It’s great to have your RV. Once your RV is set up, you can have the best travel experience. The sticker on the inside of the driver’s door tells you the maximum load of your vehicle. This sticker tells you the amount of weight your truck can carry in the cargo area and cab. Among the best small campers, I choose the 3500 Heavy Duty Truck, a GVWR of 4387 lbs. The maximum weight a fully-loaded vehicle can carry is called the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating). It includes passengers, liquids, cargo, and the tongue weight of a trailer (like a UTV or trailer). It doesn’t take long for your van to reach its maximum payload. It is essential to first match your van to the RV you want to buy. Here are what you should know before buying a truck camper.

The Ride and the Payload Capacity of the Truck

There is no way to increase the payload capacity of your vehicle. However, there are some things you can do to make heavy campers more comfortable in your truck. For example, I equipped my truck with air suspension airbags. These airbags are designed to assist factory springs with heavy loads and prevent your vehicle from sinking to the rear. These airbags improve steering control, reduce wheel spin and wear on existing suspension components.

Your vehicle must be level at all times. Airbag suspension systems work like balloons. The suspension is designed to support the weight of the vehicle. Air must be pumped in to keep the rear of the vehicle from sagging. When discharged, the suspension returns to its normal state. In the basic installation, the kits are mounted between the suspension and the frame. The extra weight is supported by air pressure in the airbags. All factory suspension components remain intact.

The Truck Length and Camper Length Ratio

Many trailers hang on the rear bumpers of trucks. The best is a camper that fits a 6-foot truck bed. My camper is designed for an eight-footbed. It hangs 2 feet above the rear wall. A 10-foot camper can be transported in an 8 footbed. However, the bed of a 6-foot van is not very suitable. The safety of a vehicle can be compromised if it hangs 2 feet above the rear. Some may argue that a van with two rear wheels can carry more weight. I think they are right. You need to know the center of gravity of your load and how it affects vehicle performance.

The best way to avoid costly repairs and maintenance is to match trucks and RVs. According to truck owners, overloading is the number one reason for unscheduled truck repairs and maintenance. A properly matched truck and RV combination is the best choice when safety and driving performance are paramount.