Tremor Payload??

Thank you for your thoughts. I've been trying to avoid a DRW as I'm concerned with drivability (off-roading/overlanding and getting rocks and mud stuck btw the wheels/tires). Your points are very valid and is alarming to me... :unsure:
Where are you taking a 4000 pound wet camper off-road that a dually wouldn't go? That's my first reaction lol.

A SRW truck with that large of a camper is still going to be a lumbering giant on anything ungraded. Also don't know the width of the camper you're looking at, but consider that the camper may be as wide as a DRW anyways.

Can't speak to the mud and rocks between the rear tires, as I've never owned a dually, but there's lots of dually's running around ranches, farms, oil fields and such, so presumably it's not too big of an issue?
 
Where are you taking a 4000 pound wet camper off-road that a dually wouldn't go? That's my first reaction lol.

A SRW truck with that large of a camper is still going to be a lumbering giant on anything ungraded. Also don't know the width of the camper you're looking at, but consider that the camper may be as wide as a DRW anyways.

Can't speak to the mud and rocks between the rear tires, as I've never owned a dually, but there's lots of dually's running around ranches, farms, oil fields and such, so presumably it's not too big of an issue?
Looks like I need to go test drive a dually. I'm intimidated by it. I have a Ram 1500. So, I'm concerned about a DRW's drivability. Any idea if a DRW is more difficult to maneuver? I want to take the F350 to Alaska (yes, driving from California). It's my big bucket list to-do. No idea how a DRW will handle the trip...
 
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Is said 4000 pound camper already purchased or just planned? If the latter, maybe a better course of action would be to re-evaluate the choice of camper to better suit the desired truck? Or perhaps even re-evaluate a camper period and look at an overlanding trailer if you really need that much space/amenities.
 
Looks like I need to go test drive a dually. I'm intimidated by it. I have a Ram 1500. So, I'm concerned about a DRW's drivability. Any idea if a DRW is more difficult to maneuver? I want to take the F350 to Alaska (yes, driving from California). It's my big bucket list to-do. No idea how a DRW will handle the trip...
An F450 dually would be the way to go if you are set on this camper. The price isn't that ridiculous compared to an F350 dually if you compare diesel to diesel (no gasser in a 450) but you get an improved turning radius. Once you go dually you're into a long bed too even in a 350 so turning radius will suffer. I have a buddy that is moving from a srw 7.3 350 long bed crew cab to a dually 450 6.7 long bed crew cab for this reason plus he wants the diesel performance.
 
Is said 4000 pound camper already purchased or just planned? If the latter, maybe a better course of action would be to re-evaluate the choice of camper to better suit the desired truck? Or perhaps even re-evaluate a camper period and look at an overlanding trailer if you really need that much space/amenities.
No yet purchased. It's the only truck camper in the market I like - https://nucamprv.com/cirrus-820/. I'm pretty committed to the camper. I have been looking at it for 2 years now. There's another truck camper that's lighter, 4 Wheel Campers, but they have an extremely long lead time. I figure owning a camper is a journey. I may change my mind later, but I don't want to change my truck and would like to keep it a while if I can help it. Therefore, my backup plan is order the 4 Wheel truck camper now the road if needed.
 
An F450 dually would be the way to go if you are set on this camper. The price isn't that ridiculous compared to an F350 dually if you compare diesel to diesel (no gasser in a 450) but you get an improved turning radius. Once you go dually you're into a long bed too even in a 350 so turning radius will suffer. I have a buddy that is moving from a srw 7.3 350 long bed crew cab to a dually 450 6.7 long bed crew cab for this reason plus he wants the diesel performance.
Nice! I heard the insurance is more expensive or harder to get since it's a commercial vehicle? I'm open to a F450 and have heard about the improved turning radius.
 
You might actually be ok with that. It doesn't seem to be as heavy as we've all been discussing:

Code:
Gross Weight (Dry)
      
2,830 lbs
    
Gross Weight (Wet)
      
3,251 lbs

You're going to have to be careful on what other stuff you are loading in the truck, but properly equipped I think a 7.3L 350 would do ok. (Properly equipped means the camper package and adding sway bars, and probably some other things that I'm forgetting). Maybe even a non-tremor FX4 that is relatively stripped down (with some tire and perhaps suspension upgrades to restore off-road chops?) to minimize the curb weight of the truck. Going that route would also give you some flexibility on the cab type and bed length. I think someone already mentioned something along these lines..just bringing it back up.
 
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Nice! I heard the insurance is more expensive or harder to get since it's a commercial vehicle? I'm open to a F450 and have heard about the improved turning radius.
F-450 would be a great option, as long as you don't have to drive it everyday!

FYI - my 2022 F-350 Tremor has payload capacity of 3,127 - my truck is loaded with most all options and it really takes away from your payload rating. No more than a smaller camper and/or a light pin 5th wheel for SRW Tremors!

