Howdy Carlyle. I've been greatly enjoying reading your thread over the last several days. It was very informative and gives me lots of food for thought for any future vehicle/camper builds. I was rather dismayed at the unfortunate surprise ending to your original camper. I guess the silver lining is the chance for a do over--albeit at the cost of a big financial hit, the inconvenience of it not being on your timetable, the loss of personal items and seeing the fruits of your labor go up in smoke. I was wondering about a few things...
Did the insurance investigators ever get back to you with the definitive cause of the fire?
Why the difference between the 14' camper and the 13' foot? Was it a better size to fit on the new Ram Crew Cab XL chassis (I'm assuming you went with the 197.4" WB), to increase departure angles and or Alaskan Campers already had a standard 13' camper?
What were the factors that led you to choose the RAM 5500 over the Ford 550? Was the Cummins diesel engine the main factor? Any idea if that engine is compatible with 3rd world/ low to high sulfur diesel fuel? Did you order the truck with single rear wheels? What color is the cab? What was your trim level SLT or Laramie? Which options did you select? The ambulance prep package with the larger 220 amp alternator and the high idle control looks tasty. Lots of questions--lol. I'm excited to see how your new improved build develops. Although instead of 3 days it will take many months to unfold for me this time. In regards to an improved/beefier non-roof mounted A/C system have you looked at the ones that Sportsmobile uses? Sportsmobile calls it a Danhard Internal Mount A/C http://www.danhard.com/ . They say it will run off of a 2000w generator. It doesn't seem to take up too much space.
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1998 Chevrolet Astro LT AWD with limited slip rear differential, an extra rear leaf spring over stock and BFG AT KOs--"Punimog"
Midi-Vans--the chick magnet for the new millenium! That was my theory at least--I'm still hoping it pans out.
Did the insurance investigators ever get back to you with the definitive cause of the fire?
Why the difference between the 14' camper and the 13' foot? Was it a better size to fit on the new Ram Crew Cab XL chassis (I'm assuming you went with the 197.4" WB), to increase departure angles and or Alaskan Campers already had a standard 13' camper?
What were the factors that led you to choose the RAM 5500 over the Ford 550? Was the Cummins diesel engine the main factor? Any idea if that engine is compatible with 3rd world/ low to high sulfur diesel fuel? Did you order the truck with single rear wheels? What color is the cab? What was your trim level SLT or Laramie? Which options did you select? The ambulance prep package with the larger 220 amp alternator and the high idle control looks tasty. Lots of questions--lol. I'm excited to see how your new improved build develops. Although instead of 3 days it will take many months to unfold for me this time. In regards to an improved/beefier non-roof mounted A/C system have you looked at the ones that Sportsmobile uses? Sportsmobile calls it a Danhard Internal Mount A/C http://www.danhard.com/ . They say it will run off of a 2000w generator. It doesn't seem to take up too much space.
___________________________________________________________________________
1998 Chevrolet Astro LT AWD with limited slip rear differential, an extra rear leaf spring over stock and BFG AT KOs--"Punimog"
Midi-Vans--the chick magnet for the new millenium! That was my theory at least--I'm still hoping it pans out.
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