2022 RAM 5500 Composite "Super Camper"

[ITTOG]

Well I know it has been awhile! Trying to keep this a build thread with a little travel element thrown in here and there, because that is why we built it!

Came home from Newfoundland and flew off to Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Czech Republic for the Christmas markets. A month well spent! Finally home and getting some projects on the camper started, even some finished.

Rear wall....done!

View attachment 868411

Started a new project after our Newfoundland trip...we could have used them. RUB RAILS...More to follow

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There is more Newfoundland trip information to share. Will really need a separate post. Just thought I would reach out and at least catch up a little.

SAFE TRAVELS....CHEERS!!

What did you think about the Christmas markets? Have you done it before? Was it worth the trip? I have thought about going but just not sure. Some video of one that I watched looked more like a devil market, just based on the costumes. Anyway, I would like to hear more about it if you are willing to share.

 

[StenchRV]

Are these the new compound/rated MPTs?

No they are not. We were waiting for the "new" versions of the MPT 81's, when we needed new tires. The want came up before the "need". I know of someone testing the new version. Harder compound, higher load rating and rumors of a slightly increased speed rating 72 MPH. We made the choice to go with the Michelin's...time will tell.

 

[StenchRV]

What did you think about the Christmas markets? Have you done it before? Was it worth the trip? I have thought about going but just not sure. Some video of one that I watched looked more like a devil market, just based on the costumes. Anyway, I would like to hear more about it if you are willing to share.

The Christmas markets definitely were not "devil markets"...LOL. We attended close to 20 markets in the countries I mentioned. Most were different from one another, but after awhile I have to admit I was in Christmas market overload. The smaller towns and the classics were the best ones. Lots of mulled wine and wonderful food. Be ready for the crowds. We usually plan our international trips on the shoulder seasons so we were not ready for the amount of people at the larger markets. The locals tolerate the huge influx of people well as it is a huge event for them and the local economy. It is a family atmosphere for sure.

We are glad we did it, with friends it made it even better. We visited a LOT of the local sites as we explored the countryside. For us the Christmas markets were only part of our day for a few hours in the evening. We spent most days exploring the cities we were in. We did our usual Air BnB and public transportation, making plans as we went with no real fixed itinerary. The trains, buses and trolley system in Europe is easy and convenient. Christmas markets have been checked off our bucket list so now on to other adventures.

Hope that helps a little.

CHEERS!!

 

[ITTOG]

The Christmas markets definitely were not "devil markets"...LOL. We attended close to 20 markets in the countries I mentioned. Most were different from one another, but after awhile I have to admit I was in Christmas market overload. The smaller towns and the classics were the best ones. Lots of mulled wine and wonderful food. Be ready for the crowds. We usually plan our international trips on the shoulder seasons so we were not ready for the amount of people at the larger markets. The locals tolerate the huge influx of people well as it is a huge event for them and the local economy. It is a family atmosphere for sure.

We are glad we did it, with friends it made it even better. We visited a LOT of the local sites as we explored the countryside. For us the Christmas markets were only part of our day for a few hours in the evening. We spent most days exploring the cities we were in. We did our usual Air BnB and public transportation, making plans as we went with no real fixed itinerary. The trains, buses and trolley system in Europe is easy and convenient. Christmas markets have been checked off our bucket list so now on to other adventures.

Hope that helps a little.

CHEERS!!

Sounds like you did it the way I want. No set schedule or agenda. Move when you are ready. Yes I like the public transportation over there. Great way to explore the city. When I went to Milan for the first time I rode the train and got off at every stop and explored. It took me most of a week to do it but I got to see 75% of the city. It was great.

 

[DzlToy]

Ahh, I see the Michelin logo on the tire now. Thanks

 

[unreng]

Snowball is getting some new shoes! More on that story later!
When we originally built our rig the Michelins were almost impossible for an individual builder to source due to a military contract. These were VERY hard to get but my commercial tire guy came through. I set the truck up for 41" tires so for now we will be trying a new brand. The MPT81's, in various stages of wear, will be put up for sale locally.

