Thoughts on a new truck for Camper slide in?

[RACE427]

Considering a new 3500 Crew Cab Dodge in 4X4 with the single rear axle. I prefer the 8 foot bed over the 6 ft. Is this a better choice for a slide in camper setup? Would this limit the amount of camper over-hang past the rear of the truck?

A Dually would not work for me as I like to travel the parkway here in NY State, also do not need to worry about tire rotation for 2 extra wheels. Welcome all input on this plan.

Thanks, Tony G

 

[DonTX]

Well, you asked for thoughts, so here goes. I have had many pickup campers on many pickups, currently have a Host Yellowstone double slide and love it!

Never again would I ever attempt to haul a pickup camper on a single rear wheel truck, or with less than an 8 foot bed. I feel your objections to a dually are more things you have heard or imagined, not things you have experienced. I travelled on the parkway in NY State, did not know there was a prohibition against it?!

I would strongly suggest you actually try out a dually with a pickup camper on it, then try one with single rear wheel. Wish you were not so far away, you would be welcome to drive mine.

 

[LRutigliano]

I ran my Eagle Cap 950 slide-in (almost 10' long) for 3yrs on my 2003 3500 SRW. I got the automatic because backing under a camper that is raised 4' off the ground with a manual and clutch really made me nervous. However, now that I have a 5er and power modifications, I sure wish I would have gotten a manual.



The camper weighed 4100 lbs and I was at the limit or just slightly over for the LT265/70-17's (3195 lbs each).



Never had an issue but I made sure the tires were inflated to 80 psig.



Newer truck campers are very heavy, so make sure you know the actual weight of the camper as ALL OF THE MANUFACTURERS lie about their weight. For example, the Eagle Cap literature said it weighed 3200lbs fully loaded. I didn't have 900 lbs of gear in it...



If I had to do it over again, I would have gotten a dually because they are 100% more stable when going around corners. 100% !!! Also, you have a built in safety factor in case of a blow-out with the 3 rear tires on pavement.



Plus, the new 2008 and up duallies are beautiful and tough looking !!



I also had Timbren overload rubber snubbers in place of the axle bump stops because 4100 lbs squashed my suspension even with the helper springs.



I have pics of my set-up in my photo gallery.



One more thing... the Dodge bed rails are higher at the back of the truck than the front of the bed and my camper almost touched the bedrails at the back. I had to use two rubber bed mats to gain enough clearance.



Don't let any camper dealer drill a hole in your bed for the 7 way, either. Dodge has a 7 way under the bumper and you easily run a 12' cord inside the bed from the camper plug to the bumper.



Hope this helps,

Louis

 

[SBall]

4x4 + SRW + CTD + Slide-in = white knuckles
Been there, done that.
Good advice from the respondents so far.

Having run a SRW 4x4 CTD with our 9 1/2' Lance camper and upgrading to a DRW, I can say the improvement in handling is huge. Recognize too that when you load up your camper with the requisite cargo and beer for your journey, you'll have a much heavier camper than the load sticker attached to your camper suggests. Your SRW Cummins-powered 4x4 will have very little legal payload capacity as well. If you need to stay with a SRW truck, I'd suggest you look at the pop-ups.

 

[Bill Stockard]

Never again would I ever attempt to haul a pickup camper on a single rear wheel truck, or with less than an 8 foot bed.

Yep, I agree! Been there, done that and never again... too unstable in the wind and meeting/passing semitrucks on the highway.



Bill

 

[PWitteveen]

My brother never used a camper, but he has hauled a fifth wheel with both and he prefers the dually to the srw for hauling. The dually handles better both for cornering and high wind situations. He travels between Texas and Washington state every year and has had some high wind situations that made him thankful for the current dually he has.

 

[SHobbs]

One thing to remember with a dually, if the mirrors clear your fenders will clear as well. One way around the tire rotation problem is to find a place that offers free rotate and balance. I get my tires at Discount and every oil change I go in for a rotation. Another tip if you get a dually don't worry about valve stem extensions, carry a piece of 3/8 fuel line thats just long enough to reach the inner valve stem cap. The rubber hose grips the cap just enough to enable you to remove the cap to do what you need to do then replace it. If needed you can tape a piece of stiff wire to the hose to keep it straight, I have never needed the wire. Just be sure to use a dual head pressure guage like the truckers use.

 

[steved]

Never again would I ever attempt to haul a pickup camper on a single rear wheel truck...

I disagree with this to a point... it depends on how heavy the camper is to begin with. I put better than 25k miles on a slide in and my 2500, never once had a scary moment... but that camper also weighed under 1500 pounds, unlike some of the behemoths today.



I would not haul some of these newer campers on a 3500, they weight too much. However, if you keep the weight down, there is no reason a slide in can't be hauled in a SRW 3500.

 

[FWC]

Camper/Truck Combo

Have tried 3/4 ton truck 8' bed with 8. 5'cab over camper-never again.

Tried 1ton SRW CTD 4wd 8'bed, same camper-never again.

Have had two 3500 drw 8' bed(one a regular cab, now have QC), both 4WD, 6 speed manual, air bags-same camper-works perfect. The DRW has never been an issue-only a blessing.

