Truck size WC 850

[garycq]

Presently I have a 30' 2007 29-5T Arctic Fox 5th wheel which I bought while married. I tow it with a 2001 Ram 2500 CTD LB. I am no longer married and 75 years old. The 5'ver is really more than I want to handle. The TC really appeals to me for ease of travel. I am looking at a Wolf Creek 850 but upon further investigation I found out the dry weight is 2000# whereas the wet weight is about 3000# which is more than my truck is rated at. I've discussed this with others and they all say their TC wet weight are more than the truck is rated for but they ALL have added different supports to make up the difference. I thought this site would be great to ask the key question has anyone ever had trouble with this or with the weight police? My truck handles my 5'ver fine even if over pin weight but I guess at my age I worry more than I use too!
Gary

[bcbouy]

i carry a 3000 lb. camper /gear and pull a 2000 lb. boat,and my only truck mod was to add a set of supersprings.it carries my stuff just fine.sway bar and new shocks etc. is a waste of money.put the camper on the tuck,drive it for a while,then assess what you think you might need for upgrades.you may just need e rated tires.mine are only d rated.

[Rickj91]

Gary, we have a 2005 Chevy 2500 HD with the D/A and carry a 2013 Wolf Creek 850 with the Fox Landing steps, and pull a 12 X 6 Cargo trailer. We added the Bilstien 4600 shocks and Timbrens. We just came back from a 3500 mile trip to the North West Territories (Canada)on some pretty awful roads, with no trouble. Truck sits level and handles well. You should be fine. By the way I'm 74 and have no problem with the steps or getting in or out of the cab over bed.

[whizbang]

I am one of the weight police. And, you're fine. 3000# is okay for your truck as long as you do the usual suspension upgrades: sway bar, better shocks (Rancho 9000, Bilstein 4600, KYB Monomax, etc.), and stiffer springs (air bags, Timbrens, overloads, etc.). Do a search on this forum. There is plenty of specific info. Good luck.

[woodhog]

You can change your truck to a Dodge 3500 by adding the rear bumper stops and overload springs.

Put on a rear swaybar, make sure your wheels and tire ratings are not exceeded by the load and you will be good to go with that camper easily.

[Bedlam]

I believe your truck has the Dana 80 rear axle which has plenty of capacity - You just need to make sure that your suspension and wheels have greater capacity than what you plan to carry are still under the Dana 80 11K lb rating.

My Ford with the Sterling 10.5" rear axle had no problems with 7000-8000 lbs once I went with 19.5" wheels and addressed rear sag in the suspension with StableLoads.

[805gregg]

Look into Lance Campers, lots of new and used in So. Ca. lighter weight the AF, lots of campers you could easily haul

[The_Mad_Norsky]

trailgranny50 wrote:
My hubby is 72 and has a few issues as a brick mason but still manages the steps ok. We have a cargo tray custom built with steps that is much easier than a long row of scissor steps but or truck is an 04 Chevy 3500 and sets much lower than the new trucks. The larger issue is climbing into the cab over bed. As long as he can manage that will keep the TC. That being said we have discussed the small travel trailer or class B+ motor home to get a permanent bed at a lower level but this rig is paid for and we're still able to get up in both the camper and bed. You do what works for you.

Climbing into the cab over bed is how I ended up with my SnowRiver. Folks who owned it were getting to the point they could no longer comfortably do so. So they sold it on consignment (where I bought it) bought a travel trailer, with floorplan such that they could walk around the bed for ease.

[The_Mad_Norsky]

garycq wrote:
I have tried to change my signature and what is on it but I haven't been able to. My signature should read:
2007 29-5T, 125 Solar Panels, Inverter, 5th Airborne Sidewinder Combo, Brake Smart Controller, Michelin 16" XPS RIB tires
2001 Dodge CTD 2500, LB, Dana 80 4.10, AirBags, Smarty, DTT Trans w/Smart Controller, Mag-Hyrtec Trans & Differential Covers, 4 inch Exhaust, PacBrake, 60 Gal Tank

Gary

Probably, just guessing here, but after making the changes, you must go to the bottom of the page and click on submit changes, otherwise nothing changes.

[tonymull]

Just something to consider since the OP is making a switch. If you can foresee what you'll want in 5 years then maybe you go with that now instead of then.

[trailgranny50]

My hubby is 72 and has a few issues as a brick mason but still manages the steps ok. We have a cargo tray custom built with steps that is much easier than a long row of scissor steps but or truck is an 04 Chevy 3500 and sets much lower than the new trucks. The larger issue is climbing into the cab over bed. As long as he can manage that will keep the TC. That being said we have discussed the small travel trailer or class B+ motor home to get a permanent bed at a lower level but this rig is paid for and we're still able to get up in both the camper and bed. You do what works for you.

[garycq]

I have tried to change my signature and what is on it but I haven't been able to. My signature should read:
2007 29-5T, 125 Solar Panels, Inverter, 5th Airborne Sidewinder Combo, Brake Smart Controller, Michelin 16" XPS RIB tires
2001 Dodge CTD 2500, LB, Dana 80 4.10, AirBags, Smarty, DTT Trans w/Smart Controller, Mag-Hyrtec Trans & Differential Covers, 4 inch Exhaust, PacBrake, 60 Gal Tank

Gary

[tonymull]

LOL, it bleeped out "carp". Obviously the censor doesn't gamble much. Craps???


Ah, just got to add an S 😉

[tonymull]

KD4UPL wrote:

I don't think a single person, particularly a male, would load an 8' TC with 1,000 pounds of water, food, and gear. If you were taking a wife and kids then that would be likely. I suspect you might only add 500 to 700 pounds of stuff.

That is probably correct. My camper goes 1750 dry and when we hit the road it's 2200-2450 depending on which******we are taking for that particular trip. We don't haul much water though, and the dogs only go 30 between them. If it was just me I doubt I'd carry more than a couple hundred pounds of stuff, I got along fine with a 50 pound backpack for most of my life.

[Kayteg1]

Powerdude wrote:
Those are 3500 duallies, so even if the pin weight is 4000-5000 lbs from a gooseneck with 20k lbs worth of cars on it, plus the 2k for the weight of the trailer, it's still within spec.

2k for double decker gooseneck with 20,000 lb cargo capacity. :S