Search results

Hi Nick! Glad you found us. Be sure to check out the other Ram 5500 build threads here on EP to see what you're getting yourself into, lol. I'm working with Bison now to revise the drawings. I'll have something to share in a few weeks. The new estimated delivery date is 1/1/2022.

This was my first Overland Expo event and I have to say I was so glad I made the long trip. I met quite a few folks who just like us enjoy the build process and take pride in all the details. That builder/fabricator spirit is still alive and well in our community and I feel blessed to be in such...

Hi Craig, I'm leaving SLC this morning and should arrive at the expo late Friday morning. I'll be parked in the on-site camping area so keep an eye out for the truck and stop by when you have time. I look forward to meeting you. I'll PM you my number. BR, -Brad

That's great feedback on Boxmanufaktur. Lead times have to be considered though, and right now, I just want to get this project moving again. If TC had a flatbed cabover pop-up kit (or assembled/finished shell) I'd buy it in a heartbeat. No question composite campers are the way to go.

Heck yeah. That would have made things easier and probably stronger too. Never knew such things existed. Thanks for the pro-tip!

Not worried, but I'm definitely expecting to have some amount of condensation. I'll do my best to address it with good insulation, ventilation and design. In the end, no camper is perfect. Boxxmanufaktur? I didn't know about them until just now. Beautiful work - probably built like a Panzer...

It's a valid question. You certainly don't need a 5500 for a bison camper. I knew I wanted a flatbed camper and I researched my limited options last fall. An OEV Camp-HBE was my first choice but they're $65K+ and lead time was a year. Their dealer also told me they "weren't doing anything...

I just got my annual Utah Motor Vehicle Registration reminder. $717.87 !!! Wow. o_O? The old 2015 Silverado 3500 Duramax was about $60/yr for comparison. I need to get this thing re-classified as an RV ASAP!

For me, a 4500 would have been more than sufficient in terms of carrying capacity. But, the 4.89 rear gears were only available in the 5500. That's close to an ideal ratio when you're running the 40.6"dia 335/80R20 MPT81's. It puts the motor rpm's in their sweet spot at about 70mph. 4500/5500...

Thanks for the tip! That's the best solution I've found too. I spotted some similar ones on ebay a while back, but haven't bought them because they look cheap. The Buckstop ones seem solid though. I really liked working with Treavor and Tanner at Tall Boy. They're fellow truck nuts and will...

Improving the front suspension I was driving the other day when I had to hit the brakes hard enough to chirp the tires. The massive brakes on this truck have no problem locking up those big MPT81's. I heard a "clunk" or a "pop" from the front end, like something shifted. Not good. Remember...

Ahh, now I see the reason for the question, I think. Notice how my panel is mounted all the way forward, covering the factory USB ports. I did this to allow the cupholder enough room to slide forward and lock in position.

I headed up to the Uintah Mountains in NE Utah this past Monday and had a blast on the forest roads. Found a little lake, had lunch and took a nap in the hammock. Didn't see a soul. Nice. Even without much weight on the truck, the suspension works really well. The trick is airing down the...

Misc. Updates: I acquired two of China's finest panels from on UT's "Mormon Craigslist" aka KSL.com. They're 385W "half-cell" panels which should be more shade tolerant. Wired in parallel to the Victron 100/50 MPPT solar charge controller, these things crank out the power. I fired up the Victron...

Funny. My salesman actually went off on this long diatribe about the guy.

Whereabouts were you thinking in NV? I've only been to the Ruby Mountains area SE of Elko and then down to Great Basin NP.

Hell yeah. What are ya'll thinking? Some time after Memorial Day?

Wow, what a transformation! That's going to look sharp. I think buying an ex-FD truck is a smart idea. Meticulous regular maintenance and low miles. It's a solid motor, pre-DEF and pre- all that other electronic crap (which I admit, I can't live without, lol.) And I hear you on the flexibility...

Thanks for letting me know. They said they might mention it. I'll check it out.

The Camper Announcement: I recently had the chance to go visit the guys at @Bison Overland Campers near Tulsa, OK. Drew and Cody are building quite the business and I was impressed by what I saw. We spent a few hours talking and looking over the builds they had in progress. The aluminum...