Looking for advice - Truck and camper set ups

[Buddha.]

I don’t know if OP knows but the 2500 vs 3500 suspension is a lot different. Coil vs leaf springs. Not like a Ford where there’s not much difference.
I think I’d get a 3500 and not be worried about being right at max payload.
A thousand pounds under payload would handle better than at max payload, I think.

 

[jagarcia89]

I don’t know if OP knows but the 2500 vs 3500 suspension is a lot different. Coil vs leaf springs. Not like a Ford where there’s not much difference.
I think I’d get a 3500 and not be worried about being right at max payload.
A thousand pounds under payload would handle better than at max payload, I think.

Yup. Worked for Ram so know the differences. Ride quality on the 3500 when not loaded is what has me set on a 2500.


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[jagarcia89]

If it was me...and it kinda is, I'd look at a Scout camper, short bed model if it's just you....but make sure you talk to the misses, that may warrant the long bed model.....

I looked and looked for trucks, I ended up with a 2021 Ram 2500 w/6.4 hemi, by far the best deal I could find. I looked at the F250's also, but they were trending $8-10k more than the Rams....love the flat rear floor but engine, trans and the rest of the truck was a wash for me between the two. Really like the truck so far. Depending on weight and use case, some of the F150's with the "HDPP" (Heavy Duty Payload Package) can easily handle a small camper...but generally special order. I had one on order for 3+ months with no end in sight (2 months ago), but may be different now with supply chain issues smoothed out a bit.

Forget any of the fancy 'offroad' models if you are looking for a camper, payload is very limiting.

Do you need a lift and big tires?

So for me (maybe I am getting old), stock Ram w/Hemi, newest one you can get, 4 door, short bed and stick to 33's or 34's on the stock suspension package....it's plenty tall. Get dual battery setup, maybe a rear locker, hidden front winch and call it good...my 2c.

I like the look of the scouts but it’s overkill for what we need. I’d like 35’s because the stock tire size of my 15 PW was a bit limiting. But it sounds like I can do 35s no issue. Only problem I see with your suggestion is by the time I add the hidden winch and bumper and a locker on a regular 2500 and the other stuff it’s quite a bit more expensive than a power wagon which already has that.


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[Tex68w]

Personally, I’d go with a 2500 or 3500 and get a FWC.

I've had them both, a PW and a RAM 3500, my suggestion would be the same as @phsycle, skip the PW and get a regular truck with a better payload. If set on the rear coils of the 2500 you'll still face some of the same payload issues in favor of the better ride so you'll need to decide which is more important to you. 35's on either truck is no issue but should you want a more level ride/look then pick up a set of Thuren coils for the front and call it a day.

I see you keep mentioning having more into a regular truck over the PW after adding accessories to it but you'll be adding them regardless of which model you purchase. I don't see how cost factors in if you're also considering a TRX which is significantly more than the other two and lacks some of the PW options as well.

 

[nickw]

I like the look of the scouts but it’s overkill for what we need. I’d like 35’s because the stock tire size of my 15 PW was a bit limiting. But it sounds like I can do 35s no issue. Only problem I see with your suggestion is by the time I add the hidden winch and bumper and a locker on a regular 2500 and the other stuff it’s quite a bit more expensive than a power wagon which already has that.


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I don't know what PW's go for these days, but I as a data point I paid ~$43k for my pretty basic 21' 2500....I bet you can add that stuff for less than a PW out the door.

Biggest limitation with a PW is payload....your call on how much you want to push that, but most camper setups will.

 

[jagarcia89]

I've had them both, a PW and a RAM 3500, my suggestion would be the same as @phsycle, skip the PW and get a regular truck with a better payload. If set on the rear coils of the 2500 you'll still face some of the same payload issues in favor of the better ride so you'll need to decide which is more important to you. 35's on either truck is no issue but should you want a more level ride/look then pick up a set of Thuren coils for the front and call it a day.

I see you keep mentioning having more into a regular truck over the PW after adding accessories to it but you'll be adding them regardless of which model you purchase. I don't see how cost factors in if you're also considering a TRX which is significantly more than the other two and lacks some of the PW options as well.

I priced out a power wagon and a 2500 big horn. Both would be about $50k all said and done with a difference of a few hundred $$$. I'd want 35's which I'd need on either truck. However, adding a winch and lockers as someone suggested above would only be necessary on the 2500 big horn. Winch and bumper looks like would be about $2500-$3000 and locker another $1000-$1500.

If I went with a TRX, that's a whole other thing. The way i'd use it and treat it would be vastly different. And really, it's the most unlikely scenario. I really want one (who doesn't), but from a cost, use, efficiency standpoint- probably not the wisest choice.

