3500 RAM Prospector + Alu Cabin + Custom Bed

[UglyViking]

This would go the other way no?. From E to D

The E and D ratings today really don't matter too much past the sidewall stiffness. The bigger thing is the weight rating of the tire. For example, the stock Nexen tires on the HD trucks are rated for 3640lbs per tire, where as a 37x12.5x17 Falken AT3W is rated at 3970lbs, comparing E to E tire. There are other 37s with higher and I think lower ratings as well.

I guess my point is that perhaps the increased weight rating of the tire helped offset some of the loss of the payload from the mods.

I would assume it's offset some by the subtraction of the parts removed. 🤔

Yeah, but I took that into my account with my numbers, or at least attempted to. I suppose my weights could be way off, but I don't think they are multiple hundreds of lbs off. I could be wrong.

Anyway, no need to beat this to death, just surprised is all.

 

[hdas]

+1 the starlink idea. I guess a large part of it depends on what sort of adventure travel you do. If you're often separated from your vehicle, and in a location where service is close to 0, a sat phone may be the only viable option, but assuming you generally are close enough to your vehicle to get back to make an emergency contact, or have radios to communicate between a person "at camp" at the rig, and out in an emergency, it's probably a non issue.

For what it's worth, all my adventure travel happens in the US and CA. I own a starlink for rv travel and have been pleasantly surprised by the performance. Add in a garmin inreach mini 2 for on person emergency and you really have a pretty do it all setup. If my travels took me outside north america, or through parts of mexico with heavy cartel influence, I'd probably feel strongly about carrying a sat phone on my person, but the realistic use cases here, for me, are exceedingly rare especially considering the cost.

Seems like your opinion is the consensus now:

The Best Remote Communications for Overlanders

For the modern explorer, there are plenty of communications options, including all manner of analog and digital methods.

expeditionportal.com

I feel conflicted about having connectivity. I quite enjoy unplugging and being away from the phone when I have to.

 

[hdas]

First ride in pavement impressions:

- Very happy with the suspension damping on high speed bumps.
- I can feel the difference in turning the wheel when parking.

These are some beefy rear shocks, relative to stock...

 

[hdas]

First ride in heavy snow conditions. BFG KO2 were flawless. 4H in the chunky sections.

How fast are you supposed to go on 4H?

 

[406to417]

Snorkel hat came off during transit. AEV has some explaining/compensating to do. 2 questions:

1. Is it safe to drive?
2. How much is the hat?

View attachment 816322

I recently bought an AEV snorkel and the instructions say to add a pin to secure the head as well as the clamp. I wonder if that was added since your incident.

 

[hdas]

I wonder if that was added since your incident.

The pin came in the box without instructions. I need to install it. I don't see a hole for it in the snorkel anywhere

 

[hdas]

I recently bought an AEV snorkel and the instructions say to add a pin to secure the head as well as the clamp. I wonder if that was added since your incident.

The key thing here is that AEV didn’t even install the pin themselves !!

 

[hdas]

New contender in the HD tire field: Falken Wildpeak A/T4W




The main features of this tire are:

1. While in theory a 37x12.5 R17 the tire is bigger, it measures actual 37" and it's 13.8" wide. Which is not good for fuel efficiency.
2. Its a 3-ply Load E 3970lbs......a thicker tire. If the compound doesn't counter greatly, it could also mean bad fuel efficiency.
3. It's a heavy tire, but at least they kept it under 80lbs.
4. Nice 3PMS.

It's really hard to compete with KO3's and Toyo's.

 

[Todd780]

First ride in heavy snow conditions. BFG KO2 were flawless. 4H in the chunky sections.

How fast are you supposed to go on 4H?

I drive in 4HI on the highway everyday in winter which usually consists of dry / snow / ice covered sections. Usually around 60 - 65 which is the speed of traffic flow - depending on conditions of course.

 

[hdas]

Truck is ready. Taking her out this weekend with the fam.

 

[Kingsize24]

Truck is ready. Taking her out this weekend with the fam.

View attachment 830566

Looking DAMN GOOD sir!

 

[OVRLNDFX4]

Came out amazing

 

[hdas]

Short trip to test setup:




- A small leak in water pump
- 12V inverter outlet doesn’t seem to work or we didn’t operate correctly.
- We have a better idea on the kind of boxes and molle panels we need.

All the rest good. Baby is having a hard time falling asleep

 

[Kingsize24]

Short trip to test setup:


View attachment 830904

- A small leak in water pump
- 12V inverter outlet doesn’t seem to work or we didn’t operate correctly.
- We have a better idea on the kind of boxes and molle panels we need.

All the rest good. Baby is having a hard time falling asleep

View attachment 830905

Not bad all in all. You will get that fixed up in no time. And my kiddos were the same every time we changed setups. They get comfortable eventually.

Absolutely love the truck man!

 

[hdas]

Smart, high quality accessories make a big difference in your experience. I'm being careful, patient and methodical in choosing what I buy. This first gave me good ideas:

1. I'm a freak for organization, and I don't like loose bags and stuff anywhere. So I need to spend some more money in some inside molle panels to organize stuff.

2. The Goose Gear cabinetry is excellent and I can fit a lot of stuff, but I need to add a couple of boxes in the roof rack.

3. I picked up this mount for maxxtrax which will allow me to fit the Zarges boxes, in the limited space I have. For this I will need to add a loadbar in the current empty space, this will be the first DIY project.

4. The wife wants some sort of sink system. I want something very small and easy to store and put away.

5. We have a big water tank, but we should be drinking water that is filtered, so I will be picking one of these

Next trip will be longer and in June. May is busy with international travel and I might be able to fit and overnight at max.