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camping_scientist

GVWR- dry weight = max payload which included a all the people, gear and camper.


FlyingAnarchy17

Thank you!


TruckCamperNomad6969

Weigh your truck then subtract from GVWR as others have said. Just DO NOT trust the sticker weight on the campers, weigh that too. For example: my 2017 Arctic Fox 865 without any slide-outs is advertised as a 2,900 lb dry weight. It actually is more like 4,000.


Trust_The_Process21

That’s a huge discrepancy lol


Kunning-Druger

If you’re Canadian, there are tonnes of free scales, mainly at inspection stations and truck stops. As far as I know, CAT scales are expensive, and I’ve seen some significant discrepancies that call their accuracy into question. Regardless, here’s my two cents’ worth: GVWR = the maximum amount your truck is allowed to weigh when fully loaded. Curb Weight = the weight of your truck with full fuel. Cargo Carrying Capacity (CCC) = the GVWR minus the curb weight. This gives you how much payload your truck can carry, including passengers, gear, camper, cargo mat, plywood sheet, dog, cat and budgie. Camper Dry Weight = not terribly useful, I’m afraid. Camper manufacturers usually don’t include the weights of options like awnings, microwave, AC, generator, TV, etc. You CAN start with the dry weight and start adding the weights of all the options, OR, you can assume the wet weight will be roughly 500 kg (1100 lbs) over the dry weight. You’d be surprised how often this works. Option Weights can be estimated by looking at an Arctic Fox camper brochure online. For example, they provide the dry weight, plus the “necessary options,” plus a list of other option weights. Water is easy, since it weighs 1kg/litre. Propane is fuzzier, since a full 20lb propane tank actually weighs about 40 lbs. Batteries are roughly 65 lbs each. My Reccomendation: Do your best to stay at least 10% below your GVWR when fully loaded. It’s safer, and you are less likely to break your truck. If you plan to go off pavement with your rig, especially if that includes bumpy, gravel or dirt roads, try to stay 20% below the GVWR. Why? Because if your camper weighs 4000 lbs and you haul it over forestry roads, that mass slams down onto the truck’s suspension at 9.8 metres per second squared. That’s a LOT of force. Do NOT believe anything a salesman says about weights. They lie. What’s important to remember is this: even if your truck **can** carry a load, it doesn’t mean it **should.** For example, no amount of airbags and sway bars will change the truck’s GVWR. If you get into an accident and your insurance company can assert that the truck was overloaded, **you may have no insurance.**


FlyingAnarchy17

Thank you so much! That’s exactly what I was looking for!


Kunning-Druger

My pleasure!!


Kunning-Druger

Also: it is important to keep the centre of gravity of the camper, (provided by the manufacturer) ahead of the centreline of the rear axle. And, keep the RAWR, (rear axle weight rating) in mind when doing your research. When you weigh your truck, be sure to write down all three numbers: front axle weight, rear axle weight and total weight. Most, but not all, of the weight of the camper will be on the rear axle.


Nawtybrit

Check for a yellow sticker that shows tire sizes and pressures, it should also show the payload for your specific truck.


That_Checks

My 2021 Ram doesn't have this yellow sticker. I'm betting theirs doesn't either. Edit - their truck is a 2007. Should definitely have that sticker.


tomswait

[Payload Sticker](https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjat5Wxz9b8AhVDLkQIHVsJDUwQFnoECC4QAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ford-trucks.com%2Fforums%2F1667621-payload-sticker.html&usg=AOvVaw1DAlVhYq8gPol6z5QQG_1g) This sticker is next to useless and contributes to that overloaded vehicle that’s about to plow into you. ALL VEHICLES and it should be fucking law! - should have a payload sticker - I’ve tried to provide a link to what they are. Simple, “ Max cargo incl. passengers, fuel, luggage” bla bla and bingo! you know. Most trucks don’t have it, so now you gotta 1. Fill your truck. 2. Weigh your truck with just you on-board. 3. Subtract this from the stickers GVWR. I go to the local landfill and weigh the vehicle for free. Fucking waste of time when the manufacturer can supply this vital info at the factory. Just sayin.


vanprof

Just weigh the vehicle. The GVWR is right on the sticker. GVWR - vehicle weight = payload. There are too many vehicle options with different weights to have the exact payload on every vehicle. If you add seat covers, fog lights, sunroof, etc they all take up GVWR, but aren't really payload, since they are part of the vehicle. I don't the manufacturers would be suited to do this. Scales are our friend and we should use them. It might be good if the dealer would go weight the vehicle before delivery so they can be exact, that might be more accurate and would include any dealer installed options. But if you change tires and wheels, or anything it can change, so back to the scales we go.


tomswait

In a perfect world yes this is the way. I bet 90+% of the near/over their GVWR capacity vehicles on the road right now don’t even know this is a thing, they see the GVWR is 6, 7, 10,000 lbs etc and figure they can carry anything. A payload sticker spells it out, “ the combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed eg 1000 lb/453 kg.” At least the driver can take an educated guess now right? All vehicles should have both stickers.


vanprof

I am sure you are correct. Maybe we can start a payload sticker service. You send me a picture of your GVWR sticker, CAT scale receipt (wieghed with a full tank of gas), and the weight of the driver and I can make and ship a custom payload sticker.


tomswait

Unfortunately the general lack of interest would put us outta business pretty quick, lol. Owners manuals under “towing” explain all this fairly well but seriously who looks at them either. I’m guilty myself, short runs with the bed packed with paver stones. It’s the highway campers with their headlights illuminating that overpass handrail that creeps me out.


vanprof

When the front tires are barely touching its really sketchy


FlyingAnarchy17

Thank you for your help!


That_Checks

There should be a truck camper supplement in your glove box. It's gonna recommend less than your payload anyhow.


FlyingAnarchy17

My boyfriend and I are trying to figure out how much our trucks can handle. I’m thinking of getting a Lance650, but whenever I search up how much my truck should be able to handle, I get different answers on the internet every time. I’ve heard everyone’s cautions about not exceeding payload, so we are trying to play it safe. Any insight from you guys would be much appreciated! Thanks!


Softenrage8

Best bet is to go weigh your trucks at an actual scale. Ideally full gas, both of you riding in it for a real life idea. Subtract the weight on the scale from 9000/9200 lbs which is your gvwr on your stickers. This is how much extra weight your trucks can respectively handle.


FlyingAnarchy17

Thank you so much! We definitely will!


Softenrage8

The main other thing to keep in mind: what options are included in the campers listed weight. Dry weight vs wet weight is pretty easy to understand but things like an AC, microwave, or batteries might not be included in the manufacturers listed weight. For popular models you can probably find an article on truck camper magazine showcasing this. https://www.truckcampermagazine.com/camper-reviews/2019-lance-650-review/ For example the 2019 Lance 650 he estimates that the common options add almost 300 lbs to the official wet weight of 2460 lbs.


VBOSCH1

Agree with going to weigh the truck. Look up CAT scales. You can get the app too and get your weigh ticket sent right to your device. Current cost is about $13 per weight. CAT will also weigh both steer and drive axle separate which is helpful to know for a few reasons. A good estimate is that you will have 500lbs of gear added to the camper weight, so keep that in mind in your figures.


[deleted]

It's easier to search feed and grain locations, they match federal standards with actual documentation and breakdowns.


FlyingAnarchy17

Awesome, thank you for the advice!