4500 as truck camper mobile

[pdxkid]

I've had a few 2500 cummins in the past, currently have a LB7 2004 Duramax. I have a Bigfoot camper that is technically not overweight for my current truck but it doesn't feel great. Bigfoot is a "1500 series" and weighs 2300 lbs with propane and water (according to the tag). Not super heavy but my old SRW truck certainly feels it. I can't imagine putting it on a 1500 truck.

I'm ready to upgrade to a newer truck and want a dually for peace of mind and extra capacity so I can have the water full when needed and lots of gear. I'd like a flat bed with tool boxes on the sides and will maybe want to carry a dirt bike on a receiver rack.

I'm looking at 4500s or maybe 5500s. 4x4 4 door shortest wheelbase in that configuration. Probably automatic so my wife can drive it without complaining or irritating me with her shifting technique.

Is this crazy? Is that just total overkill? I understand that they might have a speed limiter which I'd have to bump up to something like 90mph at least in order to be safe passing. I also understand that this speed limiter is based on tire speed ratings somewhat, so I might have to get new tires.

Are there other considerations I'm not thinking of? What about the aftermarket world? Are 4500/5500 supported much there? It seems like some 4500s are even cheaper than the 3500s. I don't need a bunch of fancy options and will be looking for a Tradesman trim level.

EDIT: I should also mention that I'm an arborist and I run a small tree service on the side of my 40hr/week job. This truck will also serve double duty as an occasional tow rig (8500lb chipper), heavy hauler and/or maybe down the line I'd put a dump bed on it and a removable chip box.

 

[mpaulson]

If not upgrading to any heavier campers, 3500 would be good for that Bigfoot.

 

[Ozymandias]

Ask someone for an extended testride in a 5500 before you buy, take your wife with you. It is harsh to say it friendly.
Do you drive at night? Don't buy a Trasdesman, it comes with candles from the factory. Also the dash provides no more then basic information and the seats are terrible.
We had to many people that went all in o the Tradesman just to come back six months later with a list uf upgrades that could have been bought the first time.
There is a reason why the TM is so cheap.

 

[NIsaacs]

Ask someone for an extended testride in a 5500 before you buy, take your wife with you. It is harsh to say it friendly.
Do you drive at night? Don't buy a Trasdesman, it comes with candles from the factory. Also the dash provides no more then basic information and the seats are terrible.
We had to many people that went all in o the Tradesman just to come back six months later with a list uf upgrades that could have been bought the first time.
There is a reason why the TM is so cheap.

I disagree, nothing wrong with a tradesman. A new truck is a new truck. I would rather have a new tradesman than a 20 year old anything.

 

[NIsaacs]

Keep in mind a flatbed for a camper is tall. You need stairs to get in it. For everything else you mentioned, a 4500 is a great tool. Be advised, they are a serious truck and ride like it. Power is derated if that matters.

A 3500 dually pickup will do a lot of work and ride way better.

 

[mwilson]

I chose a 3500 Cab / Chassis. Totally different frame than a 3500 dually.
I put a very heavy Arctic Fox on its back and it really doesn’t care. We load heavy with water tank full and all kinds of supplies.

Much longer warranty period than 2500/3500 series for emissions related components.
Derated yes, but I don’t notice it. Pulls like a freight train..who cares..
Ozy’s point about the headlights is true but we find the Work Ready seats to be very comfy. I tore them apart and added Rostra seat heaters which really works well..
Also rides as good as my old 2500 empty. Quite surprising really.
If you have questions bring them on.

 

[AH64ID]

Load that camper on your current truck and take it to a scale. Sticker weight is often very light on slide-in campers.

Use your RAW to determine what truck you need.

If you’re currently on a 2500 I can’t imagine needing to go to a 4500/5500, but a 3500 DRW would be a huge improvement.

