What size camper should I be looking for?

[Jwillvin]

First time poster. I'm hoping that someone who has or who had a similar setup as mine can help me out. I'm looking to purchase a truck camper very soon. I've been wanting one for a while now. I currently have a 1993 f350 diesel dually 4x2 with a "camper package". I just recently bought the truck and I am researching info on it. In the paperwork included with the truck there is a camper loading info sheet that states that the max weight I can put in the "cargo area" is 3100 lbs exclusive of the passengers in the cab. The gvwr is 10,000 lbs and the rear axle is rated at 7400 lbs. Tires are rated at 2850 each. The truck is equipped with a rear sway bar as well. I know that legally I'm rated for 3100 lbs but most of the campers I am looking at are between 2700-3300 "dry weight". Once loaded for camping will this be too much weight for my truck to handle? I've seen some pics online of trucks similar to mine hauling huge campers with slides so I'm a little confused. I'm trying to stick to a budget so if I did need to upgrade the suspension what would be best to do first? Shocks, airbags, or additional leaf springs? Is 4000 lbs loaded and ready to go way too much for my truck? Thanks

[jmcgsd]

Jwillvin wrote:
Thanks jmcgsd! When you carried that lance did you have any suspension upgrades? I'm completely stock right now and am wondering what would be the best upgrade to do first if needed at all?

Check my sig, you'll see I have airbags and Rancho Shocks. I carried that Lance MANY miles, all in the West in the Rockies and Sierras and never had any problems. I'm. Pulling a 28’ TT with it now.

The only thing that F350 has ever done is pull an RV. I am the 2nd owner. I purchased it in '05 from the original owner. He pulled a 5'er with it. It still has only about 80K miles on it and is still serviced by a Ford dealership.

[jimh406]

You'll find that lots of people go way over, but you need to go in with eyes open.

Newer campers aren't made for 20 year old trucks. Sure, it's possible to carry them, but most truck brands have radically increased GVWR compared to even 10 years ago. Newer drws, have up to 4000 more GVWR with even newer SRW having higher GVWR than your truck. Yes the trucks weigh more, too.

There are lots of discussions here that usually come down to don't go over your axle ratings and tire ratings, but that doesn't consider potential braking issues.

In any case, I'd say your camper sheet weight is probably close. How far you go over is up to you and the weight police.

[Jwillvin]

Thanks jmcgsd! When you carried that lance did you have any suspension upgrades? I'm completely stock right now and am wondering what would be the best upgrade to do first if needed at all?

[jmcgsd]

I carried an '05 Lance 981 max on a similar truck for 9 years. As you can see in my sig, my F350 is a '91 Dually.

The 981 weighed about 4,000 as I recall at it was never a problem. For most of those years I also towed a Suzuki Samurai behind me.