2021 RAM 3500 Tradesman | AEV Prospector | FWC Grandby

[ramblinChet]

I called Das Mule and spoke with a representative who was very nice, asked many questions, etc. I sent over the same pictures and am awaiting his reply.

I took everything apart and measured again - even swapped brackets between sides by hanging them "backwards." The Four Wheel Camper brackets are perfectly straight. The problem with the drivers side is that the solar plug connector sticks out from the back of the truck and forces the bracket to set at this odd angle. Again, the solar plug connector has been standard since January 2015 - the design should accommodate this plug. And why wouldn't they just offer a cut out in this area anyway so the plug can still be used? And they are a FWC dealer so they have countless samples to test and have better access than most regarding communications with FWC.

Once I hear back from Das Mule I will update this post. I must resolve this within the next few days so I can carry my extra fuel on my upcoming trip.

 

[tacollie]

I've heard of fitment issues with their 270 awning brackets so I'm not surprised. That being said the jack brackets on our friends 2020 Hawk are different than the ones on our 2019. It's subtle but they are different.

 

[ramblinChet]

On a good note, Mule has been quick to respond via phone and email. Although not the reply I would have liked - it was disappointing to receive about what I expected. Here is a reply I received from them earlier today:

Right side looks about like what I would expect. I'd bolt your accessory on, pull a rubber stopper in place between the bracket and camper, and bolt things on. Left side looks like it's going to need a hole to clear the solar plug unfortunately. We can arrange returns if needed. You could also use washers to space out the driver side plate to clear the solar plug. That's about all I can think of to solve the issues you're having in a short time period.

Here is my reply:

I was thinking along the lines of spacers too. I do appreciate your quick and informative replies but must admit - I am very disappointed in your companies inability to prevent a problem like this from occurring. My camper is a normal FWC and there is nothing special regarding the jack brackets. This is poor design.

In my estimation, with two additional vertical bends and maybe one more cut the bracket could have easily been "moved out" approximately 3/8" while still attaching directly to the jack bracket with no spacer being required. This would have easily cleared the solar connector which has been standard since 2015. It would have also left room for the heads of bolts to pass through on the backside with no worry regarding contacting the FWC skin.

One more - if the solar panel connector is standard, why do you not have a hole already punched to allow access to it?

Again, I judged the bracket by how it looked, and it looked good. Regarding how it performs, it's a poor design that requires modification before being used.

Thanks for the offer to return also but as we discussed previously - I am pressed for time. I need to find some spacers now and have them overnighted...

No mention, no cut out in their design, no pictures on their product page, etc. If these plates were $19.95 each and made in China, I would not be quite as disappointed. But at $130 each and the fact that the shop is also a FWC authorized dealer - that's unsatisfactory.

I followed up over the phone, offered a few suggestions, and with no other option available - purchased spacers I had already been preparing to order:

 

[Kingsize24]

Not impressed with that response at all. Gives me flashbacks to Expedition One bumper issues. Great product with huge lack of attention to detail. Hope you get it sorted!!!

 

[ExpoMike]

Instead of round spacers, which only puts the loading force on that small area, I would get some aluminum flat stock the thickness you need, drill the holes for the mounts and bolt them that way. This allows the full edge of the plates to have surface load and less likely to fail from fatigue.

 

[ramblinChet]

Recently I was able to install the 1-1/2" d-ring tie downs which will permit me to secure my ZARGES K470 aluminum cases with a 2" x 8' cam buckle strap. For fasteners I opted to use two inch long 3/8" x 16 carriage bolts plus one washer and one nut. I came close to purchasing 1-1/2" long ones but am glad I went with the 2" ones - see why below.

All measurements were taken using a digital linear caliper fresh from being calibrated at a metrology laboratory and accurate within 0.01 mm (or 0.0005"). Actually, this is all I had available since most all of the measurements I take are very precise. A Class I tape ruler or tape measure would have been fine but this was the closest.


All precision measurements were immediately transferred to a very precise marking system comprised of masking tape on top of carpet. This is when you should laugh.


Here is an installed d-ring tie down. If I remember correctly each tie-down when properly installed is good for a one ton load so securing my ZARGES K470s using two tie-downs should be fine.


The challenging part of this installation was the fact that the tie-down straddled a vertical wall underneath and my goal was to place one carriage bolt on each side of the invisible vertical wall. I took my time, checked my measurements, rechecked everything again, and then drilled my holes. Here is a bolt on the "inside" of the wall.


Here is a bolt on the "outside" of the wall. Now you can see why I was fortunate to have selected the 2" bolts - if I had not I would have run out of room here. I felt the thickness of the material while drilling the outboard holes and was unaware it was thicker in this area. Despite my limited experience with this type of operation things turned out acceptable.


