It depends on who your asking, us or DOT
I have a older 10.5 camper @3000lbs and with air bags there is no problem IMHO
however if I got scaled DOT would say different, thats why I upped my GVW to 12,500 All you need to do is run your truck over a scale and subtract it from 8800 and that probably wont leave you enough room for any camper so.....

 

My 94 has Michellin 265/75 LTX/AS load range E tires and I only had to run them at 74psi cold to eliminate inappropriate bulging with the camper on.........the truck went through the scales at 10,800 lb loaded to the hilt with the dog, wife, full tank of fuel, full water tanks, tons of camping crap and so on.........I believe there was 6400 lb and change on the rear.........rear axle weight limit is 7500 lbs and tire limit is 6840 lbs so I was noticably under these limits.........I will not argue that I was technically over the manufacturers specified GVWR by 2000 lbs I am just saying I was under the rated limit of the equipment and the truck handled it easily.........on top of that I would tow my Jeep on a trailer w/ the camper from time to time but I did use a weight distributing hitch to minimize the tongue weight.........that said my 3500 handles the Jeep and the camper better but I certainly never felt like the camper alone required a 3500 to safely handle it.

just my .02

 

All depends on how you drive. Take it easy, at 2500 should work.

 

I just posted a question about this topic.

The capacity paper that I got when I took delivery states:

Maximum weight of a slide-in camper = 1426#.

My 3500 payload is 2780!!

DC did not have an answer for the difference, or what their reasoning is; they just referred my to their local dealer:

"Unfortunately, given the many variables involved, we are unable to
provide technical assistance. We recommend contacting your authorized
DaimlerChrysler dealership.

Our dealerships have the factory training, equipment and information
available to them to address your questions. "

Rene

 

Your dually will easily handle a much larger and heavier camper than what they are stating........1426lbs makes absolutely no sense for camper capacity on your truck..........my 98.5 dually has no problems at all with a 3500 lb camper - almost sounds like they meant to state 1426 kilograms instead of pounds.......that is about 3200 lbs.......regardless cargo capacities do not change in reference to your center of gravity..........my 2500 handled my camper fine and the dually is even better..........with your truck, I would suggest you pick any darn camper you want and don't look back because if your 3500 CTD dually can't handle a heavy slide-in then no pick-up can!

 

I just found a paper in my glovebox that says "This vehicle is not recommended for use with a slide-in camper". Even though I don't plan to use a camper now I might when my daughter gets older. I was not happy to see this paper.
Based on this forum entry ->
http://www.trailerlife.com/cforum/in...g/13724980.cfm
I think DC sends this mail based on certain conditions. In my case I'd probably need the equivalent of the camper package if I wanted to be a good boy scout.

 

CTD Nut..he has a 3500 SRW.

 

OOPS! ..........all I paid attention to was the 3500 part.........I keep forgetting 3rd gens can have 3500 SRW