Load Sticker (2).webp
 
F350 SRW 7.3 short bed will be 4000+ payload... Diesel will be in the 3200-3400 range.

That camper wont "fit" in a long bed truck technically.

So a 2830 dry weight... Everybody has said add 1k to the dry weight for your on the road weight(food, water, clothes, generator, etc...), so 3830 give or take...

You can make it work in a F350 with 7.3.
 
No yet purchased. It's the only truck camper in the market I like - https://nucamprv.com/cirrus-820/. I'm pretty committed to the camper. I have been looking at it for 2 years now. There's another truck camper that's lighter, 4 Wheel Campers, but they have an extremely long lead time. I figure owning a camper is a journey. I may change my mind later, but I don't want to change my truck and would like to keep it a while if I can help it. Therefore, my backup plan is order the 4 Wheel truck camper now the road if needed.
FYI- My 2020 F-350 Tremor with 6.7 diesel has a payload rating of 3383 lbs. I carry a 2021 Northern Lite 8-11 (designed for short bed trucks) with no concerns other than as mentioned sheer size. The camper's dry weight is 2800 lbs. I easily add 1000 lbs. extra weight. I am considering selling and going to a smaller pop-up style camper. In my opinion Four Wheel Campers are overrated. Check out Camp X. Much higher quality and better components. Dry weight is about 1200 lbs. The tradeoff is losing many of the amenities of the NL with the pop-ups. The plus for me is I will leave the camper on full time and get more use from the truck. Last comment, if going with the full-sized camper get the 6.7 diesel. I just traveled 700 miles over mountain passes and got 15mpg going 70mph. The 7.3 will get closer to 10mpg. Plus, the advantage of a camper is you can still tow, and the extra torque is awesome to have.
 
You might actually be ok with that. It doesn't seem to be as heavy as we've all been discussing:

Code:
Gross Weight (Dry)
     
2,830 lbs
   
Gross Weight (Wet)
     
3,251 lbs

You're going to have to be careful on what other stuff you are loading in the truck, but properly equipped I think a 7.3L 350 would do ok. (Properly equipped means the camper package and adding sway bars, and probably some other things that I'm forgetting). Maybe even a non-tremor FX4 that is relatively stripped down (with some tire and perhaps suspension upgrades to restore off-road chops?) to minimize the curb weight of the truck. Going that route would also give you some flexibility on the cab type and bed length. I think someone already mentioned something along these lines..just bringing it back up.
Interesting… I definitely have considered the camper package, adding sway bars, Torklift, Carli suspension kit, f-rated tires etc. So, no Platinum, but maybe a Lariat instead?
 
F-450 would be a great option, as long as you don't have to drive it everyday!

FYI - my 2022 F-350 Tremor has payload capacity of 3,127 - my truck is loaded with most all options and it really takes away from your payload rating. No more than a smaller camper and/or a light pin 5th wheel for SRW Tremors!

View attachment 43147
My truck will only be used for truck camping and leisure travel. It’s too bad. I love the F350 Tremor design. It’s a winner.
 
F350 SRW 7.3 short bed will be 4000+ payload... Diesel will be in the 3200-3400 range.

That camper wont "fit" in a long bed truck technically.

So a 2830 dry weight... Everybody has said add 1k to the dry weight for your on the road weight(food, water, clothes, generator, etc...), so 3830 give or take...

You can make it work in a F350 with 7.3.
That’s great! I’ve been focused on the 6.7L Power Stroke. Never owned a Diesel engine before. But considering the extra payload (Wow!) with the 7.3, I need to rethink my choices.
 
FYI- My 2020 F-350 Tremor with 6.7 diesel has a payload rating of 3383 lbs. I carry a 2021 Northern Lite 8-11 (designed for short bed trucks) with no concerns other than as mentioned sheer size. The camper's dry weight is 2800 lbs. I easily add 1000 lbs. extra weight. I am considering selling and going to a smaller pop-up style camper. In my opinion Four Wheel Campers are overrated. Check out Camp X. Much higher quality and better components. Dry weight is about 1200 lbs. The tradeoff is losing many of the amenities of the NL with the pop-ups. The plus for me is I will leave the camper on full time and get more use from the truck. Last comment, if going with the full-sized camper get the 6.7 diesel. I just traveled 700 miles over mountain passes and got 15mpg going 70mph. The 7.3 will get closer to 10mpg. Plus, the advantage of a camper is you can still tow, and the extra torque is awesome to have.
Thanks for the recommendation. That’s part of the reason why I’m looking at a 6.7L. I heard good reviews on the mpg. You mentioned your current camper is too big. Can your F-350 handle the weight safely or does it struggle? Did you do any mods to the suspension? My use case is different. The truck will be used only for truck camping and maybe occasional lumber yard visits.
 