 

[jeepit]

I disagree with this to a point... it depends on how heavy the camper is to begin with. I put better than 25k miles on a slide in and my 2500, never once had a scary moment... but that camper also weighed under 1500 pounds, unlike some of the behemoths today.



I would not haul some of these newer campers on a 3500, they weight too much. However, if you keep the weight down, there is no reason a slide in can't be hauled in a SRW 3500.

I agree here. Depends on the weight of the camper. My Lance weighs about 2200 and I have never had handling problems with it. Sure, a dually would be even better but so far I have not had issues. Keep in mind the 2nd Gens with camper special have the overload springs in. I am not so sure about the newer trucks having them in stock form? Maybe someone can enlighten us about that.

 

[Grizzly]

Considering a new 3500 Crew Cab Dodge in 4X4 with the single rear axle. I prefer the 8 foot bed over the 6 ft. Is this a better choice for a slide in camper setup? Would this limit the amount of camper over-hang past the rear of the truck?

A Dually would not work for me as I like to travel the parkway here in NY State, also do not need to worry about tire rotation for 2 extra wheels. Welcome all input on this plan. Thanks, Tony G

Tony, tell us what size, weight and brand slide-in-camper you're considering. If you're looking at a 9' or less camper, then a 3500 SRW with an 8' bed will work fine, however any larger and or heavier camper, a DRW is much preferred.



I started off with a 10. 5' cab-over-camper on a F250 furd gasser, which I had to go to super single tires, big stack of overloads and the heaviest shocks I could find at the time and it was still a nightmare on 2 lane highway.



I then went to a 95 DRW and a 11' 3" Lance camper for 10 years, which was a much improved ride and handling. I'm now on my second DRW and a 5er. I don't believe I could ever go back to a SRW after the great experience with the two duallies.



Parking my monster truck is not a big deal for me because when I go to Home Depot or other shopping, I just park in the lower 40 and take up 2 spaces. A little walking is always good for you.

 

[Bill Stockard]

Parking my monster truck is not a big deal for me because when I go Home Depot or other shopping, I just park in the lower 40 and take up 2 spaces. A little walking is always good for you.

Yep, I park likewise. I don't worry about someone banging their doors into the sides of my truck or scratching the dually fenders with shopping carts... . I don't mind walking a few extra feet either.



Bill

 

[RJWEST]

Many miles with T/C, With and without Dually,

Dually a little more stable than a properly set up single, but for me
, not worth the trouble, as I limit my load to 3500 max. .

6 ft box limits the selection of T/C's especially if buying used.
and, campers made for overhang are ok, but 9 1/2 on a 6 foot bed
is not a good idea... .

I have a 6 sp, love it, pulls great, and with the Hub conversation
loading and parking with 2 low is easy...

A 3/4 ton will need the factory helpers or after market rear suspension work, The front and also needs to be kept in order.
On 02 and later , the Trac bar conversion reduces sway considerably

Your main concern being the box length, I would definetly go with the 8 ft box...

A word of caution, not all campers fit in the bed, Test load before you buy... .

 

[Regcabguy]

My truck's maxxed out with my Northstar 8' popup. I've got enhanced suspension to boot. My concern has always been emergency handling. If you have to jerk the wheel in a collision avoidance maneuver,the SRW's coming over. I'd highly suggest looking for a popup or go with the dually.

 

[Grizzly]

campers made for overhang are ok, but 9 1/2 on a 6 foot bed

is not a good idea... .



Your main concern being the box length, I would definetly go with the 8 ft box...

He is talking about an 8' bed.



RACE427 "I prefer the 8 foot bed over the 6 ft. "

 

[THoltz]

I have a 2003 Lance model 1010. Sticker says it weighs 2900 dry, with no battery. With battery, propane, water it is close to 3500 lbs plus our personal belongings. In a strong cross wind you will be glad you did. The extra set or tires will give you peace of mind knowing you are overstressing the side walls.

 

[RBridenbaugh]

I went with a regular cab, DRW, long bed, 4x4 with 6 spd manual.



Have a 10'8" Citation without slides with a "wet weight" 3,400 lbs. Every thing topped up and ready to go camping and it is 4,200 lbs. So I'm just 280 lbs below my GVWR. DRW handles the load and side winds well.



Regular cab is nice as there are only two of us. A little easier to park. The camper hangs over the windshield more than a quad cab, but it acts as a nice sunvisor in the summer and the snow and frost don't get to the windshield in the winter.



4L was nice to have sometimes on the FS roads to avoid bouncing everything around inside the camper.

 

[bheiting]

The 8 foot box is the way to go. Check the brochure at your local Dodge dealer for specs
on load restrictions for the different models, or dodge.com. I have a 2500 4X4 6. 5 ft box that is only rated for 1000 lbs of camper. My 4 Wheel Camper weighs 900 lbs empty, 1200 lbs full of water and gear, so i'm overloading it even with Packbrake air bags.
The 3500 is the best way to go for any camper.

 

[WyoJim]

Wow... This thread gets more Bizarre all the time. It seems the posters think these trucks are as wimpy as the people doing the posting.

 

[steved]

Wow... This thread gets more Bizarre all the time. It seems the posters think these trucks are as wimpy as the people doing the posting.

Don't forget the frame will crack if you haul a slide-in... there are a load of threads on it... :-laf