What 3/4 ton SB and TC

[20ibassin]

Hey everyone,

looking at at getting a 3/4 ton truck with a slide in and towing a bassboat (Ranger Z521z, 2016) what mods would be needed to the truck. 2017 Gmc/Chevy 2500, Ram 2500 the truck would be a diesel. Looking at downsizing to a 19' boat that will help with the weight.

TC looking at Lance 825, camplite. Good friend has a camplite 8.6 that would need a long bed but no overhang. Looink for a wet bath ,elec jacks microwave,AC ,awnings ,Tv and some sort of solar panel.

Tc would be unloaded at campgrounds ,what models would not require extra supports.

open to all opinions for this would be all new to me.

Thank you.

[riverc]

Will the F250 have enough payload for the truck camper? At the rv park I stay in most have F350 dual wheels.One guy I know has a Lance with a slide out and a F450 and pulls a Ranger Bassboat.

[Fishysam]

Ram 2500 has an air rear suspension option, not sure how heavy the lance is but the difference between 19' and 21' glass is 3-400#, there is so much motor in my 2016 cummins you never have to worry about that. If necessary get a 3500 with duals.

[20ibassin]

The Lance 825 dry weight is 1832 and the 865 is 2004 per the web site. Not sure on the Camplite ,like to stay away from a long bed but not totally against it. The cirrus has caught my eye also.

[mikeSF]

A few years back I bought a 3500 diesel with the intention of doing what you want to do. One we started looking at slide in campers for the bed of the truck we realized the truck didn't have enough load capacity for the camper we wanted. Recommend you find the camper you want then get the truck to carry it plus pulling your boat. You may soon realize you will need a 350/3500. Good luck!

[spider1]

You really need a dually for that much weight. No motor mods required as all of the big 3 has more HP and Torque then needed for you needs.

[20ibassin]

mikeSF- your right about a 3500 series. Looked a a RAM 3500 payload is 4000lbs, Chevy is up there to,have not looked at a ford had f250 6.7 not to impressed. Thanks for the info.

[Ram2012]

I use my 2012 Ram to tow my boat all the time. I offload the camper when i get to the campsite 90% of the time. My camper is a 2011 Lance 825.I think its a great match to tow with.

[Ram2012]

Here is a picture

[billsnp5]

I had an 825 with a 2500 Ram and 20' Triton Bass boat before I got my current setup. It worked great. All I added was air bags. However I would not get anything heaver than a 825.

[20ibassin]

Ram2012,Sent pm to you.

[rlb8s]

Todd - Mine is a 8.6 (https://www.livinlite.com/products/c...truck-campers/) and it fits my 05 GMC 3500 single wheel perfectly. It is actually a couple hundred pounds less then the Lance I had previously. I really liked the Lance too. My Lance was a 915. Their 850 would be a comparable model.

Make sure which ever truck camper you get you can use it off the truck w/out needing to carry additional supports. There are some that can't be used off the truck w/out supporting the floor with some sort of bracing.

[Marshfly]

I had an 825 with a 2500 Ram and 20' Triton Bass boat before I got my current setup. It worked great. All I added was air bags. However I would not get anything heaver than a 825.

Agreed. I have a 2014 Ram 3500 single rear wheel and ran a Lance 855. I would not have wanted to put it on a stock 2500. I added Torquelift Stable Loads that I could engage my overload springs 100% of the time when I had the camper on. Otherwise I was just barely off of them and would bounce on them on small bumps. I've towed about 4500# with that setup with the entire family aboard and it was absolutely fine.

Just FYI, the 3500 SRW has substantially more payload capacity than the 2500. Mine is right about 3800#. The 2014 2500s equipped the same way were low 2000s. Mine is a 4wd Laramie Crew so about the heaviest version you can get.

