would like help with weights and hitches please

[Getty_N_Me]

Hi, I am trying to buy a cab over camper for my truck:

1996
F-250
4x4
460 engine
8' bed
extended cab

I would like to hear from folks about the size (weight) of camper I may put on it without stressing it out. Also, I would like some of your expertise on pulling a:

4 horse trailer (older one)
11,000 lbs loaded

with the camper on the truck.

I have heard I need a hitch extender (which kinda concerns me) and that a "Tork Lift Super Hitch" @ $600.00 not including the extender @ $400.00 is what I need. My dream is to take my horses with me when traveling so I would be able to ride around the country! Being that I am a "newby" I thought I would ask all of you...Thank you so very much in advance for all your expertise and help!

[hotrodfords]

Getty - I'll second the vote for the Lance 815 Lite as one of your lightest, fully self contained TCs. They don't make them anymore, but there are still some great, clean ones out there.

As a reference, I have a 06 Chev 2500HD 2wd, and a Lance 835. I bought it because I too have a trailer and didn't want a hitch extension - the 835 doesn't have an overhang so it works great. The 835 full of water, linens, silverware, pots/pans, etc., everything BUT food, weighs 2,250 lbs. I looked around for my scale ticket, and if I find it, I'll post it, but with my 245/16 load range E tires, I have 600#s left for provisions and tongue weight on my rear axle. If I had 265/16s, I'd add around 800#s for a total of 1.400# additional tire capacity, but will have hit my rear axle rating at about 1,000# over my current truck/835 load out.

I also have a steel deck trailer that is as much a 7,000lbs fully loaded. With my current set-up, I cant do the trailer and the camper with anything more than about 4000#s on the trailer, or I'll hit my tire limit. New 265/16s would allow me to max out my trailer too.

An 815 Lance Lite weighs approximately 200#s less than an 835, so with 265/16 tires, that may just squeak you by with the 1000#s of tongue weight you'd need to have for a 10,000+ pound trailer.

Do your homework carefully and I'm sure you can get where you want to go. But you will be right at the max limits in many areas; tires, axle, MCGVWR, etc.

Good luck.

[Getty_N_Me]

THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR THEIR SUGGESTIONS! I appreciate all the combined knowledge you have given me...I will definitely be pondering the answers! Thanks so much again everyone!

[trailgranny50]

My horse is 15 and never staked out in the past. Tried to educate him when I first got him but it was a disaster even tho I've trained plenty of others. He's just had some horrible experience before I got him that no amount of desensitizing can undo. If we'd had the financial option to keep our trailer when we first retired we would have and used it for the horse camping and added the TC to use as we do now just for the extra space but alas economics and Uncle Sam had other plans for those funds. So here we are and is all good after all. Each of us had to find what we're comfortable with.

[Buzzcut1]

It's doable with the right truck wheel, tire, and suspension modifications and a smaller camper than mine. The LQ route is not my cup of tea

[NMace]

Trailgranny,

We have been using collars and stake outs with a 15' tether for years with good results, after trying portable pens including electric fencing. Google it or PM me if interested. Tarpin Hill, my last source is out of business, but there other bird dog suppliers out there

[pcoplin]

Your truck is around 6000 lbs, trailer is 11000. That leaves 3k lbs that you can have as a camper. GCVW is 20k on that truck IIRC. Doesn't leave much for a camper.

That lance 815 would be the max I'd want on it.

[trailgranny50]

We hauled a 3 horse slant LQ with a 10' short wall aluminum Featherlite with our 2500 Chevy Duramax with no problems. My daughters haul their two to six horses with their 2015 Dodge 3/4 tons as well to barrel races and rodeos. Traveling with multiple horses gets to be a lot of work. Depends on how many people are riding them to justify the hassles of extra horses. There's the feed, water, portable pens for places with none, poop cleaning tools, equipment, etc. The living quarters trailer is a much better option for horse camping since you can more easily use the truck for non horse excursions. Think you'd be much happier and be more economical for that route to camping experience. Especially if you're starting from scratch. Me, I'm down to one, one eyed trail horse and a one horse tandem axle trailer since DH doesn't ride, at all. And now that's even getting to be a bit much. It's horse or boat or Toyota FJ, or just the truck, us and the dogs.

[NMace]

I recommend updating your truck and trailer, and leaving a couple horses at home. And I am not a member of the weight police. I would not try it with less than a 350/3500 dually and a newer light weight aluminum 2 horse trailer, and then I would add suspension upgrades, such as air bags or stabliloads, plus a good hitch with weight distribution, and still you will need one of the smaller campers. There is a lot of difference in pulling a static load like a boat or cargo trailer and a live one. 4,000 to even 5,000 pounds of horse flesh moving about will cause some sway when you go over weight limits. I have been dragging horses around for 50 years.

The best way to accomplish your goal is with a living quarters gooseneck.

[Super_Dave]

With the weight of your horse trailer, you will need a super hitch or a 2 1/2" model versus the standard 2" receiver. Most factory OEM receivers top out at around 10,000 lbs.

[billyray50]

Take a look at any used Lance 815s. They have a small wet bath and shower and you can use your factory hitch.

[Getty_N_Me]

Thanks JumboJet, however, I am not sure if they make C/O that size that has a bathroom. I have only seen the longer ones with them.

[JumboJet]

You could opt for an 8' TC and not need the extension.

The "right" 8' TC would keep you closer to the weight limits of a 250.