Campers in 3rd gen trucks?

[DBond]

i did not realize this! I did not get one for my '01. if one is not provided is it assumed to be able to handle a slide- in?

If it's missing then you just don't know if or what they recommend.



But as others here have indicated, you could just use some common sense and drop in a camper.



I know I will end up way over the CWR, and probably my GVWR, but I feel better having a piece of paper that says that some camper can go in there.

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

Just because I like to hep out, I've got a 3G 3500 Hellwig sway bar that came off my 04.



Just thinking about hauling a camper or load without one ... . screeech, screeech, careen, karoom, keeeeraasshh.



Oh, yeah, almost forgot. Just think about the safety of your loved ones.



PS: Any resemblence to a GEICO, Allstate, or Onstar commercial is completely coincidental. :-laf

 

[ECappleman]

I had read somewhere that some peoples frames had cracked near the cab with the campers on full time.

 

[NDanecker]

I live at the shore and see many RAM's on the beach with slide-ins. This doesn't mean DC condones it just that people do it.



I saw this one guy pulling into the Wawa parking lot a little too quickly and I swear I thought he was going over. To make matters worse I don't think he tied it down correctly as the camper continued to rock back and forth in the bed after he got into the parking lot.

 

[BigGunZ]

I had read somewhere that some peoples frames had cracked near the cab with the campers on full time.

I'm sure that this is plausible, but early Rams with cheesy stamped frames were honkin' slide-ins since some of us were still droolin... many of those trucks still alive and kickin' today. I don't honestly believe you can base a purchace decision on claims and disclaimers... it's more of a "gut thing" than anything else. What I do know is that regardless of the literature, performance claims, ad campaigns, and wishful thinking..... when it comes to draggin a load, whether behind or on top... ... ... bring only a Cummins powered Dodge and call it a day.

 

[JedRattle]

I have an `05 3500 srw 4x qc lb that I use to haul my camper and car trailer around with. The no no paper was in the glove box. Made great for a dog poop mat. I have been to the mountians and the desert fully loaded. I need air bags to level it up about 3in and I would like a rear sway bar. It feels fine going down the road but, common sense says slow down in the turns and change your driving style with the camper on. I driving a little fast on the highway but slow it down when the road gets winding or a lot of uneven pavement. I have talked to a few people who told me to air bag it and put on a sway bar for the best improvement in ride and handling. Only you, can make it to lay on it's side!!!

 

[Mrudolph]

Not sure how long they have been doing this, but I understand DC has been "recommending" that their trucks not be used to carry truck campers. Consequently, I called their customer service number and they confirmed, while they could not give me anything in writing, they do recommend that the 4x4 models NOT be used, as they are already top heavy. She could not go into specifics with regards to how carrying a camper could potentially void my warranty, but did say that if a problem occurred because of the camper, the warranty would be voided.



Does anybody that works at a dealer know anything about this or has anyone had any problems with something like this? Granted, I guess if I get in a wreck and the truck flips with the camper on, I can't sue them. But let's say I get a crappy built engine (it could happen) and it blows. Can they say just cause I carry a camper my warranty is voided? It's not like you can hide the signs of a truck that has carried a camper.



I am very concerned as I just ordered a new truck and my dealer knew I was buying it for a camper, but neglected to mention this to me. I am still waiting to hear back from him, but thought I would check here too.



Ken<O</O

It's not just the 4 X 4's mine is a 2 wheel drive and the accompaning literature that came with my truck says NO CAMPERS

 

[fkovalski]

It's not just the 4 X 4's mine is a 2 wheel drive and the accompaning literature that came with my truck says NO CAMPERS

So- here we have a 2WD Dually... . probably the most stable of Dodge's platforms with regard to ride height not recommended to have a camper!!! This is BS!!!



It is a Qcab according to the signature. Could this "no camper" recommendation be exclusive to Qcabs????

