3500 frame problem???

[805gregg]

slide in camper

I have a 03 3500 srw and the manual states, overall Dodge truuck engineers every new Ram pick up for slide in campers. However, certain truck models are not recomended for slide in campers (read hot rod models) To determine if your vehicle is excluded, please refer to the "Consumer Information Truck-Camper loading" document available from your dealer. For safety reasons, follow all instructions in this important manual. I think I'll load my 3000# camper and drive to the dodge dealer and read the document. All you *****s

who want to buy a Ford go ahead, maybe th price of Dodges will go down, and if enough of you guys with Fords get together you can make lemonade.

805gregg

 

[daytripper63]

if enough of you guys with Fords get together you can make lemonade.

805gregg

:-laf :-laf :-laf

 

[fkovalski]

Great thread!

At various places though, it refered to the concern over slide- in camper WITH the snow plow prep option. Correct me if I am wrong, but is the snow plow prep NOT avaolable on the 3G's with the Cummins? I belive (if I read the brochures correctly) that the prep package is only for trucks that have the Hemi?



This being fact (?) still does not answer the question as to why some are allowed while others "do not recommend. "

 

[EBottema]

What a teribble thing. I thought dodge wrote heavy duty on the gate. They should have put light duty instead... . That hydroformed frame sure was an improvement lol

 

[Mingoglia]

I think Dodge should go back to C channel. I never though the hydroformed frame was a good idea. Yeah, it makes for a more compliant ride and "stiffness" on PAPER but I don't think it's the best for towing. I always model what I think the ideal towing configuration is by what the semi tractors are using... after all, those trucks are designed for a million plus miles and are heavy hauling only rigs... conclusions:

1) inline 6 is better than V8

2) C channel is better than hydroformed.



If you watch a loaded sem take off at a stop light you'll see the flex in the frame. A flex in the frame is a good thing despite what DC propaganda may tell you. Something that flexes handles long term stresses better. Something super rigid like hydroformed frames are great until they exerience something out of the ordinary that makes them snap/crack one day.



The day I see a semi truck use a hydroformed frame is the day I'll accept it for my truck.



I have a second gen truck. The day a mega cab dually long bed is available I'll be lining up at the dealership. I don't like the gutrag manual transmission, and I don't like the hydroformed chassis... . but I guess I'll have to put up with those... . but I don't like it.

 

[Heavyweight]

How thick is the frame on a commercial tractor-trailer? Hint, thicker then you would get on ANY pickup Truck. I am far more concearned with the sheat metal as thin as paper on the Dodge Truck. Yes, this is a fact. The 3rd Gen sheet metal is thinner then the 2nd Gen and that was thin. Dodge is going for light weight at all costs. They are reducing cost, and that's the BOTTOM LINE!

 

[geusterman]

Takes a lot of bucks to set up frames for hydro. The big rigs see no reason to or want to spend the money. We need lots of strength and lightweight in our pickups. I miss being able to wack away with my torch/welder. Our 3gen Dodge frames are fine. Ask Kent Kroeker about the abuse in Baja he puts his 03 through. George

 

[EBottema]

A hydroform frame should last the life of the truck under normal use. You might see people running a 3rd gen in 25 years run into a cracked frame. Sucks, you cannot weld it so getting a good frame might be a problem. A c canel is always better, it has been in service for near a century and always worked good. Why fix something that is not broken??

 

[geusterman]

I do know some guys who know how to weld on those frames. They are steel afterall. It will be standardized someday. George

 

[Elite1]

Seems to me the way they word it about a slide in camper, it doesn't seem like they are worried about the weight of the camper. I believe they are worried about the height of the camper and catching wind like a sail and twisting the frame.

 

[DPelletier]

Seems to me the way they word it about a slide in camper, it doesn't seem like they are worried about the weight of the camper. I believe they are worried about the height of the camper and catching wind like a sail and twisting the frame.

Nobody knows what they are "worried" about or if it has anything to do with the frame. I believe it to be much more likely that they don't want to take responsibility for campers that are way over the trucks' payload capacity, configurations that would place the center of gravity too far rearward, inadequate tie-downs, degradation of braking performance, or another host of potential issues. Thier risk management dept. likely decided it was easier to say "no slide in campers RECOMMENDED" than to come up with a comprehesive set of guidelines. For all we know they were worried that rear camper tie-downs attached to the rear bumper would cause too many rear bumper warranty claims.

I've yet to see any credible proof that there are any problems with 3rd gen hydroformed frames.



ps. I'm sure Eric will have something to say, but I can't see his posts.



Dave

 

[EBottema]

Nobody knows what they are "worried" about or if it has anything to do with the frame. I believe it to be much more likely that they don't want to take responsibility for campers that are way over the trucks' payload capacity, configurations that would place the center of gravity too far rearward, inadequate tie-downs, degradation of braking performance, or another host of potential issues. Thier risk management dept. likely decided it was easier to say "no slide in campers RECOMMENDED" than to come up with a comprehesive set of guidelines. For all we know they were worried that rear camper tie-downs attached to the rear bumper would cause too many rear bumper warranty claims.

I've yet to see any credible proof that there are any problems with 3rd gen hydroformed frames.



ps. I'm sure Eric will have something to say, but I can't see his posts.



Dave

If they did not want to give a set of instructions, why was this letter not recommending slide in campers given with 2nd gen and 1st gen trucks? Degradation of brake performance? 3rd gens have the best brakes, again why was this letter not given to 1st and 2nd gen new truck buyers? Rear bumper warranty claims would be voided if you loaded it wrong, that is simple.



Here is the real problem, your so partial to the third gen that you don't want to think anything is wrong with the design of your "baby". Guess what, the hydroform frame idea was a crock to make the general public believe the new truck was superior. You were played for a fool, now, get on with life.



I did have something to say, but you can't see my posts, so, why do you even bring my name up? GROW UP.

 

[GFritsch]

If they did not want to give a set of instructions, why was this letter not recommending slide in campers given with 2nd gen and 1st gen trucks? Degradation of brake performance? 3rd gens have the best brakes, again why was this letter not given to 1st and 2nd gen new truck buyers? Rear bumper warranty claims would be voided if you loaded it wrong, that is simple.



Here is the real problem, your so partial to the third gen that you don't want to think anything is wrong with the design of your "baby". Guess what, the hydroform frame idea was a crock to make the general public believe the new truck was superior. You were played for a fool, now, get on with life.



I did have something to say, but you can't see my posts, so, why do you even bring my name up? GROW UP.

Talk about glass houses. I honestly don't think I have read any threads from you where you are not slamming 3rd Generation trucks. Well please post some pictures of broken frames. If you had a third generation truck and actually had a frame crack issue I could understand your input here--otherwise thank you soooo much for your helpfull input here... ...



I have had both a second and third gen truck. The third gen truck handles my camper and far more load than my 94.



I guess there is always one in every bunch...



DPelletier-- I agree with your last post. There is an awfull amount of room for "user error" in the use of a truck to carry a camper



Greg

 

[brods]

Great thread!

At various places though, it refered to the concern over slide- in camper WITH the snow plow prep option. Correct me if I am wrong, but is the snow plow prep NOT avaolable on the 3G's with the Cummins? I belive (if I read the brochures correctly) that the prep package is only for trucks that have the Hemi?

It is available on the 3Gs, code AHD, mine has it. I think GM is the one that doesn't offer snow plow prep with the diesel. What would the snow plow prep have to do with a camper?

 

[fkovalski]

... What would the snow plow prep have to do with a camper?

Sorry... I have been between the discussion here and THIS THREAD that I authored of similar issues or factors that could affect the frame.

My bad.