Another 2020 Ram 5500 Flatbed Camper Build

[DirtWhiskey]

Thanks man. All that hard work will pay off when you get up here and start living out of it. I think this trip has proven to me at least that the 5500 based truck camper is just ideal for exploring this wilderness and standing up to the punishment that is driving in Alaska. It's not too big or too small so you can get into a lot of places other vans and RV's won't even try. And having the fuel, power and water to be self-reliant for a week or more gives you lots of piece of mind.

Like you, I put this trip off for a few years waiting for the job situation to allow it. When I left my job in April I finally had my chance. I was ready.

I've done quite a few short hikes on the trip, mostly up to see glaciers or overlooks, but none at Tombstone unfortunately. That's a beautiful area for sure. At 48 my knees are as good as they used to be and my hiking ability is really determined by how much Advil I take.

The bed is fixed in the rear and has two pairs of springs, one pair mid way and the other pair near the front of the bed. The truck frame flexes quite a bit so you have to do something. They've been working great for me. I've put the GoPro down there to see them in action and they definitely do move like they should. Just don't do an aluminum subframe for your bed like I did. Mounting aluminum boxes to a steel subframe is the way to go. I think the spring and mount details are further back in this thread somewhere.

Sad to say, but I've started the long trek home. I don't think I'll be able to top the camping scenery at McCarthy in that last pic. Crossing the border into the Yukon today. Next up is Muncho Lake and Liard Hot Springs. Kind of backwards I know, but I had to bypass those on the way up due to the wildfire in Ft. Nelson.

I feel you on the knees! I'll be 48 in August and the years of punishment are catching up big-time. Just got back from a wild packrafting loop, maybe not that smart really, in the Grand Canyon with a bum right knee. Weirdly after the initial punishment of dropping 5400 vertical the first day, by the 3rd day I took the knee brace off. Still sore but I guess the workout strengthened the supporting muscles. Scheduling the dreaded MRI as we speak yippee! Scope or PT seems the remedy (hopefully).

Drive safe brother. Lifetime trip you're completing right now 🤘🤘

 

[klahanie]

Some great camps spots for sure ! Thanks much for sharing all of this with us !

Thanks man. All that hard work will pay off when you get up here and start living out of it. I think this trip has proven to me at least that the 5500 based truck camper is just ideal for exploring this wilderness and standing up to the punishment that is driving in Alaska. It's not too big or too small so you can get into a lot of places other vans and RV's won't even try. And having the fuel, power and water to be self-reliant for a week or more gives you lots of piece of mind.

Like you, I put this trip off for a few years waiting for the job situation to allow it. When I left my job in April I finally had my chance. I was ready.

I've done quite a few short hikes on the trip, mostly up to see glaciers or overlooks, but none at Tombstone unfortunately. That's a beautiful area for sure. At 48 my knees are as good as they used to be and my hiking ability is really determined by how much Advil I take.

The bed is fixed in the rear and has two pairs of springs, one pair mid way and the other pair near the front of the bed. The truck frame flexes quite a bit so you have to do something. They've been working great for me. I've put the GoPro down there to see them in action and they definitely do move like they should. Just don't do an aluminum subframe for your bed like I did. Mounting aluminum boxes to a steel subframe is the way to go. I think the spring and mount details are further back in this thread somewhere.

Sad to say, but I've started the long trek home. I don't think I'll be able to top the camping scenery at McCarthy in that last pic. Crossing the border into the Yukon today. Next up is Muncho Lake and Liard Hot Springs. Kind of backwards I know, but I had to bypass those on the way up due to the wildfire in Ft. Nelson.

Question if I may ... with the truck set up you have, for the roads and places you've travelled in the north, and the stuff you've done (camping, activities etc ) up there, do you have any thoughts on "what if doing it again" for you guys with basically the same camper but if it was a hardside ?

note: I'm familiar with some of those places with a pop up on 1 ton but wondering ... bigger camper with a bigger truck. .

btw, what's your planned route thru Canada after Liard ?

 

[Brad_UT]

Some great camps spots for sure ! Thanks much for sharing all of this with us !



Question if I may ... with the truck set up you have, for the roads and places you've travelled in the north, and the stuff you've done (camping, activities etc ) up there, do you have any thoughts on "what if doing it again" for you guys with basically the same camper but if it was a hardside ?

note: I'm familiar with some of those places with a pop up on 1 ton but wondering ... bigger camper with a bigger truck. .

btw, what's your planned route thru Canada after Liard ?

Hey Klahanie, I appreciate you guys following along! The pop up roof (and everything that goes with it) was probably #1 on my list of worries for this trip. I've lifted and lowered it really every day for 30 something days now and it's never seen that kind of frequent use before. The (4) 12V linear actuators have held up fine although I do notice one side going up/dn slower than the other. Probably a voltage drop/wiring issue on my part. Not a huge deal as it self corrects once fully up or down. The canvas sides don't always bow in when lowering - again an easy fix. The gas struts that assist the lifting exhibit this stick/slip motion which makes movement jerky. Those probably need replacing. The weatherstripping isn't perfect so some bugs and dust get in after lots of time driving. And there's a hole somewhere that the mosquitoes have found, but not me.