Port:


Starboard:


Complete system: ZARGES K470, d-ring tie down, and 2" cam buckle strap.

 

[ramblinChet]

Spacers arrived and brackets installed - my 20 L Wehrmacht Einheitskanister fit nicely.

Here is an example of one spacer installed.


Can on starboard side.


Bracket spaced away from FWC permitting bolts to clear.


Bracket attached to camper.


Shot from abeam.


Solar connector clears with 1/8" to spare.


An extra 40 L of fuel just in case.

 

[Kingsize24]

Looks like they should include some spacers with their design. Good job!

 

[FAW3]

Nice updates & photos.

I've never needed my spare 5 gallons of fuel or water...but having them gives me a nice feeling when I'm getting low on one or the other.

I do worry about someone tampering with them. The cans are locked to the truck and I've safety wired the lids shut so you at least have to cut a safety wire to siphon or add anything to them.

Grabbing all I can of this great fall weather just did 3 nice camping days out near Fulk Run, VA. Wanted to explore this area of the Geo. Washington NF. Enjoyed Slate Lick CG which has several sites along a stream and also saw/found several nice spots along Gauley Ridge Road. Both quiet, peaceful, not littered up locations with nice hiking and good star/planet viewing.

Nights are getting cool....better get that heater installed!

 

[ramblinChet]

Visited the K-25 museum in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, to lean about the "secret city" and the differences between liquid thermal and gaseous diffusion, and electromagnetic separation of uranium-235. Here is a scale model of "little boy," the first nuclear weapon fueled by U-235 that was dropped by a B-29 Superfortress named "Enola Gay," on the public in Hiroshima, Japan.


A few hours later when I stopped to fuel up I took advantage of a certified scale to weigh my truck fully loaded, with a full bag of gas. The only thing that was not present was me so we can add an additional 195 pounds to the 8,660 pound total. For reference, my truck initially weighed 6,471 pounds stock (no AEV Prospector or Four Wheel Camper).

 

[ramblinChet]

I spent the night camping in Colson Hollow at Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area in Kentucky. Before falling asleep I enjoyed gazing at the heavy-thick blanket of stars. Twice during the night I herd a pack of wild coyotes howling and yelling. The first time they were a good distance away. An hour plus later they were within a few hundred meters. So beautiful.


I took time to visit the Elk and Bison prairie at Land Between the Lakes. It's a beautiful area and I enjoyed watching a small heard of bison along with a flock of hens.


I stopped by the Golden Pond Visitor Center and purchased a nice map for $14.95 which provided all the details I needed to spend most of the day exploring. Here I am on road 145 north of Jenny Ridge:


A while later I met some Jeepers on road 147 and assisted them with winching out of an obstacle. Quite a bit of roads 147 and 324 had deep muddy ruts like this with most of them being part of an uphill or downhill section. Some were also filled with water which was not fun either. I ran the entire series of trails in 2WD with the exception of one five foot section of an uphill climb where the ruts has me crossed up.


On tight trails sometimes there are traffic jams. I enjoyed watching these anxious guys hurrying to sort things out while I waited for the mess to clear before I moved through.


Towards the end of the day I happened upon a nice little restaurant with great catfish, hush-puppies, beans, 'slaw, baked potato, etc.

 

[Zuber]

"Measure with a micrometer, mark it with chalk, cut it with an axe"

 

[ramblinChet]

After wheeling most of the day and then driving over 500 miles I pulled into a rest stop very late on I-70 in Kansas just west of Topeka and slept very well. When you are tired, the running diesel engines and noise from the interstate really don't matter much. A big travel day was in the plan for tomorrow so the good sleep was appreciated.


When I woke up, I said hello to my neighbors and spent time checking out their custom camper. They are a wonderful couple from Canada touring these United States and the camper was home built. It was very nice and definitely a four season camper with 1" insulation all around. It's always nice to meet happy and creative people exploring and enjoying life.


Overlanding involves many compromises and taking a shower in a parking lot is high on the list. It felt so good it was worth it.


This was my view from sunrise until sunset - approximately 350 miles were spent chasing the sun through Kansas on I-70. My goal for today is the warm healing waters of Pagosa Springs in Colorado. If I make it the entire way that would be a little over 700 miles today.


Here is a snapshot just north of Colorado Springs, Colorado. I will sleep in the mountains tonight for certain. The only questions is where...

 

[Todd n Natalie]

A few hours later when I stopped to fuel up I took advantage of a certified scale to weigh my truck fully loaded, with a full bag of gas.

Is that really the safest way to transport gas? Haha

 

[Explorerinil]

Is that really the safest way to transport gas? Haha

Lol good catch there