doineedabiggert
Explorer
Joined 12 years ago
User Profile
User Widgets
All Activity
Re: TCM article about my family.
Mike, How often have you used the 4WD on your adventures? I thoroughly enjoyed the article and I am extremely jealous. I have taken quite a few trips in my 1998 Lance Legend and 1997 F350. In 2013, I took a 4,500 trip from KY to Utah and all places in between. One of my biggest regrets is not staying at remote places. Since then, it's been 100% boondocking for me and the DW. My camper is fully self-contained with solar and a propane generator, so we really have no need for campgrounds. My DRW F350 truck is only RWD with 4.10 gears and a limited slip differential so I believe that I can traverse many dirt roads without getting stuck. I know my limits so I am not inclined to push them too far. I have Goodyear Duratrac tires that are new, so that will help get me out of trouble should trouble find me. Without getting into the whole 2WD vs. 4WD debate, I am just curious as to often and under what circumstances you needed 4WD to get out of a jam? Most people use 4WD to NOT get stuck but often admit they weren't sure they needed it at all.170Views0likes0CommentsRe: 1992 F250 HD and 1998 Lance Legend 990
Okay, I did a little more analysis of the last weigh-in at the scales and my original post was a little misleading. My truck does weigh in at 5,580 lbs with me and 2 full tanks of fuel (3,120 lbs in the front and 2,460 lbs in the rear). When I weighed the camper and truck on the way back from purchasing it, my total weight was 9,600 lbs. I had 3,380 lbs in the front and 6,220 lbs in the rear. This was with my wife in the truck and an extra Happijac kit and, a 48" Class V hitch extension with chains and 2 full tanks of fuel. So, the camper weighed more than the 3,470 lbs on the sticker on the camper. After subtracting my wife and the hitch extension which were in the extended cab part, I estimate the camper to be at least 3,720 lbs or maybe I must've have had a big lunch that day! Anyhoo, I just wanted to clear up some of the numbers.254Views0likes0CommentsRe: 1992 F250 HD and 1998 Lance Legend 990
Sorry everyone for not replying sooner. Let me try to catch up with some responses: I am using "E" rated tires that are brand new and I think they are rated at 3,042 lbs each at 80 psi. The 6,220 rear axle weight was the empty weight. The guy I bought it from emptied all the tanks before I picked it up. When I was hauling the camper home, it handled pretty well. There was a small amount of swag in the front and rear and once or twice, on the interstate, it started bouncing up and down in rear but quickly came under control. I think the float I was feeling was because my rear tires were under-inflated by 10 pounds. The front tires were under inflated by about 9-10 lbs as well. I know, this was a rookie mistake and should have been the first thing I checked before I left home to go pick it up :-( I am considering a set of Timbrens for the rear to help with some of the sway I was feeling or possibly installing a Ride Rite airbag system. I never felt out of control of the truck and it was surprisingly stable but there were a few white knuckle moments with the sway and bouncing. I am using Rancho 5000 shocks all around and the truck rides pretty stiff when it is unloaded. With the camper loaded, the suspension moved about an inch or so but there was no bowing of the rear springs. I have a good 2 to 2 1/2 inches between the bumper and the axle with the camper loaded. I am still considering upgrading to an F350 but I am more confident now that my F250 HD can do the job. I really appreciate all of the feedback and advice. Please keep it coming!254Views0likes0Comments1992 F250 HD and 1998 Lance Legend 990
I just purchased a 1998 Lance Legend 990 camper and the weight of the camper including all optional equipment is about 3,470 lbs. The weight of my truck with 2 full tanks of fuel is 5,580 lbs. I have the 7.5L motor and the camper/trailer package which includes front and rear sway bar and the factory 7-wire harness. The GVWR of the truck is 8,800 lbs, so my payload capacity is 3,220 lbs. Obviously, I am a little over my GVWR. The camper lacked about an inch being flush with the front of the truck bed and my rear axle weight was 6,220 lbs which is only rated for 6,084 lbs. I might be able to get the axle weight down a little by shifting the camper forward in the bed where it should be. Since the truck is an HD, it has a full floating axle in the rear and has the same springs as the F350. In fact, the spring brackets are stamped "F350". I also have 3.55 gears in the rear. I don't have the camper certification sticker on my truck but I have all of the equipment it included. I have hauled the camper with no problems other than a little sway in the rear and some rebound from the rear springs. I realize that I am pushing the limits of my truck and was wondering if I could get some feedback about my situation. I am considering purchasing a 1997 F350 with the 7.5L and DRWs which also has the camper package and was wondering what sort of improvement I could expect. It has a 10,000 lb GVWR and 4,567 lb payload capacity. Since I just purchased the camper, I really can't spend too much getting another truck unless I could maybe get an even swap, which is unlikely. I am planning a 3 week trip to Yellowstone and then to the Grand Canyon that starts in about 30 days. My concern is the stress I am putting on a truck that seems to handle the load but I might be risking major problems on my trip. Any and all thoughts are greatly appreciated. Thanks!3.1KViews0likes7Comments
Groups
Travel Trailer Group
Prefer to camp in a travel trailer? You're not alone.Jan 20, 202544,030 Posts
