Comments please
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Joined: Oct 2011
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Comments please
I have already had both ends of the spectrum tell me it is either way too much or, it will be fine with a slight rear suspension upgrade. I would appreciate hearing from those who have some first hand experience.
The units are:
1987 Ford f150 8' bed, 2wd 4.9l 4900 GVWR (door jam sticker), curb weight with driver & 3/4 tank fuel 4150 lbs. Truck camper (Real Lite 11') factory wet weight 2000 lbs. I figure even without water tanks filled, misc gear will easily replace that. So if I have it right 4150 lbs + 2000 lbs - 4900 GVWR = 1250 over the GVWR.
I am not looking for more people who will tell me to do or not to do it, I am looking for someone who has done something like this or close to it and what their experience has been.
Thanks.
The units are:
1987 Ford f150 8' bed, 2wd 4.9l 4900 GVWR (door jam sticker), curb weight with driver & 3/4 tank fuel 4150 lbs. Truck camper (Real Lite 11') factory wet weight 2000 lbs. I figure even without water tanks filled, misc gear will easily replace that. So if I have it right 4150 lbs + 2000 lbs - 4900 GVWR = 1250 over the GVWR.
I am not looking for more people who will tell me to do or not to do it, I am looking for someone who has done something like this or close to it and what their experience has been.
Thanks.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,375
Likes: 1,860
From: Frederick, MD
Lets look at this way...trailer is 2K wet wt. 10% of that will be tongue wt. 200 lbs.
So 4150 lbs of your truck plus 200 for the tongue wt = 4350. Well under your 4900 GVWR.
So you can do the job.
GCVWR is the grand total of current load plus trailer load.
So 4150 lbs of your truck plus 200 for the tongue wt = 4350. Well under your 4900 GVWR.
So you can do the job.
GCVWR is the grand total of current load plus trailer load.
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 453
Likes: 12
I wouldn't attempt it.
The 1250lbs over GVWR is dry weight. Add in propane, some water and your gear, that would put you well over 1500lbs over. That's a little too much over for most new trucks but way too much for a 25 year old truck. Thats almost 30% over your rating. That would be like being 3000lbs over on a 10K GVWR 3/4 ton. Way too much for your rear axle and rear-end.
Senix - it's a truck camper not trailer.
S
The 1250lbs over GVWR is dry weight. Add in propane, some water and your gear, that would put you well over 1500lbs over. That's a little too much over for most new trucks but way too much for a 25 year old truck. Thats almost 30% over your rating. That would be like being 3000lbs over on a 10K GVWR 3/4 ton. Way too much for your rear axle and rear-end.
Senix - it's a truck camper not trailer.
S
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,375
Likes: 1,860
From: Frederick, MD
I wouldn't attempt it.
The 1250lbs over GVWR is dry weight. Add in propane, some water and your gear, that would put you well over 1500lbs over. That's a little too much over for most new trucks but way too much for a 25 year old truck. Thats almost 30% over your rating. That would be like being 3000lbs over on a 10K GVWR 3/4 ton. Way too much for your rear axle and rear-end.
Senix - it's a truck camper not trailer.
S
The 1250lbs over GVWR is dry weight. Add in propane, some water and your gear, that would put you well over 1500lbs over. That's a little too much over for most new trucks but way too much for a 25 year old truck. Thats almost 30% over your rating. That would be like being 3000lbs over on a 10K GVWR 3/4 ton. Way too much for your rear axle and rear-end.
Senix - it's a truck camper not trailer.
S
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 896
Likes: 1
From: Chattahoochee Hills, Ga.
I'm not an expert by any means but........ one thing I have learned over the years is that safety is the major factor. You can pull or haul just about anything with your truck under "perfect" conditions. These trucks are amazing. When you add wind, rain, blow outs, dumb A$$ drivers and just plain old bad luck when towing or hauling you can get in trouble quick. It just isn't worth it to me to flirt with being overloaded or under safe ! I wouldn't do it but I'm a nervous Nellie and over cautious to the extreme. 
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,274
Likes: 4
From: Seattle area
A friend of mine hauls a camper that's probably in the same weight range as yours with a 2009-ish F-150. He puts Timbrins (sp?) on the back to keep the rear from sagging too much and load "E" tires. Besides the camper, he also hauls a 18' ski boat which is maybe another 3,000lbs on the trailer. Besides going slow on hills, his truck seems to manage fine. I'm sure the drive can get a bit white-nuckled with cross winds, but he hasn't told me any "stories" yet.
As requested, I won't reply with a "Yes or No" suggestion. However, besides the GVRW, also consider the tire, wheel and axle limits. All have ratings and they don't necessarily equal the GVWR.
As requested, I won't reply with a "Yes or No" suggestion. However, besides the GVRW, also consider the tire, wheel and axle limits. All have ratings and they don't necessarily equal the GVWR.
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Moderator
Joined: May 2004
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From: Home Base Nebraska
I hauled a 8.5 ft slide in camper in my new 1978 F150 and it was not a good experience I bought a F250 the next year, it was a much better match.
Denny
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Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,180
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From: Scio, OR
2000 lbs of camper in an F-150 is way, way too overweight. An 11' camper puts 3 feet of that past the end of the bed. Add in that campers tend to be very top heavy. You're going to be an accident waiting to happen.
Frankly you'll be lucky of the front wheels touch the ground.
Frankly you'll be lucky of the front wheels touch the ground.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,627
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From: West Valley Utah
A problem I've seen is the wheel bearings won't take the weight and wind up welding them selves to the axle. I've seen half ton axle's with a bow because of camper weight.
Question is not Can you do it but Should you do it.
Question is not Can you do it but Should you do it.
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