2,700 lb camper - Diesel or 7.3

[Yukon Bush Tremor]

I have a 2020 Tremor XLT with 7.3 gas. Payload is 4012 and I haul a 2020 Northern Lite 8-11. Our wet weight is about 3400 lbs. You should have no problem with 2800 lbs. wet.

How have you enjoyed the northern lite so far?

I am considering that exact model in the dry bath version.

Any feedback would be awesome.

 

[HubbardTramper]

Thanks. What camper are you carrying, wet weight, and noticeable sag in the rear?

I haven't picked up my new camper nor Tremor yet. I'm currently carrying a FWC on my Tundra but am upgrading to an Outfitter Apex camper (better insulation/electrical, more space, customized to my needs) and am moving up to a 1-ton truck (2022 7.3 Tremor on order). I won't get the new camper/truck until early August.

 

[OffroadMainer]

Almost bought a Northern Lite but felt it would be too top heavy/unwieldy for our primary role of squeezing into boondock areas. Great campers!

 

[Haastile]

IMO the entire point on slide in campers is to avoid the "RV campground". Why folks wanna drag a trailer hours to set up 6 feet from another RV is beyond me. You want the Tremor...to get back on those FS roads/BLM and away from the crowds. Diesel vs gas is a personal decision and should be based on local availability, price, and use of vehicle. I dont think you need a diesel..I ordered a 7.3 but I don't think the camper I am looking at is as big as yours. I have had a couple different campers never filled any of the up with water. I always just use jugs and filter water if my jugs run out.

Agree with your take on RV campgrounds as a destination. However many folks utilize them for long trip waypoints. Also, there are off road travel trailers which make short work of FS and BLM roads.

 

[Sccritterkiller]

Agree with your take on RV campgrounds as a destination. However many folks utilize them for long trip waypoints. Also, there are off road travel trailers which make short work of FS and BLM roads.

Totally agree....but I am usually on them at the worst time of year, Spring bear and turkey, fall elk, deer seasons...I have been snowed in, rained in as all 4 tires spinning on flat ground gumbo. I have come out with chains on and been really nervous..I just don't like pulling a trailer in less than ideal conditions...Then there is the outer banks...your not pulling a trailer out on the beach.

 

[OffroadMainer]

... there are off road travel trailers which make short work of FS and BLM roads.

We have one that I made from a military trailer, aluminum frame stock and a rooftop tent from South Africa. It sucks when you can't go any further on a tight trail and need to reverse course. Lightweight pop-up truck campers are much better for tight uncertain trails.

 

[mitzer61]

How have you enjoyed the northern lite so far?

I am considering that exact model in the dry bath version.

Any feedback would be awesome.

We really like it and it is one of the nicest truck campers on the market for a 1-ton SRW truck. We've owned it since last October with no issues to date. You will need a 1-ton (350/3500) to haul it. Don't believe anyone that says a 3/4 ton will haul it ... at least not legally according to payload sticker. I run airbags to level it, upper stable loads, and a Hellwig rear sway bar. Just came in today from a week-long trip (1000 miles) and I really like the convenience of a truck camper. We had a truck camper years ago and then did the 36 foot toy hauler thing when the kids got too big for the truck camper. Empty nesters now and it suits our needs perfectly. It would have been cheaper to get a small Class C but it was time for a new truck anyway.

 

[richtor]

350 7.3 or 6.7

 

[Turnem]

I have a 2020 F350 Tremor XLT with 7.3 gas. Payload is 4012 and I haul a 2020 Northern Lite 8-11. Our wet weight is about 3400 lbs. You should have no problem with 2700 lbs. wet.

I also have a 2020 F350 Tremor Platinum, but 6.7 diesel. Payload is 3383 lbs. and my Northern Lite 8-11 says its 2800 lbs. wet. Question is did you make any suspension modifications to help with rear sag. With the camper loaded the rear drops 3.5". The upper overloads are not yet engaged with loaded camper.

 

[Turnem]

How have you enjoyed the northern lite so far?

I am considering that exact model in the dry bath version.

Any feedback would be awesome.

I have a 2021 Northern Lite 8-11 and its well built, but if I were to do it over I would get the Hallmark 'Ute'. Its possibly even better build quality than the NL and 1000 lbs. lighter and is a pop up so better of off-road and hwy. Hallmarks are very customizable as compared to the NL. Price is almost the same as NL. Wait for a new Hallmark is close to one year.

 

[Loshad]

Did someone say Northern Lite?

On a Sherptek flatbed...

 

[ICT Tremor]

Did someone say Northern Lite?

On a Sherptek flatbed...

View attachment 21107

As a dedicated camping rig that's pretty damn sweet.

As something that can be used as a DD when not camping its LOL.

 

[Yukon Bush Tremor]

I have a 2021 Northern Lite 8-11 and its well built, but if I were to do it over I would get the Hallmark 'Ute'. Its possibly even better build quality than the NL and 1000 lbs. lighter and is a pop up so better of off-road and hwy. Hallmarks are very customizable as compared to the NL. Price is almost the same as NL. Wait for a new Hallmark is close to one year.

I live in the Yukon.

A pop up is of zero interest to me.

I understand their advantages, but I want something hard walled and fully insulated.

 

[mitzer61]

I also have a 2020 F350 Tremor Platinum, but 6.7 diesel. Payload is 3383 lbs. and my Northern Lite 8-11 says its 2800 lbs. wet. Question is did you make any suspension modifications to help with rear sag. With the camper loaded the rear drops 3.5". The upper overloads are not yet engaged with loaded camper.

Yes, I added airbags and Torklift upper stable loads with their 1 1/4 inch extensions initially. These cause the upper overloads to engage much sooner and helps with sag. I added a hellwig rear sway bar before this last trip. With the overloads engaging much sooner, I only need about 5 psi in the left bag and about 25 in the right bag to keep it level front to rear and side to side. The 8-11 is heavier on the right side. See below. Pretty dang pricey and I probably could have made my own.

With all said above, I let my rig squat about 1.5 inches under normal height and use minimal airbag pressure to supplement since I want the suspension to work ... but without the headlights pointed upward into the trees.

It takes about 5-10 minutes to put them on or take off. I remove them when not hauling the camper so there is no affect on unloaded truck.

Part # A7200 for the upper stable loads and A7201 for the extensions.

Truck Camper Suspension Upgrades | StableLoad® | Torklift

Improve towing and hauling stability with Torklift StableLoad® truck suspension upgrades. Reduce sway, sag and porpoising for a safer, more controlled ride.

www.torklift.com