Buckland
My 1999 is X-cab, 4 cyl, 5-speed manual, 4 WD. Empty weight 3600 pounds. With my new Eagle shell 4440 pounds empty. I figure with 2 people and camping gear I will be close to or over 5100 pounds.
Eagle shell with no options weighs around 550 pounds. Mine has two cabinets, a counter, gas struts, Fiami awning (bet that weighs 100 pounds by itself), auxiliary battery, fantastic fan, and screen door = 840 pounds. If you have the regular camper with refrigerator, I suppose your dry weight pushing 1200-1500 pounds. The weight adds up fast.
I have a custom 5 spring pack that holds 1500 pounds. The camper sits level on my truck. I have D rated tires and Bilstein shocks and plan to go to E rated tires when these wear out.
I have had to learn to drive it differently then when I had a Flip Pac on it. Much more 4th gear driving especially going up any hills as the 4 cyl doesn't have enough torque. Milege so far is city 17.3, 50/50 18.3, hiway 20.5 at 65 mph.
Thanks for the details Jim, I am off to the North Maine Woods... wild... 75 miles 'in' on shale roads... last time it did fine... It is difficult to put more $ into the truck, But I will if I have to.