 

[KWinterborne]

It's not just the 4 X 4's mine is a 2 wheel drive and the accompaning literature that came with my truck says NO CAMPERS

Just curious, is the literature written as a "recommendation" or does it specifically state Do not use the truck to carry a slide in camper? Is there any reasoning/justification given? Does it say anything with regards to consequences/warranty issues?

Ken

 

[fkovalski]

Ken- the way my disclaimer read (paraphrased) was: "... this veihicle is not recoomended for use with a slide- in camper. " It was followed by the VIN (which I verified againt the actual truck) along with loding information in written and graphic form of how to properly load a camper ... so yes, it is a "recomendation" to not use. ... (so why the additional info on loading on?)



Very confusing and dealers are just as clueless!! I would realy like to veryfy with a member who HAS the OK to use a camper and find out why that one qualifies and other do not! Anyone???

 

[KWinterborne]

Ken- the way my disclaimer read (paraphrased) was: "... this veihicle is not recoomended for use with a slide- in camper. " It was followed by the VIN (which I verified againt the actual truck) along with loding information in written and graphic form of how to properly load a camper #ad
... so yes, it is a "recomendation" to not use. ... (so why the additional info on loading on?)

Very confusing and dealers are just as clueless!! I would realy like to veryfy with a member who HAS the OK to use a camper and find out why that one qualifies and other do not! Anyone???

Yeah, this is very annoying. I suppose it is because in the big picture, the truck camper market is small potatoes. Living here in NW Florida, I am having to deal with other TC small market issues such as the closest dealers are 6 plus hours away.

Ken

 

[steved]

I might be a little concerned with a 2500 without sway bars

Ummm, Why?? I have a 8 foot slide-in... weighs about 2k... with my little 2500, it doesn't make that much of a difference... it felt a little different at first (as ANY load does), but once you got used to it... I'll drive it at highway speeds and not think twice about it...



I think that there are most likley body combinations that limit the CWR... a shortbed would be one that comes to mind, not able to get the weight far enough forward to spread it over the front wheels.



Mine did not have a CWR in the glovebox (it didn't have anything but the manual as far as that goes)... but I used common sense... sure, I'm not going to buy a 11 footer weighing 3500 pounds and load that, but within reason they handle it quite well.



steved

 

[swaite]

I have a 2004. 5 2wd dually with a long bed and the camper paper gave specific loading instructions. I don't remember what they were and am 500 miles from the truck right now or I'd go look it up.



Steve

 

[tsi_2baad4u]

I have an '05 3500 4x4 G56 Quad Cab DRW and it came with a paper that said "not recommended for use with a camper". I thought it must be a mistake. It won't stop me from using one though but I do think it's pretty crappy of Dodge to say that. What a crock of BS.

 

[BigGunZ]

Ummm, Why?? I have a 8 foot slide-in... weighs about 2k... with my little 2500, it doesn't make that much of a difference... it felt a little different at first (as ANY load does), but once you got used to it... I'll drive it at highway speeds and not think twice about it...

I think that there are most likley body combinations that limit the CWR... a shortbed would be one that comes to mind, not able to get the weight far enough forward to spread it over the front wheels.

Mine did not have a CWR in the glovebox (it didn't have anything but the manual as far as that goes)... but I used common sense... sure, I'm not going to buy a 11 footer weighing 3500 pounds and load that, but within reason they handle it quite well.

steved

Well... meaning... . all things being equal, I'd prefer to carry something the size of a slide-in with a dually, although I'm sure a 2500 can handle one.

 

[TowPro]

I have one that is 8' around 2000 lbs. I think it hangs out the back maybe a foot. I carried it with my 98 2500 which had the camper package which gave me HD springs and a sway bar. Then I moved it to my 3500. Yes the Dually carried it better because it has a little less sway, but the way you have to move the camper legs out to clear the dually "ears" is enough to scare the snot out of you every time you jack it up to load it. Mine is the old "3 jack" style. I will be loading it into my new 3500 SRW next summer. First I have to remove those 4" spacers from the camper legs