Ripperj's Phoenix build, input requested :)

[ripperj]

Hi- Keith in Ct here. Just sent off my deposit to Rob and Cari at Phoenix.
Picked a July build slot so I can sneak in a Vacation too.

I have 2010 Ram 1500 4x4 quad cab sb with the smaller v8(4.7)
I have spent the last several months seriously shopping trucks for a larger TC.
I almost (twice) drove off in a new F350, but realized I really do like my Ram( not to mention the 20 mpg highway, doing 70 in the summer with the air on)
Plus I bought it new and it only has 27k on it.

I found this site and saw all the smaller Toyota guys with campers and knew I could make it work in the Ram if I am careful.

I know I like to spend other people's money on astronomy and bike forums, so I figure I will let you guys help spend mine here.

I don't intend to do any real hard core off road( have done in the past with toyotas and jeeps), but want to be able to reliably get in and out of all sorts of fire road/ secondary roads in back woods Maine ect.

My first big question is this: I am considering ripping the bed of the truck and making a custom teak and Aluminum flat bed. I made on for a Toyota about 20 years ago And it came out nice( I was constantly getting stopped and asked about it)
Pros cons as far as the camper on a flatbed? The bed on the new rams tapers several Inches, so it seems like you gain a lot of room without the bed rails

Appreciate any and all input, I am new to truck campers, porta poti vs cassette is another place I could use input on.

Thanks- wish I had some pics, I guess I can show a before on the stock truck

 

[Overland Hadley]

Thanks- wish I had some pics, I guess I can show a before on the stock truck

I want to see a picture of the teak and aluminum flatbed!

Is the camper being made for a flatbed? If you are going to have a flatbed truck I would definitely have the camper made for a flatbed, so much more room and flexibility inside.

 

[ripperj]

I have not given my build specs to Phoenix yet, Rob wants the big flick details soon, the more minor stuff can wait till closer to build time (June)
I was just thinking resale value if I ever tried to sell the camper- would be a lot more limited with a flatbed build(although i suspect the whole rig would sell??)

I dont think I have any pics of the old bed,(pre Iphone )

 

[ripperj]

Now that I think about it, it was Mahogany, not teak, still purty tho!

 

[docdave]

The way that a pickup box impenges on the floorplan of a camper wastes a lot of space. I'm thinkin' that a flat bed camper would have more useful space, and be shorter in length for a similar use requirement. What concerns me is the extra height of the bed. I wonder about a custom camper built onto a flatbed that is the same height as a pickup bed, but with fenders over the tires, lots of welding rigs are made that way....best of both worlds?

 

[Mc Taco]

I like the idea of a tray back. docdave's point is valid about the height factor. But if you can build it to be a bit lower but maximise the floor space, that would be trick.