First "Spy Shots" of my new truck

[MSicotte]

Thats a great looking ride, and has given me the idea to pursue to same type of thing. My Arctic Fox is made for a short box truck, and a custom bed might just be the answer for my new truck... ... ... ... ... ... time to start drawing... ... ...

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I love that "locking fuel cap"... :-laf

 

[dclassens]

Was there ever any finish photo's of this truck posted? I would like some photos and data for upgrading company service trucks!! Thanks!



Dave

 

[Bhale]

Was there ever any finish photo's of this truck posted? I would like some photos and data for upgrading company service trucks!! Thanks!



Dave

Dave,

Here's the 2 web albums i have up, one for the truck and the second is from when we went to Long Island to test fit a camper and order our new one.



Brian





Picasa Web Albums - Brian - 08 4500



Picasa Web Albums - Brian - Camper

 

[HBarlow]

Please tell us how the Dodge 4500 works hauling that big slide-in. How much does the camper weigh, what is your loaded weight, how do you like it?

 

[Bill Stockard]

WOW! A good looking rig with the slide-in camper loaded! I'd like a similar set up to haul my Lance.



How much clearance is there between the roof of the truck and the bottom of the camper overhang? It looks very close in the photos.



Is the utility bed more than 8' long? Is that the reason the camper doesn't load closer to the front?



Did you put the full weight of the camper on the truck? If so, how much did the rear suspension settle? I noticed in the photos the jacks weren't retracted.



Bill

 

[Bhale]

Still a couple months till we get the new camper (the one in the photos isn't ours) But we'll be putting our old Lance on in a few weeks. It's weight, loaded with all our junk, is around 3800lbs. The new one will be a bit heavier. The truck only squatted 2" with the camper and the 60 gallon fresh water tank was full. I'm adding air bags to the rear just because i like the adjustability when leveling.



As for the clearance, there's about 2 1/2" between the cab and camper but i recently added a 5/8" thick rubber mat in the truck bed so that's ~3 1/8". We talked about adding a piece of 3/4 plywood to the bottom of the camper if needed.



Yes, the jacks are just barely off the ground.



The bed measures 9' from front to back so i'm having the welder at work make me a storage box to fill the extra space. If had thought about it i would have had the builder add it for me



Bill, the folks that made my bed will be more than happy to make you one...



Brian

 

[MSicotte]

My compliments, that is a beautiful set up !!!!! Someday I'd like to do something like that, been unsuccessful in selling my current hotrod with this economy, but the plans are all in my head !! Nice work, I'm sure you'll have many happy miles with the set up Cheers

 

[HBarlow]

I'm anxious to see your completed photos with your own slide-in mounted and to read your test reports. That Ram 4500 is probably the perfect RV toter for a camper as heavy as a full-sized Lance. It will probably ride smoothly under a Lance!

 

[RVTRKN]

As for the clearance, there's about 2 1/2" between the cab and camper but i recently added a 5/8" thick rubber mat in the truck bed so that's ~3 1/8". We talked about adding a piece of 3/4 plywood to the bottom of the camper if needed.







Brian

If you want rubber thicker than 5/8 for more of a cushion and weight is not that critical, then I would suggest going to any rubber fabricating shop (ie conveyor belts). There you will find many different thicknesses of rubber with plys to cushion the weight of the camper. The only downside would be the weight, but you can get any width or length you need in any thickness. I would prefer rubber under it than plywood but plywood weighs so much less. I use to fabricate, vulcanize and cut to order rubber and if you ask for a scrap piece it would cost less and maybe even free.

 

[Bill Stockard]

Still a couple months till we get the new camper (the one in the photos isn't ours) But we'll be putting our old Lance on in a few weeks. It's weight, loaded with all our junk, is around 3800lbs. The new one will be a bit heavier. The truck only squatted 2" with the camper and the 60 gallon fresh water tank was full. I'm adding air bags to the rear just because i like the adjustability when leveling.



As for the clearance, there's about 2 1/2" between the cab and camper but i recently added a 5/8" thick rubber mat in the truck bed so that's ~3 1/8". We talked about adding a piece of 3/4 plywood to the bottom of the camper if needed.



Yes, the jacks are just barely off the ground.



The bed measures 9' from front to back so i'm having the welder at work make me a storage box to fill the extra space. If had thought about it i would have had the builder add it for me



Bill, the folks that made my bed will be more than happy to make you one...



Brian

Thanks for answering my questions. Maybe some day... after the stock market recovers.



I think a utility bed is much more practical/useful than an add-on pickup bed on a 4500 for hauling a slide in truck camper.



Bill