[BILL LO]

I run a Ford F-450 with a Host Everest 3 Slide Truck Camper and pull a 2009 Champion Elite 210 , Camper weighs over 4,000 # Empty add about 1,200 # loaded , so need the payload capacity of the F-450

[BalsaBee]

I run a Ford F-450 with a Host Everest 3 Slide Truck Camper and pull a 2009 Champion Elite 210 , Camper weighs over 4,000 # Empty add about 1,200 # loaded , so need the payload capacity of the F-450

I'm looking at buying this exact setup within the next few years. 2017 Ford F-350 or F-450, can't decide on which one. Host Cascade or Mammoth, leaning toward the Cascade. I will be pulling a 1996 Champion 202. How long have you had this setup and what are your thoughts on the F450 and the Host camper?

[BILL LO]

Hi BalsaBee , have run this set up for 4 years , bought both used ,Ford's 2010 , Host a 2011, I wanted the 450 because of the payload , for the total weight of the Everest, Love the Ford had 1 issue 2 years ago in Maryland where the tranny was overheating , stopped at a Ford Dealer and there was a recall on a sensor they fixed it no charge . Sine then 0 issues , handles the weight of the camper and tongue weight on the boat no problems . I will tell you mileage is not great 11.5 to 12 empty , 10 to 11 when towing or with the camper loaded . But I didn't buy it for mileage I just feel safer with a truck that when set up is not overloaded on the GVW. The Host is awesome 3 slides , feels like a tiny house lol, we did have an issue with the flooring on the dinette slide the rollers were digging into the flooring , we had it rebuilt , if you get a camper with slide(s) invest in the slider jacks to help take the weight off when slides are extended they run around $ 79 to $ 89 per 2 , well worth the money ,the Host quality is excellent , very roomy we just sold our house and plan on staying in the Host for the next 6-9 months .
If you buy the Cascade (base weight 3,400 # )350 will work , If you go with the Mammoth (top of the line base weigth 4,000#) I'd go with the 450 or get the 350 beefed up to 14,500 GVW .Also with either camper and extended hitch you will be over 50 feet long with camper and boat hooked up .
Was a little scary 1st couple times out , but with the big truck capabilities its a breeze now

Sorry for the long post PM me if you want more info

[BalsaBee]

Bill,
I really appreciate all the great information! I can retire in a few years and we are going to sell our house and buy a condo in Estes Park Colorado. Stay out there through the hot months and then travel and fish all over the country the rest of the time. I've done a lot of research on truck campers and have decided on the Host. Just can't make up my mind between the F350 or 450. Good to hear from someone that's doing the same and a Champion brother to boot! I may have several more questions in the future. Thanks!!

[Marshfly]

Bill,
I really appreciate all the great information! I can retire in a few years and we are going to sell our house and buy a condo in Estes Park Colorado. Stay out there through the hot months and then travel and fish all over the country the rest of the time. I've done a lot of research on truck campers and have decided on the Host. Just can't make up my mind between the F350 or 450. Good to hear from someone that's doing the same and a Champion brother to boot! I may have several more questions in the future. Thanks!!

Just remember, 350/3500s have come up significantly in payload since Boll Lo's 2010. You will probably only need a one ton dually. It's pretty easy to find one that will carry well over 6000 pounds today.

[BalsaBee]

It's pretty easy to find one that will carry well over 6000 pounds today.

I've heard that. One of the main advantages of the 450 is the widetrac front end with a much shorter turning radius. Not sure I need the 4.30 gears vs the 3.73 gears in the F350. 10-14 mpg in an F450 and I have no idea if the F350 would do any better on mpg or not.

[Marshfly]

I've heard that. One of the main advantages of the 450 is the widetrac front end with a much shorter turning radius. Not sure I need the 4.30 gears vs the 3.73 gears in the F350. 10-14 mpg in an F450 and I have no idea if the F350 would do any better on mpg or not.

The shorter turning radius is nice, however I wouldn't make a decision based on that alone.

You don't need lower gears than the 3.73. You have to remember, the total weight is still in half ton territory even with the boat even though the payload is high. You're looking at less than 10,000#. My Ram has 3.23 gearing (all Ram HD diesel SRWs do.) and it is fine. Also, You will get 10.5-12 on the highway no matter what with a diesel. The air resistance of the height of the camper is what does it. I noticed negligible difference in mileage with or without a trailer with the camper on. The biggest difference was whether or not I was traveling backroads at 55-60mph or interstate at 70-75.