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Mudfrog · 10-19-2016, 07:12 PM

A while back, some 25 years ago, i bought a new Chevy 1500 single cab, 8' bed truck to carry a pop up slide in camper. Since today's trucks do so well in performance and fuel mileage, i'm looking into going back to almost the same set up. I want to stay with a half ton but when i compare payload capacities and camper weights, i find that most seem to be cutting it too close for my liking.

I added helper springs to that Chevy of long ago and had no troubles at all putting several thousand miles on the rig. But now that i'm thinking about it, springs aren't the problem. I'm now more concerned about axle failure.

Would really like to go to a longer slide in pop up with shower but now i'm thinking a half ton is out. I don't want to go to a 3/4 ton truck. It would be perfect if i could order a 1/2 ton truck with a 3/4 ton axle and heavier springs. I think the rest of the truck, even with a 6 cylinder engine, would be fine for my application. Any ideas, thoughts? Am i worrying too much, over thinking this?

yorgor · 10-19-2016, 07:57 PM

I think you need to get your head out of the sand, if you want a bigger TC, then you need more truck period. A 1/2 ton truck is a beer carrier. Just my experienced two cents worth.

dix39 · 10-19-2016, 09:46 PM

Well....you could always get a 1/2 ton truck and replace the axle and springs with those from a 3/4 ton, but I would think there are more differences to be addressed than that. I would agree with Joe, if you're going to a larger, heavier camper it would be wise to get a truck to match. I would think that you could find whatever you want in the 3/4 ton as well as you can in a 1/2 ton.

Just my 2c.

Steve

dubob · 10-20-2016, 05:51 AM

I can only speak for my truck, but I did some research regarding the weight capacity of a 2008 Chevy 1-ton dually. I got some weight capacity figures for the spring packs, axle, and of course the tires. I don't have the figures anymore, but remember that the weakest link was the tires. The springs and axle had a capacity between 500 and 1,000 pounds more than the tire capacity. I suspect that the same holds true for most trucks being built; the springs and axles will be stronger than the tires. So if the max rating of your tires will support the weight, you are good to go.

I also suspect that the GVWR will never be more than the max capacity of the factory tires that is listed on the door frame of all trucks. Generally, it is usually less.

Mudfrog · 10-20-2016, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dix39

Well....you could always get a 1/2 ton truck and replace the axle and springs with those from a 3/4 ton, but I would think there are more differences to be addressed than that. I would agree with Joe, if you're going to a larger, heavier camper it would be wise to get a truck to match. I would think that you could find whatever you want in the 3/4 ton as well as you can in a 1/2 ton.

Just my 2c.

Steve

I kinda like Chevy and i've found that engines are different between 1/2 and 3/4 tons. The differences in engine, axle ratio, and weight of the 3/4 ton cause fuel mileage to go down pretty quickly.

From my past experience, except for feeling i needed to compensate for the additional weight (keep the rig level), the truck didn't know the camper was on it. It ran out fine with barely a noticeable reduction in fuel mileage. Was averaging 14 mpg with the 350 which was pretty good at that time. Figure there's a decent chance i can improve on that with one of today's more efficient trucks.

Swapping out the rear end was my first thought. I have no doubt this would work fine in my situation but boy, i sure don't want to have to go through the trouble and expense of doing something like that, not to mention it would probably void some of the drivetrain warranty.

I have to agree, to alleviate any worries, my best bet would probably be to go with a 3/4 ton ...

peterson · 10-20-2016, 10:05 PM

Any of todays truck campers should be on an F350 minimum. We went with an F450.

dix39 · 10-20-2016, 11:48 PM

We hauled a 4300 lb 11.5' '92 Caribou 23 years and more than 200k miles with a '89 Dodge Cummins W250 (3/4 ton) srw. with no problems because of weight, but I guess one should do what one is comfortable with. Total weight of the TC unit was 11,000 lbs. We were also pulling a toad most of the time.

The Dodge had a 5 speed with either 18 or 20 percent overdrive in 5th (can't remember which) and 3:54 diff gears which allowed it to run 70 mph at 2000 rpm.

I would agree that, at least with us, tires/wheels were the weak link.

Mudfrog, any idea how much your new camper will weight?

Steve

Mudfrog · 10-21-2016, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Mudfrog, any idea how much your new camper will weight?

My focus had initially been on units without bath/shower in the 6 1/2 to 8 foot range. They tend to come in at 900 to 1200 lbs dry weight. Most with showers move to the 9 foot, 10, and above and thereby weigh more. Was just kinda surprised when i looked at one the other day showing a dry weight of 1900 lbs.

I'm not wanting to get rid of our motorhome as it's great for those longer stay times. A truck camper would be a supplement, something to be used on those quickie 1 or 2 night camping trips and for vacations to far off lands (Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, etc,,,). A TC rig is just easier to drive and maneuver, gets better fuel mileage, and i wouldn't have the toad to worry about.

dix39 · 10-21-2016, 11:15 AM

I would be with you all the way on your thoughts about a truck to haul a camper that weighted about a ton. Also about the maneuverability. I would think that placing it on a 1/2 ton would be pushing the envelope, but that a 3/4 ton would be more than enough. Personally, I would go with a 3/4 ton, especially if you plan to take some long trips with it. Both our campers were bought with larger water/holding capacities and a bathroom/shower in mind. By the second one we we had also decided we wanted AC and a built in gen to run it and the microwave.