 

[AnonEd]

Agree on scaling it and for the weights quoted a 3500 dually would be plenty. A 45/5500 might cost a few bucks more to register in Idaho but I'd see if there's a big difference for insurance, pickup to chassis cab.

 

[mwilson]

Agree on scaling it and for the weights quoted a 3500 dually would be plenty. A 45/5500 might cost a few bucks more to register in Idaho but I'd see if there's a big difference for insurance, pickup to chassis cab.

To your point on insurance, I had a 5500 all picked out but at the last minute I remembered that it can be a battle with the insurance companies as they want to force Cab / Chassis units into a commercial policy, at least in Maine. I called and sure enough the cost was horrendous. Found the 3500 and was able to squeak it in as commercial but for a much lower rate as the 3500 designation doesn’t trigger the rates as a 4500/5500 will.
Some states are coming around but some are not.

I have even considered registering the thing as an RV…

 

[pdxkid]

I appreciate everyone's input, thank you. I think I'll narrow my search to a 3500 with a bed, not chassis cab (unless one comes along) so as not to have to deal with a de rated truck and lower speed limit. I'll be buying used and hope to find something for around $40k with less than 75,000 miles. Too bad RAM doesn't do one like Ford which is the F450 with a bed that's not de rated power wise. Those are cool trucks.

Also, after looking at the payload ratings of SRW 3500s, I might even go that route, though I'm still wanting a little more stability and safety factor in the event of a blown tire. The newer SRW 3500s have nearly double the payload of my old 04 Duramax. Crazy.

 

[pdxkid]

To your point on insurance, I had a 5500 all picked out but at the last minute I remembered that it can be a battle with the insurance companies as they want to force Cab / Chassis units into a commercial policy, at least in Maine. I called and sure enough the cost was horrendous. Found the 3500 and was able to squeak it in as commercial but for a much lower rate as the 3500 designation doesn’t trigger the rates as a 4500/5500 will.
Some states are coming around but some are not.

I have even considered registering the thing as an RV…

Good points here. I already have commercial policies on two work trucks so I wonder how bad it would be...

 

[NIsaacs]

Did you see this?

https://www.turbodieselregister.com...o-74-501-original-miles-one-owner-45k.274882/

 

[pdxkid]

I chose a 3500 Cab / Chassis. Totally different frame than a 3500 dually.
I put a very heavy Arctic Fox on its back and it really doesn’t care. We load heavy with water tank full and all kinds of supplies.

Much longer warranty period than 2500/3500 series for emissions related components.
Derated yes, but I don’t notice it. Pulls like a freight train..who cares..
Ozy’s point about the headlights is true but we find the Work Ready seats to be very comfy. I tore them apart and added Rostra seat heaters which really works well..
Also rides as good as my old 2500 empty. Quite surprising really.
If you have questions bring them on.

View attachment 140304

View attachment 140305

Wicked cool setup!

 

[pdxkid]

Did you see this?

https://www.turbodieselregister.com...o-74-501-original-miles-one-owner-45k.274882/

Super cool but just not a good choice for me for several reasons. Mainly age. I'm ready for a much newer rig.

 

[mwilson]

Not all are speed limited…this is my truck and it’s set to 102 mph.

 

[mwilson]

Truck also has Ambulance Prep so this “JJ7” code may go with that instead of being a standalone option? Maybe sag2 can look at that…

 

[AH64ID]

From what I have seen the lower speed limits are options, so there could be a lower speed limit. Nothing that can’t be fixed with AlfaOBD or JScan.

 

[Ozymandias]

I thought the same, something that can be ordered optionally for Company's that do not want their drivers speeding around.

 

[NIsaacs]

The way I understand it, the 4500-5500 trucks with 19.5's are speed limited??

 

[AH64ID]

The way I understand it, the 4500-5500 trucks with 19.5's are speed limited??

They will come with a speed limit that’s matched to the tires. That can be changed if the tires are changed.

There are ordering options for speed limits lower than the tire ratings on all C&C trucks. (65,70,77)