Maxing out payload with Slide in Camper?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Joined
Jan 20, 2021
Messages
37
Reaction score
35
Location
UT
I have a 1990 K3500 Dually 7.4L 4:10 ext cab and am looking at my father-in-laws 1998 Alpenlite Laredo 10 Slide-in Camper. Checked the weight last weekend and its 3,200 lbs. Didn't think it would be a problem being a dually but it appears the payload cargo weight rating is 3,000 lbs.

Anyone ran a bigger camper? Any issues? Is it really bad on these trucks or is the rating conservative?
 

92GMCK2500

I'm Awesome
Joined
Nov 14, 2017
Messages
343
Reaction score
421
Location
.
You'll be fine with the dually. So long as your driving/towing safely to the conditions & terrain with the extra weight in mind. @Supercharged111 will be able to shed some light on this for sure.

I run 9000-9500# on a LD2500 7200gwv. Am i over weight, yeah, am i concerned, sometimes but i know my and the trucks behavior and i drive accordingly, cruise and enjoy the ride!

Its hard on the truck for sure, parts break & bent. Im slowly upgrading my rig, done 1 ton hydroboost conversion, rebuilt and upgraded the entire brake system, HD shocks, air bags, HD radiator so far as well as making sure everything is mechanically to spec. Plan on going to 1 ton torsion bars & rebuild entire front end, 6+1 9200gvw rear leafs, hellwig rear sway bar etc.

10 footer, that'll be a blast!
 

stutaeng

I'm Awesome
Joined
Aug 7, 2019
Messages
3,410
Reaction score
4,348
Location
Dallas, TX
I think the 96-00 C/K 3500 DRW payload was closer to 4,000lbs, depending on on cab configuration and driveline setup. Those were 10,000 GVWR, so if that's your number, you should be good.

You can always just weigh your truck and subtract that number from your GVWR...
 

1ton-o-fun

Automotive Durability Tester
Joined
Aug 30, 2020
Messages
1,602
Reaction score
4,496
Location
Louisville, Kentucky
Sorry to sidetrack this thread, but I (think I) want to get into the camping scene. Man is it ever expensive! There's a 18'-20' 5th wheel I pass to/from my house. The homeowner had lots of toys that I'm guessing were mid to late '80s or early '90s. He passed away and his now middle aged son lives there. -Well, exists there. Grass mowed once a month, can't tell if any cars come or go... this camper looks a little weathered on the outside, but no dents, rotten floor sagging down, no caulked leaks... it's just sitting there on a gravel spot, not being used for the 8 years I've been driving by.
Do I dare ask about it? Can a capable handyman "remodel" these?
Again, sorry to derail. And no offense will be taken if this post is ignored (I'm on my 3rd marriage, I can take it).
 

mr_josh

OBS Enthusiast
Joined
Mar 12, 2020
Messages
79
Reaction score
148
Location
Oregon
I have an ‘85 Western Wilderness Alpine 10’ which I think is the “spiritual predecessor” of that Alpinlite. And sure enough, mine weighed about 3,200 lbs last time we hit the scales.

I’m planning on putting it on my ‘97 K2500 HD and possibly running Timbrens to stabilize things. I ran that camper for two seasons on my 7,200 gvw ‘70 C/20 and it actually handled it pretty well with just a decent set of shocks and stock springs.

Long story short: 3,200 is probably going to be just fine on a 1-ton. Test it out and how it feels. At the most I bet you’d want an aftermarket sway bar for the rear.

You must be registered for see images attach
 

HotWheelsBurban

Gotta have 4 doors..... Rawhide, TOTY 2023!
Joined
Sep 18, 2019
Messages
9,687
Reaction score
17,583
Location
Houston, Texas
@88GMCtruck had a build thread on a travel trailer that he totally rebuilt over the course of several years. It was very interesting! The biggest thing you have to watch for on used RV s is water damage. #2 is electrical problems, #3 is do the gas/propane system and appliances work well. My family has been living in a 40' gooseneck toy hauler for a year and a half now, and it's been a learning experience. It's like an old car or truck, you have to budget for unplanned expenses.
 

HotWheelsBurban

Gotta have 4 doors..... Rawhide, TOTY 2023!
Joined
Sep 18, 2019
Messages
9,687
Reaction score
17,583
Location
Houston, Texas
I have an ‘85 Western Wilderness Alpine 10’ which I think is the “spiritual predecessor” of that Alpinlite. And sure enough, mine weighed about 3,200 lbs last time we hit the scales.

I’m planning on putting it on my ‘97 K2500 HD and possibly running Timbrens to stabilize things. I ran that camper for two seasons on my 7,200 gvw ‘70 C/20 and it actually handled it pretty well with just a decent set of shocks and stock springs.

Long story short: 3,200 is probably going to be just fine on a 1-ton. Test it out and how it feels. At the most I bet you’d want an aftermarket sway bar for the rear.

You must be registered for see images attach
Beautiful truck, if not for the PY0s I'd think this picture was in the 70s truck brochures! The 72 ad campaign was a riff on "see the USA in your Chevrolet " with most pictures taken in national parks.
 

Supercharged111

Truly Awesome
Joined
Aug 20, 2015
Messages
12,617
Reaction score
15,246
@88GMCtruck had a build thread on a travel trailer that he totally rebuilt over the course of several years. It was very interesting! The biggest thing you have to watch for on used RV s is water damage. #2 is electrical problems, #3 is do the gas/propane system and appliances work well. My family has been living in a 40' gooseneck toy hauler for a year and a half now, and it's been a learning experience. It's like an old car or truck, you have to budget for unplanned expenses.

He also switched to a 3000#ish 10' slide in and pointed out he could run it without bags. . .
 

Stumpy

Heavy Chevy
Joined
Jun 17, 2019
Messages
1,345
Reaction score
3,709
Location
SC
I've had a hard time finding accurate tow, and payload ratings. This thread made me look again, after thinking my dually's capacity was 10k towing, but ran across a site that says my truck should be 8200lbs. That won't even legally tow our current toyhauler, with a dry weight of 8700lbs. The 5.7 is probably the main factor though.

Sorry to sidetrack this thread, but I (think I) want to get into the camping scene. Man is it ever expensive! There's a 18'-20' 5th wheel I pass to/from my house. The homeowner had lots of toys that I'm guessing were mid to late '80s or early '90s. He passed away and his now middle aged son lives there. -Well, exists there. Grass mowed once a month, can't tell if any cars come or go... this camper looks a little weathered on the outside, but no dents, rotten floor sagging down, no caulked leaks... it's just sitting there on a gravel spot, not being used for the 8 years I've been driving by.
Do I dare ask about it? Can a capable handyman "remodel" these?
Again, sorry to derail. And no offense will be taken if this post is ignored (I'm on my 3rd marriage, I can take it).

The wife and I are still fairly new to camping, but we love it. Went out this past weekend, and didn't want to go back home.
 
Top