Lance camper and right truck

[spectra bash]

Just bought a 1990 lance 780 camper. 11’ very clean original always garaged. I have a 04 Chevy crew cab 4x4 longbed LLY. Before I put brackets , electric for camper and bags on it I’m curious from everyone’s experience if I add heavy duty swat bars should this truck be fine. Also towing 21’ day cruiser . Or do I need to look for dually.

 

[v6toy4x]

the early alum sided non slide models were not too awfully heavy, you will know its back there, but
you should be fine, maybe bags to level especially after tongue weight and a sway bar.
brakes on the trailer are as important as anything!


dont get me wrong a dually would handle that very nicely but not necessary IMO.
this set up does require some focus while driving, camper comes in at around 4700lbs wet

 

[AzMandella]

Just bought a 1990 lance 780 camper. 11’ very clean original always garaged. I have a 04 Chevy crew cab 4x4 longbed LLY. Before I put brackets , electric for camper and bags on it I’m curious from everyone’s experience if I add heavy duty swat bars should this truck be fine. Also towing 21’ day cruiser . Or do I need to look for dually.

Air Bags for sure. And don't use any other tie downs than these .

True Frame Mounted Camper Tie Downs | Torklift International

Leading the camper tie down industry in strength, quality, advanced design and installation. Torklift TRUE frame mounted tie downs are far superior to all tie d

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[82daytona]

I had a similar set up with no bags and it was fine till I put a trailer on. I’ve still got the mounting brackets if you need them $150 plus shipping and they’re yours.

 

[USMC2010]

I have Firestone airbags and torklift quick disconnect stableloads. Either would be fine on there own but together makes a really good hauling experience.

 

[TrojanDan]

I had an 9.5’ Alpenlite with slideout and it was pretty damn heavy for my 3500 SRW. My LLY hauled it fine. I added Firestone airbags and Rancho adjustable shocks. Never felt I needed the sway bars. Loved the camper but I really needed a dually for peace of mind. The inmate I bought it from had it on an older duramax 2500 truck and he towed his +21’ boat with the camper on. I also had Torklift hold downs and Fastguns with electric jacks to make take off and on easier.

 

[spectra bash]

I had a similar set up with no bags and it was fine till I put a trailer on. I’ve still got the mounting brackets if you need them $150 plus shipping and they’re yours.

What brackets do you have and for what year truck?

 

[H20 Toie]

Truck will be fine. with the boat having airbags will be helpful.

 

[sintax]

Air Bags for sure. And don't use any other tie downs than these .

True Frame Mounted Camper Tie Downs | Torklift International

Leading the camper tie down industry in strength, quality, advanced design and installation. Torklift TRUE frame mounted tie downs are far superior to all tie d

www.torklift.com

I second both of these statements. The heavy sways could help a lot too.

If you're going to be towing something heavy, I'd also suggest upgrading the hitch and brace to the Torklift Superhitch + Super Truss

 

[AzMandella]

I had a similar set up with no bags and it was fine till I put a trailer on. I’ve still got the mounting brackets if you need them $150 plus shipping and they’re yours.

Depends on how heavy your camper is fully loaded . My Lance 915 Light (LOL) fully loaded was over 4000lbs .

 

[sintax]

I had a similar set up with no bags and it was fine till I put a trailer on. I’ve still got the mounting brackets if you need them $150 plus shipping and they’re yours.

if the OP does not want the brackets I would be interested in checking them out to see if they'd work for me.

 

[USMC2010]

I have the happijac mount system.

 

[Ziggy]

I have the happijac mount system.
View attachment 1060093 View attachment 1060095 View attachment 1060096 View attachment 1060097

My same brackets are still on my truck
Carried a 11' Lance on my Y2K F350psd crew, single rear wheel. Added airbags but usually didn't need them unless the toy trailer was fully loaded.

 

[USMC2010]

My lance weighed 3200lbs which was the max I was supposed to carry in the bed. I started out with way too much air in the bags, then learned more. Once I put on the quick disconnects I was able to use about half the air I was without. I have been considering another tc but don't feel like pulling the trigger anytime soon.

 

[sintax]

My lance weighed 3200lbs which was the max I was supposed to carry in the bed. I started out with way too much air in the bags, then learned more. Once I put on the quick disconnects I was able to use about half the air I was without. I have been considering another tc but don't feel like pulling the trigger anytime soon.

How did it handle that weight with the 2500 and the gasser??

 

[Joe mama]

Grew up in campers, they are a great easy way to camp. Spent many of weekends at Glamis in one.

 

[USMC2010]

How did it handle that weight with the 2500 and the gasser??

10mpg and no slower than 45mph up a good hill, I was able to climb that monster hill out of salt lake pulling my old bayliner at 35mph. I never pushed the rpms too high on any trips and rarely went over 65mph.

 

[sintax]

10mpg and no slower than 45mph up a good hill, I was able to climb that monster hill out of salt lake pulling my old bayliner at 35mph. I never pushed the rpms too high on any trips and rarely went over 65mph.

nice!

I'm dead set on a camper, but with the prices so out of the ballpark, i'm afraid i'm going to wait a bit.

I have an 07 Duramax classic, and just was curious since i think my weight will be close to your estimated 3200 lbs

 

[spectra bash]

I know mine is older. But it’s super clean and everything works. Picked it up for $5000.

 

[Flying_Lavey]

Grew up going everywhere in a '77 F-250 Camper Special with a 10' '77 Dolphin camper. Some of the best childhood memories were in that thing. It was quite the sight going down the road with that set-up towing the 14' trailer with the thing FULLY loaded with quads, 3 wheelers, and dirt bikes heading out the the desert.

 

[warpt71]

Not enough truck, you should sell me the camper

 

[timstoy]

Air bags and premium shocks are a must. Happi jack or torklift tie downs will both work. A dually is definitely more stable but a srw will work. check the load rating on your tires. Lance campers are heavy and there weight specs are dry weights. Put the camper on your truck and take it to a truck scale. Weigh the total and front and rear axel. You will probably be overweight full of water,propane, fuel and personal gear. It adds up fast! I would go with the torklift tie downs and hitch setup if buying new.

 

[Mandelon]

I had the same truck. 04 Silverado K3500 four door cab, 4x4, SRW. I carried a 2005 Lance 1010. You needed to take turns a little slower, and brake a little sooner, but it did fine. From Mexico to Canada. No issues.

I also built a stinger receiver extension tip for the hitch, and used two 3/8" x 2" flat steel bars angled off to each side of the hitch. I drilled holes in the ends of these and ran 3/4" grade 8 bolts to stiffen the stinger so it had no way to tweak the hitch off to the side.

I towed a 21' Lavey and a Wrangler Rubicon all over the place. Again no real issues. I used the Haul Tow mode though. No suspension upgrades were needed. I had air bags on a previous F 250 and it made the ride so rough I bought the One Ton Chevy.

Ran E rated BFG All Terrain tires.

 

[Wayn-o]

Sold mine a few years ago but loved it, especially with teh slide. 2500 HD with 10 foot Arctic Fox camper. For sure air bags and Tork Lift tie downs.