Slide in truck campers

GNBill · May 9, 2004

Hey guy's I'm normally over at TurboBuicks.com but since my car is for sale and I'm going to need some upgrades for the truck soon, I figured I'd get over here and see what kind of weight you guy's are haulin,and pulling.

I just bought a New Eagle Cap 8' camper and put air bags on the truck to level it out(also helps the handling).I'm also going to tow my boat at the same time,whats out there performance wise for say HP/torque increase,besides Hypercrap.

The camper fully loaded weighs 2,200 lbs and the boat,I think weighs close to 3,000 lbs.

Thanks for the help

Bill

Shaners · May 10, 2004

Welcome to the forum Bill!!!

What make/model/year truck do you have???

There are alot of us here that are running the Westers PCM. For most people it's been a great power/performance increase. It's a custom program by Lyndon Wester in Canada... taylored to what ever you tell him your needs are.

GNBill · May 16, 2004

Thanks Shaners it's a 2001 GMC sierra z71 extra cab 4x4 with the 5.3 and 3.73 gears.

I just added the K&N FIPK today.

I would like to do exhaust next then either the Wester tune or PCM for less,still debating on that one.

Thanks again:Bill

GONZO · May 16, 2004

i have an eagle cap 800 lite (2000# dry weight) in my sb cc 2500hd and also tow my car on a 16ft car hauler. i have the 6.0l and 4.10 gears, so far power has not been a problem. no problems holding 65-75 mph, even on short grades. the 6.0L is all stock.

you want to do all this with a 1/2 ton truck? i would think the extra power would be the last concern... you might want to consider driving that rig over the scales when it is loaded and ready to go... i think you will be surprised how much weight you have on a 1/2 ton truck.

i suppose you could do the usual exhaust upgrades... you could even throw a supercharger on it... there are plenty of performance upgrades for these trucks. i would be more concerned with safety and durability of the truck though. big tranny cooler, anything to keep the rear as cool as possible and bigger brakes.

by the time you dump the money into it, you'd be better off selling and getting a 3/4 ton

my $.02

GNBill · May 16, 2004

The 800 lite is what I have also.

I loaded everything up on Friday and took it for a test run.

Your absolutely right about the 3/4 ton though.

But for now I'm going to just do minor upgrades like the exhaust and the Wester tune.

But as soon as the time comes I'm going for the 3/4 ton extracab longbed with the Duramax.

Gonzo are you using airbags?

I've got mine with the frame mount style tiedowns,and with 60psi on each side this thing drives really nice,just can't pull long grades at over 70 mph.

Thanks for the reply's guy's

Ps Gonzo what kind of car are you towing?

GONZO · May 18, 2004

i installed the firestone air bags and keep them at about 30-40 psi. did not have to have them, but it rides better with them. they also come in handy for the few times when i'm towing with the camper on. then i pump them up a little more. i have the camper strapped down using the tork lift tie down system, very nice frame mount set up.

i sometimes carry my 99 30th ta or my 79 black ta out to car shows or the strip. having the camper makes those shows that are farther away a litle nicer

with camper on (water, propane full, fridge stocked and misc clothes and gear) + 500# tongue weight from trailer the truck crossed the scale @ 9200#! that is still without passengers... weighing just the truck with full tank of gas is 6000#...

that's reason i tell you to be cautious...

GNBill · May 19, 2004

That is alot of weight,I have the same tie downs also "VeryNice".

I seriously doubt that I will tow the boat that much with the Camper on until I get a bigger truck.

I really do need to weight everything tough just to be on the safe side.

How long have you had your camper?I just got mine at the first of the month,also what jacks do you have?

I have the electric HappyJack system which is nice I just wish you could run the legs down by hand, then put the power to them,because they are slow.

Later:Bill

GONZO · May 19, 2004

i've had mine for almost a year. i would love to have the electric jacks, but i got mine with the manual crank happijacks. overall it's a great camper. no problems with it so far. i got the larger 6cuft frig stove with oven and the overhead bunk options. i thought about adding ac, but so far in my camping with it, it hasn't been needed. you'll enjoy the new camper... i love getting out in mine.

you may want to find out what the axle rating is for your truck. even if the truck is a little over weight you reallllllly don't want to exceed the axle rating. those 10 bolts are not the strongest. keep an eye on them...