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truck + camper package
Truck manufacturers provide consumers with certain ratings to
help determine the capacities of the truck, as manufactured. Some
of these ratings are posted on the driver's-side door jam, on
a label in the glove box, or in the owner's manual or other literature.
If you already own a truck that you intend to use for a camper,
it's always wise to take it to a commercial truck scale to determine
the actual weight of the truck. That information – along
with your truck capacity information – will help you determine
the remaining capacities for carrying and/or towing.
Camper weights – both dry and wet – vary depending
on what optional equipment you have installed and how full your
holding tanks are. Also, take into consideration the weight of
passengers, gear and trailer tongue (if applicable).
Truck and camper package handling can be greatly improved by
the addition of support equipment like air springs, special truck
shocks, and cabover shocks. Maintaining maximum tire pressure
on quality tires with ratings equal to, or better than, your original
tires is also important.
Truck weight capacity
ratings
There are limits to what your truck can safely carry, what each
axle can carry, and the total combined weight that can be carried
and towed at the same time. Each of these limits is important
by itself. The truck manufacturer provides this information in
the form of Gross Weight Ratings and the following terms are important
to understand:
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
The value set by he truck manufacturer as the loaded weight of
a single vehicle.
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
The value set by the truck manufacturer as the load-carrying capacity
of a single axle system. There is a separate (and different) GAWR
for the front and rear axles.
CGVWR (Combined Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
The value set by the truck manufacturer as the loaded weight
of the vehicle plus the loaded weight of any trailer it tows.
The GVWR, GAWR for the front axle and GAWR for the rear axle
are generally posted by the manufacturer on the truck door post
or in the glove compartment.
The manufacturer determines the GVWR, GAWR and CGVWR at the time
of manufacture and most manufacturers are unwilling to change
this number once the vehicle is sent to a dealer or sold – even
if modifications have been made to the truck.
Dealer-installed support
equipment
We've found over many years of experience with trucks and campers
that there are certain modifications and additions in the form
of dealer-installed support equipment that can be made to the
truck/camper package to improve safety and handling. These include
adding air springs, cabover shocks, and special truck shocks –
along with upgraded tires.
While these support equipment don’t increase the factory
ratings of GVWR, GAWR and CGVWR, they do improve the handling
and stability of the truck while driving and the ability of the
truck to handle greater loads safely.
How to determine your
load carrying capacity
The first step is to determine the load carrying capacity of
your truck is by taking the truck to any commercial weight station
and obtain weights for the total truck and the weight on each
axle. At the time of weighing, the fuel tanks should be filled
and the driver and expected normal number of passengers should
be in the truck cab. The total weight of the truck subtracted
from the truck's GVWR will be the cargo weight the truck can carry.
To determine the approximate weight of a camper, add the weight
of all optional equipment (both factory- and dealer-installed)
to the camper wet weight that’s posted next to the camper's
entry door. Also add the weight of supplies, personal gear
and other cargo that might be carried in the camper or truck. You
can also use the Get A Quote link to get an approximate weight
of the model of your choice with options.
For professional guidance,
see your Lance dealer
For complete information and professional guidance on matching
your truck to a camper, please consult your nearest Factory Authorized
Lance Dealer. They'll be happy to assist you.
Because Lance is unfamiliar with your specific truck and how
you intend to use it, Lance Camper Manufacturing Corporation
makes no warranties or representation – express or implied
– as to the performance or reliability of your truck with
a Lance camper.
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