I’ve always thought part of the reason to have a truck camper is because you already have a truck anyway.
From reading here I’ve gotten the impression a lot of people buy a truck to do nothing but carry a camper.
Is that really common? Seems like a heck of an expensive way to have an RV!
Question Two is about the ol’ hot topic, payload rating numbers.
I understand trucks very thoroughly, it’s just a fundamental one; why is it that only camper hauling people are so concerned about payload sticker ratings, when it seems no one else is?
Here’s an example, one of my own pickups doing other work.
This is my Dodge dually with two 3000 pound sacks of 5/8-minus gravel in the back. On the scale the rear axle weighed right about 10,000 (that canopy is heavy too). That puts every tire below it’s rating and they’re only 235/85-16s. The Dana 80 axle has an 11,000 rating by Dana, In fact, F450 Fords used to use the very same Dana 60 front/Dana 80 rear combo. This truck has done this for 20 years. I pulled the rear hubs and bearings recently to have a look, they’re the originals and are in fine shape.
If you look at the so-called ratings for a ‘99 Dodge 3500, it says it can’t do this, yet it clearly can.
Where I work, one tons routinely haul this or more every day. I couid take lots of similar photos of others. Nobody using these trucks for work worries about it.
From reading here I’ve gotten the impression a lot of people buy a truck to do nothing but carry a camper.
Is that really common? Seems like a heck of an expensive way to have an RV!
Question Two is about the ol’ hot topic, payload rating numbers.
I understand trucks very thoroughly, it’s just a fundamental one; why is it that only camper hauling people are so concerned about payload sticker ratings, when it seems no one else is?
Here’s an example, one of my own pickups doing other work.
This is my Dodge dually with two 3000 pound sacks of 5/8-minus gravel in the back. On the scale the rear axle weighed right about 10,000 (that canopy is heavy too). That puts every tire below it’s rating and they’re only 235/85-16s. The Dana 80 axle has an 11,000 rating by Dana, In fact, F450 Fords used to use the very same Dana 60 front/Dana 80 rear combo. This truck has done this for 20 years. I pulled the rear hubs and bearings recently to have a look, they’re the originals and are in fine shape.
If you look at the so-called ratings for a ‘99 Dodge 3500, it says it can’t do this, yet it clearly can.
Where I work, one tons routinely haul this or more every day. I couid take lots of similar photos of others. Nobody using these trucks for work worries about it.
Maybe it's just that a lot of TC folks here are retired and no longer do all the things some do with their trucks (but likely still do some). My truck must pull a sawmill, boat, haul wood/lumber/garbage etc etc etc
A truck just makes sense when you 'do stuff'.
The Dodge/Cummins in my signature is wearing the camper right now - but that camper comes off quick and easy when the truck is needed for other tasks...
Carries lumber like this picture (all of the wood for a larger ground level deck), but now also carries firewood. Goes to the dump. Moved a lot of furniture including pulling a trailer for a lot of trips. Going to pick up a couple of cords later today, one in the truck and one in the utility trailer.
Chris Bryant wrote:
My truck had a 45kw Onan in the back, along with 4 follow spotlights. Early 80s 350, 165 hp. I totaled 19,500 lbs, about 5,000 lbs over gcvw.
I’m surprise no one has asked this yet. Why do you have a 45 kW generator in that thing? LOL
Heading down to slab city and looking to sell power to people? Little side business? Unofficial campground?
Off-roading has lot of discussion here, but as was already pointed, no matter how lifted 4WD you will have with no matter how small TC - you will not go rock climbing.
For me if I can go into forest roads with 10% grade, I will be happy and Sprinter vans will do that just fine.
Worse come to worse - I can always mount front winch on the van.
You can buy Sprinter 4x4 too, but be ready for sticker shock.
For me if I can go into forest roads with 10% grade, I will be happy and Sprinter vans will do that just fine.
Worse come to worse - I can always mount front winch on the van.
You can buy Sprinter 4x4 too, but be ready for sticker shock.
