Camper carrying
12-20-2002, 07:52 PM
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Camper carrying
I read all the posts on here about loads and weights. I have a 94 2500 with auto, 410 gears, completely stock with 81000 miles on it. Up until last June I towed a 25 ft. self contained TT with never a worry. But in June our camping trips took on a different flavor so we went to a 10'8" Citation slide in. The camper weighs 3,200 lbs dry. I called DC to find out how much I could safely carry and was told up to 4,ooo lbs. We have been to southern Oregon and eastern Washington and I can't complain about the Dodge or the Cummins(course I never doubted the Cummins). I did install air bags after our first trip but that was just to level my load. Don't know if this info will help anyone or not. We will be going to Alabama next summer with the camper.
12-20-2002, 08:32 PM
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Re:Camper carrying
Drifter,<br> I'd be a little concerned about your weights. The loaded slide in has got to be bumping the 4k mark. That would put your gross at close to 11000 pounds on a 8800 rated truck. I think you would also probably be at or over the rated weight for the tires.<br> I would be much more comfortable with that rig on a one ton truck.<br>Bill
12-20-2002, 09:49 PM
#3
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Re:Camper carrying
According to the the sticker on the door rear axle rating is 6042 lbs and my tires are rated at 3032 @ 80psi. I'm thinking that is for each tire. Or do I have my head in the clouds(or someplace worse?) With quite a few trips hauling the camper everything seems to work well and I can't complain about power, fuel mileage or handling. Did I miss anything? Thanks for you comments.
12-21-2002, 09:07 AM
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Re:Camper carrying
Bill 1374 is right. I went thru the same thing with my '02 2500. Started with a 10 1/2 ft Northern Lite camper, and liked it, but tho' the spec plate said something like 2800#, it weighed out on the scales at around 3400. Truck carried it OK, (see my web link) but it swayed pretty bad, and I was mainly worried about insurance dumping me if I got in a wreck, and they caught me at that weight. Traded for an 8 ft. Northland that isn't nearly as nice, but weighs 800 lbs less, tho' it still weighs 600# more ON THE SCALES than the lying spec plate says. Truck handles like a big sports car now, and tho' I'm still overweight, I think it's within reason now. GVW is 8800#, and empty weight - on the scales - is right at 7000#. The spring supports especially, and the air bags, and Rancho 9000's made a huge difference too. Take a look at
12-21-2002, 09:14 AM
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Re:Camper carrying
>
> > One more try, and to H with it ! ! ! Fool Thing ! ! ! www.biglar.homestead.com/springsupport.html
> > One more try, and to H with it ! ! ! Fool Thing ! ! ! www.biglar.homestead.com/springsupport.html
12-21-2002, 09:15 AM
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Re:Camper carrying
http://www.biglar.homestead.com/springsupport.html<br><br>you need the http:// :P
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12-21-2002, 09:23 AM
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Re:Camper carrying
;D ;D ;D Guess I shoulda mentioned too, that I've got around 15,000 camper miles on those nylon blocks now, including a trip from SoCal to Alaska, and the Canadian Rockies. I'm totally sold on them............simple, cheap, and WHAT a difference. Lar.
12-21-2002, 09:29 AM
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Re:Camper carrying
Drifter,<br> You are right, 6k axle and 3k tires each. However if you think your weights at 11k pounds which you are probably right at, I suspect your rear axle weight will make the 6 k mark. The only way to be sure is to weight the rig.<br> I'm almost in the same boat with my fifth but with less weight over. With my pin weight, my truck is at 91 to 92 hundred. Like yours, it handles the weight ok but I'm just uncomfortable running that heavy. I'm shopping for a one ton now.<br>Bill
12-23-2002, 12:24 PM
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Re:Camper carrying
[quote author=biglar link=board=11;threadid=8596;start=0#83210 date=1040483239]<br> web link) I was mainly worried about insurance dumping me if I got in a wreck, and they caught me at that weight. Traded for an 8 ft. Northland that isn't nearly as nice, but weighs 800 lbs less, tho' it still weighs 600# more ON THE SCALES than the lying spec plate says. Truck handles like a big sports car now, and tho' I'm still overweight, I think it's within reason now. look <br>[/quote]<br><br>So now you've got a less nicer camper, AND you're STILL over the truck GVW. Overweight is overweight, if you're worried about the insurance company dropping you.<br><br>Just about every truck camper out there is in the same boat, over their GVW weight. What is a person to do?? Go out and buy 450 and 550 rated trucks?? How many of THEM do you see out on the roads??<br><br>If you use some common sense and don't exceed any component ratings or tire ratings, and WERE NOT THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT, my insurance carrier (Farmers) told me they wouldn't give you any trouble.
