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HomeGVWR

GVWR

Boot Camp

How to Raise the Payload Rating of Your Truck

November 25, 2024
When it comes right down to it, the pickup truck is built to really do one thing—haul cargo. It’s the raison d’etre. Yes, some people use them to tow, but hauling cargo is what pickup [read more]
From the Editor

Truck Camper Fail: Don’t Travel Like This! EVER!

January 8, 2024
Have you ever seen a truck and camper combination that made you cringe or shake your head in disbelief? I think we all have at one time or another. Check out this recent photo of [read more]
Boot Camp

Truck Camper Center of Gravity: Getting it Right

August 7, 2023
There’s no doubt about. When it comes to matching a truck with a truck camper, the center of gravity is often overlooked. Sure, it’s important that the truck’s GVWR and payload rating are up to [read more]
Trucks

Max Truck Camper Payload Ratings of the Chevy Colorado Pickup

August 4, 2023
With a maximum payload rating of 1,836 pounds, the Chevy Colorado is an outstanding choice when it comes to hauling a small truck camper on a mid-size truck. But before you buy, it’s important to [read more]
Trucks

Elevation Off Grid’s Black Edition F550 is Not Your Grandpa’s Pickup Truck

July 17, 2023
After surveying numerous attendees at the Truck Camper Adventure Rally, two things seem to bite truck camper newbies more often than not: underestimating the weight of the camper and underestimating the payload rating of the [read more]
Trucks

Max Truck Camper Payload Ratings for the 2023 Toyota Tundra

July 7, 2023
Fresh off a 2022 redesign, the 2023 Toyota Tundra is an superb half-ton pickup with a number of endearing qualities, including a lush interior, a smooth ride, and a user-friendly “infotainment” system. Unfortunately, it’s the [read more]
Trucks

Max Truck Camper Payload Ratings of the Chevy Silverado 1500

June 16, 2023
You can’t go wrong going with the 2023 Chevy Silverado 1500. Consumers have a plethora of powertain offerings including a 310-horsepower turbo four-cylinder, two V-8 engines, and a Duramax turbodiesel with 495 pound-feet of torque. [read more]
Trucks

Max Truck Camper Payload Ratings of the Chevy Silverado 2500HD

May 5, 2023
The Chevy Silverado 2500HD is an outstanding choice when it comes to hauling a large truck camper on a 3/4-ton pickup truck. Available in single, double, or four-door crew-cab body styles, heavy-duty Silverados can be [read more]
From the Editor

Is the Eagle Cap 1165 Too Big and Heavy for a One-Ton Dually?

March 13, 2023
Is the Eagle Cap 1165 truck camper too big and heavy for a one-ton dually? After surveying several Eagle Cap 1165 owners at last month’s Truck Camper Adventure Quartzsite Rally, the answer might surprise you. [read more]
Trucks

Max Truck Camper Payload Ratings of the Ram 1500 Pickup

March 10, 2023
Car and Driver calls the Ram 1500, “the best driving and most comfortable” half-ton truck, and we agree. Enhancements including a split-folding tailgate, a giant 12-inch infotainment screen, and an impressive 12,750-pound max tow rating. [read more]
From the Editor

Insurance Covers $17k Repair to Pavel’s Broken Ram 3500 Frame

February 6, 2023
You’ve seen the photographs and read the article by now—the Pavel’s 2020 Ram 3500 buckled in two with a 2020 Eagle Cap 1165 mounted on back. The disaster occurred during a recent trip to Baja, [read more]
Trucks

Max Truck Camper Payload Ratings of the Ram 3500 Pickup Truck

February 3, 2023
The Ram 3500 heavy-duty lineup is a superb choice when it comes to hauling a large truck camper on a one-ton pickup truck. In 2023, the Ram 3500 HD offers an upgraded 12.3-inch digital instrument [read more]
Trucks

Max Payload Ratings of the Jeep Gladiator Mid-Size Truck

December 8, 2022
My, how time flies. It seems just like yesterday when FCA introduced the Jeep Gladiator in 2018. Sure, the off-road pickup lacks the requisite payload to haul a large, slide-in truck camper, but that’s okay. [read more]
Buyer Guides

