[robbiesell]

2018 Z71 Duramax Quadcab longbed.

Looking to put on a FWC Fleet cabover (~1200 lbs dry), and Chevy claims it'll void the warranty. Rumors are since the payload being near 1500 lbs that it may bend the frame.

Anybody know if adding reinforcement to the frame is possible to avoid this nightmare?

https://fourwheelcampers.com/model/fleet-model-pop-up-truck-camper-leader-mid-size-trucks/

 

[Scotty1100c]

As far as I know the frame isn’t the issue, it’s the suspension. Maxing out the suspension on the rear end is where the stress comes from, along with issues in handling. To solve this problem you can install airbags like what Firestone makes, and they make them for our trucks. Last time I was in a Les Schwab getting a flat tire fixed they even had them on display in their waiting room. Trailer and rv places will install as well. When I get ready to buy a camper this is what I intend to do as well.

 

[bigoilbob]

"Maxing out the suspension on the rear end is where the stress comes from, along with issues in handling. To solve this problem you can install airbags like what Firestone makes, and they make them for our trucks."

Two potential problems, not one. Weight, and handling. Airbags might "solve" the first problem, but the very sag reduction that will result will compound the second. The "down" height of 54" looks low to actual to me - again, especially with air bags. And you won't have any problems topping 1200# with food, clothes, sundries. Body width slightly more than that of your truck. Side winds also a factor, even though this camper is probably among the lowest in class.

Sure looks like a quality product, but I'd go another way....

 

[Streamintrip]

"Maxing out the suspension on the rear end is where the stress comes from, along with issues in handling. To solve this problem you can install airbags like what Firestone makes, and they make them for our trucks."

Two potential problems, not one. Weight, and handling. Airbags might "solve" the first problem, but the very sag reduction that will result will compound the second. The "down" height of 54" looks low to actual to me - again, especially with air bags. And you won't have any problems topping 1200# with food, clothes, sundries. Body width slightly more than that of your truck. Side winds also a factor, even though this camper is probably among the lowest in class.

Sure looks like a quality product, but I'd go another way....

It has always been my belief that air bags might help with stiffening the suspension and controlling, to some extent the 'sag', BUT it will do NOTHING to increase weight ratings. That is a function of the OEM suspension SYSTEM.

Other components in the suspension system may be compromised by increasing weights due to the belief that changing a component will increase the OVERALL system rating.

 

[Coloradorob]

If you have seen the frames that have bent on YouTube you will notice that it bends at the bump stops. Or at the first hole in the frame just after the bump stop. If you look at the frame you will notice it gets smaller at the wheel arches. And GM wants it to bend down in a rear end crash.
Also these trucks have a soft rear suspension that is easily bottomed out over just a dip in the road. You have multiple issues here.
I do believe the frame is a weak spot. And poorly engineered.
I watched an interview from a design metal technical guy about these frames. They also work with and supply metal technology to other car companies that also had complaints of bent frames. This guy says the frame is very strong and computer designed. BULL SHIIT........
The problem is that a large load (at the tail of the truck) may bend the frame. But if the weight is close to the cab there will be no issues.... But a heavy load at the tail will cause a bottom out situation and the frame will bend down. IpIt will not bend from just the weight but from the sudden stop when the bump stop suddenly stops the suspension.
I have have overloaded my truck way beyond the it’s load limits.
I had the bed loaded with hard wood and a Big dump trailer full of hard wood connected with over 8,000 lbs. That had a 1000 lbs tongue weight.
But I took the long slow road home as not to hammer the suspension on those bump stops.
Also a load like a drop in camper puts a lot of weight at the tail.
That and the high center of gravity of a drop in camper along with the soft suspension may cause serious handling issues in a emergency situation.....

But for GM to say a drop in camper will void the warranty is an obvious admission to a poorly engineered frame.

And what really kills me is that when the word gets, out and it has got out. and sales drop off.
GM will say sales were to low to continue building the trucks. No one wants a mid size truck......

