Cranky CJ

According to the ford site, an F150, screw, 6.5' bed with max tow pkg has a payload of 1810- which is the p/u I have.

What is everybody finding the realistic max camper weight to be? How much can an f150 handle in terms of camper weight?

Opinions? Facts?

thanks.

v_tach

Camper? Truck mounted camper or travel trailer?

I've got a 2wd 5.4 Screw with the short bed and the HD tow package with the 3.73 rear and tow a 5000# travel trailer pretty easily. Very steady at highway speeds and sufficient power to tow comfortably. I'd imagine when you start getting to 7000+ pounds, power could be an issue especially if you have to negotiate uphill grades. With 5000# I wont be breaking any acceleration records but like I said, its comfortable.

Cranky CJ

bed mounted truck camper. I've already towed my jeep and am satisfied with the performance of the p/u towing it. toying with the idea of getting a bed mounted truck camper and want to get some real world info on how much the F150 can realistically handle. Looking at both soft side pop up and hard side truck campers.

Anybody have any input? Thanks.

NorCal-F150

They are conservative when it comes to payload figures. You typically can go over by 500 to 1000# as long as you keep your ride leveled (helper springs, etc..)

Dirty Harry

My cargo rating is 1350. I carry an 8' Northstar weighing 1800+ ready to go camping.

I did mod the truck. It has air bags, extra rear leaf and E rated tires and wheels. Handles fine!!

I would probably stick with a pop up.

Platinum_Sean

I would too!!!! Have you ever weighed your rear axel, or truck in total. I am guessing that you are both over the truck's GVW AND the GAWR at the rear.

Truck campers and F150s (1500's too) are not mated well. The dry weight of 95% of those are at the truck's maximum rating. Add to the camper your pots, food, water, firewood, ... plus your occupants or whatever you will be carrying, and you will be over the truck's weight limit.

Adding bags/springs... does not increase GVWR, it just levels the ride. E rated tires are better than P but usually do not add to the GAWR/GVWR.

I'd recommend a pull behind.

Dirty Harry

Yes, I am very conscious of my weights. I am 260# over GVWR. I am 510# over rear axle.

BUT.....Ford rated the rear axle at 3850# at the weakest link, not the actual axle. And the weakest link is the springs, tires and wheels. The 9 3/4" Ford rear axle itself is rated at 4500#. But most want their 150 to ride nice so they install passenger car wheels, tires and springs which reduces the weight ratings.

So in reality, my fully loaded camper is 140# under the rear axle!!

Cranky CJ

leaning toward a pop up. price and wieght. Speaking of air bags, what all is involved with installing them? do you need an onboard compressor? or can you add air via a home compressor and deflate via a valve. I know nothing about air bags.

Dirty Harry

Not hard to install, easy directions. No onboard compressor needed unless you want one. I carry a 12 volt air compressor that does just fine. Even a bicycle pump will work!!

You can run the lines to fill valves wherever you like. I brought mine out through the bottom holes of the rear license plate.

PLUMB THEM SEPARATELY or they will add a very unpleasant roll going around a corner with a camper on!!!

gsxr1300

i wouldnt think you need to do any mods to pull a popup