Community Forums

Jim Scoggins · 01-18-2005, 03:15 PM

From what I have seen weight issues apply to many brands of slide in truck campers.

I have told a dealer I would like a Lance 1030. I can get out of, or change the deal if I have to. The camper has all the bells and most of the whistles. The brochure says it weighs in at 2770 lbs. We all know this is just the starting point.

After adding up all the goodies, it appears it will come in at about 3500 lbs. I figure Dragon Lady, the dog, and me will weigh around 500 lbs and another 200lbs for junk.
4200 lbs is about the minimum we will be carrying in the truck. 4500 lbs is more likely.

The truck is a 1997 Diesel Ford F-350 dually extended cab. Door sticker says 10000 lbs GVWR. Other documentation in the truck says it should carry 3415 lbs.

I think the all told the truck will push 10500 --11000 lbs.

I am planning on putting the air bags on the truck and a prepared to go with the Rancho 9000 shocks and overload springs.

I look at a lot of large campers and it is clear to me that many, if not most, of them overload the truck they are on.

My question to all you truck camper Guru types:

1. Am I asking this package to do too much? Should I go for a significantly smaller camper? Don't necessarily want to spring for a larger truck.
2. How much is too much? Are a lot of you all 500-1000lbs over.
3. Do I need the shocks and overload springs or will the air bags handle it?
Another question.
4.Have any of elected to use the Comfortaire type air inflatable mattresses in an effort to reduce weight.

Thank you.

Jim Scoggins · 01-18-2005, 03:15 PM

From what I have seen weight issues apply to many brands of slide in truck campers.

I have told a dealer I would like a Lance 1030. I can get out of, or change the deal if I have to. The camper has all the bells and most of the whistles. The brochure says it weighs in at 2770 lbs. We all know this is just the starting point.

After adding up all the goodies, it appears it will come in at about 3500 lbs. I figure Dragon Lady, the dog, and me will weigh around 500 lbs and another 200lbs for junk.
4200 lbs is about the minimum we will be carrying in the truck. 4500 lbs is more likely.

The truck is a 1997 Diesel Ford F-350 dually extended cab. Door sticker says 10000 lbs GVWR. Other documentation in the truck says it should carry 3415 lbs.

I think the all told the truck will push 10500 --11000 lbs.

I am planning on putting the air bags on the truck and a prepared to go with the Rancho 9000 shocks and overload springs.

I look at a lot of large campers and it is clear to me that many, if not most, of them overload the truck they are on.

My question to all you truck camper Guru types:

1. Am I asking this package to do too much? Should I go for a significantly smaller camper? Don't necessarily want to spring for a larger truck.
2. How much is too much? Are a lot of you all 500-1000lbs over.
3. Do I need the shocks and overload springs or will the air bags handle it?
Another question.
4.Have any of elected to use the Comfortaire type air inflatable mattresses in an effort to reduce weight.

Thank you.

CyberVet65 · 01-19-2005, 03:04 PM

I have a Lance 1130 on the back of my F350. Now it is a dually and it does have Ranchos plus a set of Timbren overloads in place. The truck also has the Ford Camper/Trailer package. That means front and rear sway bars and an extra leaf in the springs. The truck plus the Lance 1130 scaled at 11,440. Ford says I can carry 11,200. Am I concerned? Nope.
Even when I tow my 14 foot ATV trailer and two quads behind me.
I know how it rides and how to get it stopped safely.
Chet

Scooter · 01-20-2005, 05:14 AM

You should weigh your truck a a couple of stations, landscape supply, moving companies, etc. My guess is you weigh 7100 lbs.

Can you mount all-steel tires on your truck?

superduty · 01-20-2005, 11:09 AM

I have your same set up, except the truck is a '99 F350 SRW. It does just fine with rancho's and airbags. A dually would be better, but I'm not complaining. I weigh in at 10,900 without food or water in the camper. About 6200# of that is on the rear axle.

RobG · 02-15-2005, 07:41 AM

I have a 1030 on my Dodge dually. It's a much heavier camper than you might think. I've weighed mine -- weighed truck empty, then truck with camper, and did the math. My 1030, setup as I have it, full of freshwater, propane, food, clothes, etc, weighs in at 4400 lbs.

If you're gonna use a SRW truck, just be sure to weigh it and see what's the weight on your rear axle and compare it to your tire ratings at max psi. As long as you're within that figure, you should be fine. If not, get better tires... such as Rickson 19.5's.

Rob