RAM5500 CAMPERTHING
OG Portal Member #183
Yes they are. There suspension is LITERALLY a spacer kit using stock springs and they LITERALLY say that right on their website
Ram Chassis Cab vs 3500 Pickup for next vehicle? Input needed! For flatbed truck camper.
- Thread starter SimplyAnAdventure
- Start date
Yes they are. There suspension is LITERALLY a spacer kit using stock springs and they LITERALLY say that right on their website
RAM5500 CAMPERTHING
OG Portal Member #183
No…. Not at all.
He says he wants a larger camper.
Why would he want less GVWR and been worrying about weight limits when he can go bigger and not worry?
The trend in the classifieds section says it all…
“Upgrading to bigger truck” seems to accompany most ads on there nowadays
Also worth noting is that C&C trucks seem to be a fair amount cheaper than the pickups and yet carry much more weight. Sooooo
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ramblinChet
Well-known member
My goal is not to offend you but to educate you since you have no idea what you are talking about. Please reply with videos from Carli and Thuren discussing their kits.
RAM5500 CAMPERTHING
OG Portal Member #183
Ya got me.. I’m busted..
Im just a dumb un-educated redneck trying to build my first truck and never done this before.
Sorry to waste your valuable time, I am not worthy of your presence.
TexasSixSeven
Observer
Holy ******** some people fall for advertising hook line and sinker ?
RAM5500 CAMPERTHING
OG Portal Member #183
Right? ???
ttengineer
Adventurer
Lol. I guess I hit a nerve.
Either way you slice it, AEV does nothing to increase the actual performance of the suspension. Their metal on their brackets is thin, their drag links fail, and the lift does nothing for ride quality.
Their flipped drag link is a great idea that does in fact improve handling response but the link itself is junk. Swap to a synergy drag link and Thuren track bar and thank me later.
And I have a Ram with an AEV lift that I daily.
Does it work, sure. Is it worth the cost, no. Do their bumpers look great, absolutely.
There are far better suspensions out there.
Carli and Thuren are easily the highest performance over the counter available ones for rams. Anything nicer is custom.
But please don’t make me laugh at OEM quality. If OEM was so great, the aftermarket wouldn’t exist.
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RAM5500 CAMPERTHING
OG Portal Member #183
Exactly My Thoughts!
I have driven 2 different Prospectors...
Yeah, their spacer lift allows the big tires, but the ride quality was meh at best.
I have driven a Carli setup truck that drove amazing, but i have not driven anything with the Thuren stuff YET
Also worth noting. Do you own digging and look at their tire weight rating for the 40" tires they are using (most, not all) and how much folks are exceeding it with their campers.
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ramblinChet
Well-known member
My focus has always been on maintaining or improving handling while providing additional clearance and larger tires. If you begin to compare how AEV solves front steering linkage issues and then you compare to others who don't even address the same issues...it's case closed. The AEV system properly returns the track bar and drag link to optimum angles. I am not sure what more to say but AEVs solution to the front steering linkage issue is easily an order or magnitude beyond anything else.
If you ever do decide to take some time and read Chassis Handbook by Bernd Heißing (579 pages) or Fundamentals of Vehicle Dynamics, Revised Edition by Dr. Thomas Gillespie (512 pages) you will feel robbed at what you have been sold by other companies. Seriously, they provide you with something that "looks" nice that negatively impacts then handling of your vehicle. Again, I did not purchase an AEV suspension system because it was manufacture by AEV. I purchased their system because it is by far, the finest available for the RAM. I don't have a dog in the fight when it comes to AEV versus Carli versus Thuren, etc. I define requirements, perform research, and purchase the best solution.
If you ever do decide to take some time and read Chassis Handbook by Bernd Heißing (579 pages) or Fundamentals of Vehicle Dynamics, Revised Edition by Dr. Thomas Gillespie (512 pages) you will feel robbed at what you have been sold by other companies. Seriously, they provide you with something that "looks" nice that negatively impacts then handling of your vehicle. Again, I did not purchase an AEV suspension system because it was manufacture by AEV. I purchased their system because it is by far, the finest available for the RAM. I don't have a dog in the fight when it comes to AEV versus Carli versus Thuren, etc. I define requirements, perform research, and purchase the best solution.
