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Pickups Pickups - Archived Discussions Cabover Campers & Camper Trailers (pickups) 
1377 messages, Last post on Nov 20, 2003 at 1:43 PM
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| It is a camper trailer. I think 5000 lbs would crush my half ton! It is only rated to hold 2000 lbs. Thanks for the trans temp info. My engine temp never moves either. It stays the same even in 100 degree heat, A/C on, and towing up hill foot to the floor. These trucks have excellent cooling systems. | |
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I see now. I get confused when people refer to trailers as campers. I guess that's why campers are usually referred to as "truck camper" or "slide-in camper." If you told me you were carrying a 5000 camper I'd ask for a picture because that would be a sight to see! Did you happen to see the picture making its way around the web a year ago or so of a grossly overloaded Volkswagen Jetta? It had about 3000 lbs of Home Depot lumber on top and died in the parking lot when the shocks came up through the sheet metal. It was a great picture. I'll try to find it just for fun. |
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I found several copies of that picture and story. I guess it's an internet legend now. |
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I saw that pic before! I think the Silverado would handle the 5000 pounds better than that! I can not activate the ABS when towing with about 500 lbs (dead) hitch weight and about 500 lbs load in the truck. The brakes just do not have the reseve capacity even if I use two feet and pull on the wheel! I have had to stop quick a few times in heavy city traffic and it is nerve racking. Is this just my truck? |
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I'm surprised to hear that because one thing the new style GM truck almost always scores high on is the brakes. The last version had notoriously weak and mushy brakes from everything I've read, I think GM went to a lot of effort to get it right this time. I'd suspect your trailer brakes first. You can't expect the truck to do all the work, it isn't designed for that much extra load. And remember the 1/2 ton has smaller brakes front and rear with single pistons on the rear. Your load is right about at the Hmmmm decision point between a 1/2 and 3/4 ton truck in my opinion even though it is below the rated maximum. But I'm a big believer in overkill as a general principal. I've read some tips in Trailer Life on how to test and set trailer brakes but I don't remember any details. I did get the impression that it's a touchy setting. I've read some posts from guys who swear that 4-wheel ABS when towing is very dangerous. I think they felt that the trailer can cause the ABS to kick in prematurely and cause loss of braking power. Does anyone know why some people feel this way and if it's true? |
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The trailer brakes are controlled by a electric controller. There are two basic types of controllers, time delay and sensing. I have the time delay type. This type will always apply the trailer brakes with the same ramp rate up to the set max. In other words, this type of controller will not compensate for a panic stop. That said, even with the trailer brakes disconnected, I would suspect I could activated the truck ABS. Unloaded I have no problem activating ABS. I was wondering if I glazed the pads or if this is typical of a loaded half ton. I do not see why ABS is dangerous when towing. I think it is a life saver. To prevent a jack-knife no wheels can lock. The ABS prevts lockup on the truck and a properly set controller should prevent it on the trailer. |
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I guess you have proven what a loaded 1/2 ton will do. I don't see why ABS is a problem when towing either. I'll look for that towing topic and see if I can find any rational. |
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| I just received some literature on these campers. Seems like a well built unit and light. Anyone seen one or know anything about them? | |
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Hello, been following this for a while, now it is time to start looking...Went to the Lance dealership the other day and was looking at 820's 821's (slide out) and I think an 845 all for a short bed truck. They were all hard side campers weighing as much as 3200lbs (821)!! Anyway my truck is a 2001 extended cab 2500HD 4x4 with 8.1l/Alli shortbed. The Lance dealer, of course wanting my money, was telling me no prob, your truck can handle this with air bags installed. I calmly indicated to him that was over my GVWR of 9200lbs and that my cargo rating was 2200 and change (which seems low for an HD to me). He told me that the manufactures always lower their carrying capacities as a CYA. In fact my rear axle is rated for 7200lbs, not the 6000 and change listed on the door panel of my truck. Any thoughts?? Went to the Hallmark dealer and they no longer sell hardside campers for shortbeds stating liability issues and the fact that almost everyone they had sold were returned or had to be bought back after suits were brought up from saftey and liability concerns. They were stating they don't recommend ANY hard side camper on a shortbed due to the shorter wheel base. So are there any of you out there with short bed pickups that have hardside slide on campers?? Any problems?? I won't be buying until next years sportsman show about mid March, so that gives me enough time to research and get the right camper and get more opinions. Thanks, Bob |
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My low towing mpg pulling my TT ~5000lbs using my '99 1500 4.8L 5speed man 4.10 rear end was around 6.8mpg. High was usually around 10. My 2500hd (6.0L 5speed) does a little better, and I'm suprized.... maybe I tend to let the speed lug down slightly more before downshifting, as the 6.0L has a fatter HP curve down low.... I think your truck is working just fine. Bleed your brakes, it helped alot on my '99 |
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