Thoughts on a new truck for Camper slide in?

[bheiting]

The statement that if you have a 4X4 2500 you are limited to a pop up and another that 1000 pounds is the limit insinuates that my truck is a wimp.



It weighs 9700 pounds with a GVWR of 8800 and has over 150,000 miles of hauling the camper with this set up. No airbags... Just Rancho 9000 shocks. You weight police can digest that awhile.



The experience gained with 2 campers and two fifth wheels pales in comparison to several guys of which I am one, that have been traveling the country in campers and 5th wheels for 40 or 50 years. It tends to ball a guys socks up when he finds out from a new comer that he has been doing it all wrong.



Have a nice day!!

WyoJim,



Sorry to threaten your masculinity. One thing to consider is that the newer

Dodge 4X4's are lifted and the center of gravity is higher than your truck,

so they are not as stable with the same amount of weight. I wouldn't

encourage anyone to put a 3500 lb. camper in a SRW truck and neither

would Dodge, or for that matter, anyone who knew what they were doing.

Some people think that because they have a Cummins under the hood,

they're driving the Star Ship Enterprise.

 

[RJWEST]

WyoJim,

Now you did it, You insulted Dually guy's.

Just the mention of " Weight Police " sends there BP out out sight.

The wrath of the RV. NET is appon you. :-laf

 

[Grizzly]

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

I don't believe there's any truth to that statement. I know, much has been written and said about cracked frames, but I am not aware of any that have had a problem.

 

[DonTX]

That is reassuring Grizzly Guy. I have spent lots of time worrying about just that failure, I, as I am sure you, have sat for miles watching the flex in the frame as the camper overhang moves up an down almost as there were a hinge in the frame, somewhere between the cab and the bed. I have worried that all that frame flex would someday result in metal fatigue. If anyone has any references about this, please share them with us frame flexing people, includng the area of failure so I can inspect more often for my peace of mind. I only have a little over 200k on mine, maybe there is a mileage limit on frames as well. .



.

I don't believe there's any truth to that statement. I know, much has been written and said about cracked frames, but I am not aware of any that have had a problem.

 

[Grizzly]

That is reassuring Grizzly Guy. I have spent lots of time worrying about just that failure, I, as I am sure you, have sat for miles watching the flex in the frame as the camper overhang moves up an down almost as there were a hinge in the frame, somewhere between the cab and the bed. I have worried that all that frame flex would someday result in metal fatigue. If anyone has any references about this, please share them with us frame flexing people, includng the area of failure so I can inspect more often for my peace of mind. I only have a little over 200k on mine, maybe there is a mileage limit on frames as well. . .

Don, not to worry. Your 3500 is the 2nd gen with a 'C' channel frame. It is the 3rd gen carbon steel boxed frame that all the talk was about. When the 3rd gen first came out, Chrysler put a disclaimer on the 3500 that it was not recommended to haul a Slide-in-Campers. You're also limited in the size hole you can drill in the frame nor you can not weld on it.

 

[DonTX]

Wow, thanks, that is nice to know - and gives me even one more reason to never get rid of my ol 97 that I love so very much!

Don, not to worry. Your 3500 is the 2nd gen with a 'C' channel frame. It is the 3rd gen carbon steel boxed frame that all the talk was about. When the 3rd gen first came out, Chrysler put a disclaimer on the 3500 that it was not recommended to haul a Slide-in-Campers. You're also limited in the size hole you can drill in the frame nor you can not weld on it.

 

[steved]

I don't believe there's any truth to that statement. I know, much has been written and said about cracked frames, but I am not aware of any that have had a problem.

There's no truth to it... I was just poking some fun because there was the multipage thread about it when they first came out!!

 

[steved]

One thing to consider is that the newer Dodge 4X4's are lifted and the center of gravity is higher than your truck...

Umm, not really... the entry height of my 2500 is lower than my dad's 2nd gen 2500. That was one of the sale pitches if I remember correctly, lowered frame height and body on the 3rd gens... also the batteries are moved back behind the front axle for better weight distribution, among other things.



And again, you are not guaranteed a DRW will prevent a roll over (like is being insinuated). That is like saying an 18-wheeler won't roll over because it has dual wheels under it. Some of you are responding like the thing is going to flop onto its side at the first hint of a turn... and again, knowing you got a increased center of gravity means you drive accordingly.



A lot of you also seem to assume the OP is buying a camper that is over the max GVW of the intended truck... and most of you with the larger slide-ins are over your GVW of your DRWs (be honest... ).



And as I previously stated, it all about your comfort factor and the distance you intend to roam... I have a lot of miles on this 2500 with my previous slide-in. If the camper is within reason, on weight and within the capabilities of the truck, it should do just fine.



I have ran from PA to the Florida Keys and from PA to Utah/Colorado/Arizona... never once did I feel like I was in imminent danger because it was "only a SRW"... its not like I only drove it to the local camp ground. I had my wife with me for all those miles and never once was she a bit concerned (and that matters the most!)... I have even crossed the Valley of the Gods near Mexican Hat with this rig (and many of you know what that drive is like).

