Keeping The Weight Of A Truck Camper DOWN

Updated: March 10, 2018

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WHAT    WE    DO

We pay attention to staying as trim as possible. Depending on what we carry, the wet weight of our truck camper may vary from 500 - 1000 pounds. Some items are always necessary, some items may not be.

'Unnecessary weight will have a significant affect on the drive-ability, safety and fuel consumption of our rig. '

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TRUCK

Removed
crewcab seat: 125# (est), removed 60/40 seat and replaced with a (25# est) storage platform 
rear receiver hitch: 90# (OEM), Reese Class V, only needed with cargo carrier
rear cargo carrier: 30# (est), Curt tray
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220 pounds

 

CAMPER

Removed
(2) roof antennas: 20#, removed and stored
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20 pounds

Sometimes Installed / Loaded

(2) Delta kayaks: 100#(OEM)
(2) Yakima roof rack bars: 15#

boat accessory container: 20#

canoe: 50-70#

Yakima kayak saddles and rollers: 5#
storage tube: 15#
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105 - 155 pounds

Considering
Attwood jacks: 28# / jack (OEM). May not be needed if the camper will not be removed during a short trip or if the potential for windy camping conditions is low.

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116 pounds

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GENERAL TIPS

• Keep food and supply storage at an optimum amount. Boondocking will require more emergency supply than travel in an urban area. In particular, liquids in glass or canned goods add a lot of weight. Watching the amount of weight you are hauling will improve your fuel mileage and safety. For every hundred pounds of cargo, you reduce your fuel mileage by one percent. Don't buy all food and supplies before you leave. Stop and purchase items along the way to keep your load lighter.

• Only take gear specific to the goals of the trip. Not all sports equipment, clothing etc., needs to be carried every time. Make a list of all of the equipment you'll need on the trip. Bring only comfortable clothes that you know you will wear. 

• Place high-use items where they can be easily reached in cabinets and living quarters. Make sure all cabinets and compartments are closed in transit. Store seldom used items in less accessible places. Reduce pots, pans and dishes down to the bare essentials. The more you camp, the more you'll realize what can be left behind.

• Only keep all tanks as full as necessary. This includes: fuel, propane, fresh water, black and gray water. If your TC has water tanks, fill them with only enough water to see you to your next destination. One gallon of water weighs about eight pounds. When travelling, sewage tanks should be kept at minimal levels, just enough to allow chemicals to work. Whenever possible, gray water tanks should be dumped before departing. Keeping weight levels down saves money at the fuel pump.

• Only travel with necessary tools and hardware supply. Emergency gear should include a jack, lug wrench, flashlight, flares, tool box, first aid kit, wheel blocks and fire extinguisher. Keep gear in one easily accessible place. Keep an extra fire extinguisher near the kitchen area.

• To ensure stability, a truck camper should have the heaviest cargo placed as far forward of the rear wheels as possible. Heavy objects placed in the rear section of a truck camper can result in steering problems. Place all heavy objects in lower compartments and towards the middle to keep a good centre of gravity. Heavy items should always be well secured and never stored on the roof.

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