Hello fellow Diesel ppl,

I am wondering about performance loss's including handling and mileage I could expect with a 1800 lb camper running around town might be?
My truck is a 12 valve 97 with 5 speed and recent clutch.

Thanks for your input everyone.

 

I've got an 1800# popup on mine. I lose 3.5 mpg with camper. I had the same camper on my '98.5. It handled it ok,but a KORE Recon kit helped a bunch at the time. My Bilstein 5000's weren't much help prior to the Kore kit. The 7100's were valved by Sean Lorenz and worked well.

Braking is going to be scary. I had a DTT upgraded auto,Smart Controller and an exhaust brake in order to handle the mass in an emergency situation. Your manual will help,but an eb will work wonders.

 

Hi Danderson,

Thanks for the input, I was thinking AirBag's for the rear would do the ticket. I think my 97 has the HD 1Ton driveline but I am not sure if the rear leafs are 1 ton capacity. I am concerned about braking for sure these old 2cnd gen trucks have poor brakes stock so may have to in time add a Jake Brake or similar to assist as I plan on leaving the camper on 24/7.
Haven't picked up the camper yet so no idea waht to expect.

 

Hardsided campers and srw trucks are pretty iffy under emergency collision avoidance maneuvers. There's times I'd love a traditional slide in but I feel I'm maxxed out with the popup. I don't think they're an option up your way aside from summer.

If possible,mount the camper and take it for a run to see if you're comfortable.

 

If you're truck has a rear sway bar it is most likely has the camper package, which gives it 1 ton rear springs also. I had an 11' 1971 Amerigo slide-in for a while, it weighed in at over 2300 lbs empty and stood over 10' tall on the truck! As long as your suspension/brakes (adjust them rears!) are in good working order it will handle fine. Obviously it will handle a little different, but driving with some common-sense/caution shouldn't carry any surprises. Drive safe and have fun!

 

add the chevy 1 ton wheel cylinders to the rear it will make a world of difference

 

I did the Chevy cylinders and even the Dodge TSB for constantly loaded trucks. Dodge actually sold me a bypass hose to delete the proportioning valve knowing the 2500's had lousy brakes. My buddy's got the 6-speed and Dana 80 as the OP should and they are better. The EB on was the only time I felt reasonably safe on the freeway as far as stopping power goes.

The wife and I were traveling on I-15 south of Vegas a few yrs ago. A super stiff crosswind was blowing. The srw hardsided camper trucks were having to slow to 40 mph just to remain upright. The dually's flew down the road. I was fighting the wheel with my popup.

I bought the '07 and finally had brakes.