Simon Says Ski Chalet build

Skinhyfish

Observer
Owning many rigs, and learning from many members on here. I have come to a conclusion for the next build. In my location and line of work I am lucky to have 4 days off each week. It allows for some distance travel and lots of activities. For many years I used a pop slide in. In CO they are great but in the dead of winter just not enough. The hard sided campers have come along way, in regards to weight and warmth. Adding a custom bed with boxes, also gives a pure advantage to outdoor things.

I just sold my tundra for a heavier platform. Going to miss the Toyota reliability, but bigger brakes, power, and GWR is important all the mountain pass driving i do.

I was back and forth on gas vs diesel. I have had many diesels. Old diesels are my favorite, but mountain living it’s a pain in the butt. New ones are nice, but sticker shock just was not what I wanted. I don’t tow heavy anymore and with 10speeds and new motors, gas has come along way. I came to a final decision and bought a F350 single cab 4x4 with 7.3 Godzilla. With the 10speed it cruises uphill well and gets better mileage than my Tundra even after 5.29 gears. Rear locking diff is a plus also

I have also confirmed and decided on Bowen bed. OEV was a close second. I will never ever use Alumaline or promote them ever. Worst customer experience I have ever dealt with.

Now I’m between 2 style of campers and company’s. Weight, quality of build and layout Aterra is top choice. Second for simplicity and price is the Scout Kenai. $45k less makes wonder if the Aterra is much better.

Truck-
37in maxxis razor AT tires with full spare. Ordered. Great tire, have had couple sets. Awesome winter tire and best tire I have run. Run them all. Never had an issue with these. 3900lbs per tire is great also

Carli lift and tuned shocks with leafs by Alcan. Don’t make AEV for ford. JK 5500 camperthing

Exp One front bumper.

LP9 lights

These are two builds I have followed and like for my CO adventures
 

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Skinhyfish

Observer

Lift and bumper choices might choose ADS shocks when camper gets in and weighed
 

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Skinhyfish

Observer
Forgot to add Drew with Bison Campers. Quality wise he beat scout, and flexible on dimensions. Been great to work with so far.
 

hbl21

New member
I'd be careful on the Bowen Bed. I recently had one installed at significant cost and it had quality control issues. half of the boxes had loose latches/bolts and the boxes leaked and ruined some gear. I had $7k in electronics in one box so I was lucky that box wasn't defective. Brent Bowen didn't respond to any emails and when he finally passed me off to one of his employees they said that items in the boxes weren't covered, which is a BS response and I think poor customer service to not respond as the owner. the install was a month earlier and all of that should have been looked through when you are the most expensive option on the market. If I could go back I'd buy OEV.
 

Skinhyfish

Observer
I also put deposit down on an Outpost camper. Fits the budget, 4 season warm, and all put together. Other good companies and option, but don’t want a project. Will be sitting in a Bowen camper bed. Bed and camper im still cheaper than the Atterra I was thinking originally.
 

Skinhyfish

Observer
I'd be careful on the Bowen Bed. I recently had one installed at significant cost and it had quality control issues. half of the boxes had loose latches/bolts and the boxes leaked and ruined some gear. I had $7k in electronics in one box so I was lucky that box wasn't defective. Brent Bowen didn't respond to any emails and when he finally passed me off to one of his employees they said that items in the boxes weren't covered, which is a BS response and I think poor customer service to not respond as the owner. the install was a month earlier and all of that should have been looked through when you are the most expensive option on the market. If I could go back I'd buy OEV.

I know OEV are great beds, but they sit to high for a slide in. Flatbed, I would choose that all day long
 

Skinhyfish

Observer
Monday tires go on. Rides a 1000 times better. Once camper and tray are on, Alacan is going to build rear leafs and tuned resi shocks.
 

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Kingsize24

Well-known member
Looks excellent. It's crazy to me how similar the front ends are between Ford and Ram. The radius arms, coil and shock placement, etc.
 

Kingsize24

Well-known member
Ya.. the 35’s on now look so small also. Can’t wait for a bigger tire

Yes these full size Fords and Rams really swallow tires. 37s look normal and need 40s to really look meaty.

Your truck looks great though. Hopefully tire prices come back to reality soon as well. They are damn near double cost now vs pre covid.
 

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