Loading with a flatbed and service body
I am considering trading in our 2017 Ram 3500 for a Ram 5500 with a Douglas Service Body. I like the Douglas brand as they have models specific to my camper. They are also close to home base for me. ...
Forum Discussion
Kewl,
I have a 5500 Cab/Chassis and had a flatbed , straight flat, no cabinets, put on to carry a RZR when camper is off loaded.
I luv it even while I don't have the RZR any more. I luv it for the storage on the sides and in the front. I'm only a 2.5 years full timer.
I did have to have Torklift reinforce the front part of the bed, they put triangle steal support underneath and I Tie down to the Bed's rings.
Loading is not too much of a problem, I don't do it that much so it's just a matter of getting used to it. I put painter's tape on the side, use the mat for an outline and eventually get it on correctly.
I'm Solo, so having another body to guide it in would help, heheh, assuming you have the signals down pat.... LOL
It works great, no problems.
One thing to just keep in mind, if you want to do "Solar" to allow space for the extra batteries etc... I have the two normal ones inside the camper battery box, but have to run the rest out side onto the camper bed, Black boxes.
Other than that, I'd certainly do it again with the flat bed, works great and not a problem loading/unloading other then Jack heights which I use the little square plastic blocks for uneven campsites. They work fine although it has been close at times.
Hope that helps???
If you can sort through the other pics, you can see the various things..
Various Confi pics
I have a 5500 Cab/Chassis and had a flatbed , straight flat, no cabinets, put on to carry a RZR when camper is off loaded.
I luv it even while I don't have the RZR any more. I luv it for the storage on the sides and in the front. I'm only a 2.5 years full timer.
I did have to have Torklift reinforce the front part of the bed, they put triangle steal support underneath and I Tie down to the Bed's rings.
Loading is not too much of a problem, I don't do it that much so it's just a matter of getting used to it. I put painter's tape on the side, use the mat for an outline and eventually get it on correctly.
I'm Solo, so having another body to guide it in would help, heheh, assuming you have the signals down pat.... LOL
It works great, no problems.
One thing to just keep in mind, if you want to do "Solar" to allow space for the extra batteries etc... I have the two normal ones inside the camper battery box, but have to run the rest out side onto the camper bed, Black boxes.
Other than that, I'd certainly do it again with the flat bed, works great and not a problem loading/unloading other then Jack heights which I use the little square plastic blocks for uneven campsites. They work fine although it has been close at times.
Hope that helps???
If you can sort through the other pics, you can see the various things..
Various Confi pics