I think I am set on doing a topper style camper though, so I don't think payload is an issue. I like the looks of the AT Atlas and four wheel campers project M- stuff like that. All of which seem like they are well below the payload of a PW or TRX and certainly a 2500/3500

 

[GeorgeHayduke]

We've had a Northstar popup and now a Scout Kenai on our 2016 Ram 2500. In retrospect, I wish I would have gone with a 3500 since we get more sway than I'd like from the rear coils. I've added Timbrens and a Hellwig sway bar and now it's acceptable. If you're really just going to stick with a topper style camper and keep the CoG low then I think the 2500 is a good choice, but if a bigger popup or a hardside is in your future I'd suggest a 3500.

Apart from the rear suspension issues, the 2500 has been an excellent vehicle for us. I think the Ram platform is great: the cab and bed are just big enough and the wheelbase and turn radius is better than Ford/GM offerings. Lots of aftermarket support too. We run 285/75R18 tires on the stock suspension without any problems. My only complaints are the weak factory halogen headlights (grab one with the newer LEDs if you can) and I'm envious of the flat rear floor in the Ford cabs.

 

[REF]

Hey all, I’ve also been doing a ton of research on all of this to find our next rig after being in our 2003 7.3 (de)Sportsmobile since ‘06
Anyway, I think on Ram trucks, as nice as the PowerWagon is, as others have said, think you’d be better off with the higher payload capacity on the 2500 and make your mods. I’ve been leaning towards the F250 with the 7.3 Godzilla and Tremor package, but will be taking a hard look at both.
As popular as the Four Wheel Campers are, and they’re great, I think the Overlandex (OEV) campers are in another league, been looking at their flatbed HBE models myself. Lots of options, good luck!


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[dbhost]

If it was me...and it kinda is, I'd look at a Scout camper, short bed model if it's just you....but make sure you talk to the misses, that may warrant the long bed model.....

I looked and looked for trucks, I ended up with a 2021 Ram 2500 w/6.4 hemi, by far the best deal I could find. I looked at the F250's also, but they were trending $8-10k more than the Rams....love the flat rear floor but engine, trans and the rest of the truck was a wash for me between the two. Really like the truck so far. Depending on weight and use case, some of the F150's with the "HDPP" (Heavy Duty Payload Package) can easily handle a small camper...but generally special order. I had one on order for 3+ months with no end in sight (2 months ago), but may be different now with supply chain issues smoothed out a bit.

Forget any of the fancy 'offroad' models if you are looking for a camper, payload is very limiting.

Do you need a lift and big tires?

So for me (maybe I am getting old), stock Ram w/Hemi, newest one you can get, 4 door, short bed and stick to 33's or 34's on the stock suspension package....it's plenty tall. Get dual battery setup, maybe a rear locker, hidden front winch and call it good...my 2c.

Don't count on supply chain woes going away anytime soon. We kind of dug ourselves into this hole since motor vehicles have become ENORMOUSLY more complex since I was a kid. Try buying a full size 4x4 with a six cylinder, straight axles, HD components such as suspension, axles, manual trans with a granny gear, manual wind windows and vinyl floor mats. Not gonna happen in the US market period. Maybe in Europe, Africa, or closest maybe Mexico if you buy something manufactured in a former Soviet Bloc nation...

 

[nickw]

Don't count on supply chain woes going away anytime soon. We kind of dug ourselves into this hole since motor vehicles have become ENORMOUSLY more complex since I was a kid. Try buying a full size 4x4 with a six cylinder, straight axles, HD components such as suspension, axles, manual trans with a granny gear, manual wind windows and vinyl floor mats. Not gonna happen in the US market period. Maybe in Europe, Africa, or closest maybe Mexico if you buy something manufactured in a former Soviet Bloc nation...

I think the Ram 2500 Tradesman comes closest, "simple" V8, straight axles, HD components, full float rear axle, auto trans w/low 1st gear, manual tcase, vinyl floor options....missing roll-up windows and manual trans....

 

[Tex68w]

I priced out a power wagon and a 2500 big horn. Both would be about $50k all said and done with a difference of a few hundred $$$. I'd want 35's which I'd need on either truck. However, adding a winch and lockers as someone suggested above would only be necessary on the 2500 big horn. Winch and bumper looks like would be about $2500-$3000 and locker another $1000-$1500.

If I went with a TRX, that's a whole other thing. The way i'd use it and treat it would be vastly different. And really, it's the most unlikely scenario. I really want one (who doesn't), but from a cost, use, efficiency standpoint- probably not the wisest choice.

