Looking for opinions on AEV Prospector XL

[ttengineer]

Might want to double check that. Apart from the power wagon, I don't think any HD Rams come with lockers from the factory. You can option a limited slip in the rear from the factory on 2500's and I think it comes by default on the 3500's. Obviously you could throw in ARB air lockers yourself but there's no factory e-locker like on Fords or the Ram 1500's.

AEV has the lockers as an option on the Prospector builds. At least with the 4th gen it was.

You can add a Power Wagon e-locker to any Ram pretty easily. Aftermarket obviously.

If I recall, the new gen does not have regear options as of yet though.


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[Tex68w]

I have the factory limited slip in the rear of my 2021 RAM 3500 and I have felt it do its job a time or two over the past 20K miles, but I will be stuffing ARB's front and rear in the near future.

 

[UglyViking]

I have the factory limited slip in the rear of my 2021 RAM 3500 and I have felt it do its job a time or two over the past 20K miles, but I will be stuffing ARB's front and rear in the near future.

I will be as well, once they are out… I contacted ARB about timeline but still haven't heard back. Still waiting on Nitro to release gears for the new AAM 11.5 rears as well. I guess the changes were pretty substantial but I'm hoping this year they finally get everything out. With the pandemic still wrecking havoc on basically everything in manufacturing though I'm not too hopeful.

Now, I just need to decide if the ole gal needs 40s or to stay with 37s so I'll know what gear ratio to get.

 

[montypower]

TRX is a cool truck but doesn't make sense for a camper build. Basically ruins the purpose of the truck. I'd look to tow a trailer with it. Then you could unhook and enjoy the truck as it was intended.

Building a camper rig... you would be money and functionality ahead to sell the TRX and buy a basic HD truck. Add the suspension, tires and axle upgrades. Could be fully built for under $70k. We are around $60k in our Super Duty.

 

[Tex68w]

Now, I just need to decide if the ole gal needs 40s or to stay with 37s so I'll know what gear ratio to get.

I go back forth on this daily and I have been on 37's since almost day one. I am leaning more towards keeping it on 37's out of practicality and because they are easier to find in stock. 3.73's with 37's still does everything I need it to do with plenty of power and decent fuel economy where 40's would warrant regearing and just that much taller. Once it's retired from being my semi-daily I will reconsider going to 40's.

 

[al415]

I'm bumping this thread to see if the OP reached any sort of conclusion. Also bumping it because it resonates with me this week as I'm going through a similar "dilemma" albeit on a lower scale: I've been thinking about trading my 2019 Raptor for a 2018 Power Wagon that has become available locally. Mostly due to the slight increase in payload, additional foot of bed length and the extra ground clearance the PW has as a result of being on 37s. I love (LOVE) daily driving the Raptor. It's been a great long distance vehicle too; we've taken it cross country (NJ-CA) and back a couple of times. I've settled on a GFC as the most logical camper of choice but like the idea of being able to sleep in the bed with the top un-popped for stealth or security concerns on a given night. Yeah... so, did you ever make a decision @jagarcia89?

 

[jagarcia89]

I'm bumping this thread to see if the OP reached any sort of conclusion. Also bumping it because it resonates with me this week as I'm going through a similar "dilemma" albeit on a lower scale: I've been thinking about trading my 2019 Raptor for a 2018 Power Wagon that has become available locally. Mostly due to the slight increase in payload, additional foot of bed length and the extra ground clearance the PW has as a result of being on 37s. I love (LOVE) daily driving the Raptor. It's been a great long distance vehicle too; we've taken it cross country (NJ-CA) and back a couple of times. I've settled on a GFC as the most logical camper of choice but like the idea of being able to sleep in the bed with the top un-popped for stealth or security concerns on a given night. Yeah... so, did you ever make a decision @jagarcia89?

Well... Sort of. So after finding out I would have to pay sales tax on the full value of the PXL (about $11,000) right after paying $8,000 on the TRX I decided to proceed with the build on the TRX. Even going with a non-PXL 3/4 ton would still mean $6-7k in extra tax spend. So there just wasn't a case to be made from a fuel economy standpoint to justify the extra cost and hassle. Plus, I figured even with it loaded down a bit more it will still handle better and faster than any camper buildout I've ever had. So I got my hands on some pre-production coils from a spring supplier that are 2" longer to offset sag and went back to waiting on my Ovrlnd to be built for the TRX.

Then, then the other day I saw a post on FB (guy has since posted here on ExPo), of someone looking to unload or trade + 35K cash for a 2015 PXL with a bit higher mileage than the new or near new ones I looked at before. I half jokingly commented on his post "I'll trade my TRX and I won't even make you give me the full $35k" and he commented he was interested. I still need to follow up, but I will see if that deal leads anywhere. I have not gotten back to him yet, because the TRX is in process of getting wrapped next week and I want to see what the end result will be and if the PXL owner is still interested.

But long story short. I decided I would be fine doing the build out on the TRX but will keep an eye out for other options. As of now, they still haven't started cutting material for my camper yet so I have flexibility but I'm not going to go out of my way or take a bad deal just to build on another platform.

 

[mgk]

Hey all,
I currently drive a 2022 Ram 1500 TRX and have a camp ovrlnd camper on order. Lately, I have been considering ditching it and getting a 3/4 ton where I won't have to worry about weight and will get the MPG benefit of a diesel. I recently found a 2018 PXL that already has a camper on the back (I'd use it until my ovrlnd is built then try to sell) that I could trade virtually straight up for.

My issue is, I have never gotten a chance to drive a PXL, don't know anyone who has one, and am not sure if I'd really benefit much in terms of MPG given the size an 40" tires.

Anyone out there have any experience with these things? What kind of mileage are you getting with your set up? Just looking for any feedback on these things as it's an out of state deal and I don't want to drive 15 hours, trade in my dream truck then find out I made the wrong move on the drive home. It's at a dealer and they don't know much about it.

Thanks.

I’ll say this. The XL is a beast. There’s nothing else like it in the road. Drives really nice as well. Better than factory. I have Cooper Discovery STT M/T 40’s. They’re sooo loud. But love the truck still.

2023 AEV RAM 6.7L Diesel 3500 Prospector XL First Drive Impressions