Best One-Ton F350/3500HD Trucks for Max Camper Payload

February 14, 2022
So you’re looking to buy a one-ton truck to haul a large truck camper. You’ve come to the right place. When it comes to hauling a large truck camper, the one-ton truck is best because [read more]
Boot Camp

Why the Payload Rating is Important for Truck Campers

January 24, 2022
Payload, payload, payload. When it comes to buying a truck to safely haul a truck camper nothing is more important than the payload rating of a truck. Unfortunately, too many shoppers focus on bed size, [read more]
From the Editor

A Question about Gross Axle Weight Ratings (GAWRs) for Trucks

August 27, 2021
We recently received this question about the differences in the Gross Axle Weight Ratings (GAWRs) assigned by axle manufacturers and what’s found on the door pillar sticker on your truck: Hi, Mike! I have enjoyed [read more]
Trucks

Solving the Truck Camper Payload Puzzle

June 18, 2021
In an earlier article I outlined the payload differences between the Chevy Silverado 2500 and 3500 HD, the primary differences being the leaf springs, tires, and rims. As needs change—like when choosing a larger, heavier [read more]
Trucks

Ford F-150 to Include Onboard Payload Scale

April 28, 2021
Ford continues to up the ante with its top-selling F-150 by offering three new technologies this summer, including an onboard payload scale that will help owners stay within the payload rating of their truck. In [read more]
Boot Camp

Taking the CAT Scale Truck Camper Challenge

August 17, 2020
After spending over a week thoroughly testing every system in our brand-new Bundutec Roadrunner truck camper, it was time to finally take the CAT Scale challenge. Getting your rig weighed tells you a lot. The [read more]
From the Editor

A Question About GM’s Truck Camper Loading Sticker

August 12, 2019
We recently received this email from reader Dean Herold of Dousman, Wisconsin about the “Truck Camper Loading Information” sticker that came with his truck… Mike, I own a 1992 Airstream Excella that weighs around 7,000 [read more]
From the Editor

Mello Mike’s Truck Camper Musings and News – Jan 2019

January 7, 2019
Truck Camper Adventure is proud to present Mello Mike’s Truck Camper Musings and News, a quarterly editorial and news brief about truck camper life and happenings in the truck and truck camper industries. 1. A [read more]
Truck Camper News

Truck Campers Banned in Mexico?

October 26, 2017
You may have heard by now that truck campers are being turned away at the Mexico border. Is this true? Unfortunately, yes. But the reason appears to be a misunderstanding of Mexican law by Mexican [read more]
Truck Mods

Truck Mod: Adding a Leaf Spring

July 3, 2017
Is your truck camper rig sagging too much in the rear or in need of extra sway support? If the answer is, yes, then you’ll want to check out this article by Michael King who [read more]
Boot Camp

Top 6 Suspension Upgrades Every Truck Camper Owner Should Consider

March 2, 2017
The suspension system is vital to the ride and safety of your truck camper rig. The suspension includes not only your truck’s wheels and tires, but also your truck’s springs, shocks, and steering. All are [read more]
Boot Camp

Top 10 Truck Camper Mistakes and Pitfalls

February 2, 2017
“Only a fool learns from his own mistakes. The wise man learns from the mistakes of others.” Few sayings are more applicable to truck camper ownership. Unlike conventional RVs, truck campers don’t have their own [read more]
Truck Mods

Transforming a 2500HD into a 3500HD

December 1, 2016
Already own a three-quarter-ton pickup truck and can’t afford to buy a one-ton truck to haul a truck camper? Then you’ll want to take a look at this article by reader Michael King. Michael lays [read more]
Trucks

Another One-Ton Pickup Truck Lesson Learned

November 3, 2016
Truck Camper Adventure recently received this email from Chris Heatherton about his 2015 Chevy Silverado 2500HD. His email provides serious food for thought for readers who are in the process of choosing a pickup truck [read more]
From the Editor

Truck Camper Payload Fail!

