2018 Ram 2500 - FAV - Family Adventure Vehicle

[wazzudude]

Scary moment...

When I purchased my truck I had the option to have the bed Line-Xd, but I wasn't willing to pay the $500. Instead, I decided to try out the Rustoleum bedliner kit. My brother used this kit on his truck and had gave it the thumbs up. For $75 dollars, it was worth a shot!

There are few things in this world as stressful and sanding your brand new truck bed when the truck has 300 miles on it.



It took about an hour to sand and around three hours to put on three coats of bedliner.



I think it turned out great! Now the dog will has a non slip place to ride and the bed has a much nicer look!

Well, on to the next project. My kids can't get into the truck by themselves. It's too tall. Time to get some side steps...

 

[JSwanson]

Looks great. That shell should help in longevity of the cheaper liner as well. Now thats $425 for other fun stuff!

 

[Explorerinil]

When I purchased my truck I had the option to have the bed Line-Xd, but I wasn't willing to pay the $500. Instead, I decided to try out the Rustoleum bedliner kit. My brother used this kit on his truck and had gave it the thumbs up. For $75 dollars, it was worth a shot!

There are few things in this world as stressful and sanding your brand new truck bed when the truck has 300 miles on it.

View attachment 435000

It took about an hour to sand and around three hours to put on three coats of bedliner.

View attachment 435001

I think it turned out great! Now the dog will has a non slip place to ride and the bed has a much nicer look!

Well, on to the next project. My kids can't get into the truck by themselves. It's too tall. Time to get some side steps...

That liner actually works ok, but it's not as durable in high wear areas, I put a rubber mat on the floor of the bed which helped allot.

 

[Tex68w]

Go to your local Tractor Supply and buy one of the large rubber stall mats, that'll work well for the bed to help keep premature wear down.

 

[wazzudude]

Good heads up you two! That is the plan. I teach weightlifting to kids after school and dabble in powerlifting and have an extra 4x6 1/2 in lifting mat I will use to protect the bed.

 

[Gibby56]

Looks great.

Did you roll it on or spray it?

 

[wazzudude]

I used this kit.



It is a two part epoxy that is rolled on. You mix it and let it sit for 1/2 an hour and then roll it and paint it on in stages. It also has chunks of shredded tire in it for traction. It is much stronger than the stuff that comes in the single can. I'm actually pretty impressed. I tried to scratch it once it dried and it doesn't seem to be going anywhere. Appears to be pretty tough!

 

[wazzudude]

So I did some stuff...

Ok. Over the last few weeks I have been able to get a few things done on the truck. It's been tough since we took 9 days and headed to Disneyland, but I need to get ready for camping season. Here we go.

First, I have a 6 and a 4 year old and they need to be able to climb in the truck by themselves. I know it's cool to have more ground clearance, but it is not as cool as being able to load up the truck faster because your kid can climb in all by himself. I took the steps off of my last Dodge and ordered some new rivnuts. After some time struggling with the stupid install tool I got them mounted up!



Next I wanted some more light up front. I live way out in the country and we have deer everywhere. I ordered a 24 inch light bar for the bumper and the tow hook light bar mounts and got it mounted on the front of the truck. Throws off a ton of light and only took an hour or so to install.



Today, I got the trailer out from under cover and set up the hitch with the new truck. I know, I know, it's not very "expedition-y", whatever that means, but we use this as our family base camp and camped 40 or so nights in it last year.

 

[tyler.armijo]

Ok. Over the last few weeks I have been able to get a few things done on the truck. It's been tough since we took 9 days and headed to Disneyland, but I need to get ready for camping season. Here we go.

First, I have a 6 and a 4 year old and they need to be able to climb in the truck by themselves. I know it's cool to have more ground clearance, but it is not as cool as being able to load up the truck faster because your kid can climb in all by himself. I took the steps off of my last Dodge and ordered some new rivnuts. After some time struggling with the stupid install tool I got them mounted up!

View attachment 437490

Next I wanted some more light up front. I live way out in the country and we have deer everywhere. I ordered a 24 inch light bar for the bumper and the tow hook light bar mounts and got it mounted on the front of the truck. Throws off a ton of light and only took an hour or so to install.

View attachment 437491

Today, I got the trailer out from under cover and set up the hitch with the new truck. I know, I know, it's not very "expedition-y", whatever that means, but we use this as our family base camp and camped 40 or so nights in it last year.

View attachment 437492

You may not feel expedition-y but that looks like a fantastic base camp and you are getting the most important part done which is getting out doors with your family. Especially if you put in 40 nights last year. I know very few people that get out that often and they have full expedition-y set rigs.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

 

[gtbensley]

Thats a much more practical set up then most of the rigs on this sit, especially for a family! Looks good.

 

[Explorerinil]

What are the specs on your camper? Any inside pics? I love your set up, your gonna be very happy with the cummins, only downside is the horrible headlights ram has.

 

[Gibby56]

only downside is the horrible headlights ram has.

I would disagree, mine are extremely bright. I've been happy with the standard lights. I think its the projectors that are garbage

 

[Buddha.]

I can't tell for the pics, do you use weight distribution/sway control? Some of the newer trucks are claiming its not needed.

 

[Explorerinil]

I would disagree, mine are extremely bright. I've been happy with the standard lights. I think its the projectors that are garbage

I have had both, they suck, but I also have an 2014 srt grand Cherokee so I can tell a hug difference driving the ram.

 

[chet6.7]

The Gen 2 Rams had leaking CHMSL's and poor headlights,Gen 4 has leaking CHMSL's and poor headlights.I suspect Ram engineers never drive on rural roads at night and in the rain.
My Honda has better lights than the Ram.