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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

EOG’s Black Edition F550-5500 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]

Buyer Guides

Max Truck Camper Payload Ratings of the Ram 2500 Pickup Truck

February 10, 2023

The Ram 2500 heavy-duty lineup is a superb choice when it comes to hauling a truck camper on a 3/4-ton pickup truck. In 2023, the Ram 2500 offers an upgraded 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, camera [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 Mods for Truck Camper Rigs

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

An enlightened man once said that, “only a fool learns from his own mistakes. The wise man learns from the mistakes of others.” This is a great proverb, especially when it comes to owning a [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 Right Truck for Your Truck Camper

February 7, 2014

Buying a new truck in today’s economy is a big deal. Depending on options and trim lines, a new truck can easily cost you over $90,000. So before you pluck down those bucks, you better [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

  • New Truck Camper Adventure Merchandise Now Available!
    January 14, 2025
  • Roadloft Introduces First Removable Pickup Camper Conversion Kit
    January 13, 2025
  • Zero Breeze Reveals New Mark 3 Portable AC
    January 10, 2025
  • Top 10 Truck Campers for Mid-Size Pickup Trucks
    January 6, 2025
  • For Sale: 2011 Ford F350 – 2012 Lance 1191 ($60,000)
    January 4, 2025

Classifieds

  • For Sale: 2011 Ford F350 – 2012 Lance 1191 ($60,000)
    January 4, 2025
  • For Sale: 2018 Wolf Creek 850 ($21,000)
    January 4, 2025
  • For Sale: 2022 Ford F550-Host Mammoth Rig ($147,895)
    January 4, 2025
  • For Sale: 2013 Chevy Silverado – 2013 Arctic Fox 996 ($58,995)
    December 13, 2024
  • SOLD: 2006 Ram 3500 – 2016 XP Nimbl Camper ($130,000)
    December 7, 2024

Truck Camper Mods

  • Essential Gear and Strategies for Winter Truck Camping
    December 2, 2024
  • Truck Camper Mod: Starlink Dish Mobile Conversion for RVs
    August 30, 2024
  • Truck Camper Mod: Microwave Oven Retrofit
    August 25, 2023
  • Truck Camper Mod: Eagle Cap 1165 Buffet Storage
    September 9, 2022
  • 10 Best Truck Camper Modifications for 2024
    August 22, 2022

Truck Mods

  • How to Raise the Payload Rating of Your Truck
    November 25, 2024
  • Air Lift Offers New Laneguard Blind Spot Detection and Lane Change Assist
    November 15, 2024
  • Bowen Customs Aftermarket Truck Beds: A Cut Above the Rest
    September 23, 2024
  • Air Lift Launches New LoadLifter Kits for Ford F-350 Chassis Cab Trucks
    August 16, 2024
  • Torklift Releases New ApexAnchors Internal Tie-Down System for Truck Campers
    July 19, 2024

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