February 22, 2016
A reader recently emailed me this photograph of this truck and camper combo and to say I was shocked when I first saw it would be an understatement. This photo provides all of the evidence [read more]
Trucks

A Chevy Silverado 2500 Payload Warning

September 26, 2014
A few days ago, I received this surprising email from Steve in Utah about his brand new 2014 Chevy Silverado. Hi, Mike. I am in the process of buying my first truck camper and have [read more]
Blog

Take Two: Another Trip to the CAT Scale

June 1, 2014
Back in April I took my new Ram 3500 and my Wolf Creek 850 truck camper to a CAT scale in Nephi, UT to get weighed. Together the combo weighed a shocking 11,920 pounds, a [read more]
Blog

Ram 3500 and Wolf Creek 850 Weigh-in

April 16, 2014
We had a great opportunity yesterday, while passing through Nephi, Utah to weigh our 2013 Ram 3500 and 2011 Wolf Creek 850. With a GVWR of 11,700 pounds, I was curious to see how much [read more]
Boot Camp

Choosing the Best Truck for a Truck Camper: Payload, GVWR, SRW vs DRW, and More

February 7, 2014
Buying a pickup truck for a truck camper is one of those decisions you really want to get right the first time. A properly equipped heavy-duty pickup can easily push well beyond $80,000 today, and [read more]
From the Editor

A Question About Half-Ton Pickup Truck Payload

August 19, 2013
This weekend I received the following question about hauling a hard-side truck camper on a half-ton, short-bed pickup truck. Hi, Mike! I have a 2000 Sierra 1500 short box pickup with less than 100,000 miles, [read more]
Blog

Another Trip to the Scales for Wolfy

February 11, 2013
I recently went back to the local scale for another weigh in for both my truck and camper. The last weigh in was eye-opening, but I had an extra passenger and lots of extra gear [read more]
Blog

Taking My Wolf Creek Truck Camper To The Scales

August 8, 2012
Payload, payload, payload! You’ll hear this term used quite a bit on the truck camper forums. It’s important because the payload of a truck basically tells you how much camper you can buy in order [read more]
Boot Camp

Truck Camper 101: Basics for Newbies and Beginners

January 3, 2012
If you’re reading this article you’re probably either a new truck camper owner or a person who is seriously thinking about buying one. Whatever your situation, the truck camper is a great choice with loads [read more]

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The Latest

  • For Sale: Garage-Kept Palomino SS-1251 Camper with Lithium, Solar, and 12V AC
    October 17, 2026
  • BREAKING: Kingstar Unveils Massive KRUZR 12 Flatbed Camper with 90-Gallon Fresh Water Tank
    October 15, 2026
  • Outfitter RV Celebrates 25 Years of Building Affordable, Adventure-Ready Campers
    October 14, 2026
  • Rugged Mountain’s Granite Platinum Camper Packs 1,200 Watts of Solar
    October 12, 2026
  • For Sale: Rare 2014 Livin’ Lite Camplite 8.6 All-Aluminum Camper – $15,000 OBO
    October 10, 2026

Classifieds

  • For Sale: Garage-Kept Palomino SS-1251 Camper with Lithium, Solar, and 12V AC
    October 17, 2026
  • For Sale: Rare 2014 Livin’ Lite Camplite 8.6 All-Aluminum Camper – $15,000 OBO
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  • PRICE DROP: 2026 Arctic Fox 865 Short-Bed Camper, Off-Grid Beast – $42,000
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Truck Camper Mods

  • Review of the Trio Speedmount Starlink Mini Roof Mount for RVs
    March 30, 2026
  • It Works for Us: Simple Truck Camper Mods and Fixes for Comfort and Efficiency
    December 29, 2025
  • A No-Screws Guide to Installing Flexible Solar Panels on a Four Wheel Camper Roof
    November 14, 2025
  • REDARC Unveils REDWorks Power Panel and Tow-Pro Link at 2025 SEMA
    November 7, 2025
  • Why the Truck Camper is the Best Bug-Out RV on the Planet
    February 10, 2025

Truck Mods

  • How Bowen Customs Became the Hottest Truck Camper Bed Builder in America
    August 14, 2026
  • LiquidSpring’s Tru-Earth Leveling Lets Truck Campers Leave the Leveling Blocks at Home
    August 5, 2026
  • The Ultimate Guide to Super Single Tires for Truck Camper and Overland Builds
    July 3, 2026
  • Pacbrake’s New BRAVO Wireless Air System Takes the Hassle Out of Air Bags
    June 30, 2026
  • Buckstop’s Torture Test Proves a Slide-in Camper Can Rival an $800,000 EarthRoamer
    June 22, 2026

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