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TJBroussard · 08-22-2019, 08:29 AM

Good morning -

Considering a truck camper along the lines of a Lance 650 for the short bed truck (5.5 ft). Looking to hear from those that have "been there, done that" with the F150 as I consider rightsizing out of a 37" Jayco Super C.

Thanks!
Terry

pbt · 08-23-2019, 09:14 PM

I had been interested in something similar and would be interested in experiences people have had. Although I'm not sure I could overcome the placement of the refrigerator in that 650.

On the one hand, I don't think you'll save any money getting an F150 vs. a more ample payload F250; on the other hand, all the manufacturers have taken the same annoying direction in designing their 3/4ton and larger trucks (and to an only slightly lesser extent, 1/2tons): they're all disappointingly bloated and tall. Unless perhaps you go with the long bed single-cab F150 I think you'll be over the GVWR. I'd be cautious of the 5.5ft - the camper will just hang farther off the back as far as I can tell vs. a 6.75ft bed. There are RV rental companies renting new F150s with campers - of course they save a little weight by not having jacks. But what might help them too is that people may fly in to rent a camper, so they can't bring all their "stuff" like someone having their own camper.

TJBroussard · 08-24-2019, 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbt

I had been interested in something similar and would be interested in experiences people have had. Although I'm not sure I could overcome the placement of the refrigerator in that 650.

On the one hand, I don't think you'll save any money getting an F150 vs. a more ample payload F250; on the other hand, all the manufacturers have taken the same annoying direction in designing their 3/4ton and larger trucks (and to an only slightly lesser extent, 1/2tons): they're all disappointingly bloated and tall. Unless perhaps you go with the long bed single-cab F150 I think you'll be over the GVWR. I'd be cautious of the 5.5ft - the camper will just hang farther off the back as far as I can tell vs. a 6.75ft bed. There are RV rental companies renting new F150s with campers - of course they save a little weight by not having jacks. But what might help them too is that people may fly in to rent a camper, so they can't bring all their "stuff" like someone having their own camper.

When I bought the truck two weeks ago, I really wasn't thinking truck camper. (Not many in south Louisiana.) Hindsite is 20/20 as they say. Since then, I've seen developers building to this set-up, i.e. Lance 650. I've yet to see one in person as the closest dealer is in Houston. Thanks for the info.

pbt · 08-24-2019, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJBroussard

When I bought the truck two weeks ago, I really wasn't thinking truck camper. (Not many in south Louisiana.) Hindsite is 20/20 as they say. Since then, I've seen developers building to this set-up, i.e. Lance 650. I've yet to see one in person as the closest dealer is in Houston. Thanks for the info.

What are the actual capacity numbers printed on your truck? Does Ford include any truck-camper specific information in the paperwork included with the truck?

Ssgritton · 08-24-2019, 01:56 PM

Most trucks have a sticker in the glove box that shows the truck camper ratting, or if it is not rated for a camper it will also tell you.

The yellow sticker on the door jam is just payload, I would recommend filling up the truck with gas then run it across a scale with you it, then add for passengers if any, also add about 500 lbs for fluids and see what you have left.

I ended up selling my 1/2 ton as I wanted a Lance 650 also but was way overloaded. I know everybody is overloaded but I wanted to make sure my insurance would pay or safety, I just purchased a one ton Dodge dually.

Problem solved now when I drive on RV lots looking for my next RV no one can tell me you can't have that. LOL

Good luck, I know Ford was the one truck that they show case the 650 on.

Mich F · 08-24-2019, 02:37 PM

Unless that F 150 has the heavy duty payload pkg, which raises the GVWR to 7,850#, it's not rated by Ford to carry a truck camper.

Back in 2004, I bought a new F 250 with a GVWR of 8,800#. I bought a new Sunlite truck camper which was made for the F 250 and similar trucks. With that truck camper on the truck, with no camping "stuff" in the camper or truck, and 1/4 tank of fuel in the truck, it tipped the scales at 8,700#, and I wasn't even in the truck. I never could figure out how they got away with saying that camper was made for an F 250.

That being said I drove that combination for four years or so, without any issues whatsoever. I often towed a boat/trailer behind it that was around 6,000-6500#.