I think I am set on doing a topper style camper though, so I don't think payload is an issue. I like the looks of the AT Atlas and four wheel campers project M- stuff like that. All of which seem like they are well below the payload of a PW or TRX and certainly a 2500/3500

True, you'll have to add the bumpers and a winch but I'd prefer aftermarket bumpers on the PW as well, so you really only gain the winch, lockers and sway bar disco, albeit those aren't anything to scoff at. It really comes down to payload vs. off-road goodies, only you can decide which is more important for your needs. I ran 5,000lb air bags and Daystar buckets on my PW to offset the horrid payload and side-to-side sway with the AT Habitat and FWC and it still firmed up the ride and lessened the articulation when the bags had air in them, there's no way around that. Keep that trade-off in mind and also the fact that if you are over GVWR and have an accident you might have to answer to that legally should they take note.

We've had a Northstar popup and now a Scout Kenai on our 2016 Ram 2500. In retrospect, I wish I would have gone with a 3500 since we get more sway than I'd like from the rear coils. I've added Timbrens and a Hellwig sway bar and now it's acceptable. If you're really just going to stick with a topper style camper and keep the CoG low then I think the 2500 is a good choice, but if a bigger popup or a hardside is in your future I'd suggest a 3500.

Apart from the rear suspension issues, the 2500 has been an excellent vehicle for us. I think the Ram platform is great: the cab and bed are just big enough and the wheelbase and turn radius is better than Ford/GM offerings. Lots of aftermarket support too. We run 285/75R18 tires on the stock suspension without any problems. My only complaints are the weak factory halogen headlights (grab one with the newer LEDs if you can) and I'm envious of the flat rear floor in the Ford cabs.

The RAM has a smaller cab than the Ford and the flat rear floor sure is nice, but the RAM has a better ride, better turning radius and a better aftermarket especially when you consider the items available for the Overlanding scene. The halogen lights on both makes flat out suck, definitely upgrade to the LED units, I purchased them along with AlfaOBD for my latest truck as soon as I got it home.

 

[Regcabguy]

Looking for some advice on a truck / camper set up. I just sold my 4x4 7.3L ambulance conversion and need something a bit more practical for daily use and longer drives mostly on highways. So I am thinking a crew cab truck. I get good discounts on Ram trucks and with the used market still crazy, I will probably buy new. I know nothing about truck campers as I have always been a build from scratch guy, but now with a new job and a smaller house- I have more money than time / garage space and just looking for something fairly turn key.

Since I am buying new and will probably special order the truck- I'd like to have my camper set up determined before I order the truck. I am considering a few options for the truck, so please lend some advice/expertise/opinions on the following or better ideas if you have them.

1. Ram Powerwagon - have had one before and liked it, but I always felt it should have bigger tires and it looks like there's not a ton of lift options for the newer ones (I'd be getting a 22MY).
2. Ram 2500 - Lot's of lift options, but not sure what bed length would be best for an overland set up? 6'4 or 8 foot bed? By the time I lift it, cost exceeds the power wagon
3. Ram cab chassis and a flat bed or build on camper of some kind
4. Ram TRX - I worked on the development and launch of the TRX so it's got a place in my heart. However, I am not sure if there are many camper options out there light enough for it's relatively low payload (compared to the above options). Also not sure if the jacks on many slide in campers would clear the extra fender width. I have yet to see anyone do an overland TRX set up, so may be a good opportunity to be first, but it'd a big investment for something that may not work well.

Let me know your thoughts. Or if you have brands of campers / toppers I should look into. I've always built rigs I could live in full time comfortably, but only used them a couple weekends a month. So I am fine going back to something a little more like a tent vs a house on wheels.

I'd get a 3500 with rear leafs if you intend to mount a slide in camper on it.

 

[Regcabguy]

We've had a Northstar popup and now a Scout Kenai on our 2016 Ram 2500. In retrospect, I wish I would have gone with a 3500 since we get more sway than I'd like from the rear coils. I've added Timbrens and a Hellwig sway bar and now it's acceptable. If you're really just going to stick with a topper style camper and keep the CoG low then I think the 2500 is a good choice, but if a bigger popup or a hardside is in your future I'd suggest a 3500.

Apart from the rear suspension issues, the 2500 has been an excellent vehicle for us. I think the Ram platform is great: the cab and bed are just big enough and the wheelbase and turn radius is better than Ford/GM offerings. Lots of aftermarket support too. We run 285/75R18 tires on the stock suspension without any problems. My only complaints are the weak factory halogen headlights (grab one with the newer LEDs if you can) and I'm envious of the flat rear floor in the Ford cabs.

SD Truck Springs has HD coils for the Ram 2500's. https://www.sdtrucksprings.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=56363

 

[jagarcia89]

I went with a TRX. I’ll have to figure out a light weight camper set up. Either a pop-top topper or even a smart cap with rtt