Just wondering if any Apex 8 and Lance 825 owners can honistly comment on the ready to roll weight of their units. I see Apex claiming the 8 is 1/2 ton useable however when I add things up it quickly hits well over 2,000 lbs (in my opinion heavy 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton range). I like the idea of the apex 8 as I can go to very remote areas. I've been eyeing the new 2009 F-150 Crew Cab with the 5.4 and 6.5 foot bed (4x4). I was thinking the Apex 8 was just right for that but when I added things like water, propane, cloths, 2 dogs (180 lbs total) me (240 lbs) wife (low 100s, for risk of being killed) and misc stuff I'm worried it might be a bit much for a 150. we'll likely be venturning to national parks anywhere from the southeastern us to Yellow Stone, glen canyon, etc in the summer and WINTER months. Any help on this would be great. My biggest issue is honist the cost of a F-250 Diesel vs F-150. I'd get a gas 3/4 ton but our company policy voids that so I'm stuck between a F-150 or F-250 Diesel (stay with fords due to our great fleet pricing). My other concern is to stick with a short truck camper as it will fit in my garage when down and be out of the weather (FL weather is hard on everything). This is the first truck camper I've looked at, if I've missed others then lance and Outfitters please let me know.
I have two co-workers who have the Apex8; both loaded with options.
One is on an '05 Dodge 3/4T quad-cab 5.7L, the other is on an '07 Chevy 1/2T Ext Cab 5.3L.
Both trucks needed airbags. Both owners are happy with the way the trucks drive with the campers on.
Are you determined to have an F150? Watch the bed depth; you will need to eleveate the camper a couple inches.
Good luck,
fishfinder
Well to be honist our price on fords is too good to walk away from. I.E. thousands under invoice without any rebates. I've been thinking about bed depth too. I figure my line X will add at least 1/4 in and maybe more if I can get them to spray it on thick. Then I'll add my normal bed / stable mat and hope i'm close. If not maybe I'll build a metal booster rack??? I appricate your honisty on the trucks. I'd love a 3/4 ton diesel but the extra 9K for the diesel and 3/4 set up + more for oil / fuel filter changes and just more expensive in general.
This will give you an idea of what a fully optioned, ready to camp weight will be for the Outfitter Apex 8. The truck is in my signature.
The truck first with a full tank of fuel and my wife behind the wheel=
Front: 4680#
Rear: 3220#
Plus me @ 210# = 8110#
Next we weighed the camper and truck with my wife behind the wheel ready to camp full of water, propane, generator, clothes, food, etc.=
Front: 4800#
Rear: 6180#
Plus me @ 210# = a grand total of 11,190#
My GVW is 11,400# so I'm under by 210# loaded and ready for a road trip. The truck handles this weight VERY well with just the stock suspension. The Apex 8 is little heavier than my original estimate of 2915# but, not by too much...
Options:
Extended bunk
(3) Group 31 AGM's custom battery box
(2) 110w Solar panels
Polar cub AC
(2) Fans
Honda 2000
Tundra fridge
Slide out bunk/drawer
40 Gal water tank
Microwave
2nd overhead cabinet
2007 F-350 SRW 6.0L Auto CC SB 4X4
2006 Outfitter Apex 8, 220W Solar and 3 AGM's
Wow, that 825 advertises some light weight for a hardside! My TC goes to 3400lbs fully optioned and loaded for camping. That is 1000 lbs more than advertised dry weight for the extended cab stock unit. I would expect the Lance adder would be at least that much, more if you option it out as mine came standard with a lot of Lance's options.
I own a 2500hd gas unit. I wish I had bitten the bullet and purchased the diesel. Going up hills you can really see the difference with a diesel, comparing to others I know and all the trucks that passed me on the hills during our last Oregon trip.
Also the cost to operate a diesel is less. I get between 8.5 and 9.25 mpg with my gas unit, fully loaded. That is a cost of $0.39 per mile at $3.50 per gallon and 9 mpg.
Everyone that I have spoke to and from what I can see in here most people here get 14-16 mpg. Even with the slightly higher cost of diesel the savings over each mile makes them far cheaper to operate, $0.27 per mile at $3.99 per gallon and 15 mpg.
The engines and will also out last a gas engine by at least 4 times. I have several friends with between 300,000 and 500,000 miles on their trucks. They change the oil filters regularly but only change the oil every third filter change. Our utility company PG&E at one time, I don't know if they still do, never changed the oil in any of their rigs. Just changed the filters religously and topped the oil off. After all oils don't brake down unless you over heat it. The additives will over time but topping off and replacing the oil lost in the filter change will replenish the chemicals. Most important thing is to replace the filters.
Just my opinion and something to think about.
Good luck and happy camping.
PJ
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