent of your reply, and apologize. I am on several forums and belong to several state organizations where members get together during scheduled events....some endeavors I went into with little to no experience. I’m not embarrassed to admit when I don’t know something or lack experience and always found it served me well to make a statement pertaining to such, and those who wanted to offer their assistance or advice usually did. Anyway...... thank you and Merry Christmas to you as well, and to the RV.net community!

[Grit_dog]

^ Oh Jeebus.
Now you're trying to wind up Sidecar and Kayteg!

[specta]

SidecarFlip wrote:
Being the odd camper out, my camper weight (laden) is well under the GCW of my 350 ford. How I like it. Legal.

Typical of a Ford owner. Keep the load light.

If you guys would just buy Chevy trucks you wouldn't have to be worried about being overloaded because they can handle anything.

I know mine can even with its 3.73:1 gearing.

[Grit_dog]

GAR2 wrote:

Grit dog wrote:
In the spirit of Christmas, this thread should get shut down now. Nothing good or new will come of this discussion compared to the 100 others.
Nor will it help or hinder the OPs position as he was simply venting that he isn't comfortable putting that camper on his truck. He wasn't asking for advice about it, but rather just stating his opinion.

Not true. You know, it’s attitude like yours that keeps new people from wanting to be on or go to these forums. I’ve never had a t/c. What’s wrong with being cautious. I do know that it was a general opinion from a previous thread I had started that a lot of guys are over their GVWR. I bought this truck to plan for retirement, a F350 Dually seemed like a big truck at the time, but I didn’t realize how heavy a lot of the t/c’s are. The truck manufacturers have also upped their game with bigger gvwr’s and gcwr’s. It was a comment and yes I’m frustrated, I have looked at a lot of available t/c’s in my area though this part of Illinois doesn’t have many. I appreciate the comments others felt like offering, I am leaning towards going over the gvwr - I have tried to do everything legal by getting D plates and having my truck inspection done which many don’t. I won’t bid you any ill will as it’s “Christmas” as you wanted to point out, but if your not going to try to be helpful or constructive maybe you should keep your comments to yourself.

Easy bud, no reason to get defensive....I actually thought I was being conscientious of your opinion.
But then I re read your first post and realize I missed the fact that you have a dually and you're pining over whether it's good for the camper you described.
I now understand you've never had a Truck Camper and realize you likely don't have much experience hauling heavy stuff, but? You're concerned about a 4klb camper on a super duty dually ? You've got one of the biggest most capable pickups made. Honestly, it's 100% ok.
Merry Xmas!

[Kayteg1]

Oregun wrote:

Kayteg1 wrote:
Also some states allow registering TC combo as an RV.
That takes DOT from your back permanently.
Nevada has commercial check station coming to Las Vegas, but I don't see them having scales BTW.

If you register as an RV does that mean you have to leave the camper on all the time?

When I did that in CA, I bought a camper shell to put when I took big camper off.
I have been warned about hefty penalty in case they catch you carrying a wheelbarrow on truck registered as RV.
But.... per DMV hotline, I could carry a bulldozer on my 18k trailer and pull it with my RV without penalties.
Never tested in real life, but then I had CDL endorsement that nobody could understand.
The truth is that the are so many laws, who have so many exceptions that when you do something unique, they let you go just becouse they don't know how to interpret that.
Sadly NV doesn't allow it as they don't recognize commercial/non-commercial truck.
All trucks pay the same and I am not really happy with $800 annual registration in Clark County.

[Oregun]

Kayteg1 wrote:
Also some states allow registering TC combo as an RV.
That takes DOT from your back permanently.
Nevada has commercial check station coming to Las Vegas, but I don't see them having scales BTW.

If you register as an RV does that mean you have to leave the camper on all the time?

[zzyzxpat]

I have a 2000 Dodge 2500 SRW,typical 8800 GVW, 5 speed,second camper, a 2020 AF 865, I am at 11K wet and loaded. With a DANA 80 rear axle rated at 11,000 lbs, and upgraded to 18" wheels and tires, I have about a 200 lb cushion on the rear tires, and although I put airbags when I got this camper, even without them I do not ride on the overload springs with the camper on it. It has a little sway going over curbs into gas stations, but going down the road it is fine. It can be done. Do what you are comfortable with.

[NRALIFR]

Nothing at all wrong with being cautious, GAR. After all, you’re the one that will be driving your rig around, and this is supposed to be a fun, enjoyable, and relaxing pass time. Not a stressful, white knuckle ordeal.

I will tell you one hard and fast weight rating that I think all of us who have been hauling TC’s for years agree you should never exceed: tires and wheels. Overloading your tires and wheels is the quickest way to find yourself stuck on the side of the road. Most of the other weight ratings seem to have some margin built in, but not the wheels and tires. Stay under their ratings and your chance of problems goes way down.

:):)

[Kayteg1]

Heck, you cheated on taxes 😄

[lakeside013104]

I was 1000# over gvw going to and returning from Alaska from Maine, 13,000 miles round trip with my 2016 F-350 SRW. No problems, no road checks, and tons of memories to last a lifetime. I was concerned at first, but after thousands of trouble free miles, the concerns dissipated. I drove with extreme caution, drove defensively, and drove between 62 & 65 mph on roads posted as such or higher.

The engine has plenty of power for the steep climbs in the Rockies, and the engine brake and the transmission brake provided constant braking ability that made using the foot brakes almost a none event.

Good luck, enjoy your new outfit and make some memories.

Lakeside

[GAR2]

OK, and I looked at IL S.O.S. and my D plates good to 12K $158. a year(and going up to $258. Jan.1) and next plate up is F plate good to 16K $277. a year (and going up to $377. Jan. 1) so I’m gonna weigh truck and will follow up with what I find - hoping I can stay under 12K.

[Kayteg1]

Also some states allow registering TC combo as an RV.
That takes DOT from your back permanently.
Nevada has commercial check station coming to Las Vegas, but I don't see them having scales BTW.

[mountainkowboy]

I've been over my "sticker" since I've owned it....LOL. 4,500lbs loaded and ready to camp, puts me 400-500 over GVW and the truck could care less. The ONLY thing DOT cares about is if your axles and tires can handle the load, and my rig is well within those figures. Upper stableloads and Bilstein shock is the only "upgrades" that have been done, and the truck still has a "rake" to it that requires blocks under the front tires to be level.

GO FOR IT!

[Kayteg1]

The insurance checking truck weight after accident is proven myth.
End of the story.
And again, your truck is build to carry more than you are paying taxes for.