I'm finally ready for some fun in a Dodge and an Outfitter.

[milo12]

I had plans to do a custom box on a Dodge 5500. Well reality like work and available time etc finally sunk in so I have had to abandon that plan, for now.

Another factor is I am getting impatient. I read all the completed expedition and adventure stories and I want to get out there NOW.:safari-rig:

So I bought a SRW Dodge 3500 and a Outfitter Apex 9.5 camper. I am upgrading the suspension with Lorenz 2.25 kit and 35 inch Toyos. It will take me a few weeks to get all the stuff I need together but I"ll be out there soon.:arabia:

So soon I hope to be posting my own pictures and tales of places visited.

 

[boblynch]

Milo, congratulations on your decision. Did you buy a new Apex or the used one in Ontario CA?

Bob

 

[FourByLand]

Best of luck on your trips and we look forward to some reports!

 

[theMec]

Definitely something to be said for getting it done and having fun.
Before you upgrade your suspension though, you might want to just try it out.

This guy had some problems w/ his suspension and a Outfitter. The Outfitter wasnt' the problem. The suspension was.
http://ford.off-road.com/ford/Proje...Article/detail/198441?contextCategoryId=13282
You'll also want to read his first article - this will help you spend more money on options. (I'm bad.)
http://ford.off-road.com/ford/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=198442
Good luck.
I might drive out to outfitter this weekend and take a peek. Maybe they'll do a shell model w/ double rear doors. Hah!

 

[milo12]

Boblynch - I purchased the Apex 9.5 in Ontario. Funny we must be reading the same ads. The guy I purchased it from is a great guy, he even delivered the camper to my house. The camper is absolutely loaded with every option, more than was listed. One downside I guess is the weight. I estimate it is 2000 - 2200 pounds empty. As soon as I can I'll get in on a scale and know for sure.

As far as the Ford with the Outfitter. I think he had different needs. He was trying to build a fast offroad baja truck with a camper and the truck with racing suspension couldn't handle the weight. He should get a Unicat or Tatra then he could go 100 mph over anything. I just want slow and safe. The main improvement to be gained is the 2.25 inch shocks. Too much jostling and the dogs will probably bite me and then barf on me. Sean at Lorenz recommends I run airbags with their custom rear leafs. The custom rear leafs make for a much better than stock ride but cant handle the camper weight alone.

 

[boblynch]

Boblynch - I purchased the Apex 9.5 in Ontario. Funny we must be reading the same ads. The guy I purchased it from is a great guy, he even delivered the camper to my house. The camper is absolutely loaded with every option, more than was listed. One downside I guess is the weight. I estimate it is 2000 - 2200 pounds empty. As soon as I can I'll get in on a scale and know for sure.

When I saw the craigslist ad I thought it was Ontario CAN, not Ontario CA. Was trying to cost justify the fuel to go get it, but it didn't make sense. I went thru his original invoice and the website and came up with a dry weight of 2237lbs. Let me know if I was close.

You may want to reach out to Steve_29 on rvnet. He has an Apex9.5 that is setup almost the same as yours. It's his 2nd Outfitter and he was very helpful. He swapped his F350 front springs for a pair of F550 springs. Was a cheap leveling kit and helped with the load. Would a Dodge 4500 or 5500 spring swap work for you? Worth checking since I know you have the Dodge specs memorized (LOL).

This Apex is a very good interim solution. I hope it keeps you comfy on many adventures. Post pics!

Bob

 

[Rockcrawler]

You will definitely need the airbags w/ that weight and the DP springs. I have a Hawk FWC on our Dodge w/ the Lorenz DP springs and it bottoms out the suspension pretty easily in mild wheeling. I have airbags on my mod list and hope to get to them soon. With the ~1000 lbs of weight I added w/ the camper, water, LP and gear I lost about 2 inches of ride height in the rear of my Dodge. I have the Bilstein 5100 shocks rather than the 2.25 sway - aways, but they seem to be doing fine. I will probably upgrade them at some point, but will more than likely get the weight at each of my 4 corners first and get them custom valved either by Sean or someone else locally. Congrats on the new setup... now get out and enjoy it!

 

[theMec]

I have a Hawk FWC on our Dodge w/ the Lorenz DP springs and it bottoms out the suspension pretty easily in mild wheeling. I have airbags on my mod list and hope to get to them soon. With the ~1000 lbs of weight I added w/ the camper, water, LP and gear I lost about 2 inches of ride height in the rear of my Dodge.

I not so happy to hear about bottoming out w/ only 1k load while wheeling mildly. We have the same truck and our payload is about 2k. I"ve been happy w/ the stock suspension so far. It's done well overall @ 85mph or wheeling and even no problems the 2 times I've had the truck in the air :smiley_drive: Good to remember when the salesman tries to push the options at you. Thanks!