Dodge 5500 Flat deck and camper build
- Thread starter Ram5500
- Start date
LimaMikeMike
Observer
Wow. This build is gonna be cool.
Just got back from nearly 3 weeks in the rig, including the Overland Rally in Washington which was fun.
The truck worked well, I have a bit if a balance issue at highway speed with the tires or rims I need to sort out. There are a couple of pics in the Washington Overland Rally thread, I'll try to get some more on here from the trip soon!
The truck worked well, I have a bit if a balance issue at highway speed with the tires or rims I need to sort out. There are a couple of pics in the Washington Overland Rally thread, I'll try to get some more on here from the trip soon!
jasonL_031
Adventurer
definatly shouldnt be reading this build lol really bad ideas for my tow rig lol. great build so far
Louisd75
Adventurer
It's impressive :Wow1: I got a chance to check it out at the Overland Rally in WA. Here are some of the pictures from the WA Rally thread (I'm re-linking them but I didn't take any of them)
D
Deleted member 9101
Guest
WOW ! ! ! that thing is nothing short of beastly!!
Ray Hyland
Expedition Leader
Awesome to meet you guys Bob, can't wait to see what else you do to this truck.
Stop in and say hi the next time you are on BC Hwy 3.
Stop in and say hi the next time you are on BC Hwy 3.
Well, haven't done much with the truck since getting back. Work has definitely taken back over- (need to finance some this stuff some how!) but since this is a work truck too I guess I should get it (more) done.
I have a fabricator friend who will make up aluminum sides, service body style, this winter so that helps.
I'm also seriously considering a different camper. The Arctic Fox is great and the boss rreally likes it, but for my needs a different one might be better.
1.Side Entry to better be able to mount the spare and a motorcycle on the back
2. Non-slide to cut down on weight and any potential issue on the road with it failing- also makes stealth roadside/ parking lot stays easier when necessary
3. I spent some time with Bruce @ Bruce's Coach in Salmon Arm, he had some great recommendations based on his experience and what I said I wanted to do- namely go to all diesel (no propane) and be self-sufficient. This means getting rid of the propane furnace and going with an Espar/Pro-heat/Webasto coolant heater on the truck and 1-2 heat exchangers in the camper along with a diesel cooktop. Also looking at putting 2 4d AGM batteries on the truck with an outback inverter and having all batteries powered off the truck alternator.
Though the truck is a 5500 and has no problem with the Camper on the road (I still pass most traffic and don't have slow down much for hills or corners), I'd like to go with something lighter- by half if I can- for more off roadability.
I considered the Alaskan Camper due to its hard wall pop-up design, but a couple things won't work to well for me I don't think. The process for putting it up and taking down is fairly quick, but I don't think I'd like that part too much since I use it as my office & hotel on the road, needing to go coast to coast for my business. No inside shower is an issue as well for the same reasons.
Really like the Northern Lite Campers construction & light weight seems like it might work for a true 4 (Canadian) season unit- no side entry though.
That brings me to Lance Campers. I had looked at them before- had a deal on one in fact, but let's just say that the local dealer here is the #1 reason I got an Arctic Fox instead- this after the dealer was supposed to be making up for my 1 1/2 years of Frustration with my Toy Hauler he sold me, that was in the shop for nearly a year of that time for warranty issues existing before purchase and guaranteed to be fixed upon return of the trip we were taking right when buying it- lesson learned (again?) I guess.
Sorry for the rant, but let's just say it would be a cold day waaay down below before I bought something that benefitted him in any way. - I won't post the name of the dealership but will happily let anyone know by PM if they ask!
Man, too many 5 hour energy and Pepsi Max this afternoon I think :Wow1:
Back to Lance Campers
Was originally wanting the 1041 loaded up- but it is a discontinued model. Then was thinking the 1191 which is more comparable with our Arctic Fox with the slide but has a side entry (boss really likes the slide!).
Now I have been mulling over the 831, shorter than the 1041 but still in production. For my time on the road it will be fine, but also has to work for trips/ weekends with the 2 of us and 2 dogs- further down the road an ankle biter to possibly.
I had the idea to use a double boot? to seal between the truck rear window and the Lance front cab window for the mutts, travelling they are in the back seat, and this way they could stay there mostly taking them out of the space equation. Right now they mostly squeeze in under the table in the camper and that is where they sleep, kinda tight for 150 lbs of dog but they like to cuddle.
