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4500 / 5500 - Chassis Cab TrucksTalk about your commercial trucks here. We realize there are differences with these compared to the regular pickups, so we have provided a place to discuss the commercial versions only.
Has anyone ever done anything like this with a 5500? (The picture is an F-550.) Will the 5000# camper and the 2000# utility bed be enough weight to make it a comfortable ride or should I consider an air suspension? Does an air suspension have a deleterious effect on the handling? Should I get the 2 stage air suspension or splurge for the 4 link system?
Will the center of gravity of the camper being right over or slightly behind the rear axle be a problem?
5500 84"CA, modified 11 ' service bed, 11.5' slide-in camper, towing a 6000# trailer.
I'm pretty sure 7klbs will make a 5500 ride as cushy as its capable of. If I was doing one like this, I'd get a flatbed and a camper without a rear overhang. Then you could move it all the way fwd and have a back porch.
Could still put 16' of side boxes under the camper sides and underside boxes too if super storage is needed.
We originally had our 10' camper on the 9'6 steel deck on the 3500 C&C with 4' steel tool boxes on each side. I had made wooden sides that slipped in the stake pockets and secured with a screw, we could carry our generator, fuel, tool box, 2 chainsaws, etc. The truck came with the factory sway bar on the rear and our gross was between 14,100 and 14,350 lbs. Rode like a dream, handled great and we could go a lot of places you can't with a trailer. Between the small bathroom and endless leaks we abandoned ship. We now have a 5th wheel but I put full air ride on the truck for running empty. I have a picture but it is such a pain to post here.
That's a great idea. Using a stakebed and making custom length stakes that will fit under the camper. It won't look very good, but it should work. I like saving money as long as it's safe. Thanks!
I don't know why you say it would not look very good ours was painted black on a dark grey deck and the stake sides completely filled the gap under the camper. We got a lot of compliments and it road like a Cadillac compared to empty and with the factory rear sway bar handled better than any standard dually pickup with a camper. My truck now has full air ride from Reyco and it is an ambulance kit. Winter project is dump the factory turbo and make it reliable all the time.
Has anyone ever done anything like this with a 5500? (The picture is an F-550.) Will the 5000# camper and the 2000# utility bed be enough weight to make it a comfortable ride or should I consider an air suspension? Does an air suspension have a deleterious effect on the handling? Should I get the 2 stage air suspension or splurge for the 4 link system?
Will the center of gravity of the camper being right over or slightly behind the rear axle be a problem?
5500 84"CA, modified 11 ' service bed, 11.5' slide-in camper, towing a 6000# trailer.
I believe Expedition Portal has a 5500 build. It's a good site for travelers and their rigs.
I'm looking into doing something like Kennedy. It's cheap and allows me to use the truck for construction work and hauling. A dedicated service body will cost me $20000 for a new one and then it won't be good for general hauling.
I see many. 3500 5500 with some kind of deck covers. For fifth wheel towing Is it worth it. How much weight is saved. Also. I have 3500 sec gen dually. I haul a lance camper. But due to weights can't go heavier. A 4500 is possible but used r hard to find. What is done to haul campers with no original bed
I don't think there is any way to place the camper directly onto the chassis of the truck. The bottom of the camper can't be exposed to the road; it needs to be protected. On top of that, the chassis rails of a bare truck are 34" apart, too narrow for a camper's 48". I think the flatbed is a good platform for a camper. Here's why.
The camper is easy to remove and reload because it sits on a flatbed. There is no narrow pickup truck bed or wheel wells to worry about.
The swing down gates can be held parallel to the ground making a nice table for a buffet line or even a platform for sleeping off of the ground. The tables also make a pretty good shade to sit under when it gets too hot and sunny here in the AZ desert.
The 4x8 space in front of the camper is a good place to store the spare tire, firewood, and lots of gear. 4x8 is almost the size of a full size pickup truck bed. It even doubles as a camping area in case of a sudden downpour.
The dual rear wheel Ram 5500 with flatbed is really stable. There was no swaying in 25 mph cross winds.
If I ever get tired of truck camping, the rig is quite salable as a stakebed to anyone in the building trade.
There's a lot of storage capacity on the sides and in front of the camper. There are also 4 underbed tool boxes.
You can put a lot on an F-550, like a camper, utility bed, and trailer, but you need to be careful. Stay within the weight limit, use air suspension for a smoother ride and stability, and keep the center of gravity balanced. Ask the experts at WWTC for advice, they're the ones I trust with my F-550.
03-31-2015, 11:15 PM
