Long-time lurker here, but I never bothered to create an account. I'm loving how this rig is taking shape so created an account to share. I'm posting it on a few boards I frequent, so apologies to anyone who's seen it elsewhere -- I recognize a handful of usernames and rigs here. This isn't so much a build thread as a built one, because I don't have much left to do.
I took delivery of a new Ram 5500 early this month, and have been busy gathering parts and putting things together to have it replace my 3500. First, a photo of the 3500:
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The 3500 served us very well for a couple years, but we were egregiously overweight and masking it with SuperSprings and 19.5" tires.
We've been part-time since 2014 and full-time since 2019. We also have a 39' fifth wheel, but spend most of our time (the last ten months straight) in the truck camper nowdays because it's far easier to find great dispersed camping sites with. Pictures taken in northern Colorado. Two people and three dogs (border collies).
Here are some pictures of the new rig, then build details for both the truck and camper below:
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Truck run down - 2021 Ram 5500 Cummins, 4x4, 84CA, Limited
- Bedrock 9D 11’4″ flatbed, modified for our use
- Northstar direct-bolt-on 22.5×6.75″ wheels
- Hercules DT320 255/70-22.5 tires (37″ tall) w/ full-size spare mounted on headache rack
- 4.89 gearing from the factory is effectively 4.20 with these
- Strongly considered going MPT81 or similar, but decided not to for a multitude of reasons
- V-bar tire chains with cams for all six tires
- 24+48″ toolboxes on each side, below the flatbed
- 18+48″ toolboxes on each side, above the flatbed
- Ranch Hand Sport front bumper (for a 3500, modified to fit the 5500)
- Smittybilt X2O 17.5K winch
- Viair RV-450P modified for permanent OBA
- 18″ hitch extension for flat towing our 2020 Jeep JLUR
- Midland MXT275 GMRS radio
- Kenwood TM-D710G VHF/UHF radio (waiting on a couple parts for install)
- Garmin Dashcam 35
- Firestone outboard air bags w/ Pacbrake wireless control (waiting on a couple parts for install)
Camper rundown - 2016 Arctic Fox 1140 Wet Bath
- StableCamper support system
- Custom deck w/ Torklift Stow N’ Go steps
- RVLock V4.0 Keyless RV Lock
- Ring doorbell/ alarm system
- Haier HA10TG21SS 9.8 cu. ft. residential refrigerator
- Five REC Alpha 360W panels (1800W total)
- Progressive Industries EMS-HW30C electrical management system
- Victron Quattro 48/3000/35-50/50 inverter
- Victron Cerbo GX
- Victron SmartSolar 250/60
- Three SimpliPhi 48V 3.8kWh house batteries (11.4kWh total)
- Factory 12V house bank (to be replaced with Victron Orions eventually)
- Onan 2500 LP generator
- Coleman Mach Bluetooth Ceiling Assembly
- Suburban IW60 tankless hot water heater
- SinkMi$er in wet bath, w/ residential shower head
- Air Head composting toilet and combined grey/black tanks
And because it's somewhat relavent, the Jeep we tow behind it:
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