12 replies to this topic

[Fitwon]

My 09 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab is ready for my first Pop Up Camper. I've installed Firestone Coil Rite Air Bags and a Dee Zee bed mat--ready to buy that camper. I have found three 2002 6.5 foot Lite-Craft Campers in superb condition for around $5,000. ........or I could buy a 2008 6.5' Hallmark or 2007 8' Outfitter Caribou for around $12,000. What do you folks know about the construction of Lite-Craft Campers? Are they still in business? Thanks or any coaching you can give.

[LuckyDan]

As of Jan 1 2009 this was their number:

Lite-Craft (Lite Craft Campers), 303-296-2185

I have no idea if they have a web site. My guess is if a Google search found nothing on Lite Craft my they may have fallen prey to the recent, (current?) economic hard times.

Best of luck in your search.........

[DirtyDog]

Never heard of Lite Craft. Moving this over to campers.....

[Fitwon]

As of Jan 1 2009 this was their number:

Lite-Craft (Lite Craft Campers), 303-296-2185

I have no idea if they have a web site. My guess is if a Google search found nothing on Lite Craft my they may have fallen prey to the recent, (current?) economic hard times.

Best of luck in your search.........

Thanks LuckyDan. I tried the number and it is no longer in service. Best to you.

[Silvertip47]

Check the weights closely on the Hallmark and Outfitter. Even though they are pop ups they may be too heavy for a 1/2 ton.

[Fitwon]

Check the weights closely on the Hallmark and Outfitter. Even though they are pop ups they may be too heavy for a 1/2 ton.

Thanks for the tip Silvertip. My 2009 Dodge 5.7 Hemi Quad Cab short bed is rated by the manufacturer for an 1850 pound payload. My Dodge transmission has a tow/hawl feature which helps on hills and mountains, as well as with transmission durability (it is a 5 speed automatic). I added Firestone coil air spring bags which Firestone "says" will give me an additional 500 pounds of capacity. I realize this is only suspension wise and hope that I can carry an Outfitter Caribou 8' or a Hallmark Guanella 8' with much grace and ease. I know the Outfitter's real weight is heavier than they advertise but lighter than Hallmark or Northstar. Lite-Craft seems to be a little lighter than the three--however until I get my camper loaded and on the scale, I cast a critical eye toward what weight claims are.

I have decided to buy "used" for my first truck camper, as I realize many of these campers get little to no use. The gain is two fold: first I can find a hardly used 2002-2008 at a great savings and secondly: if I find I am not using it much (and my grown sons aren't either), I will have less money invested.

I plan to leave tomorrow (Monday, June 21, 2010) for Colorado and New Mexico to look at Outfitter Caribous, Hallmark Guanellas and a few primo Lite Crafts. I hope to tour Outfitter's and Hallmark's factory and lots.

I appreciate your thoughts Silvertip. I bought my truck just outside your hometown of Boise (Weiser, Idaho)---a great area of the USA.

[Nimbl Vehicles]

Thanks for the tip Silvertip. My 2009 Dodge 5.7 Hemi Quad Cab short bed is rated by the manufacturer for an 1850 pound payload. My Dodge transmission has a tow/hawl feature which helps on hills and mountains, as well as with transmission durability (it is a 5 speed automatic).

Actually that payload rating is for a 2x4 with the V6.
Yours is more in the 1200lbs capacity.

Keep in mind if you carry just 20 gallons of H2O (166lbs) and another passenger at 150 lbs you only have 900 lbs to work with.

Just wanted to point it out before you make a decision.
I learned the hard way with my previous 1500 4x4 Chevy.

[Fitwon]

Thanks for the weight info Mark. I weighed my truck in Colorado today while driving to Santa Fe NM--looks like a 5400 pound 4x4 Ram 1500 SLT quad cab. However, it was an axle by axle scale rather than a larger scale that would be more accurate. I will reweigh soon to cross check.

Dodge does say 1430 pounds payload for my truck. It is a good thing you caught my error--suckered by Dodge with their web advertising--It leads many to think that the payload is 1850 lbs. for all 2009 & 2010 1500 RAMS.

I did talk extensively with an Outfitter Caribou owner who thought the weight of his outfitter matched well with his half ton truck--no problems, only 3 MPG less with Outfitter Caribou on his truck. He stated he had no handling problems or braking problems with Outfitter on and that he tipically drives like a maniac.

Thanks again Marc--especially for the phone conversation on weights on trucks and campers.

[sledskiing]

I've owned a number of Lite-Crafts.

I believe they are out of business

I do have the phone number for the lead builder if you need it.

[Will]

I just bought a used lite craft truck camper for 08 Tacoma. I would love to have the builders name if you still have it? I'm looking for a weight on the roof, to see if I can install a rack system and lift supports on it?