Catfish Kody

I came across a company in Vancouver WA that is making DOT approved sleepers for HotShots. They've been making lightweight campers and someone had them design exactly what I've been looking for.. this is their website http://www.panthercampers.com..

I guess they start at around $4400... alot cheaper than stretchin my cab! Check out the brochure they emailed me>>

Colo_River_Ram

Why Dodge/Sterling does not offer a Quad Cab / DOT Sleeper option just blows my mind.. but then again these are the same folks that sells you a 4500/5500 4x4 truck that does not have room to run tire chains up front

Catfish Kody

If only WE could talk to the engineers before they make anymore trucks!!

John DiMartino

The 4500 has much more stabilty than the 3500 due to its stiffer suspension,and 19.5" tires/wheels. The difference is huge,simply no comparison,a 4500 will tow a trailer and you cant even feel it behind you.Brakes are a huge difference as well.The pulling power is better due to the Aisins lower gearing,and the differentials lower gearing.Of course it doesnt get quite as good fuel economy as a 3500,but you have a much more capable truck,with a higher GVWR,and the ablilty to tow bigger trailers easily.I feel if you are going to run over 23000GVWR ,the 4500 should be the one to get.

rfeiller

John, i agree with you, one difference that i noticed in my 5500 if that the front wheel base is i believe 7" wider then the 3500 which does two things: more stability and tighter turning radius. my 5500 turns tighter circles then did my '05, 3500 dully 4x4.

well thought out trucks.

rfeiller

****, Colo River Ram, with your creative metal working and welding abilities you ought to make your own. the one made in Canada is ugly.

rfeiller

is darn, ok?

Colo_River_Ram

Thanks Rich,

I would have to move operations south of the border to get cheap labor to build them as they are labor intensive, at least diesel would be cheap there....

I concur on the 4500 vs 5500 if your pulling a smaller trailer the 4500 with airbags would be the way to go.. those of us who tend to overload a bit needs the 5500.

I am impressed how well the Bullet handles the "Overloaded" trailer on and off the road..

haulin-rv

I picky officer could still get you for an illegal sleeper berth based on this part of the regulation.

"(c) Exit from the berth. (1) Except as
provided in paragraph (c)(2) of this section,
there must be a direct and ready
means of exit from a sleeper berth into
the driver’s seat or compartment. If
the sleeper berth was installed on or
after January 1, 1963, the exit must be
a doorway or opening at least 18 inches
high and 36 inches wide. If the sleeper
berth was installed before January 1,
1963, the exit must have sufficient area
to contain an ellipse having a major
axis of 24 inches and a minor axis of 16
inches."

There is also a company in Tx making a fiberglass version that more of just a bed. I had one like what you are showing, it was made by M&M. They are less expensive too.


Just not enough room to make it legal dimension wise. The cab is not wide enough.

wiskeyVI

I have to think they are better at towing RVs too.
This is my second trip alonga almost the same route.
Some stop and go, hills, fwy, hiway running about 60-70mph keeping it around 2100rpms.....8-9mpg...

Although I haven't weighed it, my Jayco is prolly about 9k.... Seems a bit low and from what I see here, the 4500s would get better.

rfeiller

wiskeyVI, unless you tow a lot, the 3500 is much more comfortable to ride in then the 4500. i don't know why the low mileage unless it's your tires and wheels.
i don't know where your travel, but in new mexico with a 75mph spd limit, because of the gov on the 4500 set at 76mph you are the slowest thing on the road

wiskeyVI

I'm thinking it may be the tires.....that or my trailer is way heavy.
These last two times to this spot, I did push it hard at times to beat sunset.
I'm out in NC right now.

Thanks for the advice. Colo gave good advice pertaining to this last time.

You guys are just shooting al kinds of holes in my self justifacation in getting a 45oo

rfeiller

i questioned you mileage because i towed a 14,000 dump trailer with a 10,200 lb track loader at 75mph in new mexico with 1500lbs in the bed on my 05 3500dully quad cab automatic 3.73 4x4 long bed and and got about 12mpg. i towed it out here to northern CA the total weight was 23,800 lbs on the scale. i averaged between 10-11 and there are some good mountains between NM and northern CA. my truck was totally stock except for the lumber rack and srt10 factory hood.

sorry about the bubble, no one wants to ride in my 5500 including me. and the tongue weight of my trailers do not apply enough weight to smooth it out much. but it does do what it does very well.
wish i could have bought an 08 3500 instead but it just couldn't do what i needed.

wiskeyVI

No Prob,
there's somthing amiss and I wil track it down.

Colo_River_Ram

Well that is the general idea behind the post..Make one that is and I would like to see the driver height to berth chart..why would someone say 5'6" need a wider berth ..Just my thoughts On the subject...