New Ram 5500 Build
We were running over 13K on the rear axle of a 2019 Ram 3500. Despite it handling the load well (with mods), we knew it wasn't responsible to continue with that rig and have spent the last few months ...
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Not a lot of progress on the truck today, but while I had the camper off the truck I decided to fix the sag just forward of the rear passenger side wing. It was drooping about 3/4", which I assumed was due to a broken frame weld. I patched it temporarily on the road a while back by welding together a 90 degree brace to support it on the outside, to keep it from getting worse.
Upon investigating, I found a warped/twisted portion of frame rail instead of a broken weld. I reinforced it by bolting on a length of 1/8" steel angle (all I could find on labor day weekend) and we'll see if it holds. Might need something stronger. I straightened out the diamond plate (bent from the sagging) to the best of my ability, but need a new piece for it to look perfect. I don't know that I care - but will probably replace it at some point because this isn't our forever camper and will eventually be on the market, and aesthetics matter.
On the truck front, I installed the window visors and Midland MXT275 GMRS radio from my old truck. I also checked to see how the SuperSprings pack from the old truck would fit the new spring pack, but without making some custom (easy to do) brackets, they won't fit without adding a ton of preload. I'm hoping I won't need them anyway.
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My wife drove the truck today for the first time and she felt it drove a lot like the old one, but with much more responsive steering -- something I didn't notice so much in my initial drive, but is very apparent now that it's on my mind.
Upon investigating, I found a warped/twisted portion of frame rail instead of a broken weld. I reinforced it by bolting on a length of 1/8" steel angle (all I could find on labor day weekend) and we'll see if it holds. Might need something stronger. I straightened out the diamond plate (bent from the sagging) to the best of my ability, but need a new piece for it to look perfect. I don't know that I care - but will probably replace it at some point because this isn't our forever camper and will eventually be on the market, and aesthetics matter.
On the truck front, I installed the window visors and Midland MXT275 GMRS radio from my old truck. I also checked to see how the SuperSprings pack from the old truck would fit the new spring pack, but without making some custom (easy to do) brackets, they won't fit without adding a ton of preload. I'm hoping I won't need them anyway.
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My wife drove the truck today for the first time and she felt it drove a lot like the old one, but with much more responsive steering -- something I didn't notice so much in my initial drive, but is very apparent now that it's on my mind.
