2018 Ram Power Wagon

[GreggNY]

You could keep a hitch lock on it. Or wheel locks? No matter what if someone wants it that bad though, they'll get it. That's what insurance is for, haha

A wheel lock wouldn't be a bad idea. Usually where we are camping there isnt a lot of people, and we have just hoped they arent theives and also prepared to steal a trailer. Break into it and steal our gear? Much more likely.

There are probably quite a few ways to make it tougher for the trailer to walk away, but like you said, it’s only buying time if someone wants it bad enough. I’d probably be even more pissed if someone just broke into it or vandalized it.

 

[Todd780]

There are probably quite a few ways to make it tougher for the trailer to walk away, but like you said, it’s only buying time if someone wants it bad enough. I’d probably be even more pissed if someone just broke into it or vandalized it.

For sure. We use a hitch lock. Hopefully that's a deterrent for the lazies anyway. If not. We're insured.

 

[jadmt]

I had a Freespirit RTT trailer and it was kind of cool as the tongue was designed to be pulled off. a receiver hitch lock was used to keep the tongue locked in place but when the tongue was removed and stored inside the trailer the hitch lock prevented anyone from slipping another tongue in place. pretty simple and slick.

 

[Pnwfullsize]

Our trailer has a lock n roll hitch too so pretty uncommon for someone to have the other end. Although hitch lock or not someone could pretty easily rig up to it and take off. Oh well.

 

[dnorrell]

I don't think I'd do another cap or soft topper even just for the sake of having something different. I've always liked the GFC setups, but the same problem as the cap/RTT is that it's basically a permanent addition. I'd love a FWC to be able to pop it on and off as a one man operation with the jacks, but I'd have to see how much of an issue the payload situation would be with that

For what it's worth, I ran a FWC Hawk shell model with side dinette, dual batteries, and furnace when we had our 2016 PW for about a year. Had air bags with Daystar cradles, the common setup, and pulled a 17' Casita on the hitch (full-time travelers) and the setup was fantastic. The PW handled the FWC beautifully with the airbags. I think I ran them around 40-50 PSI...in case that's useful.

We ultimately sold the FWC when we upgraded the travel trailer to an Airstream because I didn't want all that weight in the bed along with more weight on the tongue, but I wouldn't hesitate to put another FWC in the bed of our new PW if I wasn't pulling a trailer too.

 

[dnorrell]

I want to add that I've really enjoyed the photos and discussion in this thread. The photos are really quite spectacular. Nice work! We spent our 4th summer in Montana this year, up near Flathead Lake, and I just can't get enough of those mountains and the park, though 2020 was quite different!

When we had our 2016 PW, we ran quite a few different setups in the bed from slide-in campers to toppers. I had both a Snugtop and a Leer on that truck at one time or another and definitely preferred the Snugtop. I really had trouble with the Leer's windoors and felt the Snugtop had better fit and build, if only slightly.

We now have a 2020 PW and I've just put a deposit down on a Super Pacific X1 camper. I was really struggling with what to put on this truck to suit our full-time travel needs. I need secure storage for extra solar panels and a generator, tools, etc, but also want to be able use the truck to explore away from the travel trailer. I was leaning toward another Snugtop with a RTT until I came across the X1. I basically fell in love with the engineering of the thing! Maybe this will be our magic combination.

I'll keep coming back to this thread for more photos...cheers!

 

[phsycle]

Never heard of Super Pacific until now. Looks pretty nice!

 

[GreggNY]

For what it's worth, I ran a FWC Hawk shell model with side dinette, dual batteries, and furnace when we had our 2016 PW for about a year. Had air bags with Daystar cradles, the common setup, and pulled a 17' Casita on the hitch (full-time travelers) and the setup was fantastic. The PW handled the FWC beautifully with the airbags. I think I ran them around 40-50 PSI...in case that's useful.

We ultimately sold the FWC when we upgraded the travel trailer to an Airstream because I didn't want all that weight in the bed along with more weight on the tongue, but I wouldn't hesitate to put another FWC in the bed of our new PW if I wasn't pulling a trailer too.

I want to add that I've really enjoyed the photos and discussion in this thread. The photos are really quite spectacular. Nice work! We spent our 4th summer in Montana this year, up near Flathead Lake, and I just can't get enough of those mountains and the park, though 2020 was quite different!

When we had our 2016 PW, we ran quite a few different setups in the bed from slide-in campers to toppers. I had both a Snugtop and a Leer on that truck at one time or another and definitely preferred the Snugtop. I really had trouble with the Leer's windoors and felt the Snugtop had better fit and build, if only slightly.

We now have a 2020 PW and I've just put a deposit down on a Super Pacific X1 camper. I was really struggling with what to put on this truck to suit our full-time travel needs. I need secure storage for extra solar panels and a generator, tools, etc, but also want to be able use the truck to explore away from the travel trailer. I was leaning toward another Snugtop with a RTT until I came across the X1. I basically fell in love with the engineering of the thing! Maybe this will be our magic combination.

I'll keep coming back to this thread for more photos...cheers!

Good to hear you had a positive experience with the FWC on the PW, and the information is definitely useful. I know it's always a controversial subject with the low payload issues, but I've never heard complaints from actual owners. These trucks are beasts aside from that little door sticker.

Thanks for the compliments on the photos! I was hoping be out West again this past fall, but canceled those plans due to the issues going on now. I had originally wanted a Snugtop for my truck, but for some reason they don't want to deal with the East coast and have a non existent dealer network out here. I really didn't have complaints about the Leer though. Those Super Pacific setups look like really slick campers, and I think should be a step up from a cap/RTT. We're all super lucky to have the amount of options that we do in this overloading space, and I'd definitely be interested in your thoughts on it when it arrives. Hope it checks all the boxes for you!

 

[dnorrell]

It’s funny, I hadn’t heard of Super Pacific either a week ago, but then I found it on a thread under popup truck campers. Lucky me, the timing was perfect!

I’ll try to do a write up of the thing once I get it - it could be another great alternative for folks looking to not totally abuse our asthmatic payload figures

It is weird, but it seems like Snugtop stays west of the Mississippi. Someone should let them know it’s pretty easy to cross these days, and that you don’t have to pay a month’s wages to cross it on some rickety mule-powered barge!

 

[jadmt]

If you're not worried about security, I love it.

what are you doing about a 3rd brake light?

 

[Pnwfullsize]

what are you doing about a 3rd brake light?

Nothing. Im not even sure what the law is here, i guess if i ever get pulled over i will just fold it down and be on my way!

 

[jadmt]

Nothing. Im not even sure what the law is here, i guess if i ever get pulled over i will just fold it down and be on my way!

It is required in all 50 states. Not sure if you would ever get pulled over but if you were rear ended it might come into play.

 

[Pnwfullsize]

It is required in all 50 states. Not sure if you would ever get pulled over but if you were rear ended it might come into play.

Good to know. I will probably keep rolling the dice rather then rig something up. Or maybe i will drive with the softopper folded up unless i need it.

 

[Explorerinil]

Nothing. Im not even sure what the law is here, i guess if i ever get pulled over i will just fold it down and be on my way!

Check your state, every state has different laws on this. The 3rd brake light is not a requirement in Illinois for example.

 

[jadmt]

Check your state, every state has different laws on this. The 3rd brake light is not a requirement in Illinois for example.

I guess I am wrong. I thought it was a NHTSA DOT mandate but looking it does look like Illinois only requires two.