Hey guys, newbie and first post here. Just wondering how big of a camper you would put on a stock(05) 2500 4x4 Long bed chassis. The weights of the 9.5 ft'ers vary so much between manufacturers, just curious as to how big and heavy you would feel comfortable carrying. Thanks for input.

 

Can't help with the long box part, I have a 2500 short box. I have a Lance 845 Lite that weighs 2400 dry. When I'm ready to go camping, it probably weighs 3000 to 3500lbs. Not a problem for the truck. I have air-bags and a Helwig sway bar with Bilstien shocks.

 

My boss just got a camper mounted in his truck which is the same as yours.
Ill get the info and let you know what he says.

 

I got a reply email and this is the info he has on his camper.
Fourwheel Camper. I have most of the options and it weighs maybe 1200 # wet. That’s with a 3cf refer, heater, roof rack, out side shower with water heater. If you want to read about people that own them check out www.wanderthewest.com

 

Yea, his is a pop-up camper and is much lighter. Mine is a hardtop, full bathroom with shower, queen size bed, 5cuft fridge, stove, oven, 2 bowl sink, outside shower, 2 gas tanks, battery, generator, etec, etc.

 

Depends if you have helper springs,
I have a 2002 4x4
Without helpers, 3000 lbs is too much weight,
I n process of adding rear Helper spring ( super spring ) and Sway bar,

Other options: factory helper stops and helper springs,,,
or air bags and sway bar..

When you get past 3500 lbs, you are getting into dually country,
4k plus , Dually plus add on's...

 

From personal experiance, stay under ~2500LBS with SRW. I had 10' elkhorn that weighed ~3300 loaded, it was a bit scary on my SRW. It was OK on the flat highway without wind, but in the curvy mountains or in gusty winds your going to encounter in the NW it was scary.

I would look for something with a "sticker" weight of no more than 2100LBS, that way you should be under 2500LBS loaded. Your truck probably weighs ~7200LBS, + 2500LBS for your camper = ~9700LBS, or 900 LBS over the rated GVW of your truck. With air bags, you will probably be fine and within your rated tire and axle limits.


Just my two lincolns

 

Hey, I appreciate all the info. Good stuff for researching the right camper. Sounds like the air bags are the way to go for most setups.

 

I hauled a Actric fox 11.5 a couple of times with mom's 00 2500,its pretty darn heavy,but the truck handled it NO PROBLEM.
Finally found something to smooth out that ride

 

I haul an Elkwood 9.5ft (label lists weight w/water at 2,4xx lbs), had factory helpers but changed them out to 5K helpers, problem is camper is not heavy enough to set the truck down on the helpers w/out the trailer hooked up. The reason for the spring change was not sag, but stability when running. In hindsight, air bags would have been cheaper and probably a better soulution. I just did not want to remove the overloads at the time. I ran the truck down SR23 to bristol Tn. couple of years ago, handled pretty well through the hills, suprised me really.



DuaneW.

 

DuaneWKKC, have you looked into the Energy Suspension bump stops?? They come in different lengths which might help you get to the helpers earlier.

 

nope, But I am now...

DuaneW.

 

Hi
I'm looking at running a Bigfoot C259.4LB @ 2,435 base weight on an 06' CTD2500 SRW with air bags..will this work towing a CJ7 on a car trailer?? The truck has not problems with a 95' pop-up camper (1,200 lbs). Most of the guys on RV net want everyone to sell what they got to run a DRW..sorry, but I really don't want one.

Thoughts??? or anyone running this setup would be very helpful.

Thanks
Ed

 

With some hefty rear shocks and swaybar to compliment your bags, your SRW should be fine towing your CJ with that camper.

Here is how I tow my CJ...11.5' slide in which is almost 5k wet.

 

Nice! That is what I'm shooting for next year. I just installed the airbags and will add the rear swaybar and camper next year. I tow a built TJ.