New Ram SB with Lance 855S handling

FireGuard wrote:

My longest day was on my 1995 BMW GS 1100. 1360 mi in 22 hrs. Rode the Blue Ridge Parkway from Roanoak, Virginia back to Little Rock AFB. Long day but a great trip.

Those do make for long days but good ones. I was going to stay at my parents place in southern Illinois as the last stop on a colorado/texas/ohio/colorado trip and then I looked at the forecast and decided if I wanted to make it back to home before the snow storm I better get going. Spent the night in Denver because I thought it would be best to not do the passes in the dark after that long a day. Heading up to the tunnel the next morning it started snowing.... sideways... just before the top. Never knowing what is on the other side I slowed traffic down and then hauled butt to the exit and stopped to see what I was heading into fearing it could be ice/snow. Funny how you can be happy with 38 degrees and raining. Heated handgrips never felt so good:) I've always wanted a FJR to replace the ST but seem to keep finding other toys I "need" more.

Back on topic... I loaded the camper tonight for a trip to Denver this weekend and left off the stableloads. Added 80 pounds to the airbags as a starting place and took it out for a short drive. Seemed to have a little more "sway" to it when whipping the wheel back and forth but I'm going to leave them off and see how it does to Denver. I'm sure if I hadn't put the stableloads on before it would seem just fine but I know with them it handles great with little to no sway and it only takes 5 minutes to put them on.

Thanks for the feedback.
Looks like those carrying a heavy camper on a SB don't have a problem.
Lambodesigns, the ST is a great bike and I had one for awhile but it just felt heavy and I didn't like the handling. The day I bought mine I did a 600 mi trip up the coast and dropped it off that night for the 600 mi service. Can't beat Honda Quality, but I'm at 50K on my Tenere and haven't had any problems except 2 headlight bulbs.
My longest day was on my 1995 BMW GS 1100. 1360 mi in 22 hrs. Rode the Blue Ridge Parkway from Roanoak, Virginia back to Little Rock AFB. Long day but a great trip.

Although I have a GMC 3500 gasser carrying the 855s and not a Ram diesel, our rig handles great! I drive a 3/4 ton long body panel van for work and it is far more impacted by wind and passing vehicles than the truck and camper is. The only suspension MOD has been adding the upper Tork Lift stable loads. WE also opted not to get the onboard propane generator due to their added weight and extreme noise.

855s on a lowly F250.... it handles it great and would not hesitate to recommend it to you especially based on your toy collection.

I've got a Honda ST1100 and Suzuki DRZ400SM. Great bikes for their purpose... one good for a 1,000 mile day (1,012 in 17 hours is my longest) and one fun for only a 100 but oh so much fun for that short distance. Love the super tenere btw. I'll be adding a front mount to the truck to haul the motard this summer.

I have a 2014 RAM 3500 shortbed, and carry our 861 (lances older and bigger twin brother of the 855s) and we have had no issues carrying the camper. Keep in mind I have the 6.4L HEMI and not the heavier cummins, which by going the gas route we gained payload

The change in COG will be more like 2", and not even worth concerning yourself over.

FireGuard wrote:
I have a 17 Ram 3500 SB and am looking at the Lance 865 which looks like a perfect match for size and weight and would likely handle very well.
However, after checking out the 855S I was impressed with the extra room it provided.
(Almost felt as big as my old 981 which is one of my all time favorites. )
It also is superior in tank capacity, 2 batteries, propane and generator.
I know I would be within limits as my truck has nearly 4K lbs of payload and I would upgrade tires to 4080 lb each.
My concern is that with the shorter (6'4") bed on the Rams the CG will be further to the rear and the 855 is wider and taller and longer than the 865.
I would be doing more traveling with the TC and don't want poor handling. I have the Hellwig Big Wig, Stable Loads and Torklift tie downs.
I know there are many 855s out there and those that have them what are your thoughts and opinions and what truck do you carry it on? Would love to hear from someone carrying one one the new Ram.
My other option is to go back to a LB possibly a DRW and not worry.

The dually option on a 3500 RAM is only an additional $1295.00 on the 8' box model.

TG

I would be more worried about the extra 900# of the empty unit then the 4" change in COG, especially with the weight of the diesel and length of the crew cab.

Though I do see the attraction of the larger tank capacities.

Another issue is while the slide does add room, you do loose the cabinet over the dinnette and also add the potential for leaks/problems.

If you don't mind the weight, before deciding on the Lance 855S, make sure you check out the Artic Fox 865 with the rear kitchen across from the dinette which also makes for an open feeling.