TJBroussard · 08-25-2019, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mich F

Unless that F 150 has the heavy duty payload pkg, which raises the GVWR to 7,850#, it's not rated by Ford to carry a truck camper.

Back in 2004, I bought a new F 250 with a GVWR of 8,800#. I bought a new Sunlite truck camper which was made for the F 250 and similar trucks. With that truck camper on the truck, with no camping "stuff" in the camper or truck, and 1/4 tank of fuel in the truck, it tipped the scales at 8,700#, and I wasn't even in the truck. I never could figure out how they got away with saying that camper was made for an F 250.

That being said I drove that combination for four years or so, without any issues whatsoever. I often towed a boat/trailer behind it that was around 6,000-6500#.

Yes I should have added I have the 7700 GVWR package with FX4 Offroad. Thanks for the info.

2 Piece · 08-31-2019, 04:46 PM

From what I could find, the 2019 4x4 F150 weighs about 5000 pounds (maybe more/ maybe a little less). That only leaves you with 2700 pounds of payload. And of that 2700 pounds you have to subtract passenger, fuel, extra tools and "stuff" weight. You might have about 2200 pounds left for a slide in truck camper and I seriously doubt that Lance make one the light. Don't forget slide in truck camper have things like propane, batteries and maybe water storage that needs to be added to the "empty" camper weight.

TJBroussard · 09-02-2019, 04:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2 Piece

From what I could find, the 2019 4x4 F150 weighs about 5000 pounds (maybe more/ maybe a little less). That only leaves you with 2700 pounds of payload. And of that 2700 pounds you have to subtract passenger, fuel, extra tools and "stuff" weight. You might have about 2200 pounds left for a slide in truck camper and I seriously doubt that Lance make one the light. Don't forget slide in truck camper have things like propane, batteries and maybe water storage that needs to be added to the "empty" camper weight.

Probably very close: The Lance 650 shows a dry weight of 1694.

https://www.rvusa.com/rv-guide/2018-...an-650-tr36227

mrgrayaz · 10-22-2019, 02:57 PM

We just rented a Cruise America F-150 with a Lance 650 on the back. The truck did not have the camper package, and in my opinion had an aweful lot of sway. But it did do it. It was a XLT 2wd Ext cab with 5.0L. Same cab as our F-350 so we felt at home. The 5.0 is a good high end motor, not so great for trying to cruise at 80mph with the camper though. We got about 12.5mpg, I imagine if you stuck to 65 you'd be happier and get much fuel economy. I'd go nuts.... Spent a lot of time in 5th and 4th. I imagine the 3.5TT is heavier, though would perform better. I really was planning on stopping at a CAT scale but didn't in the end.

Anyway if you want to really try it, go rent one! They call it the TC17.

I took pictures of all the stickers:

dix39 · 10-23-2019, 10:02 AM

The first question I would ask myself; is this really going to serve my needs? It's quite a jump from your C to a small TC.

We're in the process of downsizing from a MH to a TC, but based on the TC's we had previously, I will be looking for a 3/4 ton truck and 11.5' camper. Our camping style is "boondocking", for the most part which includes cross country trips for about 8k miles per year. After living in the thing for a month or two, even 11.5' seems pretty small. It all depends on how you will use the TC.

Steve

mrgrayaz · 10-23-2019, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dix39

The first question I would ask myself; is this really going to serve my needs? It's quite a jump from your C to a small TC.

We're in the process of downsizing from a MH to a TC, but based on the TC's we had previously, I will be looking for a 3/4 ton truck and 11.5' camper. Our camping style is "boondocking", for the most part which includes cross country trips for about 8k miles per year. After living in the thing for a month or two, even 11.5' seems pretty small. It all depends on how you will use the TC.

Steve

Surely you mean 1 ton.

laj · 10-23-2019, 07:23 PM

apparently you haven’t followed his other post. he’s been all over, even alaska in that setup. he’s forgotten more about campers then i’ll ever know. [emoji20]

dix39 · 10-23-2019, 11:21 PM

Thanks Larry, I'm not really sure about how much I know, but that setup worked well for us over 38+ years of doing the same thing. I'm thinking it will probably work for a few more, at 80 I don't know how many, but I'll make the most of what I have.

I think Larry does about the same thing with his.

Steve