Advice - 5th wheel/truck camper

[crispyboy]

Hey all,
I wanted to ask a bit of advice for my brother. He recently retired and upgraded his truck from a 2012 Ram 3/4 ton to a 2020 Ram Limited 3500 SRW HO Aisin Longbed Regular suspension
He upgraded his truck because he is considering either a 5th wheel or truck camper.
I am familiar with the bumper pull trailers (Airstream) but not so much to 5th wheel world.
This is a SRW truck.
5th Wheel questions: non-toyhauler layout
- Is there a buyers guide that shows the differences in quality (5 years old to new)
- Is there certain pin weight that should not be gone over
- Appropriate length, weight ratio for the trucks capabilities
- Best length for state and national parks
- Recommended hitch - truck has the factory puck setup. B&W or some type of hitch with air bag/shock absorber?
- Are air bags typically needed on a 3500 truck with 5th wheel setup?
- Best trailer frame and suspension?

Truck camper questions:
I often check out the threads here in the rv forum. It seems that with a truck camper it is all about the proper center of gravity and weight of course. He may want a truck camper so that he can take a bass boat along on the trip. Is this possible? I assume you could only have an 8' max length camper and do this.
- Brand recommendation?
- Is a camper with a slide too heavy for a SWR truck?
- Best camper tie down system. I have seen the recent picture of the 3500 Ram and broken frame. It seems there were several issues at play to cause the failure.

 

[BarryG]

Hey all,
I wanted to ask a bit of advice for my brother. He recently retired and upgraded his truck from a 2012 Ram 3/4 ton to a 2020 Ram Limited 3500 SRW HO Aisin Longbed Regular suspension
He upgraded his truck because he is considering either a 5th wheel or truck camper.
I am familiar with the bumper pull trailers (Airstream) but not so much to 5th wheel world.
This is a SRW truck.
5th Wheel questions: non-toyhauler layout
- Is there a buyers guide that shows the differences in quality (5 years old to new)
https://rv.org/ among others I am sure
- Is there certain pin weight that should not be gone over
I personally would probably not go over 3000lbs just so I had plenty payload for the other stuff
- Appropriate length, weight ratio for the trucks capabilities
I personally would not go over say 36-38 feet, 1.7 times the weight of the truck(based on my 3k pin weight say 14-15k weight)
- Best length for state and national parks
For them the shorter the better for access and more sites to choose from but even 36-38 can be a challenge in those places
- Recommended hitch - truck has the factory puck setup. B&W or some type of hitch with air bag/shock absorber?
I am a B&W fanboy used them for many years with no complaints except for the ease of getting it in and out (weight). Though I need to be able to gooseneck as well as fifth wheel
- Are air bags typically needed on a 3500 truck with 5th wheel setup?
I haven't needed them but my trailer is only 12k
- Best trailer frame and suspension?
While I don't own one (couldn't afford it when we bought) I have always liked the Northwoods ie Artic Fox, Nash etc from their lineup. Lippert makes most frames but not all and many have had problems with them but that is probably more the manufacturer specs provided to lippert than their construction process

Truck camper questions:
I often check out the threads here in the rv forum. It seems that with a truck camper it is all about the proper center of gravity and weight of course. He may want a truck camper so that he can take a bass boat along on the trip. Is this possible? I assume you could only have an 8' max length camper and do this.
- Brand recommendation?
- Is a camper with a slide too heavy for a SWR truck?
- Best camper tie down system. I have seen the recent picture of the 3500 Ram and broken frame. It seems there were several issues at play to cause the failure.
Cant speak to any of these as I have never owned or even looked at them to purchase

You are sure to get many differing opinions from mine for sure. I would rather be conservative than on the edge and I certainly am not weight police I would be more of a consider axle weight rating over the payload number but just from a driving comfort level. I have experienced some panic stops due to idiots and seen some pretty crazy stuff out there as we all have I am sure and prefer to be conservative.

 

[Cummins12V98]

B&W hands down don’t wast the time looking at anything else.

 

[Tuesdak]

Best length for state and national parks

Use a dart board and look at the parks one may want to visit. Look at what's available not just the maximum size allowed.

27-28' Tip of the hitch to rear bumper. Not model number, not interior box space, but total length of RV with pickup disconnected and parked elsewhere as needed.

Shorter if one can stand the compromises like no couch/recliners, dinette being a bed...

It's easier to get a spot under 27' in the Grand Canyon. Several sizes smaller than 27', but, it's a jump from 27' to 40' and GOOD LUCK getting a 40' space even with a 6 month in advance reservation.

Other places have a 28' limit.

Some parks are smaller than, well, 22' won't even fit the truck with a camper. What's the length of the pickup again, how much longer does the camper make it and anything past the front bumper adding length?

You won't clear the trees getting into a spot or stick out into the road if you go over the size.

https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/mather-campground-south-rim.htm

My favorite brand NorthWoods aka Nash and Arctic Fox are just about to start making Double Wides taking two pickups or two trips to get your RV to where you are going. They can't help themselves but to make them wider, taller, and longer. My 2003 27-5L is 27' long. Now the model is 29'9" and 1' taller and I forget how much wider.

One should ask and answer the question if Boondocking or RV Parks be a better choice vs. the nearly always full National Park System.

Is a camper with a slide too heavy for a SWR truck?

Yes.

Look at the door sticker. Weigh the pickup at a truck stop scale full of fuel. Do Not Exceed any weight number with the cargo of a camper and other cargo. Including hitch weight from the boat and trailer along with the mess of math from a hitch extender.

