1st Trip with camper - 2001 HO/6 speed

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Just got back, picked up the 1800lb camper on Wed. The 1800lb camper compressed the 2500 4x4 rear springs (no camper package) to just about level with the front with 5lbs in the Airlift air bags. Thinking I had bought the airbags and not needed them, I realized within 2 blocks that the sway was too much. I added 30lbs to the bags and the sway was nearly gone. I ran 70lbs in the rear tires, 62lbs front tires (Michelin M/S 265-75-16)and 30lbs in the airbags. Real smooth ride, very good handling. Windy conditions on the trip exposed the "wander" some folks have been talking about in the steering. Mine is not too bad for a 4x4 straight front axle vehicle carrying a load imo. Mileage was 16. 6 on the way down with tail and cross winds and 13. 4 on the way back with head and cross winds running 70mph both directions. Sure is nice to have loads of torque merging on the freeway and passing Super Doodys. The 6 speed ratios are perfect for my needs. All in all the the Ram is working exactly as intended for my application. Next test is off road in Baja carrying the camper thru gullys, sandy stretches and miles of washboards. Real glad I bought it so far #ad


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2001 HO 6 speed Regular Cab SLT 4x4 3. 54 anti spin 2500. Used for the daily grind and sneaking away to some secret Baja beaches toting a cabover

 

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Dane,

That sounds about right... with my 3500 pound camper, I run 70 in the AirLift Bags so your 30 sounds about right... .

On a side note, AirLift says NOT to have less than 10 pounds in the bags - ever. .

And, 70 in the rear is what I too run, seems the lowest pressure where all the tread on the rear tires is being 'used'.

Good luck,

Charlie

 

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The offroad adventure in Baja sounds great! I'm hoping to do similar things with my truck. Please share what you've done and what you plan to do to optimize your truck for that purpose. I'm debating back and forth between a fiberglass shell that I'd build out with rudimentary camping equipment vs. what some describe as an "off road camper. " Any thoughts?

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Hey Stone,
I did the tent camping thing in Baja for 10 years, not for the faint of heart. I have wind stories that would bring tears to Daniel Boon's eyes #ad
Tried a cabover camper once and never looked back. Nothing is as nice as surfing and sitting outside in the sun and wind all day and then going inside and shutting the door and having a little house to hide in #ad
The other BIG plus is packing to leave. You really have to create a sturdy shade tarp, kitchen and top of the line tent if you plan to stay more than a day or two. If the waves or weather go bad, pulling up camp is a 2 hour deal, with a cabover it's a 15 minute job. If you're interested I have very nice top of the line camping gear that's Baja tough at a real good price. I'm going cabover from now on...

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2001 HO 6 speed Regular Cab SLT 4x4 3. 54 anti spin 2500. Used for the daily grind and sneaking away to some secret Baja beaches toting a cabover