Moving from a Tundra to a 3500... Pros and Cons???

[Adventurous]

Once you start looking at C&C models, I wonder if moving up the 5500 is a prudent choice. It's not that much more expensive than the 3500, and you get a more robust vehicle to boot, though I suppose this may only be smart once you start considering 40" tires through an AEV style kit.

Throw on the Buckstop DRW to SRW kit (https://www.buckstopinc.com/single-wheel-conversion-839.html) and you'd be in good shape.

 

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

If it was in my budget, I would have gone with the chassis cab model. Throw on a flatbed or utility bed offers: they offer so much more flexibility than a standard bed. Not to mention you get the 50 gallon rear mounted tank vs the 32 midship.

What are your intentions with the build? 35s, suspension and lockers? Or 37"+ tires?

Yes, the dual tanks will be a MUST ORDER option!

As for intentions... I am getting older and plan on this being hopefully my last hurrah (i say that now).... Think home built Earth Roamer with less fancy stuff inside

 

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

Thoughts on how your camper will be laid out?

Cab over sleeping is about the only thing i am 100% set on at this point

 

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

THIS.

If you are keeping the camper on full time, go cab & chassis and have a custom utility bed made. Truck campers have terrible storage and this solves that problem entirely. Also, the stock 50G and aux 28G tanks would be amazing. You can also order a DRW with the gearing of your choice and easily swap to SRW.

This is exactly my plan

 

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

I don't think you swap a 2019 3500 dually to single on the 2019. The lug pattern is like 8x200 mm. you would have to find wheels with that lug pattern and I am not sure they exist.

Yikes, that could be a problem

 

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

Once you start looking at C&C models, I wonder if moving up the 5500 is a prudent choice. It's not that much more expensive than the 3500, and you get a more robust vehicle to boot, though I suppose this may only be smart once you start considering 40" tires through an AEV style kit.

Throw on the Buckstop DRW to SRW kit (https://www.buckstopinc.com/single-wheel-conversion-839.html) and you'd be in good shape.

I've been researching that too. But once you get bigger than 3500, the suspension options are SUPER LIMITED.

The 5500 would most likely be the perfect fit for what I'm thinking of doing, but the lack of aftermarket anything has me a bit concerned. Lots of research to do still

 

[Bayou Boy]

I've been researching that too. But once you get bigger than 3500, the suspension options are SUPER LIMITED.

The 5500 would most likely be the perfect fit for what I'm thinking of doing, but the lack of aftermarket anything has me a bit concerned. Lots of research to do still

Current Ram 3500 DRWs have a ridiculous amount of payload. I'd go look at the sticker of one on a lot before deciding to move up. Heck, crew cab long bed SRWs will have over 4000# unless they are a heavily loaded out Longhorn or Limited.

 

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

Current Ram 3500 DRWs have a ridiculous amount of payload. I'd go look at the sticker of one on a lot before deciding to move up. Heck, crew cab long bed SRWs will have over 4000# unless they are a heavily loaded out Longhorn or Limited.

Yeah, just rough math spec-ing out the camper idea i am going to build, it will be at minimum 4-4500k

Thinking Reg Cab CA84 as the base. Less truck, more camper!

 

[billiebob]

If you want/need the space and extra capacity, there will be no cons to the move. Yes it will be bigger, heavier, need more room, take more space to manouver but it'll give you the space/capacity you need.

I'd definitely go cab and chassis over a pickup tho. The pickup box wastes a lot of storage space and the cab and chassis has far greater range with a bigger tank too. Do you need a crew cab? Unless you have passengers the crew cab is a very inefficient cargo hauler.

Regarding after market parts, the factory unit is incredibly capable. I'd bet much more reliable too than anything with after market oversized tires and suspension lifts.

 

[billiebob]

heres a great read..

The 10 Commandments of Modifying an Overland Vehicle - Expedition Portal

After a few trips around the world, we have learned several critical lessons (many the hard way) about properly modifying your overland vehicle for adventure travel.

expeditionportal.com

 

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

If you want/need the space and extra capacity, there will be no cons to the move. Yes it will be bigger, heavier, need more room, take more space to manouver but it'll give you the space/capacity you need.

I'd definitely go cab and chassis over a pickup tho. The pickup box wastes a lot of storage space and the cab and chassis has far greater range with a bigger tank too. Do you need a crew cab? Unless you have passengers the crew cab is a very inefficient cargo hauler.

Regarding after market parts, the factory unit is incredibly capable. I'd bet much more reliable too than anything with after market oversized tires and suspension lifts.

Thanks! Yeah, and the cab and chassis has a much stronger frame and is 100% flat and made to have things bolted to it easily!

 

[Regcabguy]

Cab over sleeping is about the only thing i am 100% set on at this point

Nothing like crawling up into a real bed with covers,sheets etc.

 

[Explorerinil]

You won’t go wrong with ram trucks, I’ve owned 7 of them never a major issue. My advice would be get a power wagon if you don’t tow and haul much. If your planning on towing, hauling and want a diesel get a 3500 for the extra payload.

FYI 2020 ram cclb trucks will have a 50 gallon tank... may be worth the wait if you are after a long bed.

 

[Adventurous]

Yeah, just rough math spec-ing out the camper idea i am going to build, it will be at minimum 4-4500k

Thinking Reg Cab CA84 as the base. Less truck, more camper!

With that kind of weight, I would definitely take a hard look at stepping up to a 5500. While that's still in the realm of the 3500, the 5500 will shoulder that load better and do so with less wear and tear on various components.

Suspension wise, Kelderman offers kits for the 5500. IIRC they provide Earthroamer with their suspension, so you'd be set in that realm too.

 

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

With that kind of weight, I would definitely take a hard look at stepping up to a 5500. While that's still in the realm of the 3500, the 5500 will shoulder that load better and do so with less wear and tear on various components.

Suspension wise, Kelderman offers kits for the 5500. IIRC they provide Earthroamer with their suspension, so you'd be set in that realm too.

Thanks.. yeah.. it’s looking more and more like a 5500 is the best bet.

And.... it’s available with dual tank for a total of 70+ gallons! Win