IMO Start looking at the NorthernLite Or Bigfoot if a hard side is what they want. They are significantly lighter than any non-slide AF or Lance.

https://www.truckcampermagazine.com/newbie-articles/match-truck-truck-camper/

 

[endoscott]

" Is there a buyers guide that shows the differences in quality (5 years old to new)"
Randall Eaton, Travel Trailer and 5th Wheel Comparison Guide, used copy $20 on Amazon, or order PDF copy, more like $40? Well worth it, deep dive on how to inspect used rigs (or new) and comparing customer experience of virtually all brands over the years.
"Best length for state/natl parks"
If you want to fit in all the state parks, around 28' is great. We have an older AF 24-5N (2008 MY), awesome rig, replaced suspension parts and brake drums etc, but otherwise no problems just a lot of miles. They really hold value. MUCH better frames than most, heavier yes, but for a good reason!They hold value way better than most brands. If you plan to spend more than a month at a time, 28' will get pretty close. AF 27-5N is our other rig that we got for staying out for a couple months at a time down in the desert. Still not that long at 30', but 8'-6" wide and a big slideout makes it feel roomy. Very comfortable. If you want laundry and all that on board then go bigger. We like to camp at more out of the way places so for us smaller is better.
"Recommended hitch" I second 12v98 on the B&W hitch. Easy to use and built super stout! We run Firestone airbags and can adjust with a remote up or down air pressure.
Best trailer frame and suspension? Arctic Fox/Nash top of the line, heavy, well built, many trailers use very light steel

Good camper brands. We had a 2001 Lance that was awesome. When I needed some parts their customer service was outstanding. They are heavy though, probably should think about a dually unless you're getting a small camper. We were good for a week or 2 at the most staying in the camper. 5th wheel much more comfortable both to drive and to stay in.

 

[crispyboy]

Great info. I will pass this on.

 

[GAmes]

I just want to add that it is legal in 17 states to pull a trailer behind a trailer (doubles) to accommodate his bass boat. Laws vary by state for total length, types of trailers (TX allows two ball hitch while MN does not for example) and type of drivers license needed. The last time I checked CA required a CDL-A. I pull mine with a regular class C.

 

[Road Dog]

Hey all,
I wanted to ask a bit of advice for my brother. He recently retired and upgraded his truck from a 2012 Ram 3/4 ton to a 2020 Ram Limited 3500 SRW HO Aisin Longbed Regular suspension
He upgraded his truck because he is considering either a 5th wheel or truck camper.
I am familiar with the bumper pull trailers (Airstream) but not so much to 5th wheel world.
This is a SRW truck.

Truck camper questions:
I often check out the threads here in the rv forum. It seems that with a truck camper it is all about the proper center of gravity and weight of course. He may want a truck camper so that he can take a bass boat along on the trip. Is this possible? I assume you could only have an 8' max length camper and do this.
- Brand recommendation?
- Is a camper with a slide too heavy for a SWR truck?
- Best camper tie down system. I have seen the recent picture of the 3500 Ram and broken frame. It seems there were several issues at play to cause the failure.

You should try to stay within your GVW so the first number you need is the truck weight with fuel and driver. Then you can figure out the actual payload. The newer RAMs have a higher GVW but they're heavier too. My old dually with a fairly light camper is still at my GVW. I added airbags just to level it out a little but it was probably unnecessary.

You should figure at least 1,000# of stuff (water, propane, food, etc). It seems to add up. Camper manufacturers often give the dry weight without options. I think newer campers list the actual weight on the data plate or on the spec sheet attached inside a closet. All campers have this spec sheet that lists the appliance model numbers, BTU ratings, etc.

If you're pulling a trailer then the ball weight gets added to the payload too.

The centre of gravity mark should be a little ahead of the rear axle. The truck originally came with a sheet that shows where the CoG should be.

The tie-down brackets should bolt to the frame. Never welded. I added a belly bar to mine which really stiffed the brackets. It was easy because the bar cleared the stationary part of a two piece drive shaft. I've also gone to FastGun turnbuckles which have a spring to adsorb the shock when compared to a chain/turnbuckle. When I bought a new Northern Lite camper the warranty was extended if I used the FastGuns.

You should also have a rubber mat in the bed. I have a 4' x 8' x 5/8" mat I got a feed supply store.

 

[crispyboy]

I wanted to followup this thread with a happy ending to this thread.
My brother finally purchased a very clean one owner 5th wheel to use with his new/used truck. This trailer has been kept in a building and it is spotless. It is a 2021 Grand Design Reflection 303rls. I took the day off of work yesterday and helped him retrieve the trailer. It was a 5 hour drive one way.
My brother decided on a hitch change before he went to pick it up. His truck has the factory hitch/puck system so he decided on installing a Reese Goosebox 20k instead of purchasing the B & W hitch for the truck. He liked the idea of having an open bed instead of the larger 5th wheel hitch. The install was straight forward, instruction booklet written well enough and youtube videos helpful. The Goosebox is heavy and is approved for use by Lippert.
I drove for half of the trip up and back. It was a windy day (gust up 35 mph) and I could feel the wind a bit more than with my Airstream trailer and Hensley Hitch. The profile of the fifth wheel is much higher and will catch much more wind so no surprise there. Regardless is seemed like an effortless tow for the truck.
This was my first time driving a truck with the Aisin transmission both with and without towing. I am very impressed with the smoothness of this transmission in comparison to my old 2009 truck with the 68 RFE transmission. I still scratch my head at why this transmission is still used.
Here is a picture of the rig and a photo I found on the internet of the Goosebox.