Truck and camper weights

[Phil314]

Just got done weighing the truck and camper. Very interesting results.

Truck:
I expected the truck to weigh around 7460 lbs. Or basically 11,300 GVWR - 3840 payload = 7460.
Trucks actual weight was 7520. Front is 4260 & rear was 3260. I actually though it would be heavier.
But it makes perfect sense, since I've added a few things.

Truck plus NL 8-11:
Camper is listed as 2800 lbs dry.
Camper actual weight was 3360 lbs - WTF???
Camper was essentially empty, I just bought it.
It did have some winterizing antifreeze in the lines and some in the tanks.
But nothing that explains it weighing about 500 lbs more than it should.

Conclusion:
1. The extra weight of the camper only leaves me 500 lbs capacity instead of the 1000 lbs I was expecting.
2. Front axle got 240 lbs lighter with the camper. Went 4260 down to 4020.
3. Rear axle is almost at maxed out 6860 with the camper. Rear GAWR is 6950. Only 90 lbs payload left.
4. Most people with truck campers are probably over GVWR.

Raw numbers for people like me who geek out on that stuff.

 

[Turnem]

Just got done weighing the truck and camper. Very interesting results.

Truck:
I expected the truck to weigh around 7460 lbs. Or basically 11,300 GVWR - 3840 payload = 7460.
Trucks actual weight was 7520. Front is 4260 & rear was 3260. I actually though it would be heavier.
But it makes perfect sense, since I've added a few things.

Truck plus NL 8-11:
Camper is listed as 2800 lbs dry.
Camper actual weight was 3360 lbs - WTF???
Camper was essentially empty, I just bought it.
It did have some winterizing antifreeze in the lines and some in the tanks.
But nothing that explains it weighing about 500 lbs more than it should.

Conclusion:
1. The extra weight of the camper only leaves me 500 lbs capacity instead of the 1000 lbs I was expecting.
2. Front axle got 240 lbs lighter with the camper. Went 4260 down to 4020.
3. Rear axle is almost at maxed out 6860 with the camper. Rear GAWR is 6950. Only 90 lbs payload left.
4. Most people with truck campers are probably over GVWR.

Raw numbers for people like me who geek out on that stuff.
View attachment 206390View attachment 206391

Just got done weighing the truck and camper. Very interesting results.

Truck:
I expected the truck to weigh around 7460 lbs. Or basically 11,300 GVWR - 3840 payload = 7460.
Trucks actual weight was 7520. Front is 4260 & rear was 3260. I actually though it would be heavier.
But it makes perfect sense, since I've added a few things.

Truck plus NL 8-11:
Camper is listed as 2800 lbs dry.
Camper actual weight was 3360 lbs - WTF???
Camper was essentially empty, I just bought it.
It did have some winterizing antifreeze in the lines and some in the tanks.
But nothing that explains it weighing about 500 lbs more than it should.

Conclusion:
1. The extra weight of the camper only leaves me 500 lbs capacity instead of the 1000 lbs I was expecting.
2. Front axle got 240 lbs lighter with the camper. Went 4260 down to 4020.
3. Rear axle is almost at maxed out 6860 with the camper. Rear GAWR is 6950. Only 90 lbs payload left.
4. Most people with truck campers are probably over GVWR.

Raw numbers for people like me who geek out on that stuff.
View attachment 206390View attachment 206391

This doesn’t surprise me that the scale weight is 500 lbs heavier than the 2800 dry weight. I also have a NL 8-11. NL weighs their campers as they leave the plant. The posted weight is with no batteries, propane, water or supplies. Keep in mind that even the platform you use under the camper can weigh 100 + lbs. My Tremor Payload is 3383lbs. I figure I’m at least 500-1000lbs over payload rating. The only suspension modifications I’ve done are upper and lower Stableloads. Truck sits nicely with 1” of rake in the rear. This is my 4th year with this setup and no issues.

 

[HeavyAssault]

2. Front axle got 240 lbs lighter with the camper. Went 4260 down to 4020.
3. Rear axle is almost at maxed out 6860 with the camper. Rear GAWR is 6950. Only 90 lbs payload left.

#2 ) That happens with the see-saw has more weight on one end than the other. The more weight on the back axle "lifts" the front axle.

Truck plus NL 8-11:

Is that the specific model number?? There's a few different ones.

 

[Wrathchild]

Yup, welcome to truck campers. It’s great that would actually weighed your rig and are aware now. Most people don’t.

Just being aware of it and adjusting your driving accordingly puts you ahead of most.

 

[Fouts]

It is interesting, as many 3/4 ton trucks out there with campers you have to wonder what percentage of them is overweight. Seems odd, to get most of the decent campers out there you would need a dually. I think these trucks would be better suited to the overland stuff.

 

[TRAMPER]

Agreed. Weighing your camper and knowing your safety factors is essential. Having an account with CAT on your phone is super handy and affordable.

My GVWR is 11,499lbs. And my F&R distribution is close to 50/50. I ordered my truck specifically for a truck camper and got as much legal payload as I could.

 

[RedZilla]

You could add a front hitch receiver and hang bicycles on the front and likely reduce rear axil load a few pounds.

 

[Phil314]

It is interesting, as many 3/4 ton trucks out there with campers you have to wonder what percentage of them is overweight. Seems odd, to get most of the decent campers out there you would need a dually. I think these trucks would be better suited to the overland stuff.

Yeah, unless it's a very light weight popup, you'd be overweight on a 3/4.
Even with a 1 ton and a good payload, it seems like a medium size camper can put you right at the limit.

Yes a dually would be idea. I even had a dually, but sold it because it sucked off road (mud/sand) and I want to go off grid.
It also had very limited tire sizes choices.

