Slide In Camper on a flat bed (I'll be your test dummy, just ask away)

[mwilson]

So........after months of consideration I have gone with a CM Flatbed on a one ton C&C..

I will try to answer any questions for those that might be considering doing the same...

First and foremost is entry height. My Arctic Fox has a high entry by nature, holding tanks are all in the bottom of the camper. Note the step between the bumper and the door sill...

Will carry the step stool at all times now, it tucks neatly away right in the entryway so it’s right there when you open the door.

 

[mwilson]

This was the lowest CM style I could find, a lot of the others have storage under the deck which raises the deck height an additional 4". Too much in my case.

Get one with side rub rails, that gives you built in attachment points for the camper tie downs.

 

[mwilson]

Will fill the gaps in the sides with (2) 18" X 18" X 72" or (4) 18" X 18" X 36" toolboxes. If I go any longer I will have doors that won't open past the tie downs. Spare tire will be tucked in against the headboard where I can remove it from the side if I need it while loaded.

Had to purchase the Reico-Titan front jack extensions, same as you need for a dually so the body would go in between the front jacks.
They fold ahead and stow....just barely... Tight enough so that I will remove the pads (only held on with a single 1/2" X 1 1/4" bolt) and stow them. I will also have to remove the two lower bolts and replace them with bolt / wingnut combos so I can tip the legs ahead and access the front lower boxes. Then I have the jacks with me if needed. Five minutes of wrenching and it's ready to be dropped.
I'll get pictures as I craft this up.

 

[mwilson]

First problem was putting the leg extensions on, was considering jacks and blocks.....too much drama...

Decided to use the truck body for the jack stand....CM bodies have a taper on each side at the rear. That taper allowed me to lift the camper up with the powered jacks and then back the truck body under the camper for the first 4 " or so. Then set the front of the camper on the body.....instant jack stand!!!

 

[Tuesdak]

What are your weights for the camper, C&C, and what is the weight capacity of the truck? Does the flatbed weigh more than a standard pickup bed?

What is the height vs. a standard 3500 pickup? This is very interesting difference.

For those that don't know much about the C&C what other differences are there: HP/TQ, Transmission?

 

[mwilson]

What are your weights for the camper, C&C, and what is the weight capacity of the truck? Does the flatbed weigh more than a standard pickup bed?

I have not weighed the combo, but truck is rated for 14,000 GVW. Camper tag says 3300 lbs which is total BS....I'll guess at 1500 lbs for the body, later on I'll see if I can find the actual weight.


What is the height vs. a standard 3500 pickup? This is very interesting difference.

I say it's about 4" higher than the bed of a pick up. I'll have a closer look this weekend.....the camper was high even on my 06' but we didn't need the step stool to comfortably mount up.

For those that don't know much about the C&C what other differences are there: HP/TQ, Transmission?

Ashamed to say that I don't really know those HP/TQ numbers yet, for now I'll go with the Rolls Royce answer of "Adequate"...
I would suspect it is a bit de-rated to protect components and add longevity. The truck is made to be loaded and worked all the time...

Bigger stock fuel tank, bigger DEF tank, bigger beefier axles, 3 link suspension on front instead of a 5 link, flat frame, and I'm sure there's more I'm not thinking of.

With that camper on it there is NO sway. It is solid enough to get oneself in trouble if you happened to forget what you are piloting.

 

[mwilson]

The overloads are just touching the hangers, a moderate bump will result a a slight noise as the truck lifts and then slaps back down on the overload hangers. The wife will fix that when she loads it up with supplies...

 

[NIsaacs]

Looking good Mike! Link to some good info on the 19+ Cab/Chassis.

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/2019-ram-chassis-cab.265962/

 

[AH64ID]

I have always been surprised that the C&C stuck with the 5 link vs the 13+ 3 link. The pickup 3 link and associated frame are so much more stable than the previous frame and 5 link, plus the ride is improved too. That doesn’t mean that the C&C frame responds the same thou.

From what I have noticed the 3500 C&C’s are a little heavier once equipped with a flat bed than their pickup counterpart, and while the SRW has a lower RAWR by 200lbs and GVWR by 300lbs, the DRW has a higher RAWR by 100 lbs with the same GVWR. The FAWR appears to be the same. The C&C does have a beefier rear suspension, albeit narrower spring perches.

C&C’s also have a lower GCWR, but they are more geared towards GVW even in the 4500/5500 range. A 3500 HO SRW P/U with 3.73’s has a higher GCWR than a 3500 DRW C&C with 4.10’s.

 

[Tuesdak]

I believe the "dry" weight as optioned from the factory is on a sticker inside a cabinet in the camper somewhere. The not-optional option of the "Fox Value Package 595 pounds" is just a weird game Northwood plays.

So this gives you more room over the cab to not bang your head getting in and out of the truck then?

 

[NIsaacs]

A 3500 HO SRW P/U with 3.73’s has a higher GVWR than a 3500 DRW C&C with 4.10’s.

Did you mean to say GCW?

 

[mwilson]

Tuesdak, truck is currently at my local dealer getting my little list of nit picky stuff done.
When it returns I will get pictures of the body structure. I believe the crossmembers used are 4” so that would be my rough guess of the height difference between a pick up and my set up.

 

[mwilson]

Space between cab and camper overhang. I was focused on having enough room to clear the headboard so I didn’t measure the space. I will check it the next time I put it on.
No danger of hitting one’s head…

 

[AH64ID]

Did you mean to say GCW?

Yes, good catch.

 

[Ozymandias]

Did you sell the Fifth and the other truck camper?

 

[AH64ID]

C&C top of frame to top of cab is 48”, pickup bed to top of cab is 43.6”.

Subtract deck height to get a comparison.

The open tailgate height of the 4th gens is also about 1.5” higher than 3rd gens (37.5”). The frame height is 34.3” on the new C&C, so add deck height to get a comparison.


Engine ratings are 360hp @ 2800 and 800 lb/Ft at 1700.

 

[mwilson]

Did you sell the Fifth and the other truck camper?

Ozy, we sold the Lance last fall. It was to the point where it needed some work and we were ready for something newer.
We will keep the fiver for now, have an opportunity to set it for the summer so we may do that.
Truck has the in frame ball hitch so I will have to source an adapter rather than install fifth wheel rails or some other costly system. Just not going to tow it enough to justify much extra expense…

 

[NIsaacs]

Mike, do you have room to get at the spare tire fastener?

 

[mwilson]

Going to have to strap it with the handle on the right so I can release it…I THINK…


Will probably involve some E-Track before it’s over..

 

[Tuesdak]

Will carry the step stool at all times now, it tucks neatly away right in the entryway so it’s right there when you open the door.

Don't mind me: I learned on a motorhome delivery you don't step up on the running board to get in. Good thing I have a hard head!

The step stool IMO could be improved. I like the petsafe products offered by Torklift so maybe they have a complete step replacement to both eliminate the step stool and make it easier for the optional "dog security system".

Remind me what pickup (year etc) are you comparing too that you had for the Lance Camper?