web link) I was mainly worried about insurance dumping me if I got in a wreck, and they caught me at that weight. Traded for an 8 ft. Northland that isn't nearly as nice, but weighs 800 lbs less, tho' it still weighs 600# more ON THE SCALES than the lying spec plate says. Truck handles like a big sports car now, and tho' I'm still overweight, I think it's within reason now. look <br>[/quote]<br><br>So now you've got a less nicer camper, AND you're STILL over the truck GVW. Overweight is overweight, if you're worried about the insurance company dropping you.<br><br>Just about every truck camper out there is in the same boat, over their GVW weight. What is a person to do?? Go out and buy 450 and 550 rated trucks?? How many of THEM do you see out on the roads??<br><br>If you use some common sense and don't exceed any component ratings or tire ratings, and WERE NOT THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT, my insurance carrier (Farmers) told me they wouldn't give you any trouble.
12-23-2002, 03:09 PM
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Re:Camper carrying
8) 8) Yah, what you say is very true...........tho' I don't think I have the guts to ask MY agent. (also Farmer's) Just might come back and bite me someday. I might as well admit, too, that I'm looking for another camper. No hurry.........won't really need it till next summer - then I plan to live in it for 3 months, and in the meantime this one is doing OK for my needs. Depending on plans, I tow either the Baja Bug or the boat, and go play. I'd like to strike a happy medium...........the 8 footer I've got is poorly set up inside, has only single battery and propane, etc. The 1st one (Northern Lite 10 1/2 ft) was great, but was so high and heavy that even with my famous spring blocks, it still swayed pretty good. I'll sniff around and see if I can find better than what I have, without going to the previous extreme. 10,500 +/- lbs is just TOO much for a 3/4 ton truck.............in my opinion. Right now, it weighs - loaded for the road - right at 9600#, and handles like a BIG sports car. What Fun ! ! ! Lar.
12-23-2002, 08:42 PM
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Re:Camper carrying
My situation is that I'm retired and have my toys paid for(truck and camper.) I don't want or need truck payments. 'Cause I'd probably have to get a job to make them and I don't want a job. Anyway, thanks to the discussions from you guys what I am going to do is REMOVE all the excess weight I can(I put dual batteries in it) so I'll remove one(that's about 100 lbs) I have a set of tools in the Dodge and another set in the camper. I know I carry 2 axes and probably more "stuff" I can do without. I have taken the truck and camper up and down mountains, on country roads, on the freeway and I must say I really feel comfortable driving it. Any other suggestions(short of trading) that you want to pass on I'd sure appreciate it. One final thought...I thought I did all my homework on hauling this camper by talking to Dodge about the load the truck will carry. I rechecked the sticker on the camper today and it says 3,128 lbs dry. I'm guessing we add another 400 lbs of "other" stuff including batteries and propane. And I NEVER travel with full water ot waste tanks.
12-24-2002, 03:01 AM
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Re:Camper carrying
;D ;D ;D OK, I hear ya, and I'm almost there myself. Just for interest value tho', why don't you take it down and weigh it BEFORE you load it. I t'ink you may be in for an awakening. I'd be real surprised if that sticker isn't at least 500# optimistic. Been there Lar.
12-26-2002, 12:22 PM
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Re:Hey Drifter!!!
RJ in Montana here. Shoot me an email as I have a few camper questions for you. I purchased a '99 Citation 9 1/2' camper in October and would like to hear from any current owners with advice or opinions on these units. I also purchased a 2000 3/4T ram/cummins in October. I wander over to E. Washington about monthly to beat up on the walleye there. Email me and we'll talk. Thanks for your help, RJ in Montana....