 

[Phil314]

#2 ) That happens with the see-saw has more weight on one end than the other. The more weight on the back axle "lifts" the front axle.



Is that the specific model number?? There's a few different ones.

It's a northern lite 8-11 EX limited edition.

 

[Phil314]

Turnem said:
This doesn’t surprise me that the scale weight is 500 lbs heavier than the 2800 dry weight. I also have a NL 8-11. NL weighs their campers as they leave the plant. The posted weight is with no batteries, propane, water or supplies. Keep in mind that even the platform you use under the camper can weigh 100 + lbs. My Tremor Payload is 3383lbs. I figure I’m at least 500-1000lbs over payload rating. The only suspension modifications I’ve done are upper and lower Stableloads. Truck sits nicely with 1” of rake in the rear. This is my 4th year with this setup and no issues.

Yeah, I had not considered the batteries. That's probably a bit part of it. Good reason to look at some lithium ones.
I've only got lower spring wedges, nothing for the uppers. I'm sitting about .5" sag in the rear.
May need to look into something like the upper stableloads.

 

[Phil314]

View attachment 206401

Agreed. Weighing your camper and knowing your safety factors is essential. Having an account with CAT on your phone is super handy and affordable.

That is a really light weight camper.
How is the popup? I consider those at first but decided against it in the end.

 

[HeavyAssault]

It's a northern lite 8-11 EX limited edition.

Not that it helps your numbers, Dry Bath or Wet Bath show approximately 3050lbs by the manufacturer's page.

 

[Phillbo]

Dry weight is just a marketing tool.... each unit is going to have a different dry weight.....

 

[TRAMPER]

Just got done weighing the truck and camper. Very interesting results.

Truck:
I expected the truck to weigh around 7460 lbs. Or basically 11,300 GVWR - 3840 payload = 7460.
Trucks actual weight was 7520. Front is 4260 & rear was 3260. I actually though it would be heavier.
But it makes perfect sense, since I've added a few things.

Truck plus NL 8-11:
Camper is listed as 2800 lbs dry.
Camper actual weight was 3360 lbs - WTF???
Camper was essentially empty, I just bought it.
It did have some winterizing antifreeze in the lines and some in the tanks.
But nothing that explains it weighing about 500 lbs more than it should.

Conclusion:
1. The extra weight of the camper only leaves me 500 lbs capacity instead of the 1000 lbs I was expecting.
2. Front axle got 240 lbs lighter with the camper. Went 4260 down to 4020.
3. Rear axle is almost at maxed out 6860 with the camper. Rear GAWR is 6950. Only 90 lbs payload left.
4. Most people with truck campers are probably over GVWR.

Raw numbers for people like me who geek out on that stuff.
View attachment 206390View attachment 206391

Camper manufacturers greatly underestimate weight on campers for this reason. The salesman is happy to tell you the camper is fine for your truck so long as you make the purchase.

My camper came with a weight plate and each one is different. Mine was 1619lbs dry.

Anyway. There is no way to change the GVWR or Axle rating of a vehicle. Proceed at your own risk or tell the camper company they owe you a camper at the listed weight….

Either way stay safe!!

 

[TRAMPER]

That is a really light weight camper.
How is the popup? I consider those at first but decided against it in the end.

I think it’s amazing. Camper top goes up or down in less than 10 seconds. Gives me great clearance off road and improved gas mileage on the highway. Camper also has the ability to sleep with the top down which is great for stealth, high winds or occasional grizzly country with “hard side” requirements.

 

[Modman]

Camper is listed as 2800 lbs dry.
Camper actual weight was 3360 lbs - WTF???

So no batteries, propane, etc? All of those add to the dry weight, although it still wouldn't explain 500lbs.

 

[HeavyAssault]

Proceed at your own risk or tell the camper company they owe you a camper at the listed weight….

Over 250lbs that the buyer didn't recognize as to the exact model he ordered?? Not to mention the legal backdoor...

Not trying to beat up on the OP but sometimes target fixation and mission success leads to missing the details. It happens.

Honestly you "could" find some pull off DRW F350 rear springs and be just fine. That way you would have a bit more "spring" under you. Yea....it doesn't change the door sticker...but at least you have a better carrying capacity. It just might transfer a little more weight to the front axle at the same time. By the OEM specs rear SRW F350 (hence Tremor) springs aren't that far off DRW F350 springs.
Now when you pull off the camper....how does it ride?? Ummmmmm....what are you willing to live with in the end?? Less carrying capacity with the camper "on", or ride quality when not.
It's your call.

 

[HeavyAssault]

So no batteries, propane, etc? All of those add to the dry weight, although it still wouldn't explain 500lbs.

See the specs I posted. His quoted model is different than what he calculated for.

 

[Phil314]

Not that it helps your numbers, Dry Bath or Wet Bath show approximately 3050lbs by the manufacturer's page.

I should have said it's a 2020 wetbath, so not a new camper. 2020 were lighter than the 2025.
Anyway, here are the stickers. It's just not complete clear what is included in the "as built" weight.
At this point, I'm guessing nothing.
I expected it to be a little heavier. Just not 500 lbs.

In the end, I wanted a NL 8-11 and that is just what they weigh.
At least I know what I'm dealing with and can adjust as need.
I think that puts me ahead of most.
Previous owner had this on a 2500.

 

[Bluzharp]

Look up the center of gravity for your camper. It is measured from the front wall. My Palomino SS1251 is considerably smaller and lighter than yours and the CG is 37". It is barely in front of the rear axle when loaded. Barely is good enough, behind isn't. You should not lose weight on the front axle with the camper loaded. These short wheelbase trucks can't take just any old camper.
Edit: the CG should be marked on the camper at 39.5". Due to the front wall of the truck bed, you are behind the axle which is 39" from the bottom of the wall not counting the 2" or so that is at the top.