mtnman1989
Collettsville, NC
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Joined: 10/09/2005
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We have been RVing for the past 17 years. We have owned 2 popups, a Class A and numerous Travel Trailers. We sold our Travel Trailer last month and are thinking about a TC. I have a F150 with the 5.5' bed and Eco Boost engine. Are there any small light weight TC's that will be light enough for my truck without adding shocks or air bags? Anyone have a TC in a truck like mine? Thanks!
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Grit dog
Black Diamond, WA
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Joined: 05/06/2013
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Short answer, nope, not really.
Longer answer, shocks don’t increase rear spring rate. Bags, new springs, add a leafs etc do.
Even longer answer is a question. Considering the only TCs that will even physically fit, weight aside, are small pop ups and very small hard side campers. Hard sides most of which available are from small very expensive “boutique” mfgs that make campers they claim are for over landing. The question is, are you good with less space and possibly less features than you old pop ups? For a LOT more money?
If not, then you absolutely have the wrong truck for a TC.
You may find the odd, old 6 pac or similar old dinky hard side for cheap. And little pop ups can be had for $10k+ in nice condition. But maybe think about your wants, needs and how much you love your current truck if you are thinking you’ll find a full featured TC for a mid size truck, that has similar and tires to a micro mini size TT.
2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5” turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold
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Grit dog
Black Diamond, WA
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And yes there are plenty of half tons hauling around TCs.
Your time would be well spent looking at all the mfgs of small truck TCs. The internet makes it so you don’t have to even get off the couch to do so.
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Photomike
Southern Alberta or where the camper is parked!
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All I can say is don't do it. You will be over weight really fast. Can you do it, sure. Is it worth the issues and problems no in my opinion.
2017 Ford Transit
EVO Electric bike
Advanced Elements Kayaks
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mtnman1989
Collettsville, NC
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Thanks for the reply's, all make good sense and about what I expected. My experience with RV's and weight and towing made me check it out. I think we will go back to a lite weight Travel Trailer?
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mkirsch
Rochester, NY
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Joined: 04/09/2004
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A small travel trailer will give you more space and amenities than any TC that will fit on that truck.
Travel Lite does have a new model called "Atom" that claims to be 990lbs dry and has a cabover bed, but does not have a shower or toilet. Your door sticker should give you a payload of around 1700lbs so you'd actually be able to travel with some food and clothing.
Putting 10-ply tires on half ton trucks since aught-four.
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Geo*Boy
Unknown
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Joined: 04/27/2020
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What about a Four Wheel brand truck camper?
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kirkl
Washington
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Joined: 08/18/2004
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I bought an Adventurer 80RB and the guy was hauling it on an F150. Said he had air bags but didnt use them all the time. Said it hauled it fine.
2017 Ram 2500 6.7 Cummins 4x4 LB
2018 Wildcat Maxx 28RKX
2014 Adventurer 80RB
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ppine
Northern Nevada
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A 5 1/2 foot bed is a problem. Try one of the simple pop up style truck campers like Four Wheel campers. Some are pretty light with no bathroom and no pop outs.
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mkirsch
Rochester, NY
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Geo*Boy wrote:What about a Four Wheel brand truck camper?
If you get just a shell model, sure. The Raven base model only weighs 1040lbs. Put in the amenities though and you're into airbag territory.
I get the feeling the OP wants amenities.
Anywhere near rated payload capacity an F150 is saggin'. Even though you're technically not overloaded you would still want to bag it for driver comfort.
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