Sounds like you are creating unnecessary problems - just my observation.
Strike one - installing a camper on a 1/2 ton truck. Nearly all 1/2 tons and even a large number of 3/4 tons do not have enough payload and you will exceed GVWR.
Strike two - installing a camper designed for an 8.0' bed and now stuffing it into a 6.5' one.
I am just trying to be the voice of reason here since what you are doing has zero impact on me. My suggestion is you slow the process down, define your end goal, research and identify an ideal configuration, and proceed. If we exercise patience and sound judgement life becomes really easy and happy all the time
Fully loaded with my fat butt I will still be under gvwr...
Mfg listed / decal weight is 920lbs. Scale says 930 even. Concern was overhang not weight. I'm not ignoring weight in the slightest.
To quell any other inquiry. Upgrading to a different truck is not an option. I'd sooner stick with the truck shell camper rig.
Factory Curb Weight of the truck, 5575lbs,
Add 200lbs for the added weight of winch bumper minus factory bumper and fascia, winch, and 33x12.50/17LT load range E tires.So total curb weight 5775lbs. Per the owners manual that includes a full tank of gas / all fluids etc...
GVWR of 8200lbs.
That leaves 2425lbs. Subtract 325lbs for fat driver.
1130 lbs for camper wet weight (all water, full tank of propane).
Subtract 20lbs for difference in weight between 3 way fridge and 12v fridge
That leaves me roughly 900lbs for food, camp chairs, cookware, laptop and other misc crap.
My only weight splurge is 3 items. 10.25" cast iron skillet when my clad SS nesting stuff would work, cast iron simply cooks better. Cast iron double sided griddle. I COULD use an aluminum teflon one, but I am not willing to use teflon coated cookware at home, or camping. Not gonna happen. Lastly my 12" extra deep Dutch Oven. I believe it is an 8qt. And lid lifter. This doesn't go every trip, but when I know I am going to be baking more than what the Coleman Folding oven can handle, or I want to cook outside and keep heat out of the camper.
Unless it is an easy fix, I am also considering deleting the furnace instead of fixing it, and replacing with a Vevor diesel heater.
I have also changed up my recovery gear, gone with synthetics instead of like steel shackles, steel rope etc...
The discussion has been had elsewhere in this forum, but generally speaking, I am going to refuse to feel bad about going over GVWR, DOT / Highway patrol is not going to weigh me and cite me for being overweight. I am not a common carrier. I am not so dumb as to drive a loaded pickup truck of ANY capacity like a sports car.
So simply put, YES I am paying CLOSE attention to weight and the capacity of my truck, NO in no circumstances shy of some imbecile hitting me and totalling my truck do I intend on replacing this truck. Yes higher capacity truck would be nice, but I refuse to pay what they are selling these things for these days, even used they are getting stupid expensive, and I have had this pickup from about the time of my late wife and I having been dating about 2 months... through our entire relationship. Too many great memories in this truck. So nope, half ton it is. We have to deal with it. If all you are going to do is pooh pooh half tons, save your breath.
What weight is really there on this camper is majority wise in front of or directly above the axle centerline.
My concern wasn't with the say departure angle. If you draw a line from the bottom of the rear tire, and clear the rear bumper and Class 3 receiver hitch, there is at least 4" between that line, and the tailgate in the down position, so whacking the trailer hitch should be my first clue before I damage anything. My concer was more for support of the additional floor of the camper.
