5500 camper vehicle
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. http://www.truckcampermagazine.com/i...lance-1191.jpg |
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.
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stakebed? great idea!
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!
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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.Attachment 45243
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Originally Posted by REXCH8
(Post 3271911)
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. http://www.truckcampermagazine.com/i...lance-1191.jpg |
5500 flatbed
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.
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I gots me one. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.die...ad67b39a20.jpg |
Taking bed off.
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
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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.https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.die...e31a505c59.jpg |
Originally Posted by deminimis
(Post 3292080)
I gots me one. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.die...ad67b39a20.jpg |
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.die...803142046.jpeg
From this to- https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.die...01a49d418.jpeg Best way to mount a spare tire ? |
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.
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