New Ram 3500 SRW with 3500 pound camper

GpnAZ wrote:
I have the 2014 Ram 3500 srw with a Lance 865 on it which weighs approximately 2,600 lb, wet and lightly loaded. It squatted my rear 2- 2.5 inches and it is running almost level. My suspension is stock, but I will tell you that it handles like their is nothing in the back of it. I am very impressed with the power and handling of my new Ram. I would wait for Mello Mike to chime in as his camper is a little closer in weight to you than I am. I still might do something to my suspension to raise it 1-2 inches when my camper is on it.

Torklift StableLoads

Redsky wrote:
Don't do anything to the suspension until you have a chance to driver the truck with the camper on board. I would check the load capacity for the tires. If it is the usual 3200 lbs. then the rear two will handle 6400 in total less the 3000 lb. weight of the truck leaving 3400 max for the camper which is cutting it very close.

these tires are rated 3640 lbs, and RAWR is 7000 lb, a big increase from where I am at now.

I intend to test it stock 1st, that way I can tell if any modification has helped or hurt.

childofthewind wrote:

Mello Mike wrote:
The rear of the Ram 3500 is raised up around 2-3 inches but when the camper is mounted it's basically level in the rear. The truck rides beautifully with lots of power. I'm lovin' the Cummins 6.7L, though the mileage isn't what I hoped for (I'm getting 12 MPGs with the camper) but the engine is still new and breaking in. I love the small turning radius of the Ram 3500. I've used it on more than one occasion on my current trip to get me out of tight spots. The only suspension mod I installed is a Hellwig rear sway bar. A front sway bar comes standard. The truck rides level with very little sway now.

Thanks, very helpful info.

Have you had "porpoising" (front to back rocking on uneven pavement) with that set up?

Nope. None at all.

childofthewind wrote:

ah64id wrote:
Dodge dropped the upper overloads from huge 3500 SRW in 2010. I can only guess, based on my 3500 SRW, that they where not needed with OEM tires. I found on mine that they did not engage until the rear axle was at tire capacity, that doesn't do much good.

The spring pack used on 4th gens in 7% stiffer than the spring pack used on 3rd gen SRW trucks, it's the same main pack that 3rd gen DRW and 4th gen DRW trucks use.

If you are shopping for a new truck the air suspension option should be available soon.

Interesting.
I was excited about the air suspension when I first heard about it, then found out I couldn't get it yet.

Now I have become a bit nervous about it, with the airbags supporting most of the load and located inboard of the leafs, I think sway (body roll) with the high center of gravity of the camper could be a problem.
I would love to find out the air suspension works great, but don't think I will wait for it.

Time will certainly tell, but with the bulk of the weight on the bags they will have quite a bit of pressure, and that will help reduce sway considerably. I was surprised there isn't a swaybar in the photos, but they may have one.

Mello Mike wrote:
The rear of the Ram 3500 is raised up around 2-3 inches but when the camper is mounted it's basically level in the rear. The truck rides beautifully with lots of power. I'm lovin' the Cummins 6.7L, though the mileage isn't what I hoped for (I'm getting 12 MPGs with the camper) but the engine is still new and breaking in. I love the small turning radius of the Ram 3500. I've used it on more than one occasion on my current trip to get me out of tight spots. The only suspension mod I installed is a Hellwig rear sway bar. A front sway bar comes standard. The truck rides level with very little sway now.

Thanks, very helpful info.

Have you had "porpoising" (front to back rocking on uneven pavement) with that set up?

Don't do anything to the suspension until you have a chance to driver the truck with the camper on board. I would check the load capacity for the tires. If it is the usual 3200 lbs. then the rear two will handle 6400 in total less the 3000 lb. weight of the truck leaving 3400 max for the camper which is cutting it very close.

I have 11680 lbs total ,camper and truck, 2003 3500 SRW Dodge Quad cab 4X4 with about 5000# rated 19.5's and Bilsteins, rr sway bar, taller rr spring bumpers just touching the oem helpers, and air bags to level things. 15860 lbs with the trailer. No problems

The rear of the Ram 3500 is raised up around 2-3 inches but when the camper is mounted it's basically level in the rear. The truck rides beautifully with lots of power. I'm lovin' the Cummins 6.7L, though the mileage isn't what I hoped for (I'm getting 12 MPGs with the camper) but the engine is still new and breaking in. I love the small turning radius of the Ram 3500. I've used it on more than one occasion on my current trip to get me out of tight spots. The only suspension mod I installed is a Hellwig rear sway bar. A front sway bar comes standard. The truck rides level with very little sway now.

ah64id wrote:
Dodge dropped the upper overloads from huge 3500 SRW in 2010. I can only guess, based on my 3500 SRW, that they where not needed with OEM tires. I found on mine that they did not engage until the rear axle was at tire capacity, that doesn't do much good.

The spring pack used on 4th gens in 7% stiffer than the spring pack used on 3rd gen SRW trucks, it's the same main pack that 3rd gen DRW and 4th gen DRW trucks use.

If you are shopping for a new truck the air suspension option should be available soon.

Interesting.
I was excited about the air suspension when I first heard about it, then found out I couldn't get it yet.

Now I have become a bit nervous about it, with the airbags supporting most of the load and located inboard of the leafs, I think sway (body roll) with the high center of gravity of the camper could be a problem.
I would love to find out the air suspension works great, but don't think I will wait for it.

GpnAZ wrote:

childofthewind wrote:
Thanks, good information.

What wheelbase do you have?

So is your rear squat a little above or below level?

I measured an empty 3500 on the dealer lot with about 2.75" difference in the height of wheel openings. I assume that when those heights are equal it is level.

I have a crewcab shortbed, not sure of wheelbase, maybe 153"

The rear squat puts the camper a little above level, but truck looks a little below level, if that makes sense. For clarification, above level to me means front is higher than rear. Hope this helps.

Got it. Thanks