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I’m having a Capri Retreat built to fit a 2019 Ranger which is also being built to order. Capri says the Ranger will easily handle the camper I want.
Conventional wisdom for these small trucks is to add air bags to help with handling. However, the people at our local Ford told me that the trucks are designed differently nowadays, that air bags are not necessary in applications that they may have been in the past, and recommended hanging back. I took a look at a truck similarly equipped to what I’m getting and it has jounce bumpers if that’s relevant.
Picking this thing up is going to be a long drive. As this is my first camper, I’m not sure how much I should be worried about this up front.
Determine the gross weight of the camper to include the base weight plus all options (e.g. jacks, batteries @62# each, air cond @ 92#, LPG, water incl. volume in hot water heater, solar, etc), then determine the payload capacity (incl. options) of the truck configuration – GVWR minus vehicle weight = payload…This should give you a more informed idea…
As a contingency, I’ve had good luck with Timbrens, which can be installed over the rear axle in just a few minutes (with adjustable shims for proper clearance), have a full money back guarantee, and a lifetime warranty…They are basically cylindrical, hollow rubber blocks that only engage (contacting truck frame) when the camper is aboard – they never need service…Loaded, the ride will stiffin a bit in the rear (but not uncomfortably so), snd sway will be reduced considerably…If it turns out that you don’t need them, just send them back…JMO
They are also available via google search…
I went the same direction as Phil, but went with Sumo Springs which are similar to the Timbrens in terms of installation and action. I have had air bags on two trucks in the past and like the alternatives as they require nothing and are so much fast to install. In place, whether I am hauling the camper or our fifth wheel, the bed does not droop under their weight and when hauling empty I can not tell they are there.
Steve and Andra
2012 F350 6.2 gasser SRW LB
Fab Fours front and rear in case we run into a rhino
2019 Northstar Laredo SCI have run bags and there is a place and time for them, but I don’t use them on my TC/5th wheel. They do provide softer suspension and they do that job well. But softer is not better when you 5000+ lbs in the bed of your truck. But that is just ME. What I was is in increased performance and safety envelope.
What I run on my truck and have over the past 4 trucks (F 350 CC LB, ’09, ’11, ’15’ ’17) is a rear anti-sway bar (Hellwig, BIG WIG), Rancho 9000 XL adjustable shocks and upper Stable Loads.
I only drive I-states if I am in a hurry, rest of the time it’s backroads and here in Texas LOT of those back roads weave in, out and around ranches, often with more curves than a pickup load of rattlesnakes. I also live in the Hill Country of Texas and its not called Hill Country for nothing. My AF 1150 fully loaded but not water tilted the scales a bit beyond 5000 lbs and often I pulled a trailer behind that.
If its a softer ride then bags are the way to go, but IMO there is no place for them on a truck w/a TC. I want my TC stable and only moves in lockstep with my truck.
Don
US Army Retired
2019 F 350 CC-LB King Ranch
Hill Country of TexasThanks everyone for the ideas.
After doing some reading, my inclination at this point is to pick up the camper with my stock setup, take it easy, and proceed from there.
Although this is going on a 1/2 ton, the camper is light. It’s primary purpose is to serve as a base for backcountry camping (i.e. sleep in it the night before and the night returning), so it’s a fairly minimal setup without heavy stuff like water, roof mount units, a bunch of gear we can’t carry on our backs, etc.
BTW, one thing you guys might find funny is I didn’t know until fairly recently that campers were heated. I’ve slept snug as a bug in a rug in below zero temps in my dug in double walled tent feeling sorry for the poor souls stuck in freezing boxes exposed to the wind. I still probably wouldn’t know except a nice guy in a TC invited me and my GF out of the -5°F to share some whiskey a few years ago when he saw us moving through a parking lot.
Thanks everyone for the ideas.
After doing some reading, my inclination at this point is to pick up the camper with my stock setup, take it easy, and proceed from there.
Although this is going on a 1/2 ton, the camper is light. It’s primary purpose is to serve as a base for backcountry camping (i.e. sleep in it the night before and the night returning), so it’s a fairly minimal setup without heavy stuff like water, roof mount units, a bunch of gear we can’t carry on our backs, etc.
BTW, one thing you guys might find funny is I didn’t know until fairly recently that campers were heated. I’ve slept snug as a bug in a rug in below zero temps in my dug in double walled tent feeling sorry for the poor souls stuck in freezing boxes exposed to the wind. I still probably wouldn’t know except a nice guy in a TC invited me and my GF out of the -5°F to share some whiskey a few years ago when he saw us moving through a parking lot.MAYBE this could be a BETTER option for you:
http://truckalterations.com/explore/Search/Truck%20Tents
I know a guy that has one and they LOVE IT and you sound like the reason why they went with this over the camper, they are big into hiking etc…
Don
US Army Retired
2019 F 350 CC-LB King Ranch
Hill Country of TexasI looked into bed and roof systems as it’s way lighter and cheaper. However, the majority of our camping is in subfreezing temps and we frequently get buried in snow (a good thing because that keeps you warm and protected from the wind). The in bed and on roof systems don’t offer enough advantages over our regular tents which are engineered for alpine expeditions where conditions can get severe.
The reason we like the TC route is that once you and/or your gear get wet, you’re hosed. The TC offers a way to sleep much more comfortably at the trailhead the night before and the night returning, and holing up if you get snowed in is more fun. Also, I paddle in the ocean year ’round, and the weather is really wet/stormy in the winter. This made a small hardshell equipped with a propane heater attractive.
I really would have loved to make a truck with more payload capacity work. But they’re just too big for some areas plus I live in a city where a full size is nearly impossible to park.
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