View attachment 868423


View attachment 868424
Do not get me wrong, before we purchased this new set of Michelin's, we gave serious thought to the new 37" Founders AT Super Single ( needed new 19.5" rims) or going with a 22.5 dually 37" tire. Also needed new 22.5" rims. We will see how this set works out for us. Fingers crossed!


CHEERS!!

How are the new tires??? Rideability, drivability, steering, smoothness, noise, balance, wear, weight, tire specs (the nitty-gritty)… inquiring minds are inquiring… 🧐

 

[StenchRV]

How are the new tires??? Rideability, drivability, steering, smoothness, noise, balance, wear, weight, tire specs (the nitty-gritty)… inquiring minds are inquiring… 🧐

On the road, sorry for the late reply.


WELL...we had a buyer for the old tires and that fell through. Decided to keep them on to wear them out and then a new buyer showed up right before we departed on our current trip. Will swap them out when we get home. On another note, I was able to drive a VERY similar rig to ours this week with Michelins on it, long term, and I can not wait to get the new shoes on Snowball!
BIG DIFFERENCE!

I will mention we saw the Petlas tires at the EAA Airventure in WI, last week on display rigs. NICE to have options!

Then there was this last night as we pulled into a camping spot. NOT HAPPY 1/2 worn tire and stored inside 1/2 it's life.
Approximately 18K miles on it. Date code 01/21. Swapped in the lumpy spare and headed towards home from WI.



SAFE TRAVELS and CHEERS!!

 

[DzlToy]

Of Course you went to Oshkosh!

Any word on the "new & improved" MPT?

Safe travels.

 

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

On the road, sorry for the late reply.


WELL...we had a buyer for the old tires and that fell through. Decided to keep them on to wear them out and then a new buyer showed up right before we departed on our current trip. Will swap them out when we get home. On another note, I was able to drive a VERY similar rig to ours this week with Michelins on it, long term, and I can not wait to get the new shoes on Snowball!
BIG DIFFERENCE!

I will mention we saw the Petlas tires at the EAA Airventure in WI, last week on display rigs. NICE to have options!

Then there was this last night as we pulled into a camping spot. NOT HAPPY 1/2 worn tire and stored inside 1/2 it's life.
Approximately 18K miles on it. Date code 01/21. Swapped in the lumpy spare and headed towards home from WI.

View attachment 890214

SAFE TRAVELS and CHEERS!!

Ooooffff

Sorry to hear/see this man!

Confirms my opinions of MPTs, regardless of what others say.

Glad to see more options popping up

Safe travels

 

[StenchRV]

Of Course you went to Oshkosh!

Any word on the "new & improved" MPT?

Safe travels.

No nothing yet. I continue to keep an ear out from the people in the know.

Will post ASAP if I hear ANYTHING!

As far as I am concerned, I am probably done with the Continental MPT’s, at least this version!

Will post a trip report of the Michelins, before we launch on a BIG trip NW in the spring if the stars align!

CHEERS!!

 

[StenchRV]

Ooooffff

Sorry to hear/see this man!

Confirms my opinions of MPTs, regardless of what others say.

Glad to see more options popping up

Safe travels

I have about had enough. Onward!!

Thanks my friend! CHEERS Man!!

 

[mk216v]

Ooooffff

Sorry to hear/see this man!

Confirms my opinions of MPTs, regardless of what others say.

Glad to see more options popping up

Safe travels

Whatevs…I just bought 2 new Conti MPT81’s for low $. Will run this set of 4 out, and then consult your oracle for my next set. 😜

 

[StenchRV]

After some down time after returning home and giving the Conti's some thought. I sold the Michelin's really cheap and bought a used set of Conti's with at least 1000 miles left on them. HA HA HA! JK JK JK !!!!