So, it's got it's issues, but I still wouldn't change it for a hard side. The low height and center of gravity make the rig super table on freeway, fairly immune to getting blown around by the wind and great for roaming around forest roads with low hanging trees. It's a night and day difference from the Arctic Fox 865 and 1-ton I had before (see page 1 of this thread).

The 4500/5500 as you know has about a foot wider wheel track than the smaller trucks. That is generally a good thing, i.e. tighter turn radius, makes a super single conversion possible, more stable stance, etc. However, there are two issues I found. First, trails are made for jeeps and this rig will be a tight fit. Sides will get scraped and you'll have to choose your "line" carefully to avoid a puncture or sidewall gash. Shelf roads also scare me to death now. I won't risk it. Second, on the freeway, if the pavement has tire track depressions from lots of use, the truck wont' "fit" in them. One side or the other will want to settle in the rut. It basically makes the truck want to hunt right and left and that gets real tiring after a while. The solution is to drive with the left tires on the yellow line, or the right tires on the white line.

Liard Hot Springs was fantastic! The camping part not so much since it was full and I had to park in overflow, but relaxing in the springs was definitely worth stopping for. Never seen a CG with an electrified bear fence around it. Kinda neat.

I'm heading south towards Vancouver. There's a suspension bridge forest park that I want to check out. Then cross border and down the west coast. If you think of any must-see spots between Chetwynd and Vancouver, let me know!

 

[Brad_UT]

If you're near Chetwynd consider the t rex trackway near tumbler ridge, further in is kinuseo falls with some longer hikes in there.
Whats your rough route down to Van and I'll get back to you.

From Chetwynd, I'm taking 97 down to Prince George, then Hwy 16 southeast down to Kamloops. Then Hwy 5 through Merritt and Hope into Vancouver.

I'll probably stop tonight near Kamloops. Any recommendations around there?

 

[Alloy]

From Chetwynd, I'm taking 97 down to Prince George, then Hwy 16 southeast down to Kamloops. Then Hwy 5 through Merritt and Hope into Vancouver.

I'll probably stop tonight near Kamloops. Any recommendations around there?

Sites and Trails BC

Recreation Sites and Trails BC

Look for the places that have 1-3 sites (not big enough to charge fees) and need (noted in directions) 4x4

Recreation Sites and Trails BC

 

[driveby]

Sounds like a fantastic trip. I assume the suspension bridge is Lynn Canyon and not Capilano? (pick the former not the latter). Capilano is a tourist trap, Lynn Canyon is every bit as beautiful and free.

 

[klahanie]

Hey Klahanie, I appreciate you guys following along! The pop up roof (and everything that goes with it) was probably #1 on my list of worries for this trip. I've lifted and lowered it really every day for 30 something days now and it's never seen that kind of frequent use before. The (4) 12V linear actuators have held up fine although I do notice one side going up/dn slower than the other. Probably a voltage drop/wiring issue on my part. Not a huge deal as it self corrects once fully up or down. The canvas sides don't always bow in when lowering - again an easy fix. The gas struts that assist the lifting exhibit this stick/slip motion which makes movement jerky. Those probably need replacing. The weatherstripping isn't perfect so some bugs and dust get in after lots of time driving. And there's a hole somewhere that the mosquitoes have found, but not me.

So, it's got it's issues, but I still wouldn't change it for a hard side. The low height and center of gravity make the rig super table on freeway, fairly immune to getting blown around by the wind and great for roaming around forest roads with low hanging trees. It's a night and day difference from the Arctic Fox 865 and 1-ton I had before (see page 1 of this thread).

The 4500/5500 as you know has about a foot wider wheel track than the smaller trucks. That is generally a good thing, i.e. tighter turn radius, makes a super single conversion possible, more stable stance, etc. However, there are two issues I found. First, trails are made for jeeps and this rig will be a tight fit. Sides will get scraped and you'll have to choose your "line" carefully to avoid a puncture or sidewall gash. Shelf roads also scare me to death now. I won't risk it. Second, on the freeway, if the pavement has tire track depressions from lots of use, the truck wont' "fit" in them. One side or the other will want to settle in the rut. It basically makes the truck want to hunt right and left and that gets real tiring after a while. The solution is to drive with the left tires on the yellow line, or the right tires on the white line.

Thank you, I appreciate the detailed reply. Interesting the width at the tires has been that noticeable. Have given me some more food for thought !

Enjoy the rest of your trip

 

[Brad_UT]

Sounds like a fantastic trip. I assume the suspension bridge is Lynn Canyon and not Capilano? (pick the former not the latter). Capilano is a tourist trap, Lynn Canyon is every bit as beautiful and free.

See, this is what I'm talking about! I've got more maps than time to study them. It's so much easier to just ask you guys.

I was actually thinking Capilano. Trip plans have been updated. Thank you!

 

[Brad_UT]

Sites and Trails BC

Recreation Sites and Trails BC

Look for the places that have 1-3 sites (not big enough to charge fees) and need (noted in directions) 4x4

Recreation Sites and Trails BC

Oh this is nice. I need a BIG paper version that I can hold up in front of my face while I try and drive and fool around with the radio all while barreling down a steep hill at 70..