Bought a truck camper

Hoginedgewood · July 18, 2023

On 7/7/2023 at 1:57 PM, Another JR said:

The extra alternator capacity allows you to charge camper batteries while running without overloading the alternator. I think the base alternator is 170 amps, so the 220 gives you 50 amps of extra output capability. I assume they include the higher capacity alternator in the plow package because electrically driven hydraulics are involved in a plow system.

Have you weighed the truck with the loaded camper and without it to see actual weight added on each axle? That’s basic info you really want to know. Truck stops have scales you can use. My local one charges $12 for two separate weighings up to 24 hours apart.

With 3000 lbs almost entirely on the rear axle you are probably a bit into the overloads and might want to consider air bags. What you do in the front, if anything, would depend on how much weight your camper is putting on the front axle.

I'm thinking the charging rate of alternator would be determined by the size of the wire to the camper batteries.

so a 12 guage wire may give 30 amps, because a trickle charger with 18 guage will eventually charge the batteries. I'll look into that.
haven't weighed the truck, don't have the camper yet.
I'm quite familiar with the Cat scales, thanks for that.
as far as overloads, i don't have them, yet.

memilanuk · July 18, 2023

The vehicle alternator neither knows nor cares about whats going on with the 7-pin, or the camper. It has totally separate voltage regulation goals, and limits.

The 12 gauge wire *might* be able to carry 30 amps, though that's rightfully more the realm of 10 gauge. 12 gauge is usually good for 20 amps, max.

More important, though, is the voltage drop over the length of that 12 gauge wire by the time it leaves the alternator and reaches the battery inside the camper. There's probably 20-30 feet of wire just in the truck side of things alone, and close to that much again inside the camper. Obviously that can vary a lot, depending on where the 7-pin connector is (what side of the truck vs. the alternator, front of bed, bumper, etc.) and where the camper plug is and how it's routed through the RV to the batteries.

Realistically, you're probably not getting a high enough voltage from the alternator to the camper battery via the 7-pin and the voltage losses to do jack as far as charging, unless the battery is halfways dead. At best it's a trickle charge, over a long (multiple hours) drive.

The setup I went with on ours was a Victron Orion Smart DC-DC charger as close to the camper battery as possible, with #6 AWG cable running down the same side of the truck under the cab and up into the engine bay, to a 50A CB then to the vehicle battery terminal. Used Anderson connectors in the truck bed for the connection. That setup gives a solid 30 amp charging off the engine/alternator with no adverse effects (truck does have the snow plow/camper package with 220A alternator).

Edited July 18, 2023 by memilanuk

Another JR · July 20, 2023

Sorry. Just noticed the request for leaf spring pictures now. I’ll take a picture in the morning. Best I can tell from my option codes 8AN and 9AN and gm parts site info, my leaf springs are part number 84992006.

Edited July 20, 2023 by Another JR

Hoginedgewood · July 20, 2023

On 7/8/2023 at 10:24 PM, Kerry Pulaski said:

Yes you are in a tight load limit with even the camper. Pic of the rear suspension upgrades I did to my '16 2500HD Denali Duramax Crew. Just with a std. fiber cap, steel tool bed slide out and my work tools. No 3k lb. camper, and I thought this truck handled like Pooo. On moderate bumps, the rear would bottom out and hit the rubber bump stops !!

I put aftermarket sway bars (anti roll bars) on other trucks I've owned in the past, including a motorhome. So xxxxx-off at how my new 2500 HD handled, I put on a Roadmaster 1.50" rear sway bar , Firestone 3500 Lb. Air Bags, and Bilstein gas shocks. Night / Day difference !!!! These parts on an oiled tarp, after I got "T" boned at an intersection by runner of a red light. Truck totaled

My '24 2500 HD Denali Ultimate Duramax should be here this Tuesday. I ordered it with the Max Trailering Pkg. #NHT, that includes a 3500 HD Frame, 3500 HD Rear Leaf Springs & Overloads, 3500 HD Shocks and 12" Axel. I also ordered the Front Camper HD Spring option # F60.

Now with this factory super rear end capacity option for a 2500HD, I only ordered a new Roadmaster Rear 1.50" Sway Bar (now should not need the air bags for my application).

ROADMASTER REAR SWAY INST. 1109-101.pdf 1.79 MB · 3 downloads

wow! i'm sure that did the job. I'm wanting to avoid airbags maintenance.

Kerry Pulaski · July 20, 2023

The Firestone air bag springs are well made. I just installed a Air Fill Valve for each bag. to adjust pressure individually. This also would not allow air to flow between the two bags if a "T" was used. Individual air fills, also helped reduce side to side sway.

The Roadmaster or Hellwig Anti Sway / Roll bars will also be great for a camper or tow application.

Hope this helps.

Another JR · July 20, 2023

Here are some photos of my spring pack. I’m not sure exactly what you wanted to see. It’s marked 84992006. Five primary leaves and two overload leaves. With 1700 lbs of camper weight on the rear axle I’m about 1.5 inches away from engaging the overloads and a little over 3 inches from first hitting the frame bumpers. I hear the overloads contact the frame fairly often going over speedbumps and such, but have never been aware of hitting the frame bumpers with the camper on. I’ve never loaded the truck to max payload so I don’t know how low it gets at 4000 lbs in the bed.

