Truck camper and towing
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โJun-24-2023 08:24 AM
I have a 2012 ram 3500 mega cab srw. I am looking at either a northern lite 8.11 or an arctic fox 865 both units 2023. Iโm looking for advice on tow setups. Manufacturers donโt seem to list the overhang the campers have and I want to to my Nautique behind me. Tongue weight is about 350 boat and trailer probably 6200 lbs. anyone have any advice as to a good setup.
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Truck Campers
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โJun-25-2023 10:17 AM
Grit dog wrote:
Wait yours is a โ12 so it has a 2โ receiver still I believe.
Yes it does have the 2โ.
However after measuring the northern light 8.11 it is roughly 59โ from my rear receiver to the rear of the landing on the camper. Which means I would need a torkllify super hitch with a 48โ truss system. Even after all that my hitch ball will still be slightly under the rear deck which is not a deal killer as long as I can still turn ok. The other down side is apparently the 48โ is only good for 4000lbs unless you use weight distribution. Not sure if that can be done on a boat trailer as they are not a v frame tongue.
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โJun-25-2023 09:48 AM
KD4UPL wrote:
Torque lift super truss is the best there is, probably overkill fir such a short overhang. I used one that was 48"with my 11' truck camper. Before that I used a Reese 48" extension. It worked fine but had much more plan than the tork lift set uo.
A boat won't have 10 - 15% tongue weight. 5 - 8 will be more realistic. You will likely be over GVWR but as long as you don't exceed axle or tire weights you'll be fine.
Short overhang? You do realize that those specific campers in that specific truck result in about a 3ft overhang? Similar overhang to your 11โ camper.
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold
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โJun-25-2023 09:46 AM
jimh406 wrote:
Most TCs list the overall length, My guess is you'll need about 18-24 inch extension. Where the ball is impacts the felt weight from the tongue. I'm assuming you have the short bed. From what I understand the Megacab is only offered in short beds.
Fwiw, you are likely to be overloaded without the boa by the time you add water etc. You have to include the tongue weight in your payload which is probably 10-15% of the 6200.
If this is a long term plan unless you only plan to short tow it, you'll likely need a DRW. Another option if close by is to take the TC to the campground drop it, and go back for the boat. Of course, you could do that with a TT as well.
The truck will drive better with the boat hooked up compared to just the camperโฆ..
But itโs good to start the paranoia and weird โsolutionsโ early on in the thread!
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold
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โJun-25-2023 09:42 AM
OP if you donโt listen to me, the rest of the contingent here will have you totally twisted around. The dumb suggestions are already pouring in from those who like to โshareโ their hypothetical knowledge, aka biased opinions about something theyโve never doneโฆ.
Good luck and youโd be better off leaving now, lol.
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold
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โJun-24-2023 05:15 PM
A boat won't have 10 - 15% tongue weight. 5 - 8 will be more realistic. You will likely be over GVWR but as long as you don't exceed axle or tire weights you'll be fine.
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โJun-24-2023 11:14 AM
Fwiw, you are likely to be overloaded without the boa by the time you add water etc. You have to include the tongue weight in your payload which is probably 10-15% of the 6200.
If this is a long term plan unless you only plan to short tow it, you'll likely need a DRW. Another option if close by is to take the TC to the campground drop it, and go back for the boat. Of course, you could do that with a TT as well.
'10 Ford F-450, 6.4, 4.30, 4x4, 14,500 GVWR, '06 Host Rainer 950 DS, Torklift Talon tiedowns, Glow Steps, and Fastguns. Bilstein 4600s, Firestone Bags, Toyo M655 Gs, Curt front hitch, Energy Suspension bump stops.
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โJun-24-2023 10:35 AM
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold
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โJun-24-2023 10:32 AM
Had AF 860s on a 3rd gen 2500 Mega, same bed length and camper length as the 811 and I think the 865.
Straight towing with the extension with a same boat. Slightly lighter overall and slightly heavier tongue weight. And a much lighter rated hitch than your truck.
Thousands of miles towing like this with the boat and similar size trailers.
Youโll have no problems either.
Only thing out of the ordinary id do is slide a flat washer or 2 under the male ends of the extension and the drawbar to take up the slop so the hitch didnโt look โsaggy.โ
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold