Jumping off the Diesel Bandwagon - UPDATED

FishOnOne wrote:

I find it a bit odd that the coil springs are mounted close to the differential housing rather than mounting them close to the wheels which IMO would provide a more stable platform. :W

That is my point and the fact that the 3500 air bags are in a similar inboard position. Soon RAM will be announcing that the 3500 air suspension is not for large truck campers also.

In 2003 Dodge widen the frame rails and the springs moved out on the axles. They did away with the sway bar option, saying it was not required due to the wider spring stance. People had to go to aftermarket sway bars to improve sway with truck campers.

Does RAM even have a large truck camper or a simulated one that they test this type of loading.

The pictures of the 3500 air suspension shows no sway bar where as the 2500 shows one in the picture.

Has RAM hooked up to a large 20-24K fifth wheel with 4-5K of pin weight to a 3500 duallie and pushed it into a corner hard to see how it handles with the hitch trying to hold that load from wanting to go out the far side of the bed? Or are they waiting for the first buyers complaints like the Lance camper guy and the 2500.

The jury is really out in my book. Consumers better get educated on what they are buying and RAM dealers better get trained to really question the buyers as to what their intended use is going to be. Or there is going to be a lot of post purchase issues!

In the past lots of people towed pretty big 5th wheels with 2500's and that will most likely change! Hook a 5th wheel to a new 2500 that puts it near it's limits and head down 101 in Oregon and Northern California trying to make time and see how it handles in off camber down hill corners and other conditions one has to deal with. I have driven the route a lot and it really is a good test of equipment and driving skills.

Chris