Lets see some full size pictures...

twmcneilly

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Just getting started on a 2017 RAM 5500 build. Crew CAB, 4x4, Hemi 6.4, 84" CA, 11 foot flatbed, Vintage Vanguard camper. The 5500 was a must for me, as I want to install a super single kit soon and the 5500 seems to be a good candidate.

The truck was previously an oilfield service truck from Alberta. So, almost zero rust but a TON of mud everywhere. After a ton of cleanup (and removal of a couple hundred pounds of oilfield mud) got a Vanguard vintage truck camper installed.
View attachment 762866
20230118_094422-jpg.762755

The interior is in very good condition for the age. Needs some interior minor roof repair. The actual roof skin on these old Vanguards was a single sheet of aluminum. Pretty cool!
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cool project. I love the camper on a flatbed approach. BTW. I too have. 5500 and am torn ab out tire upgrades. I know I don't want 41 inch tall tires, and I'm certain that I won't keep there highway tread tires. That leaves two options to pursue. The one I initially used after was a mini-super single using Founders M/T 305/70R19.5 tires. I have seen them in person on a brush truck and they look awesome. I'm more concerned about the noise of an M/T tire. 5500 Camper Thing has noted in his thread that he's seriously considering going back to duals because he hates the Continentals, but I haven't seen his rationale. Then there is the Stazworks 9.5 x 20 wheel that will accommodate a LT295/65R20 E 129/126Q which in dually configuration meets the GVWR for a 5500. Any thoughts on which way you're leaning?? thanks.
Just getting started on a 2017 RAM 5500 build. Crew CAB, 4x4, Hemi 6.4, 84" CA, 11 foot flatbed, Vintage Vanguard camper. The 5500 was a must for me, as I want to install a super single kit soon and the 5500 seems to be a good candidate.

The truck was previously an oilfield service truck from Alberta. So, almost zero rust but a TON of mud everywhere. After a ton of cleanup (and removal of a couple hundred pounds of oilfield mud) got a Vanguard vintage truck camper installed.
View attachment 762866
20230118_094422-jpg.762755

The interior is in very good condition for the age. Needs some interior minor roof repair. The actual roof skin on these old Vanguards was a single sheet of aluminum. Pretty cool!
View attachment 762867View attachment 762868View attachment 762869
Cool Project; I love the camper on flatbed approach. I too have a 5500 and am torn with what tire/wheel to run. In the beginning I was smitten by the super-singles but realistically a 41 inch tire is just more than I need. I’ve been looking at Founders M/T in a 305/70R19.5; I recently saw a brand new brush truck in Portland that had them installed and it was simply gorgeous. The overall height of the Founders tire is about 35 inches (I measured 35.5”) and only requires a bit of leveling up front and no fender trimming or control arm lengthening. My biggest concern is that there is only one manufacturer of that tire and it might be hard to replace down the road. The other concern is road noise from an M/T tire. Another option I saw on a ford F550 was a 9.5 x 20 dually running LT295/65R20 Toyo A/T III, with a 4080 lb load rating. Those tires satisfied the GVWR for the 550/5500 trucks, and provides a lower overall height, much quieter in due to AT vs MT tread, and a bit more compliant ride. The guy running the All terrains on the dually has now got over 15K miles and is very happy with his choice of tire and wheel (Stazworks provided the wheels). Sorry for the long winded diatribe, but I’m always interested in the thought process for the monster tires.
 

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