I just bought a 2000 F150 w5.4 v8 and towing package
and I'm about to by a 2500pounds 10 feets slide-in
I've been told that I had to put new spring plates plus an inflating balloons device. I wounder if the balloons are really needed or what is the best to do about my truck?

 

You should have a camper rating sticker in or near the glovebox. Also on this sticker will be a center of gravity calculation. Don't exceed the weight rating. Also the center of balance for the camper has to be within parameters for the truck.

2500# camper is a bit large for a 150. Unless you've got a 150 with the 7700# rating. then it will be close.

Check your GAWR and GVWR. DON'T EXCEED these #'s.

If your close to the GAWR and GVWR the air bags will help with stability more than anything else. They won't help with carrying capacity as your close to exceeding rating on AXLE(GAWR) or VEHICLE(GVWR).

If the camper puts you over.....DON'T GET THE CAMPER. You'll end up with a dangerous(brakes and steering), overloaded and unstable rig.

 

I'll second Larry's comments. There are many rigs on the road that are obviously overloaded with slide in campers, the factory ratings are probably conservative, but if you want to have your rig safe and have it last, don't exceed the ratings.

A camper puts a lot of drag on your vehicle, and you have a big slab to catch air with side winds, with my vehicle ('88 F250, 4x4 460) loaded only to the camper weight rating (2100lb.) , and with air bags (5000# gross weight rated), a 40 mph crosswind in Montana this summer was about all the rig can handle. If you camp like I do, and run miles back into the brush on logging roads, the last thing you want is to break down, lose your brakes, overheat, wear out your vehicle etc.

A little caution may save you a lot of trouble and expense.

Good Luck, Paul

 

Thank's Guy's
Really apreciate your comments,
I've check and the GVWR is 6500#
and my rear GVAWR is 3550#
It's looks that this camper is too heavy

My truck as a 8 ft box and I would like to have a slide-in camper but I don't know much about them so if you have any suggestions of what I should by I will be really appreciate

Thank's

 

And please don't forget the part of your load that is people, food, water, camping toys, etc. Its all part of your load.

Bob
'66 7 Litre, top loader, 3.25 Traction-lock, Sidewinder Intake, SCJ Exhaust
'88 F150 LWB 4x2, XLT Lariat, 302, 5 speed, 3.08
'99 Ranger, 4x2, 3.0, 5 speed, 3.73 posi

 

Den22,

There are several long bed, lightweight campers that may work. Without knowing exactly what your camper weight rating is, I can't tell you if any of these will work, and they certainly don't represent all options, but are some places to start. There is a big range of options, depending on when, where and how you camp, some are more important than others.

If you "dry camp" away from an easy source of water and a toilet for more than a couple days, you'll want larger fresh, gray and black water tanks. If you camp three or four seasons in a colder or wetter climate, a good heater, insulation and more sophisticated windows are a good option, etc. Think about what kind of camping you do first, then go search.

Fleetwood Angler - They make a couple smaller campers, hard side and pop-up. Don't know what you have in mind, but the pop-up is lighter. If you can stand the weight, my preference is for the hard side. 1530# and up.
http://www.fleetwoodrv.com/truck_campers.asp

Lance Light - Lance has some models in 8' or so, that I believe are lighter weight than their regular campers. 1600# and up. http://www.lancecamper.com/

Northern Lite - Don't know all their models, however I was looking at a 10'2" camper last year of theirs that was 2400#, much lighter than other construction methods, theirs is a 2 piece fiberglass shell, looks like it should be a good design, totally sealed, not as much to look after as standard construction, should last a long time. 1050# and up.
http://www.northern-lite.com/

Bigfoot - Again, don't know all their models, similar construction to the Northern Lite. 1500# and up.
http://www.bigfootrv.com/

Alaskan - Hard side, pop up campers, they offer an opportunity to design your own floor plan. 1500# and up.
http://www.alaskancamper.com/

Good Luck, Paul

 

Den22
I have a Palamino pop up slide in that works great with F-150. Mine doesn`t have a toilet but they do make one thats a little bigger with a cassett toilet. The dry weight of my camper is about 1300lbs, the bigger model weighs about 1600lbs.
Good luck.
pw

 

What is 98 F150 with tow pkg rated for? Thinking of buying ....

Anyone have links or info on what it can tow and trailer?
I want to tow my boat and a camper on the back.

Any links to where I can get info?

 

jdaugela,

Depends on rear end ratios, transmission, engine, brakes, sway bars, etc. Each option can change the camper rating or tow rating, each vehicle should have a sticker with the owners manual that designates the camper weight rating and center of gravity, tow weight and gross combined weight rating should also be in the owners manual. You probably need to check each vehicle for it's rating, however there should be some ranges available from Ford.

Good Luck,

Paul