Interesting… I definitely have considered the camper package, adding sway bars, Torklift, Carli suspension kit, f-rated tires etc. So, no Platinum, but maybe a Lariat instead?
Yeah if you're going Tremor I'd say Lariat and skip any options that don't directly relate to the performance of the truck if possible. One example...don't get the glass roof (it's heavy!). Another is the 5th wheel/gooseneck prep package. That adds some weight and if you're not going to pull a 5th wheel or gooseneck trailer...definitely something you can skip. I'm sure the folks here can come up with a much better list that you could go by for weight optimization.
 
Yeah if you're going Tremor I'd say Lariat and skip any options that don't directly relate to the performance of the truck if possible. One example...don't get the glass roof (it's heavy!).
The payload on my 350 7.3 Lariat Tremor is 3757 lbs. I have two very heavy options. One is the dual battery with the dual alternators and the other is the fifth wheel prep package. Without those I'm sure I'd be close to 3900 lbs. I know that back when they were still building the XLT's with the Tremor package that some of those guy's payload clocked in at over 4k. Maybe you could look for a used 2020 or 2021 used XLT with the Tremor package.
 
Before internet knowledge people just used what they had. By no-means condoning overloading or being negligent but these campers don't weigh less than half of modern campers and alumniduties are more than twice the truck capability wise than the trucks here.
Screenshot_20220104-223003_Chrome.webp
 
@MJLonghors, I think the guys on here have given you a great deal of sound advice and important information to consider. I get the impression you haven't truck camped much in the past, just my impression from your comments. I have a couple suggestions.

One is to do some practice camping with a truck camper before you make your purchase. Even a large truck camper can be challenging for a novice to properly equip for an extended stay in the camper, like an Alaskan excursion. You are going to be pushing every limitation with the setup you are describing and one thing seasoned RVers will tell you is that it takes a considerable amount of experience to know what you need to take along for a long trip, but more importantly what you don't need to take along. Universally most novices take way too much gear and struggle with overloading their RVs.

Secondly I think you need to change your approach to one of minimizing the size/weight of your camper for the sake of improving your driving experience to and through Alaska. Your original plan of getting a Tremor is pretty sound as the Tremor is designed and equipped to handle the harshness of the journey you are planning. Not that a 450 won't do a fine job, but unimproved roads are far more suited to the Tremor than a standard 450. The Tremor will take you to a wider range of destinations than the 450 will, as long as you don't overload the Tremor.

Keep in mind you are going to push every system in your truck to the extreme in this journey. You don't want to be driving a rig that is maxed out in extreme remote areas with little experience. Underloading and having extra capacities in all areas would be a better way to go. There are numerous campers on the market that will give you plenty of room at a considerable weight savings if you look around, and you'd be surprised how much less camper you can comfortably live with once you get a little experience.

To put it in a nut shell, you are going to experience break downs and difficulties on this trip no matter what. The more you max out your truck and push its limitations the more likely your trip will be an "extreme" adventure. If it were me I would design my rig so that when I pull out from my home, the truck has ample extra capacity in every way to handle anything Alaska can throw at me, including extra gear for breakdowns. FYI tires will take a real beating in Alaska, and help isn't always available.

Not trying to discourage, just trying to help a fellow enthusiast to strike out with eyes wide open. Good luck!! 🍻 🇺🇸
 
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No yet purchased. It's the only truck camper in the market I like - https://nucamprv.com/cirrus-820/. I'm pretty committed to the camper. I have been looking at it for 2 years now. There's another truck camper that's lighter, 4 Wheel Campers, but they have an extremely long lead time. I figure owning a camper is a journey. I may change my mind later, but I don't want to change my truck and would like to keep it a while if I can help it. Therefore, my backup plan is order the 4 Wheel truck camper now the road if needed.
I looked hard at the 820 and Northern Lite 8-11. Ultimately, I went with 8-11 (dry weight of 2750) because I think NL does better at giving an accurate dry weight, as built. I think the Cirrus 820 is a just a bit heavier than published (not a fact but just my thought). Another member on this forum (Uncas) had a 820 on a F350 Tremor and his loaded GVWR was around 12000-12200 lbs. (see post link below)


I run our 8-11 on a 2020 F350 Tremor XLT (7.3) with 4012 lbs of cargo load capacity. Realize that most (if not all) truck camper weight in on the rear axle. My RAWR is 6950 and a GVWR of 11300. I am always right at those limits but the truck handles it fine. I run upper stableloads and airbags (5 psi in left and 20 psi in the right side bag since that side is heavier). The real limiting factors are tires/wheels. Done the Alaska drive twice in the summer ... not bad at all on the ALCAN. Get the Milepost and you will be fine.
 
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@MJLonghors here is a good comparison I downloaded from somewhere (maybe earlier in this same thread?) months and months ago. Apologize to the member who compiled this - I don't recall or I would give you credit. It is a good point in time summary of members payload from their door stickers to give you an idea of what you can expect:

 
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