SimplyAnAdventure
Well-known member
Hello all, thank you for the passionate and well informed replies. I think I digested everything, but I guess I still don't have an answer. It sounds to me like a standard pickup would suit me better than a chassis cab due to the flex of a chassis cab C-Channel. That is OK. I still want a regular cab truck with a 8 ft bed, I think, in order to store the spare tire up between the camper and cab as well as have some additional storage boxes up there. It seems that a 3500 in either configuration would have more than enough GVWR to support the camper so the only decision really is which truck configuration and how to get the most fuel onboard. What drew me to the Chassis cab was the massive fuel capacity with the diesel IE the option for two tanks, but really may this isn't worth chasing. What's everyone's thoughts on Gas vs Diesel? I used to really lean towards diesel but really, for 10-12K more initially and another $2/ gallon on top of that unless i'm towing, the payback is probably 1000 years... This is really going to be a vehicle just for North America and 99% of the time in the US, we certainly travel to Canada and I'd love to do Baja as well. The camper I'm set on is the Overland Explorer Alpine with a flatbed from the same brand they say the camper is ~1500lbs dry, and the tray is all aluminum of course. Perhaps a standard gas truck in 3500 would be sufficient plus give me the highest possible payload. Thank you all!
SimplyAnAdventure
Well-known member
Very thoughtful reply thank you. I actually spoke with OEV at length at Expo this years and I have a pretty good working relationship with Rin and the guys at OK, as my previous camper came from there. They have a standard pickup with the HO diesel under their flatbed/ camper, it’s seems ideal. I suppose if I give up the idea I’d the larger fuel tank, and opt to bolt on a few cans to the rear molle for the very rare chance traveling where I require more fuel…. I hate to be so indecisive but I want to do this truck right the first time. And of course the truck so the base of it all. I had not thought of the added length on a CC truck, but maybe I’ll give a call and see what that say, I know OEV has 8 and 9 ft trays, but you’re right 9ft would just be too long and i wouldn’t be able to take advantage of it. Thanks again!
ttengineer
Adventurer
A gas truck will have a higher GVWR.
A diesel truck will get ~20% better fuel economy.
A diesel will need extra maintenance with fuel filters, water separators, DEF refills, and eventually the emissions equipment (unless you delete the equipment). If you delete it, your fuel economy will increase, depending on the tune, and the time between your oil intervals will increase as well.
A gas truck will be quite.
A diesel will have a distinctive smell from the DEF.
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A diesel truck will get ~20% better fuel economy.
A diesel will need extra maintenance with fuel filters, water separators, DEF refills, and eventually the emissions equipment (unless you delete the equipment). If you delete it, your fuel economy will increase, depending on the tune, and the time between your oil intervals will increase as well.
A gas truck will be quite.
A diesel will have a distinctive smell from the DEF.
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SimplyAnAdventure
Well-known member
Hey man, so I really like you're build, I found your build thread and read every page of it. LOL, seems like we've actually been to a lot of the same places over the years. Anyway, perhaps ordering a Prospector is the way to go. Any regrets on not getting a diesel truck? How's your mileage with the truck and camper? How's your range? What size tank did you get? Can you get? Seems like the regular cab trucks have 30-ish gallons so I'd be worried about sub 300 mile range. Let me know your thoughts, seems like a turnkey prospector might be a great way to go...
Thank you!
ramblinChet
Well-known member
I do not regret going with the Hemi on single bit but keep in mind this is specific to my application. In summary, anyone can work on a gasoline engine, any gasoline will work, and I would not directly benefit from the additional torque provided by the diesel. As I mentioned in my thread, I really wanted the diesel and have the money to burn, but it just was not the ideal choice for my build. I have no need to tow 15-25k daily and my travels may eventually extend into central and south America.
My mileage runs between 12-15 MPG and depends on how much time I am on the trail versus the highway. On the highway I normally fill up around the 400 mile mark but keep in mind I travel at 100 km/h since this is a lifted truck, on 37s, with a camper in the back. My tank is 32 gallons (regular cab long bed) and I just recently began carrying an additional 10.6 gallons in my two 20 liter tanks. My guess is that I will end up helping out someone on the side of the road who is out of gas long before I run out.
I must admit, I also wanted the Prospector XL also just as much as I wanted the diesel. But once again, logic ruled my decision making. After 30k miles and just over a year of driving on and off road - I am still blown away by how wonderful this AEV Prospector handles. Many people do not discuss the fact that if you are heading into the mountains you will spend a ton of time going up and down steep grades with countless sharp turns. I have sliced-and-diced through the Appalachian and Rocky Mountains and AEV knocked it out of the park regarding steering and handling. Absolutely no one else maintains stock geometry for your drag ling and track bar nor does anyone else adjust roll center. These are not minor issues either.
AEV is just a company to me - I don't have any skin in the game when it comes to purchasing an upgraded vehicle from them. After three decades of lifting countless vehicles I finally found a company who did the right things for the right reasons, and they understood exactly what they were doing and why they were doing it. If someone else did it better, I would have just as easily spent my money with them