Truck camper newb questions.

[Covfam]

Hello,
My wife and i arr looking to downsize from our 32foot class c, we have experince with 3 motorehomes and two camping trailors over the years so are quite familiar with gvwr and gcvwr and payload capcity etc.

We have been told that for well built 4 season campers that can handle Wisconsin winter there are only few acceptable brands eagle cap/adventure, lance, arctic fox, we have been all over and only seem to like the feel of the arctic fox and lance, floorplans that we like are the af811 and af990 and lance 855s and the 950s it looks like the 950s is soon to be discontinued if we find on next spring should we be worried about parts or service on a discontinued model?

I know that all models are pretty heavy and we will be buying a ram3500drw or silverado 3500drw or f350drw, would the built in air bags in the new rams be sufficient for these heavy campers or should i continue with the firestone airbags that id get for the ford or chevy drw? . Also as you can tell the floor plans are for both a short bed and long bed model is there an advantage of one over the other besides the ability to get even bigger campers on the long bed?

Next i was told to use fastgun tie downs for the camper these seem a bit pricy are they that good? is there a similar one froma different brand thats still good for a lower price?

[805gregg]

I would look for an older Dodge, pre additive, and Lance will be lighter than most quality campers

[Carb_Cleaner]

Removal of the tie down in front of the fuel door on my '13 Ford makes re-fueling easier. The FastGuns are a little pricey, but extremely convenient with excellent functionality.
Get the camper and truck, then see what, if any, suspension mods are desirable. I have Stableloads for my factory, upper overload springs and a set of Timbren SES (Suspension Enhancement System). I put the StableLoads on before I purchased a camper and they're a very popular add-on. It's my understanding they help reduce rear sag because the overload springs engage sooner. Top-heavy induced sway was still un-nerving. The Timbrens take away a lot of the side-to-side sway and make driving easier/more comfortable. You can fabricate a set of Stableload's upper overload bumpers far, far cheaper than their asking price. There are a few threads around, with pics, showing what others have put together.

[bka0721]

I don't know anything about the tie downs, as I don't use them. So I am not able to provide any guidance there. But I did notice you were interested in the Slide models with the Lance campers, but none of the Slide Models with Artic Fox? Is that right?(I am not that familiar with AF model numbers)

If you were interested in the slide models with Artic Fox, I would say you have a superior product for Cold season use with that manufacturer, over Lance. I have a Lance, and would get another one. But, I would prefer the seals that Artic Fox uses around their slides, over the one Lance does.

Welcome to the TC forum and IMHO you won't go wrong with choosing a Truck Camper.

Safe travels.

b

[deltabravo]

homefor2 wrote:
Do the Torklift Stable loads first before you spend the money on airbags. I know I would not do airbags again. The Fastguns are fantastic.

Same here. Airbags really don't help much - they made the truck ride rough because they unloaded the suspension.

Stableloads makes he suspension "work"


Please read and respond to your PM's

Wayne
Moderator

[pjay9]

The above advice appears to be very good...I'll confirm the Stabiloads for sure on the Dodge as the overload springs on mine are now engaged. When looking at new trucks check for the overload springs and how they work. My Dodge sits tail high empty and level loaded...not sure about Ford and GM. Longbed dually is good but some folks are SRW and do just fine with heavy loads. The other thing to consider is the tires and wheels when looking at load. READ this thread: put my 19.5s on today...full of info and discussion which will give you room for thought.

NOW when it come to tiedowns...I am a strong advocate of the purpose built systems that have tension systems and such. The old chain and turnbuckle system can destroy your TC...here's a little of why. The chain is not a shock absorber and when the TC and bed move together and the chain is attached to the frame the chain will not extend when pulled, something has to give and it is the TC attachment point not the frame. And conversly when it rocks to the slack postion and snaps back...ask yourself what was the strain on the TC when it pulled tight. Also tiedowns are just there to keep the TC from moving around not really hold the TC on if you turn over or something...yet there are many images of TC still attached to the truck even after a crash..usually a side or something is badly damaged. Somewhere I read a paper on the physics of tie-downs and the angles they should be at..very interesting. That was ages ago. But there are things you can do to help your camper stay in place, you'll find those here as well...I use a spray in bedliner with a heavy rubber fitted bed pad...After 10 of 1000's of miles mine shows some wear and it is a good inexpensive investment. Good knowledgable dealers will have worthwhile suggestions and products available to get you all set up. If they don't have a clue what you are talking about drive away...they will not be good after purchase service. Above all if you have a question ask it here and then go back and find out what the sales folks say...it is a good test and makes them think you are in the know and can't hoodwink you. But after so many TT and 5er's I bet you got that part down! Welcome to the TC world.

[homefor2]

Do the Torklift Stable loads first before you spend the money on airbags. I know I would not do airbags again. The Fastguns are fantastic. I'm not comfortable having a chain and turnbuckle with no cushion tugging on my camper mounting plates. Ive hit a few nasty bumps that seemed like it wanted to yank the camper off the truck.

[trail-explorer]

wcjeep wrote:
.. I would get Torklift Stable Loads before airbags. Airbags may not be necessary.

DITTO.

[mkirsch]

If you can get everything you plan on eating, drinking, wearing, using, along with everyone and everything that will ride in the cab in under 500lbs, you've worked a miracle.

Including people, pets, etc., it's going to be closer to 1500lbs, especially if you do anything while camping besides sit around and fill up the black tank.

[Super_Dave]

If you are going to go with a dually, I think they will be long bed trucks. A long bed will ride and handle better than a short bed. As for tie-downs, I'm cheap I guess and have no problem using my hardware store chain and turn buckles. 10 minutes of load or unload time isn't worth the price of the fastguns IMO.

[jmtandem]

I know that all models are pretty heavy and we will be buying a ram3500drw or silverado 3500drw or f350drw, would the built in air bags in the new rams be sufficient for these heavy campers or should i continue with the firestone airbags that id get for the ford or chevy drw?

It is good that you are considering the weight of the camper and matching it to a truck that can handle that amount of weight. Don't forget to add another 500 or so pounds for your stuff in the camper and also add the weights of people, dogs, etc. that will ride in the truck. Water for the tanks can be calculted at 8.3 pounds per gallon. Duallys are usually well suited for cabover truck campers. The camper will typically ride better on the Ram when the overload springs are just touching. I did that with Energy Suspension Bumpers, inexpensive and a 'do it yourself' fifteen minute job. Torklift makes a similar product.

[wcjeep]

Don't forget S&S from Kalispell, Montana. There are a non slide company that are 4 season rated. I would get Torklift Stable Loads before airbags. Airbags may not be necessary. We use Fastguns with our AF 811. They are very nice and internally spring loaded.

Airbags can unload the suspension. The Torklift Stable Loads engage the vehicle suspension sooner.