Lightweight options for a Ram 1500 TRX

[jagarcia89]

Looking for light weight pop up or even non pop up options for my Ram 1500 TRX I have on order.

I've seen the options like FWC Project M and AT Atlas, but I have a couple concerns: They are all 6-12mos out and I'm still concerned it may cause the very soft TRX suspension to squat. I don't mind a little squat, but considering I will actually be camping 1-2 times a month, not sure if I want to deal with it the rest of the time and invest the $13-15k. Then I came across the RSI smart cap and it looked interesting, but I can't find any long term reviews. Also wondering if there are similar options out there. Basically, I'd like mostly to be able to keep my mountain bikes secure in the bed and occasionally be able to sleep in the back on short trips. I'll probably buy a pull behind for longer outings if I can't find a pop top that works..

Open to suggestions or brands I should look into. Thanks.

 

[skyfree]

Definitely look at an OVRLND. Being made almost entirely of aluminum and with a composite bed slide, most are under 300 lbs. That will cause some minor squat, but if you want you can add a leaf in the leaf pack and bring it back up to the original height. That's what I did with mine. The camper has never been removed in the almost year that I've had it. Built with options usually around $10K. Yes, there is a long wait just like just about every custom builder out there, but that's the world today.

Edit: Oops, no leaf pack on a RAM TRX. Stiffer springs?

 

[jagarcia89]

Definitely look at an OVRLND. Being made almost entirely of aluminum and with a composite bed slide, most are under 300 lbs. That will cause some minor squat, but if you want you can add a leaf in the leaf pack and bring it back up to the original height. That's what I did with mine. The camper has never been removed in the almost year that I've had it. Built with options usually around $10K. Yes, there is a long wait just like just about every custom builder out there, but that's the world today.

Problem with a TRX is there are no current options to stiffen up the rear. It's 5 link coil in the rear and while I think (hope) there will be aftermarket coils in the future- there is nothing now.

 

[skyfree]

Problem with a TRX is there are no current options to stiffen up the rear. It's 5 link coil in the rear and while I think (hope) there will be aftermarket coils in the future- there is nothing now.

Yeah, I saw my mistake after posting that. Would 300 lbs cause much squat on a TRX though? On my Colorado ZR2 I have over 400 lbs on there at all times with the furniture I built and all the electronics and insulation. That's about 1/3 of the payload on my sticker of 1192 lbs. From what I found a TRX has a payload of 1310 lbs. If you don't have permanent fixtures mounted in the back and leave it at 300 lbs that's only 23%.

 

[jagarcia89]

Yeah, I saw my mistake after posting that. Would 300 lbs cause much squat on a TRX though? On my Colorado ZR2 I have over 400 lbs on there at all times with the furniture I built and all the electronics and insulation. That's about 1/3 of the payload on my sticker of 1192 lbs. From what I found a TRX has a payload of 1310 lbs. If you don't have permanent fixtures mounted in the back and leave it at 300 lbs that's only 23%.

Hard to say as I haven't tried it. I have seen some picture of motorcycles and things in the back and it does squat quite a bit. I have found one image of one with a GFC and it doesn't look too bad. But considering the camper will get used a few times a year I'd like to minimize any squat when I'm just ripping it around.