 

[Grizzly]

Wow, thanks, that is nice to know - and gives me even one more reason to never get rid of my ol 97 that I love so very much!

My 95 3500 came equipped with the C channel frame, overload springs and the rear anti sway bar and the 05 came equipped with the carbon steel boxed frame, overload springs and no anti sway bar. It bothered me that the new truck didn't have the anti sway bar, however I was told that due to the new boxed frame it wouldn't need it because of less flexing. There wasn't even an option for one.



I had the same Lance camper, which was very heavy, on both trucks. I can truthfully say that the 05 handled the camper much better then the 95 and it didn't squat as much. The 05 also has almost twice the power and torque of the 95.



As steved said, there is no truth to the cracked frames scenario.

 

[DonTX]

Well, you do have me in a corner there. My camper (photo a few comments back) tips the scales at 12,120 with three people, two pets, and all the food and water and stuff on a trip. My sticker in the door says my GVW is 10,500 so I am 1620 over GVW. I think I have been over GVW my entire RV career, and this don't bother me one bit. But as you say, one can get over GVW in a hurry with a 11. 5 ft fully equipped truck camper. Empty weight on the Host Yellowstone tag says it is 3791, but I think that is probably cheating a bit like most do, maybe before they added the fridge, generator, TV etc, etc.

A lot of you also seem to assume the OP is buying a camper that is over the max GVW of the intended truck... and most of you with the larger slide-ins are over your GVW of your DRWs (be honest... ).



).

 

[Regcabguy]

Wow, thanks, that is nice to know - and gives me even one more reason to never get rid of my ol 97 that I love so very much!

I've had the same camper on my '99 and now on my '07. The hydroformed boxed frame is extremely ridgid compared to the 2nd's. The weak point on the 3rd's is the soft suspension. Also,these 3rd's have safe brakes for the first time in Dodge history. I had to install a Pacbrake on the '99 as the panic stops were heart attack events.

 

[CRuth]

Soft suspension? Not on my truck. Did get better after I added the camper. I never miss not having the camper jacks. Its plenty stiff as it is.



I put my truck on the scale. Came out to 8000lbs. Was perfectly balanced too. Just got lucky there, didn't plan it that way.



I certainly give up some luxury with the popup camper, but I have 0 sway and I've not had to add any suspension modifications. Not to mention it goes offroad quite well still.

 

[Grizzly]

I've had the same camper on my '99 and now on my '07. The hydroformed boxed frame is extremely ridgid compared to the 2nd's. The weak point on the 3rd's is the soft suspension. Also,these 3rd's have safe brakes for the first time in Dodge history. I had to install a Pacbrake on the '99 as the panic stops were heart attack events.

I don't believe the suspension on my 05 is soft by any means. Actually it feels the same as my 95 with or without a load. The 05 has longer and wider leaf springs.

 

[steved]

My 04. 5 is definitely not as HD as my 99 was... the suspension of the 99 was a lot stiffer and able to carry loads better than the 04. 5.

The 99 was a 8800GVW "camper special" (basically equivalent to the 3rd gen 3500 SRW) while this 04. 5 is *just* a 2500... even though the 04. 5 is a 9000GVW.

 

[Regcabguy]

A thought.

I have a 2500 regcab 4wd '07 as my signature shows. I felt stock the truck had a decent ride except for the expansion joints we have here in Ca. I mounted my 2000# wet popup on it and it truly swayed all over the road and the front suspension bottomed out on rain culverts which run perpendicular on our surface streets. It bottomed out at maybe 15 mph! I was well below the published payload for this vehicle. Next came the Lorenz 2. 25 system w/23% stiffer coils,minipaks which leveled the truck and airbags. Voila! Excellent handling and resistance to side winds. In contrast,the same camper on my '99 barely dented the suspension. That truck had it's own problems with wandering steering,poor braking and more frame flex,but that same 2500 regcab in a 2nd gen format had a stiffer spring rate. I don't doubt a dually 3500 truck in stock form can safely better handle a slide in than a srw 2500. BTW,all these trucks are transformed handling wise by the addition of a Carli,Kore,Lorenz or Thuren suspension upgrade. It's a night and day difference. Nothing beats a dually for stability though.

 

[THoltz]

I'm not talking about load carrying capacity, I'm talking about stability.

I can not see a valid argument being made that a SRW is equally as stable a a DRW with a top heavy load in a strong cross wind. Physics just does not support it, at least not on this planet.

 

[Jumbo Jet]

I can not see a valid argument being made that a SRW is equally as stable a a DRW with a top heavy load in a strong cross wind. Physics just does not support it, at least not on this planet.

I followed a DRW over 3600 miles loaded with the exact same Lance 1030 camper as I was in June and I knew EXACTLY when I was going to get hit with a crosswind - he moved over MORE than I ever did! My wife kept asking me why he was driving on the shoulder of the road.

