New Truck Camper Owner seeks truck advice

I think that is too big for a SRW. Have you looked at 24-26 Class As and Cs? A 11 1/2 ft tc with crew cab will be as long.

Jon, there's a detailed report from an EC 1165 owner that you might find interesting here: http://www.eaglecapowners.com/owners/showthread.php?tid=11
Eagle Cap sells a lot of these campers and there are not many complaints, so it's hard to know much about the "real world" experiences.

Welcome!
Yes a TC is MUCH easier to travel with. We have a TC and TT and I would choose the TC anyday.
As far as the truck; yes HD trucks ride better with a load in them.
You may find hauling a TC a bit awkward at first due to the heavy load, but after a few trips you will settle right in.
As far as mods to the truck, you won't really know what is needed untill you take the whole rig to the scales and get some accurate weights. Don't rush into anything untill you do that.
You have the truck-now go get the camper!

Good luck, safe travels-you will love the TC
Bill

Aside from Air Bags does is there anything else we should do. In talking with the sales folks a DRW Chevy/Ford 3500 is the truck these things were designed for. Is it to much camper? Will it not be safe or not handle well. We'd like to do extended road trips with it and the main purpose of getting it over a motorhome or 5th wheel is that we thought it would be easier to get around and more comfortable in ride than a trailer.

Air bags will help

The dry weight of that camper is 4751 and it comes down almost 60 inches behind the front of the bed.

I recommend a bigger truck.