Its the same with the diesel 2.8
I truly believe the reason for discontinuing the 2.8 is high warranty issues with plugged DPFs and plugged DEF injectors ect.
And it effects the sales of there new 3.0 diesel full sized truck.
Dont forget the new 3.0 litre has the DPF very close to the exhaust manifold and that helps keep it hot and clean.

Rob

 

[oak1971]

Will all of this affect resale value?

 

[Scotty1100c]

"Maxing out the suspension on the rear end is where the stress comes from, along with issues in handling. To solve this problem you can install airbags like what Firestone makes, and they make them for our trucks."

Two potential problems, not one. Weight, and handling. Airbags might "solve" the first problem, but the very sag reduction that will result will compound the second. The "down" height of 54" looks low to actual to me - again, especially with air bags. And you won't have any problems topping 1200# with food, clothes, sundries. Body width slightly more than that of your truck. Side winds also a factor, even though this camper is probably among the lowest in class.

Sure looks like a quality product, but I'd go another way....

“Airbags might "solve" the first problem, but the very sag reduction that will result will compound the second.” Uh no it won’t. Sag reduction will not compound any issue. It solves issues. Period. And as far as topping out the #1200 that’s what your solving with air bags. The airbags set up effectively raises the amount of weight your capable of putting in the truck, and without running the risk of bending the frame. It solves those problems.
As for handling, anytime you tow a trailer or put weight in the bed of your truck it’s going to effect handling, that’s a given, so whenever your towing or hauling a loaded truck....like having a camper in the back, yes of course your going to need to drive accordingly. Even full size trucks have their handling effected by having a camper in the bed.

 

[Scotty1100c]

Will all of this affect resale value?

That’s a hard question to answer. Installing the air bags? In my opinion that would either not effect resale or will increase resale. Some people would love to have that feature already installed on a truck. And given the choice between 2 used trucks that are otherwise pretty equal, I think some people would chose the one with bags already installed cause that’s a cool option. Would having had a camper on your truck effect resale? Ehh I think that depends on the overall condition of the truck. Did you beat it up pretty good while out camping? Was the truck taken care of, serviced regularly, and is otherwise a sharp clean looking truck? I think those things effect resale way more than having had a camper in the back. Would you be looking to sell the the truck and camper as a pair? Yeah I don’t know that’s hard to say, but another way to deal with that is the dealers who sell campers and trailers take trade ins, they sell used units, they’ll take used units and sell them on consignment for you, and there’s people on Craigslist on fb marketplace looking to buy used campers. So it’s entirely possible to sell the camper by itself.

 

[oak1971]

I guess what I was asking was will the the fact these trucks are designed to fold right half in two and cannot carry the rated payload affect resale value?

 

[Scotty1100c]

I guess what I was asking was will the the fact these trucks are designed to fold right half in two and cannot carry the rated payload affect resale value?

Lol.....that’s funny. They’re not designed to fold in half. GM could have done a better job with a better suspension to handle heavier payloads, but I get their logic to a degree. To get better payload you sacrificed ride and handling quality. To get better ride and handling you sacrifice payload. You ever ride in an empty 1 ton truck and compared it to riding in a half ton truck? That’s pretty much it.
So by beefing up the suspension by adding another leaf or going with the airbags your increasing the payload so you can more safely haul heavier loads like the camper and not have any problems.
Furthermore it’s important to note that everyone of those that had their frame bend...they were abusing their truck. Not GM’s or Toyota’s fault people abuse their trucks and then have something like that happen.

 

[17CCSB2.8]

Air bags will help maintain ride height, but they do not increase vehicle capacity or payload. Many factors affect payload, such as frame strength, axle capacity and most importantly braking capacity. Adding reinforcement to the frame actually ends up reducing your payload capacity by the amount of extra weight added to the frame. Most shops will not do anything that will increase gvwr which in turn adds payload due to legal issues. With the tremendous cost involved of doing it, it becomes way more effective to go to a full size truck as they are not much larger and can handle campers better. Not to mention the slightly wider track of the full size pickup will make the camper easier to handle on the road.

 

[oak1971]

Leave it to GM to screw up a good truck. The redesigned Colorado will be a spectacular mess of compromises and parts bin sourcing.