Sure, the DRW has 33% more tire patch surface than the SRW, and 2 more tires on the rear. Some other things are equal - pivot point (side to side roll) - COG - overload springs. My anti-sway bars compensate for the tire patch surface - my truck does not sway going down the road in a crosswind no more than the DRW OR an 18 wheeler.

Some things not necessarily equal - driver experience. Tires. My SRW has heavier tires with stronger side walls than found on most DRWs.

There are some people that ABSOLUTELY should be driving nothing less than a DRW. There are some people that shouldn't be driving at ALL with a top heavy camper - or even with a Honda Accord with a ski rack on top!

BTW - I owned a 2002 Dodge CTD 4x4 and the truck was designed to wander all over the road. Did not have enough caster built into the front end. If you applied sufficient caster, the heavy weight of the Cummins engine would damage the front end parts.

Thank God we live in America and have the freedom of choice to drive what we wish - whether we are capable or not.

Now let's all make some smores and sing a few rounds of Kumbiya!Oo.

 

[Mike Ellis]

I have hauled my Bigfoot all over heck and half of Georgia without much difficulty at all. My '97 dually is my daily driver, and it is still bone stock except for the Rancho stocks. In that sadly underpowered condition :-laf it has effortlessly hauled the camper up Pike's Peak, into the boonies, and into many a fearsome parking lot and gas station. Average mpg is 14-15 with the camper on, driving typically 65 - 68 mph. In my experience, mpg and overall enjoyment of the driving experience with most cab-over truck campers go down rapidly at 70 mph and above. My own rig handles very nicely up to 75, but it will only get about 12 mpg so I stick to 65 or so.



IMHO, based on my own experience and that of other truck camper owners I have known, the #1 reason people have problems driving with a truck camper is because they DRIVE TOO FAST. If your truck is handling squirrely, slow down 5 mph and often it will be enough to do the trick. Simply put, your truck AIN'T gonna handle the same at speed with a load, especially a load with a high center of gravity. You can spend many thousands of bucks trying to make it do so, but slowing down a bit is far cheaper, more effective, and will make the driving experience much more enjoyable all around.



The only thing I have to worry about when driving mine is height - those cab overs stick way up there into the clouds, and there's lots of trees that want to bring 'em back down to earth. After a couple of good limb scrapes, you can see a suspicious limb 2 miles away :-laf

 

[DonTX]

Your points are well taken, however I travel out in the open plains from here to the Wild West, but on a trip earlier last year to Maryland, my cruise speed was pretty much limited to 60-65. . My current rig handles just fine at 80-85 mph, and the loss of fuel economy just seems worth it to me for less time on the road. I see the GPS tattletale recorded my top speed from here to Winnemucca and back as 93 mph! My mileage varies but essentialy it goes from 13 to 15 depending on which way the wind is blowing mostly. My Host Yellowstone does have a "slanted nose" that don't push as hard into the wind as others I have owned.

I have hauled my Bigfoot all over heck and half of Georgia without much difficulty at all. My '97 dually is my daily driver, and it is still bone stock except for the Rancho stocks. In that sadly underpowered condition :-laf it has effortlessly hauled the camper up Pike's Peak, into the boonies, and into many a fearsome parking lot and gas station. Average mpg is 14-15 with the camper on, driving typically 65 - 68 mph. In my experience, mpg and overall enjoyment of the driving experience with most cab-over truck campers go down rapidly at 70 mph and above. My own rig handles very nicely up to 75, but it will only get about 12 mpg so I stick to 65 or so.



IMHO, based on my own experience and that of other truck camper owners I have known, the #1 reason people have problems driving with a truck camper is because they DRIVE TOO FAST. If your truck is handling squirrely, slow down 5 mph and often it will be enough to do the trick. Simply put, your truck AIN'T gonna handle the same at speed with a load, especially a load with a high center of gravity. You can spend many thousands of bucks trying to make it do so, but slowing down a bit is far cheaper, more effective, and will make the driving experience much more enjoyable all around.



The only thing I have to worry about when driving mine is height - those cab overs stick way up there into the clouds, and there's lots of trees that want to bring 'em back down to earth. After a couple of good limb scrapes, you can see a suspicious limb 2 miles away :-laf

 

[Grizzly]

I followed a DRW over 3600 miles loaded with the exact same Lance 1030 camper as I was in June and I knew EXACTLY when I was going to get hit with a crosswind - he moved over MORE than I ever did! My wife kept asking me why he was driving on the shoulder of the road.



Sure, the DRW has 33% more tire patch surface than the SRW, and 2 more tires on the rear. Some other things are equal - pivot point (side to side roll) - COG - overload springs. My anti-sway bars compensate for the tire patch surface - my truck does not sway going down the road in a crosswind no more than the DRW OR an 18 wheeler.









You must be in total denial, because that sounds like wishful thinking!