Hoginedgewood · July 20, 2023

2 hours ago, Another JR said:

Here are some photos of my spring pack. I’m not sure exactly what you wanted to see. It’s marked 84992006. Five primary leaves and two overload leaves. With 1700 lbs of camper weight on the rear axle I’m about 1.5 inches away from engaging the overloads and a little over 3 inches from first hitting the frame bumpers. I hear the overloads contact the frame fairly often going over speedbumps and such, but have never been aware of hitting the frame bumpers with the camper on. I’ve never loaded the truck to max payload so I don’t know how low it gets at 4000 lbs in the bed.

Thanks! Didn't mean for you to crawl under the truck! So you're 2500 has overload springs?
im headed to the local dealer with this info. Change the springs and add overload bumpers.

memilanuk · July 20, 2023

Is there any way to know what the approximate weight ratings are for a given style (3500HD DRW), cab (double), engine, etc.? Preferably *before* actually buying the truck?

Ford makes this reasonably easy - a simple google search will get you a document with tables of all the different configurations for a given model year, with the resulting weight ratings for conventional towing, 5th wheel, and payload. Chevy/GMC... seem to be playing secret squirrel with that particular info

And yes, I realize that actual curb weight varies depending on the trim, packages, options, etc. And that actual scale weight trumps calculated values. But FFS, it'd be nice to have something useful to at least try and make an informed decision with.

Hoginedgewood · July 20, 2023

3 hours ago, Another JR said:

Here are some photos of my spring pack. I’m not sure exactly what you wanted to see. It’s marked 84992006. Five primary leaves and two overload leaves. With 1700 lbs of camper weight on the rear axle I’m about 1.5 inches away from engaging the overloads and a little over 3 inches from first hitting the frame bumpers. I hear the overloads contact the frame fairly often going over speedbumps and such, but have never been aware of hitting the frame bumpers with the camper on. I’ve never loaded the truck to max payload so I don’t know how low it gets at 4000 lbs in the bed.

So you're rear axle is only good for 650 more than mine.
im wondering about the rear springs that end in 07 and 08. Im guessing they get progressively heavier, since the 05 listed 2500 and 3500

Hoginedgewood · July 21, 2023

16 hours ago, Another JR said:

Sorry. Just noticed the request for leaf spring pictures now. I’ll take a picture in the morning. Best I can tell from my option codes 8AN and 9AN and gm parts site info, my leaf springs are part number 84992006.

This lists 8ar and 9ar, its 84992008.

Another JR · July 21, 2023

1 hour ago, Hoginedgewood said:

Thanks! Didn't mean for you to crawl under the truck! So you're 2500 has overload springs?
im headed to the local dealer with this info. Change the springs and add overload bumpers.

I thought I had identified my truck earlier. It is a 3500 hd cclb srw gas slt. The rear GAWR is 7250.

Another JR · July 21, 2023

1 hour ago, memilanuk said:

Is there any way to know what the approximate weight ratings are for a given style (3500HD DRW), cab (double), engine, etc.? Preferably *before* actually buying the truck?

Ford makes this reasonably easy - a simple google search will get you a document with tables of all the different configurations for a given model year, with the resulting weight ratings for conventional towing, 5th wheel, and payload. Chevy/GMC... seem to be playing secret squirrel with that particular info

And yes, I realize that actual curb weight varies depending on the trim, packages, options, etc. And that actual scale weight trumps calculated values. But FFS, it'd be nice to have something useful to at least try and make an informed decision with.

It’s pretty easy to find the GVWR and GCWR for the different configurations in the available spec charts. The curb weight you end up with, and hence exact payload, is not provided. Probably the easiest way to get an idea is either find a truck at a dealer and look at its rating or come on here and ask if someone has a similar truck.

memilanuk · July 21, 2023

2 hours ago, Another JR said:

Probably the easiest way to get an idea is either find a truck at a dealer and look at its rating

Well, seeing as new HD trucks are almost non-existent at lots around here, and dually gassers *are* non-existent... that's unlikely.

2 hours ago, Another JR said:

come on here and ask if someone has a similar truck.

Well if anyone has a 3500HD DRW double cab 6.6L gas (kind of a unicorn), I'm all ears.

Hoginedgewood · July 22, 2023

On 7/20/2023 at 8:04 PM, Another JR said:

I thought I had identified my truck earlier. It is a 3500 hd cclb srw gas slt. The rear GAWR is 7250.

actually I did notice in your previous post it is a 3500, I'm assuming I can order the stops for the overload springs, see what length bolts are recomended and find if the overloads are sold seperate from the assembly I already have. When the seller delivered my camper his 2500 wasn't squatted in the back, he has [jounce?] bumpers. I didn't remember to look under and see if

they were making contact.

the 84992005,6,7,8 i'm guessing are left and right of two different weight ratings. I'll crawl under my truck and check the numbers and see if they match side to side.

thanks for all your help, I'll be bothering you more later i'm sure.

Another JR · July 23, 2023

The parts catalog shows all four part numbers as right springs with different associated suspension option codes. It doesn’t list any left springs at all. Both of my springs are marked with the 84992006 part number. So you order the same part number for left and right apparently.

Drove to the Southeast side of Mt. St. Helens today: