What kind of truck would I need for this slide-in?

[K1ngN0thing]

Will be getting a 1 ton dually yes.

 

[akrvbob]

Great deal!!! For that short a drive no problem with a 1 ton, even single rear wheel. I'd take some very stout ratchet straps and strap down the 4 corners to the frame. You don't want it wobbling around and coming off. Pallets make a good base to unload it on.
Bob

 

[highdesertranger]

very nice camper you can haul it on a single wheel 1ton no problem just make sure you have load range E tires or better. if you haul it with a dually you have to get the extenders for the front jacks. the fold up type are the best. highdesertranger

 

[K1ngN0thing]

Just got it home. I'm still blown away by how much bigger it is in person. Will update soon with pics.

 

[akrvbob]

Those big campers are amazingly large. Once t's loaded up it will be between 4000-5000 pounds and even with duallies it's probably going to be over-gross on the axle and wallow. I'd put air bags on it before the camper ever goes on it.
Bob

 

[Seraphim]

A one to truck will have a cargo capacity of 5k to 5.5k tons. Any weight you add to that truck will reduce that capacity. Check the capacity for the particular truck you plan to buy before you commit. A one ton may not be sufficient depending on how much else you intend to carry. Our camper is 2900 lbs dry, and loaded up we're close to the limit with a one ton.

Definitely air bag it, and an onboard compressor with controls near the driver seat is well worth the extra money. DuAlly's add weight to the truck, and reduces cargo capacity. I'm not sure if they increase the capacity or not. They're nice to have, but double check if they're going to help or hinder the weight concern. Same with four wheel drive - the extra weight reduces capacity. Do you need it?

Just some thoughts for you to consider.

 

[Seraphim]

Did a little research based on new models: it seems the dualies do increase payload capacity. But still double the configuration of what you purchase...

 

[Seraphim]

But I also checked the specs comparing a2x4 vs a 4x4: the 4x4 had about 400 lbs less of a payload capacity ( using my make and model truck for comparison...)

 

[Seraphim]

A crew cab lost about 200 lbs of payload compared to an extended cab.

Again, just something to think about.

 

[akrvbob]

Remember, the issue isn't just the GVWR of the truck because nearly all the weight of the camper is going on the back axle--especially with all that overhang over the tailgate. Even if the GVWR of the truck is 10,000 pounds, the back axle may be no more than 7500 and you will almost certainly be much over that.

You'll want to weigh it on scales that give you both front and rear axle weights.

Bob

 

[Seraphim]

It's also helpful to know where the center of gravity of the camper is (from front to back) - it's often marked on the side of the camper - and make sure that mark is in front of the rear axle. If the camper isn't marked, the information is available online if you search. The further forward, the better. If the back of the truck bounces up and down too much, it can have a detrimental effect on the front tires. As well as safety issues. This one area the airbags help.

 

[Seraphim]

Waiting for the pics *grin*

 

[Seraphim]

Here's a weight calculator, to help you decide on a truck:


http://www.visualsc.com/tc_calc.htm

 

[highdesertranger]

x2 on the air bags. highdesertranger

 

[K1ngN0thing]

So I kind of went ahead and purchased a truck before checking what it can haul. I got a pretty good deal on a 1995 GMC Sierra 3500 4x4 diesel dually http://imcdb.org/i076247.jpg and just kind of assumed it would do what I need, forgetting that 4 wheel drive is a lot of added weight. Where can I find out the GVWR and GAWR?

And where can I buy air bags? Are they all the same or do certain vehicles need specific types?

 

[LeeRevell]

Any good town will have a 'truck' shop that can advise on air bags, and some Googling online will find vendors to order from. You might try RockAuto first - I like them.
Down here, in sand/mud country, dually rears and 4X4 usually aren't a good combo for offroading. But it should haul your camper with no problems.

 

[K1ngN0thing]

Truck can only carry 2700 lbs...ha. Lesson learned.

 

[K1ngN0thing]

But now I'm looking at a class b so this might work out alright. I should be able to get double what I paid for the camper.

 

[K1ngN0thing]

But if there's something I'm overlooking and that weight rating is for some reason inaccurate, that'd save me a lot of hassle. Is there anywhere I can look this information up? I got that from the glove box as the label on the door jamb is unreadable.

 

[akrvbob]

The older trucks had lower ratings, but that still seems low for a dually. I'd take it to a scale and get it weighed with weight on both front and rear axles. Then find the GVWR of your truck either on the glove box or through the VIN number. Worse comes to worse, go the the dealer and he can tell you. Once you have those numbers just subtract the actual weight from the ratings.

Firestone is the market leader with it's air bags. Firestone dealers will install them but anyone can, you can even install them yourself.
Bob