Here is our story as it relates to RVs. I hope it may provide some ideas for you.

After moving from WV to OR in '74 with three pre-teen kids we continued tenting until the late 70s when we bought our first 11.5 camper and an old GMC 3/4 ton truck with a V6 engine. After one trip from OR to WV and back at around 9 mpg I thought, there must be something better. After doing some research and talking with some other folks who had done what I was planning, I converted a '69 F 250 4X4 Ford to Diesel using a 6-354 Perkins engine, International 5 speed overdrive 5th transmission, and a Watson auxiliary 2 speed with direct and over. The transmissions gave me a 38% overdrive in top gear going into a 4.10 diff and ended up being nearly identical to the Dodge Cummins which was close enough to perfect for me. We ran that TC combo somewhere way past 100k miles between OR and WV and many other parts of the US.

In '93 we were nearing retirement and discussed moving, RVs, full timing, etc. After giving it considerable thought we decided to just stay where we were and get a newer diesel powered TC. That was when we bought the Dodge/Caribou TC mentioned in a previous post in this thread.

We often towed while hauling the camper with both trucks, including trailers with cargo, a 23 foot cabin boat, as well as the Samurai and Tracker. Fuel mileage for both was nearly the same at 18-23 empty, 15-16 with just the camper, and 13-14 towing. Both trucks were 4wd, srw.

When we returned from our 7k mile trip last Summer my wife (she is 70 and I'm 77) said that if we are going to continue traveling long distances we need something that rides better, has a bathroom and fridge that I can get to without stopping, and we don't have to climb to get into into the bed. Now we have a '94 26' Flair that got about 7.5 mpg on our 7K mile trip this Summer. A diesel MH could be in the picture, but at our ages I'm not sure it would be worth it. I do still look at them, but my wife keeps saying "NO". I guess we'll wait and see, but she does have a point, and I'm finding that there aren't many for sale that are 30' or less. We do a considerable amount of boondocking using logging roads where a longer MH wouldn't work. The TC was perfect for that.

I hope that whatever you decide to get works well for you and you have many happy, memorable times with it. I know we have with ours.

Steve

Mudfrog · 10-21-2016, 04:27 PM

We too have been through a variety of camping devices,,,, tents, 2 pop up TCs, a class C, and a couple of class As. We routinely pull a boat so we have never been interested in a travel trailer. We're spoiled with the A we have now, love the room and comfort it provides but that 8mpg average eats at me every time we take it out.

I'm the first to admit, it's kinda goofy wanting to buy a new rig. Even if it somehow doubled, even tripled the mpg we get now, it would never come close to making up the initial purchase prices. Still, it would just feel better driving it because of the better maneuverability and fuel mileage. We'd definitely use it more than our current class A.

JCarver · 10-21-2016, 09:20 PM

Brakes on a smaller truck don't have the capacity for continuous use with a camper. Much better to be oversized (truck) than marginal or under-sized. This from learning to drive in a '64 F100 CrewCab (right there it has a 500 pound payload, legally). And then dad had an 8' extended cabover camper built for it weighing 3/4 ton by itself. Add six people plus gear. Braking on any downhill was always dicey and sometimes outright scary. Still have the truck at 350k miles, wish I still had that camper.

Mudfrog · 10-22-2016, 06:21 PM

I am in agreement, that a 3/4 ton would be the better truck. But i guess what spurred my initial post was the fact that so many camper manufacturers advertise their units for half ton trucks.

Was just looking at another manufacturer's website that states,

"All this in a package designed exclusively for today’s most popular light-duty full-size super short (5.5′), short (6′, 6.5′, 6.75′) and long-bed (8′) trucks (including the Toyota Tundra and Nissan Titan)."

This on a hardsided camper that weighs in at 1779 lbs dry. Of course i can buy a 1/2 ton with the optional payload package but the heaviest capacity i've come up with is 2300 lbs on the Ford. Not bad, but it would still leave only about 500 lbs for people, propane, water, and other supplies. A Toyota Tundra is only good to 2080 lbs. Unless i'm missing something, it almost seems like false advertisement...

Chriswar · 10-24-2016, 08:30 PM

I thought a 1 ton dually could handle anything until I got serious about adding the weights and checking the payload tags on new trucks. Check out truck camper magazine and use their newbie info to calculate real weights of the camper + gear + water. Then go shopping.

zman-az · 11-15-2016, 10:22 AM

Mudfrog,

Have a class A as well as a popup TC. I started with a F150 and a 4wheeler popup, 6.5'. Loved the 1/2 ton truck and maneuverability as you mentioned. Unfortunately the popup does not have a indoor shower or bathroom so we use a porta for when my wife comes along, thus it is mainly for me on Man trips. We have an outdoor shower and usually wear a pair of sandels and shorts when washing in public. I have pulled a boat with the TC and it worked but was pushing it, especially in the grades. I have since replaced that truck with a Ram 2500 diesel. This truck is huge compared to the half ton and I can now pull just about anything with the truck camper. Miss the smaller truck size but love the power of the larger truck. You say you have a boat, do you plan on towing that with the truck camper as well, if that is the case I would not consider a 1/2 ton. If its just a popup you should be fine in finding one that works in a 1/2 ton but you might have to sacrifice some conveniences.