Gearheads...help me figure out how heavy a camper I should be looking at,please!

[BigDaddyRog]

Ok, Scott, Steve, or any other experienced rv'ers who like to remain on the safe side.....

my truck says its GVWR is 6700lbs. I know you have to include the weight of passengers and other crap that will be in the truck...
so....

golf cart - 1200 lbs
luggage and crap cant be more than 200 lbs, but lets say 250 to be safe
passengers - 510 lbs, lets say 550 if were all wearing big shoes
Lets throw in another 200 lbs just incase I bring bikes or a bbq grill, small mexican family of refugees, etc.

so total crap Im hauling is 2200 lbs....does that mean that any camper I may get must weigh less than 4500lbs? Or do I need to find out and subtract the weight of the actual truck itself as well?

 

[big kahuna1]

We need the GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)to give a real answer. And if you really want to get real we need the axle weight rating and what tire rating you have on the rear.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

Uh ohhh...already Im concerned...the GCWR will be exceeded by the passengers and golf cart alone!!

the axle weight rating may be in this picture...if, not...shouldnt it be in my owners manual or on the window sales sticker? The sales sticker says

3.55 ratio regular axle

heres the clearest door sticker I could get

I have a feeling Im not going to like the answer Im gonna get.

 

[clkelley]

This chart should be helpful. Yours is a 2008, right?

The direct link to the page is here:

https://www.fleet.ford.com/showroom/rv_trailer_towing/2008/08RVttscltrp17Aug07.pdf

 

[clkelley]

This chart should be helpful. Yours is a 2008, right?

The direct link to the page is here:

https://www.fleet.ford.com/showroom/rv_trailer_towing/2008/08RVttscltrp17Aug07.pdf

First off, pick from the list and tell us which one you have!!

 

[BigDaddyRog]

Thanks Carol...I just found a similar chart in my owners manual....My truck is the 4th one down on the chart you posted.

Supercab 4x2 (145" wheelbase)
4.6L Engine with 17" tires
My Rear Axle Ratio is 3.55
The Maximum GCWR is 11700 lbs
And Maximum Trailer Weight is 6500 lbs

SO WHAT DOES THAT MEAN for ME with 2200 pounds of people and golfcart??????? Would it benefit me to get a popup with a deck for the golfcart? Would that relieve the weight off of the combined weight of passengers and cargo? Or does it not matter if the weight is in the bed of the truck versus the front of the camper?

 

[clkelley]

Thanks Carol...I just found a similar chart in my owners manual....My truck is the 4th one down on the chart you posted.

Supercab 4x2 (145" wheelbase)
4.6L Engine with 17" tires
My Rear Axle Ratio is 3.55
The Maximum GCWR is 11700 lbs
And Maximum Trailer Weight is 6500 lbs

SO WHAT DOES THAT MEAN for ME???????

OK, grand total of truck, loaded trailer, passengers and cargo is 11,700 lbs.

Your sticker however states that 1640 lbs passengers and cargo is the max for the truck.

Sooooo, if you max out the truck with 1640 with passengers and golf cart, so you are basically using all of your GVWR of 6700 lbs, then you subtract that from the 11,700 and you get:

5000 lbs of completely loaded camper.

So, I would be looking somewhere in the 2500 - 3500 lb empty range, but make sure the trailer Gross weighting on the camper is above 5000 (meaning how much "stuff" you can put IN the camper before the camper axle is overloaded).

Does this make sense??

 

[clkelley]

SO WHAT DOES THAT MEAN for ME with 2200 pounds of people and golfcart??????? Would it benefit me to get a popup with a deck for the golfcart? Would that relieve the weight off of the combined weight of passengers and cargo? Or does it not matter if the weight is in the bed of the truck versus the front of the camper?

I'm thinking toy hauler popup.

The gearheads may say something different, but then I tow a 2,000 lb trailer with a truck that has a 7,160 lb towing limit and 12,000 lb GCWR

 

[stacktester]

Rog, the first I see is you have a 3:55 axle. That's great from a mileage standpoint as the rpm's are lower with that rear end. When towing IMO that 3:55 is not that good because it's gonna lag with anything that has any weight. The other thing I see you added was 1,200 pounds for a golf cart. I'd say 600-700 on that weight tops. Have it weighed to see for sure. I know a guy who has a truck like yours but a 4x4. He has a hard time pulling a 4,400 pound hybrid with a deck on front for 4 wheelers and that's without the 4 wheelers. I would recommend like you said and get a pop up with a deck. Craigslist and Ebay would be a good start. They have solid bathrooms in them now which is a plus with the girls lol. A hybrid may also work but the pup will have less drag. Hop this helps.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

Carol..MUCHOS GRACIAS!!! Makes perfect sense!

I was thinking that maybe I could fudge it a bit and try to fit in a small hybrid toy hauler, but it would be pushing the limit just a little too much forme too feel safe about. And with Donnie's friend having trouble towing his with a 4x4, I know my 4x2 wouldn't be up for the challenge....Im going to look for what I KNOW will be safest.

Thanks guys!

 

[clkelley]

Read what Donnie said, if the golf cart is truly only 500-600 lbs, then you may not neet a toy hauler popup, but just a regular one. That could probably save you big bucks!!

 

[big kahuna1]

I agree that the Golf Cart will not weight 1200 pounds, unless I am sittin' in it. More like 600 pounds or so.

Jayco, StarCraft and others makes a nice Pop-UP with a deck up front for the Cart or for sittin' when camping.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

The dryweight of an electric club car is 495ish..add 6 batteries at between 58-69 pounds each...so in actuallity its about 843-909 lbs.

 

[medic9016]

You will be some what better off than a 4X4. All the added 4x4 parts adds weight to the truck, reducing the towing and payload capacity.

 

[stacktester]

Rog, Are you back in the market? I've seen some nice units on Craigslist around here. Mostly the Fletwood. The gray model with 1 spot for a cart would be fine for you. There's lot's of deals out there right now.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

Dump the passengers and pick up 500lbs.

 

[DisneyRose&Boys]

So how much do you all think my '05 Ford Focus 4-door hatchback can tow?



Rose

 

[RvUsa]

So how much do you all think my '05 Ford Focus 4-door hatchback can tow?



Rose

My son has a little red wagon we could probably rig to the back....

 

[BigDaddyRog]

Rog, Are you back in the market? ...

I cant really say that "Im in the market"...but Im always shopping...I swore I wouldnt finance one...but the kids are almost out of school....and we dont have any vacation plans for them....I dont know....Im probably going to do something I'll regret!

Dump the passengers and pick up 500lbs.

Unfortunately...Im 255 pounds of that 510!!!

 

[DisneyRose&Boys]

My son has a little red wagon we could probably rig to the back....

You're funny. And if it had "road" wheels, I might consider it.

Rose