If I need extra space can do something like Bob Lynch did with his and add an extension to the rear possibly, but getting into more (read$$) custom work.
Didn't intend to write a novel, but trying to work some of this out in my own mind at the same time I guess before I start on custom work to the camper or spending $ on logos/decals for it.
Time to walk the mutts and come back for a :beer:
I have a fabricator friend who will make up aluminum sides, service body style, this winter so that helps.
I'm also seriously considering a different camper. The Arctic Fox is great and the boss rreally likes it, but for my needs a different one might be better.
1.Side Entry to better be able to mount the spare and a motorcycle on the back
2. Non-slide to cut down on weight and any potential issue on the road with it failing- also makes stealth roadside/ parking lot stays easier when necessary
3. I spent some time with Bruce @ Bruce's Coach in Salmon Arm, he had some great recommendations based on his experience and what I said I wanted to do- namely go to all diesel (no propane) and be self-sufficient. This means getting rid of the propane furnace and going with an Espar/Pro-heat/Webasto coolant heater on the truck and 1-2 heat exchangers in the camper along with a diesel cooktop. Also looking at putting 2 4d AGM batteries on the truck with an outback inverter and having all batteries powered off the truck alternator.
Though the truck is a 5500 and has no problem with the Camper on the road (I still pass most traffic and don't have slow down much for hills or corners), I'd like to go with something lighter- by half if I can- for more off roadability.
I considered the Alaskan Camper due to its hard wall pop-up design, but a couple things won't work to well for me I don't think. The process for putting it up and taking down is fairly quick, but I don't think I'd like that part too much since I use it as my office & hotel on the road, needing to go coast to coast for my business. No inside shower is an issue as well for the same reasons.
Really like the Northern Lite Campers construction & light weight seems like it might work for a true 4 (Canadian) season unit- no side entry though.
That brings me to Lance Campers. I had looked at them before- had a deal on one in fact, but let's just say that the local dealer here is the #1 reason I got an Arctic Fox instead- this after the dealer was supposed to be making up for my 1 1/2 years of Frustration with my Toy Hauler he sold me, that was in the shop for nearly a year of that time for warranty issues existing before purchase and guaranteed to be fixed upon return of the trip we were taking right when buying it- lesson learned (again?) I guess.
Sorry for the rant, but let's just say it would be a cold day waaay down below before I bought something that benefitted him in any way. - I won't post the name of the dealership but will happily let anyone know by PM if they ask!
Man, too many 5 hour energy and Pepsi Max this afternoon I think :Wow1:
Back to Lance Campers
Was originally wanting the 1041 loaded up- but it is a discontinued model. Then was thinking the 1191 which is more comparable with our Arctic Fox with the slide but has a side entry (boss really likes the slide!).
Now I have been mulling over the 831, shorter than the 1041 but still in production. For my time on the road it will be fine, but also has to work for trips/ weekends with the 2 of us and 2 dogs- further down the road an ankle biter to possibly.
I had the idea to use a double boot? to seal between the truck rear window and the Lance front cab window for the mutts, travelling they are in the back seat, and this way they could stay there mostly taking them out of the space equation. Right now they mostly squeeze in under the table in the camper and that is where they sleep, kinda tight for 150 lbs of dog but they like to cuddle.
If I need extra space can do something like Bob Lynch did with his and add an extension to the rear possibly, but getting into more (read$$) custom work.
Didn't intend to write a novel, but trying to work some of this out in my own mind at the same time I guess before I start on custom work to the camper or spending $ on logos/decals for it.
Time to walk the mutts and come back for a :beer:
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It was a real pleasure Ray, I will definitely let you know the next time I get out that way!
Would it be possible to get some hi Res copies of your photos of my rig?
Was kind of funny on the trip, lots of people taking pictures-on the highway, gas stations, the ferry- and a few didn't know I was around or it was mine when they were talking about it, but quite a number said "where's the plate- I bet he's from Alberta" ...amazing how people stereotype these days...
can't figure out why they'd assume that Capt Eddie
Adventurer
For what you are planning. I would look more towards the Turtle Truck for ideas. I think Gary can make or design a campewr like his.
Master-Pull
Supporting Sponsor
Did you fix your diesel filler cap? Or figure out why it liked to pop off so easily offroad?
-Alex
-Alex
Master-Pull
Supporting Sponsor
Sounds great! When you get a chance to use the Super Yanker post some pictures up or shoot them my way.
-Alex
-Alex