Truck Campers finally make the grade?

[woodhog]

We are finally on the Radar

This is the first time I have ever seen a real effort by one of our
camper carriers to actually put some effort into a truck related to
carrying a TC. Wow!

I have never even been able to find the wheel capacity on our Dodge RAM.

[stickyeye]

Maybe they have bigger plans to make a Ford TC. Seems they have some interest already - Livin Lite
Sticky

[jimh406]

Some would say mine is a very big camper, but I don't think it's ever left the bed of the truck. 🙂

[Kayteg1]

Would not be surprised if for movie effect they replaced fastguns with bungee cords, but if you really carry big camper you will know what the pictures are about.
Bottom line, the test and the movie scene has about the same % of reality.

[jimh406]

Kayteg1 wrote:
Could not resist to capture the real life scene

The camper doesn't seem to be using frame mounted tiedowns and hard to see if it's using anything other than stake pocket tiedowns.

[Kayteg1]

d3500ram wrote:

Kayteg1 wrote:
Such test have been done before
pay attention to 3:15 😉

LOL. I like that movie...

Could not resist to capture the real life scene

[mkirsch]

GeoBoy wrote:
How the weights were determined is an unknown.

On my 2003 Chevy 1500 extended cab, the camper weight number was exactly 750lbs less than the "passengers and cargo" payload capacity.

750lbs is exactly 150lbs times the five empty passenger seats in the cab...

I don't think it's a coincidence.

[d3500ram]

Kayteg1 wrote:
Such test have been done before
pay attention to 3:15 😉

LOL. I like that movie...

[Kayteg1]

I think our trucks center of gravity is well below bed level, so camper brings it up 8" or so inches for whole combo. That sounds about right for 7' tall camper.

[kohldad]

54suds - that was my thinking. At 42-43 inches, that is only 7-8 inches above the 35.2 bed height. Should be at least 10" higher. Doesn't really matter about how high the structure is but the COG hieght is very important.

In regards to the water, when compared to 5,000 pounds of camper, 200-300 pounds of water isn't going to make that much of a difference.

While the test aren't true life exacts, neither are the manuevers they are performing. It is nice to see that some test are being done and not just simple payload.

[54suds]

"For the test, the center of gravity was between 42 and 43 inches high from the ground." and only a total of 10 ' 4 " clearance height !!!


does any one believe our average hard side rigs have a true center of gravity anywhere near that low ?????

[mkasner]

Okay, so what about the water? Hydrodynamics has to play into this test as I don't know many people driving around with empty tanks and water heater....

[Kayteg1]

Such test have been done before
pay attention to 3:15 😉

[ticki2]

woodhog wrote:


I have never even been able to find the wheel capacity on our Dodge RAM.

GM won't release those numbers either . :M

I'm thinking the tires weren't the only thing smoking . :B

[Kayteg1]

DutchmenSport wrote:
Well, ... "THIS" coming from a Chevy guy!

I'm actually glad to see this. At least someone is trying to make a difference. BS or honest truth, if it get the attention of the three big manufactures, then I say.... good job!

I like to see the video as well, but reading this

article wrote:
TCM: The truck in the test appears to be a 2017 Ford F350. Can you tell us more about the specifics of this truck?

Scott: The truck in the test video was a 2017 Ford F350 XLT, crew cab, dually with a 6.7L Power Stroke diesel engine, and four-wheel drive. We test with multiple rear axle ratios, but I don’t know the rear axle ratio for the test truck.

For the test, we added the Camper Package which includes higher spring rate in the front, a rear stabilizer bar, and a rear auxiliary spring.

shows that the author of the article and the technician are idiots who don't know what they are doing.
Test looks good on the picture, but how much value will you put to 2 idiots commenting?
Than the picture shows that ESP with camper on this truck can become danger. I would love to hear Ford engineers explanation if the system should be turned off for TC hauling.
Common knowledge tells to turn it off in slippery conditions.
I will not even split hair over the fact that solid cage, bolt-on simulator is far from real life camper who will rock on the bed in such maneuvers.