NOW FOR reality....the only thing I can come up with on OUR 1 tire failure is that this particular tire was mounted twice, so dismounted once. They are not gentle when they do that, it was 4 plus years old. The rest of the tires look good AND after a super balance job in Newfoundland AND removing the small version (old style for BIG MPT's) Centramatics the Conti's were actually the best they have ever been!

I will pass these along to the next owner. Debating selling the entire set as a unit, wheel and tire, and putting the new tires on aluminum rims.

TOTALLY OPEN to information, good and bad on aluminum rim ideas.

I will post a report when we take our first Michelin trip!

CHEERS!!

 

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

After some down time after returning home and giving the Conti's some thought. I sold the Michelin's really cheap and bought a used set of Conti's with at least 1000 miles left on them. HA HA HA! JK JK JK !!!!

NOW FOR reality....the only thing I can come up with on OUR 1 tire failure is that this particular tire was mounted twice, so dismounted once. They are not gentle when they do that, it was 4 plus years old. The rest of the tires look good AND after a super balance job in Newfoundland AND removing the small version (old style for BIG MPT's) Centramatics the Conti's were actually the best they have ever been!

I will pass these along to the next owner. Debating selling the entire set as a unit, wheel and tire, and putting the new tires on aluminum rims.

TOTALLY OPEN to information, good and bad on aluminum rim ideas.

I will post a report when we take our first Michelin trip!

CHEERS!!

Glad to hear ya made it home safely and finally getting rid of the Contis

I see the steel vs aluminum wheel debate as irrelevant for our vehicles.

Trying to debate saving 100-150lbs on a 16-17k lb truck being worth the cost is almost comical, so that’s not even a debate

Usual debate on steel being able to be beat back Into place if dented is also of no relevance here.

The steel on the Buckstop wheels is so thick, the chances of being able to move it with a hammer if dented is likely close to zero.

That’s my .02

I’m sure that @mk216v fella will chime in to disagree with me for one reason or another 😘

 

[mk216v]

Glad to hear ya made it home safely and finally getting rid of the Contis

I see the steel vs aluminum wheel debate as irrelevant for our vehicles.

Trying to debate saving 100-150lbs on a 16-17k lb truck being worth the cost is almost comical, so that’s not even a debate

Usual debate on steel being able to be beat back Into place if dented is also of no relevance here.

The steel on the Buckstop wheels is so thick, the chances of being able to move it with a hammer if dented is likely close to zero.

That’s my .02

I’m sure that @mk216v fella will chime in to disagree with me for one reason or another 😘

Well…if I were already looking at new wheels and/or tires, if there was a lighter or more serviceable option, I’d do that. Now, doesn’t make much sense to spend $5-7k+ on wheels just to save weight, but I agree with Stench that selling used tires already on wheels might entice more people than wheels alone, so there’s potentially some money-back there.

I’m in a similar boat, and just ran into an F550 friend on the side of the road, hours away from home (we both headed to home), who provided more info which is relevant here. Bringles had Hutchinson beadlocks and couldn’t find an OR tire shop to mount tires. He now has Buckstop 1pc wheels on 335/80/20 Petlas RM910—regular big box tire shop mounted them. Said he feels the Petlas are much much quieter, stiffer, more of a hwy tire as he’d air’d down to 15psi and lost a bead. Petlas also much heavier than Conti too. But the serviceability of 1pc wheels was key for him.
I was considering Petlas after my Conti’s, but second guessing that now. Many ER owners going with the Michelin XForceZL. I was going to have my beadlock inserts removed from Hutchinson’s and just run them that way (saving some weight and money from new wheels), but if I can’t find a tire shop around here or on the road that will touch multi-piece/split-rims, then I may just buck up the money for Buckstop 1pc ALUMINUM (Wehring/EOG 1pc aluminum Hutchinson might be the ultimate but another $1000/ea more; EOG says they’ve seen some barrel distortion issues on Buckstop’s = reverberations) wheels and my used Conti’s for now and then maybe Michelin’s later.