bahlu

sorry folks, FYI, these campers (Arctic Fox model 811) are built for short beds and models with the slide outs are hauled in SRW trucks every day, Arctic Fox, Adventurer, Lance, Okanagan, Eagle cap... you'll find most rv dealerships, with any reputation, wont sell you a slide in camper or trailer if your truck cant safely haul it. Dodge 3500 SRW Gvwr for rear 6200 lbs. front 5200 lbs, 10 ply tires over 3000lbs each, air bags 5000lbs for stability. Engine brake is a blessing as well.

Regards

AH64ID

I'm going to call BS on that one... Every RV dealership I have talked to will outsell your vehicle.

This camper is listed on the 3/4 ton list..

http://www.lancecamper.com/truck-campers/992/index.html

3413 dry, appox 4,000 wet with no food/clothes etc...

2500 RAWR is 6K on Dodge, and your about 3K empty.. going to be over the RAWR pretty easily.

And not that it means everything, but GVWR only allows for about 2K in payload on a 2500.

TonyB

I agree with AH64ID. Every RV dealer I have ever visited, would sell the most expensive camper to a given customer. Check RV.net for horror stories.

The best defense is an educated buyer that has done their homework.

Tony

Highway 4x4

I think I would go with a toyhauler TT that the car will fit into.

2006Mega

i agree on getting a toy hauler, possibly a work and play or a similar model.

clamdigger

For the op, try "natcoa.com". This site has a huge amount of info regarding your specific concerns.

Bob

2001 2500 CTD 24V, 47RE, Hercules 265/75R-16 LRE.
1999 Veri-Lite 50 Series DUL Edition 9.5 ft

orangebronco68

i HAVE A 2001 QUAD CAB 4X4 LONG WHEEL BASE WITH E RATED TIRES ON FORGED CENTERLINE WHEELS. I USE THIS TRUCK LIKE A TRUCK. I GREW UP USING A 1/2 TON SB TRUCK WITH AN 8' CAMPER PULLING A 4 HORSE TRAILER. I AM IN HOG HEAVEN WITH MY CURRENT TRUCK WITH A 9.5' LANCE PULLING A FLAT BED TRAILER WITH MY 3900# BRONCE LOADED ON IT. I HAVE NO PROBLEMS WITH EITHER BRAKING OR POWER AND LOAD FEELS VERY STABLE EVEN AT 75MPH. I WOULDN'T BE AFRAID OF ANY 8' SLIDE IN ON A MEGA CAB PULLING A CAR DOLLY THAT DOESN'T PUT ANY EXTRA WEIGHT ON THE TRUCK. GOOD LUCK AND sorry for the caps lock. didn't notice till i was almost through.

Danderson

Hopefully you've got disc brakes. An eb would help immensely. Your platform is entirely different from a Mega. Chances are if you went to a public scale loaded,your axle weights would be pretty similiar. Emergency avoidance manuevers with a srw and big,heavy cabover is still sketchy.

zulusafari

Well, I installed a PRXB, airbags, and better shocks (yellow/blue Bisteins), then drove I-80,29,& 70 to Montana to pickup my new Eagle Cap 850. We spent 2 weeks camping in Glacier National Park and Yellowstone, then drove home via the Grand Tetons, crossed Wyoming to Cheyenne, and continued on I-80 back to Iowa.

The airbags are not the best option - they are great for bringing the truck back to level, but they are just little bouncy-***** when sway is considered. I did best to drop the pressure in the bags to around 40, and let the overloads do their job. The camper and truck combo handles super!! I didn't have any braking issues at all, and highway stability was awesome - comparable to my 2001.5 dually towing my fiver years ago. Strong crosswinds and semis weren't a bother, and checking the tires frequently showed no signs of overloading. I had a set of higher capacity tires and slightly wider rims planned for the trip, but they didn't arrive in time. I am very happy with the combination, and am looking forward to my next outing with the new rims/tires and a real antisway bar!

s'port diesel

Where's the pics of your ride with the camper?

zulusafari

Newly approved by the admins, here it is!

s'port diesel

NICE!!! I have a megacab and have been trying to figure out what slide in would work. Great thread!!

zulusafari

I have to say, it looks a bit funny with the amount of overhang off the back. The 850 is supposed to work with either the long or shortbox. The dealer I bought mine from never orders the shortbed package, as it limits who he can sell the campers to. I didn't care if it had the rear generator compartment or not, since I wanted as much help to move the Center of Gravity forward as possible - having a generator hanging off the rear of the truck wasn't the direction I wanted to go. I have a pair of Honda EU2000i's for long-term power use in the boonies, and they fit nicely on the step to the forward berth, right between the fridge and the galley sink cabinet. This adds weight forward, helping CG. I also added roof A/C, as this one was shipped without it. That moved the C/G forward as well, helping the ride. The truck isn't light up front, and handles very well. The picture shows the truck sitting down on the overloads, with approx. 40 psi in the air bags. It was interesting to see the 'bags return to the 10 psi "minimum" lines on the guages when I took the camper off! Very little adjustments required! The water tank is full in this picture as well, though the gray and black are empty. I was the owner for approx. 20 hours at this point. We are at a scenic overlook in the Flathead Reservation on the way north from Missoula, MT to the West Glacier entrance to Glacier National Park.