What do you think is that the heaviest truck camper i could hold safely with my truck. I saw that the payload rating is around 1400 lbs with my truck but all the campers I found are heavier than that.

on a side note, could i pull a small trailer too if i get a camper?

 

are you talking about one of those big heavy slide-in campers?
you can do it, but i'd recommend some helper springs or replacement 6 leaf springs to keep the *** end off the ground.

how heavy are those things?

i'd think about 2000-2500 pounds of bed/tongue weight would be about the absolute max you'd want to try to haul. the brakes will be the weakest and most dangerous part of hauling that much weight. if you add a trailer - make sure it has trailer brakes or your really asking for trouble. the last problem is that a stock transmission will want to lay down and die if you overheat it, so you'll need to equip it with a big cooler, stay completely out of overdrive, and monitor your trans temp and run load range E tires.

to do it safely, you'd be better off with a 2500.

 

Yeah those heavy slide in ones. Some run around 1500 lbs but they can get up to like 3000 lbs. I dont plan on getting one any time soon, it was just a thought. Looking around now, I'd rather get a 25' travel camper for the same price and have more than enough room.

 

you can easily tow a 30+ ft travel trailer with that truck. make sure you have a weight distribution hitch, and a brake controller.

we are getting a 32 footer to replace a 18 foot hybrid camper.

 

I have basically the same question. I have a 2500, and was looking at a camper that was 2360 lbs dry weight. I haul 2 jet skiis as well. OP, what camper are you finding that is so light?

 

I found a smaller one on craigslist made for 1/2 ton trucks, I forget what it's called. I checked and some manufacturers even make truck campers for 1/4 ton trucks like the dakota and the ranger.

 

Wus sup Dallas..

I've got an '03 2500 CTD.. I've got an 11.5' fully self contained cabover that weighs 2700 alone.. add 40 gallons of fresh water, food, drinking water, bedding, clothes, small 45 lb. Honda gen, and other misc.. All of this easily 3200 lbs.. and with a pair of ride rite airbags pumped up to about 70lbs. Then I've pulled my 2200lb boat. It's a 3/4 ton truck and I like to make it work.

IDK... maybe it's my DIESEL that makes it haul more..?
-Bruce

 

8 months later...

 

No it's because you have a 2500 and air bags

 

HUH...? You quoted me.. and said something unrelated and I'm just trying to make sense of it..? "8 months later"..?