2500HD CC SB and camper weight front to rear

[DMAX/KTM]

Hi folks,

I recently purchased a Lance 820 camper for my truck. Many many people have told me that about 20/30% of the camper weight ends up on the front axle and about 70/80% ends up on the rear axle. I have not been able to weigh the rig with the camper yet so I cannot verify this. However, when the camper was first loaded on my truck for the ride home I noticed that the front suspension didn't go down at all like I thought it would. It seems to me near 100% of the camper weight is on the rear axle. If this is so, it will exceed the stock Firestone AT E rated tires capacity of 3042 LBS by about 200 LBS each. I plan to have the rig weighed soon but wonder if any of you have a SIMILAR set up (Short bed crew or ext cab) and have weighed your truck's axles before and after camper installed and how much did your front and rear axle come out to? I was always planning to upgrade to higher rated tires (265/75x16 E rating) once my stock ones wear out but I was assuming the 20/80 split which kept me under the rear axle tire capacities. Looks like I may have to do it sooner.

Thanks for all the imput

[56Nomad]

DMAX/KTM,

I would suggest that you do a search in 2500HD/3500 HD Trucks & Drivetrain using "camper"

You will probably find the answer to your question
in some of the prior postings.

[Colorado Kid]

I think your 20/80 rule was about right for standard cab long bed trucks, but just looking at where it would be relative to the wheels it seems like the center of gravity of the camper would have to be right at the front of the bed to get 20% on the front wheels on my CC SB. I suspect that when you figure it out its going to be more like 5/95 or maybe 10/90 if the weight is far forward in the camper. I know that hitching my 5th wheel causes no detectible difference in the front end load, which is as I would expect given that the center of the hitch plate pivot is about 1" forward of the rear axle centerline, and 1"/153" = 0.6% on the front axel and 99.4% on the rear. To put 20% on the front axle of a CC SB the CG of the camper would have to be 30.6" ahead of the axle, and I just can't see that being the case.

Long story short...you probably ought to get those bigger shoes sooner rather than later.

[ 06-12-2002: Message edited by: Colorado Kid ]</p>

[Jackmchome]

It doesnt answer your question, but, I have a Lance 10'8" cabover on a reg cab long bed. Actual weight (on a scale) of 3600lbs. When on the truck only 200lbs go on the front axle. As with you, I am within 200lbs of the tire capbility. I have been told you can carry up to 90lbs cold on a tire that starts with "LT". I do take them up to about 86 when the camper is on the truck. Hope this helps.

[ALLIMAX]

You need to find out the ply rating of your tire before you start adding that much air pressure. A LT tire could be anywhere from a 6 ply rating up to a 14 ply rating. Maximum pressure will be anywhere from 50 psi up to 120psi. The side of your tire will tell you what the max air pressure is for running single or as a dually. Your 86psi could cause a lot of damage if the tire is not rated for that much air. MOst campers are designed so that the fresh water tanks are towards the front of the camper to help locate as much of the weight as far forward as possible. Also you should have a arrow on the side of the camper that tells you where the balance point of the camper is. This arrow should end up forward of the rear axle a litte ways. I have a similar setup and have not had a problem with it at all.

[jeffbentleyreich]

I have an 02 ext cab with a Lance 821 which I have weighed w/ and w/o the camper. The front axle weight did not change at all (water tanks were full). I plan to remove the rubber bumpers in front of the Lance to see if moving everything 1" forward will make a difference.

[Jackmchome]

Allimax, Thanks for the heads up. I have the factory LT245/75R16's, E rated at 3042lbs@80lbs of air. I thought this would be a given in my reply. However, I should have included the info.
Also, my weight is full of water and food stuffs.

[DMAX/KTM]

Thanks for the info guys, I never thought of comparing center of gravity of the camper in relation the the wheelbase. I think CG for the Lance 820 is about 4-5" in front of the rear axle which would mean my assumptions are correct and about 95% plus of camper is on the rear. Found weigh station so I will be weighing it this week-end. I have heard the rumor of inflating tires up to 90 PSI cold. I think that is not a good idea, as tire warms up, pressure will go up and blow-out possible? I did talk to tire dealer, he never heard of the "LT" tire being able to exceed the 80 PSI.

Allimax, what camper set up do you have?

[ 06-13-2002: Message edited by: DMAX/KTM ]</p>

[Jackmchome]

DMAX/KTM

The 90psi has been stated several times by the Tech column in Trailer Life magazine. A Good Sam publication. Never a disenting comment made.

Jack

[DMAX/KTM]

Jackmchrome,

If you have a chance, could you put a link or whatever to the tech article your talking about. I would love to read it. I read everything I can get my hands on which I think helps make informed decisions. I appeciate all comments as I am new to this stuff and have learned a lot, keep em coming.

P.S. Are you sure your truck only weighs only 3600 Lbs? That is 3000 Lbs LESS than mine when it is empty

[ 06-14-2002: Message edited by: DMAX/KTM ]</p>

[Lawnboy]

Try switching to 265 - 75-16 Michelin LTX M/S. They have a single MAX LOAD RATING of 3415 @ 80psi COLD. They ride great, and have EXCELLENT highway manners and are quite decent in the snow. I dont go muddin' so I cant comment on the "M" part!

They're not cheap tires, but your life and your familys life is on the line here!

[ALLIMAX]

Dmax/KTM, I have a Arctic FOX 860 with a full side slide out. I also am using the Michelin 265/75R16 10 ply rated Ltx tires and they do a great job on the hiway.

[Jackmchome]

DMAX/KTM

My camper, by itself, weighs 3600lbs.

Jack

[DMAX/KTM]

Had the truck and camper weighed (finally) no water but with most of the gear needed, food and kids/dog As I suspected, about 97% of the camper weight is on the rear axle. Ended up at 6240 Lbs on the rear, about 80 Lbs over each tires rating. Thanks for the info on the Michielin tires, I like the Goodyears, have more "bite" to them. Jackchrome, I guess I misunderstood your post, I thought you meant your TRUCK weighed 3600 Lbs. I thought my camper was heavy, (2850 Lbs dry) Will be getting the tires (Goodyear, load range E 3415 Lbs per tire) and 16 x 8 wheels rated the same. tommorrow. Should give me plenty of safety margin. On that note, on our trip this week-end, ran over a board with a big nail in it on the freeway, popped the rear tire! For those of you looking at buying your first camper, get the electric jack option if available. I just losened the happyjacs on that side, used the wireless remote on the passenger side jacks, this kept things nice and stable, lifted the camper and at the same time raised the axle with the jack, put the spare on and was back on the road in less that an hour. Out of curiosity, I checked my tire pressure while at the side of the road with hot tires. I filled them early in the morning cold at 80 PSI, they were at 96 PSI! I suspect if I filled them to 90 PSI cold, they would have been about 106 PSI plus!

[ALLIMAX]

As I said in an earlier post an LT designated tire is only rated at 75% of its capacity by government law. You still have a 25% safety margin built in that way. You did the right thing by checking on the load rating of your new wheels. MOst of the time the tires are rated for alot more weight than the custom wheels most people put on from the aftermarket. I use FOrged wheels from either WELD or Centerline because of the higher ratings on the wheels.

[jphauler]

I run a Fleetwood Angler (model 8c)with ext.cabover ,camper wt full is 2640.With ext. cabover my center of gravity is farther forward than GM wants,but ihave scaled it many times and I am at or under reccomended gross axle weights.01 2500HD cc/da shortbed.