Pickup bed delete or cab chassis (C&C)?

I just put a Host cascade on a 2021 Ram 5500. I have had many Ram 3500's and 3 Ram 5500's The C&C
are built way stronger. I ordered the trucks so I have dual alternators and dual tanks for 74 gallons total.
I went with a CM skirted bed in steel. I also had a full Kelderman air ride put on. Best mod ever. Weight is not an issue for me. We flat tow a 2 door JLR. Good luck with your build.

CO-traveler wrote:

burningman wrote:
A thing to be thinking about is width.
A pickup dually has a wider rear axle than a cab & chassis dually.
That’s so the inner dual stays where a single wheel would have been, and the pickup box fits without clearance issues with the inside tire against the inside wheelwells.
A pickup dually will give you more space between the duals for your camper, without it having to be completely above the tires.

Good point, thanks. I'm also worried that the C&C frame is higher off the ground than the pickup version and will further increase that top-heavy feeling when turning or cornering.

Like someone else mentioned, I should reach out to SherpTek and see what they recommend.

A flatbed by definition is flat, and is going to be above the wheels no matter which frame type you choose.

CO-traveler wrote:
I am planning on a slide-in. I have not found a flat bed model TC that I like. I think the C&C gas has a 63.5 gallon total (front and rear) 2 tanks capacity. The regular Silverado 3500 HD is 36 gals, so a win for the C&C.

If I do eventually get a flatbed TC I am going to go with a 350/3500 SRW and Hallmark pop-up TC. (It has a side door option.) A top heavy TC doesn't appeal to me nor does a dually(other than payload), unless a DRW ---> SRW conversion kit becomes available for GM's. I do favor the GM's over the other 2.

I am planning on a slide-in. I have not found a flat bed model TC that I like. I think the C&C gas has a 63.5 gallon total (front and rear) 2 tanks capacity. The regular Silverado 3500 HD is 36 gals, so a win for the C&C.

Are you planning on a flatbed model TC or the slide-in version? Sherp-Tek is big money....I was thinking of a Hillsboro 2000 w added boxes.

The slide-in allows for longer boxes for skis, fishing rods, etc. Also the slide-in versions have a wider audience so that would lead to a quicker re-sale down the road.

Are the fuel tanks the same size and/or does the C&C offer an added tank option?

burningman wrote:
A thing to be thinking about is width.
A pickup dually has a wider rear axle than a cab & chassis dually.
That’s so the inner dual stays where a single wheel would have been, and the pickup box fits without clearance issues with the inside tire against the inside wheelwells.
A pickup dually will give you more space between the duals for your camper, without it having to be completely above the tires.

Good point, thanks. I'm also worried that the C&C frame is higher off the ground than the pickup version and will further increase that top-heavy feeling when turning or cornering.

Like someone else mentioned, I should reach out to SherpTek and see what they recommend.

A thing to be thinking about is width.
A pickup dually has a wider rear axle than a cab & chassis dually.
That’s so the inner dual stays where a single wheel would have been, and the pickup box fits without clearance issues with the inside tire against the inside wheelwells.
A pickup dually will give you more space between the duals for your camper, without it having to be completely above the tires.

I would check with who is building the custom flatbed on cost both ways. Also, I’d consider other brands. The Ford Chassis can come with a higher GVWR even in the F350 DRW at 16000. But, maybe the GM chassis can be had in a higher GVWR.

Years ago the 5500 Ram had a much beefier chassis which included bigger brakes, axles and tires/rims. Gearing options were different different transmission too. Straight frame rails, stiffer springs. Second fuel tank, but you lost the wind up spare tire. I've seen them built into overland campers with military style SRW tires on them.

Haven't looked at a Ram 3500 C&C in a while. I guess they still have the rear fuel tank, check and see if the frame is different. Not familiar with the other brands...

I would think the straight frame rails on the heavier C&C model is more desirable for custom mounting a camper body.