Full Size Dodge Thread
- Thread starter HiddenCamper53
- Start date
txflyyaker
Observer
Where did you find tires in that size?
The Namqualanders
New member
Halo everyone.
I am new to this site and to overlanding in the USA.
I am from South Africa originally where i did a lot of off roading and overlanding throughout Africa, but most vehicles used for off roading and overlanding in South Africa would be about the size of Tocoma, Tundra or Rangers and off coarse Land Cruiser and Land Rovers.
I have a 2009 Dodge Ram 3500 4x4 with the 8ft bed, other than airbags , a bullbar bumper and some LED lights it is still standard. i tow my RV all the time as we are Full time RV living and use this truck for towing only for the most part.
Any advice and information on my truck and if it will make a good 4x4 overlanding truck , i know the wheelbase being so long might be a downside, but do i have to buy another vehicle just for overlanding or will my dodge get me by all or most of the time? i cant necessarily afford another vehicle just for overlanding and my wife's civic wont do it either so i am hoping you guys have some good news for me to get started.
Maybe you guys can help with ideas of some upgrades that i would need or things i could add to make it better, i dont need to spend too much money if npot necessary, i still have to use it for towing my RV too but i would definitely appreciate some tips and ideas to make my pickup work .
Also i am new to this forum hopefully i posted my question in the right place.
Thank you
I am new to this site and to overlanding in the USA.
I am from South Africa originally where i did a lot of off roading and overlanding throughout Africa, but most vehicles used for off roading and overlanding in South Africa would be about the size of Tocoma, Tundra or Rangers and off coarse Land Cruiser and Land Rovers.
I have a 2009 Dodge Ram 3500 4x4 with the 8ft bed, other than airbags , a bullbar bumper and some LED lights it is still standard. i tow my RV all the time as we are Full time RV living and use this truck for towing only for the most part.
Any advice and information on my truck and if it will make a good 4x4 overlanding truck , i know the wheelbase being so long might be a downside, but do i have to buy another vehicle just for overlanding or will my dodge get me by all or most of the time? i cant necessarily afford another vehicle just for overlanding and my wife's civic wont do it either so i am hoping you guys have some good news for me to get started.
Maybe you guys can help with ideas of some upgrades that i would need or things i could add to make it better, i dont need to spend too much money if npot necessary, i still have to use it for towing my RV too but i would definitely appreciate some tips and ideas to make my pickup work .
Also i am new to this forum hopefully i posted my question in the right place.
Thank you
Last edited:
The Namqualanders
New member
No sir, i did not change the springs, the ranch hand is pretty heavy , the bike on the other hand doesn't weigh much and i don't load it up there regularly i just had to take it with me this time i took the picture, i did not seem to make a difference after i loaded the little bike on there.
The Namqualanders
New member
I like that,it looks nice! i would be interested to hear more about the trails you go on with it. i am just starting out here in the USA and am very eager to get going and explore some rural USA.
The Namqualanders
New member
A
Awesome, do you ever do serious 4x4 off road trails with it? i will be very curious to hear about it or see some pictures of what it can do, i have a 2009 8ft bed dodge ram 3500 and haven't been able to take it on any trails yet but i am curious how it will do and how much of a disadvantage the long wheel base will give me?
A little Oregon Trail action.
jonathon
Active member
Not a whole lot of trails around here though we have lots of USFS and BLM roads that vary from well graded to almost washed out. The long wheel base works really well for those, smoother than shorter trucks in my opinion. The big downside is tight turns take some effort.
Regcabguy
Oil eater.
I've got 35" AT2's and will be returning to 295's or 285's. I would like to get some mpg back.
nitro_rat
Lunchbox Lockers
I ran an '09 QCLB 2500 with the 5.7 Hemi for a few years. Ended up with some wheels about like yours, 35x12.50R20 MT's, Ranch Hands front and rear, 12k winch, biggest Weatherguard tool box they make.
Biggest problem was terrible ride. Added diesel springs to the front, that did wonders for the ride quality. Bilstein remote resi's and extended control arms rounded out the suspension. And a front sway bar delete. Ended up riding pretty good for a fraction of the cost of the Carli/Thuren stuff.
Winch was the biggest need because once you get the big girl stuck the Tacos and Wranglers of the world will be unable to assist...
The extended control arms got the tires out of the cab corners but I still needed to drop the bump stops a little to keep them off the corners of the bumper at extreme flex and lock!
jonathon
Active member
That’s 2500 fuel mileage! 5.7 Hemi with 3.92 gears?
Im at 12.5 city and 16 highway with my 2500. Most of my driving qualifies as city so my average is just under 13. I’m expecting to drop to 12 MPG city and 15 highway on my 2500 when I go up to a 295/70R18 but I have a 6.4 Hemi with 4.10 gears. The stock 275/70R18 tires are only about 1” shorter and 1” narrower than the 295/70R18 tires will be. Difference is pretty small.
The Namqualanders
New member
Thank you for the informaton i will definitely look into it. Yes i figured i would need a good winch! what disadvantages do you think my long wheel base will have for me?