Greetings All,I am a TC newbie in search of some advice and opinions regarding some tow rigs I am considering. I am looking at both the Ram 3500 DRW and the F-350 DRW and I would appreciate feedback from owners of these vehicles who ideally have the same setup I am looking at. I have been looking at the Arctic Fox 1150 and intend to purchase this as my camper. I will also be using the truck to tow a small 20’ fish and ski boat and my Jeep on a trailer (obviously not at the same time). I intend to sometimes tow the Jeep or boat with the TC loaded as well. I intend to use the truck as my daily driver.I have been considering ordering my truck from the dealer with the exact options I want but since I am new to this I do not know how much value these options hold for my intended use of the truck.For the Ram 3500, there is an available factory air suspension. It is more expensive than available air bag systems out there. But since it is a factory item it would be covered by warranty. Thoughts on this?Both trucks can be optioned with dual alternators. How much use are these for the TC? Can you use them to charge batteries or say run the fridge or AC while running down the road?Factory Upfitter modules. Any use? Extra Factory auxiliary switches. Any use?Axle ratios? Can I get by with a 3.73 or is a 4.10 more realistic for the AF1150 with a trailer behind?I have seen a couple crazy good deals on some Ram 3500s at my local dealer. I have never seen one though that has the above options. Bottom line, is it worth ordering it for these options?Again, I would appreciate some honest feedback on both these trucks. What you like, what you hate etc. Thank you in advance,TexasPiper

When you will find parallel topic about campers, as long time Ford truck owner I point that the design and capacities changed a lot with 2017 model. Not only 440 HP diesel engine will pull the house with lowest differential ratio, but aluminium bed increase payload, while suspension is stiffer. I carry 5000 lb camper on my F350 dually with no mods.that wouldn't be the case with older F350

Not a Ram owner here, but have owned GMC with 3:73 and 4:10 - when I bought my new truck 3:73 was not available, altho I looked. So, bought the 4:10 ... Hands down, the 4:10 for hauling. Next truck, I won't even look for a 3:73.With newer technology too, the 2015 w/4:10 gets better mpg than my 2003 did w/3:73 hauling as well. I had the 6.0L gasser in both.

I have a 2017 Ram 3500 DRW with the factory air bags, Laramie package with 4:10 gears. If I were to do it over I would go with the std leaf spring suspension. The air bags cause more sway. Adding a sway bar helped. If you go with the std leaf springs you can always add the airbags later if you feel the need but with the beefier spring pack they would be needed less and carry a smaller percent of the load. Our 2004 Ram dually had less sway with the same camper despite a lower GVWR.We used to own an Arctic Fox 1150 and did a trip from central CA to Alaska for a few months. Other than the factory airbags we love our Ram. I'm sure others are just as happy with their Ford. Unfortunately the slide on our AF1150 broke again on that trip and we decided to try a different brand for our current camper.Dual alternators isn't something I optioned. What would you be adding that would require dual? No uplifts either. I think the call on alternators depends on what you plan on using the trucks charging system for. If it's just to maintain the truck battery and provide power through the 7 pin plug a single alternator should be fine.If all you are hauling is the camper 3:73 would be fine. If you are going to be towing decent weight as you describe the 4:10 will give you a little better towing power, but 3:73 would still work.I would test drive both trucks. We are on our 3rd Ram Cummins TD and have been very happy with all three, especially our new truck with the exhaust brake and gobs of power from the Diesel engine. It really flattens out the mountains even at 21k gross or so.

For a truck camper, safe bet is stay with leaf springs.Any new dually diesel, regardless of brand or how it's equipped will do what you intend to do with it easily.If you get crazy with charging system, dual alts would be a good adder. Upfitter switches are just handy, nothing to to with TC's though.Otherwise find the best deal in the color you like. Good luck truck shopping!

If you understand the bulk, absorption and float battery charging phases, you won’t get dual alternators. Get solar instead.

Questions and Opinions on Rigs | Good Sam Community

19 Replies

TxGearhead
Explorer II
Jul 21, 2019
I would do a 3.73 if you go RAM, with the Aisin transmission. Look at the 1st gear ratios on the transmissions. I heard or read the Aisin has a low 1st gear. On the road you can always drop it down a gear if needed.
Highway_Runner
Explorer
Jul 21, 2019
In most cases it comes down to personal preference.
I carry an Eagle Cap 1165 TS on a 16 F-350 6.2 gas with a 4.30 Diff. The AirLift 7500 XLs help a lot which is a recommendation for either truck.
I have run both brands with diesel. No more diesel for me.
Buy what you like, load, and enjoy.
GeoBoy
Explorer
Jul 19, 2019
That Ram dually will handle the AF1150, put a set of Timbrens double convolute’s and install a Roadmaster or Hellwig swaybar and enjoy your ride. If you run with 20 gallons of fresh water instead of the full 60 you will gain payload that way.
DaveInVA
Explorer
Jul 19, 2019
I have a 2016 Ram 3500 DRW Bighorn. Leaf spring suspension using Torklift StableLoads. I haven't towed a car as of yet, but I don't believe I'd have any problems. The diesel motor easily runs 70mph fully loaded, climbed well through West Virginia hills, there's minimal sway if any, and I average around 11 mpg.

At the time, the Ram was the only diesel with enough payload for the Fox.

It's extremely comfortable riding in it and I've been very pleased with the performance.

Hope it helps.
texaspiper
Explorer
Jul 09, 2019
Thanks larkyblast, just checked your post. So according to some other members it does seem all that matters is the GAWR. Feeling more comfortable now.

-TexasPiper
larkyblast
Explorer
Jul 09, 2019
texaspiper I posted the same question recently. If you look for my thread on GVWR, there is a lot of discussion on this. The gist is how I couldn't understand how my payload on a 3500 was so low, or how every single camper out there other than pop ups would exceed it. Basically I realise that every single combination I see on the road has to exceed the sticker payload.
I was over on pretty much every camper I looked at, and ended up being over on the camper I bought. Only the campers advertised as for half ton trucks were under the GVWR of my 1t (2900lbs on the sticker).
texaspiper
Explorer
Jul 08, 2019
Thanks everyone for your replies. It is definitely helping me nail down what I want to do.

So after reading many articles and forum posts on the subject I am a little concerned on the GVWR. It seems many people are running over their truck's GVWR and are ok with this. And it seems to be a grey area legally depending on where you live and registration requirements. Some posts I've seen say as long as you do not exceed the vehicles GAWR you are ok.

The wet weight for the AF1150 according to truckcampermagazine.com is 5129 lbs. That includes fresh tank, propane, batteries and a 500lb allowance for stuff. According to Ram the 2019 3500 DRW 4x4 with standard diesel has payload capacity of 5840 lbs. That only leaves 711 lbs for me the wife and kids plus random stuff. I can increase the payload capacity by either dropping the 4x4 (which I don't want to do) or by going to a gasser.

Obviously the truck could handle being a couple hundred pounds over. What are yalls opinions on runninng over the GVWR? I would definitely be under the GAWR.
otrfun
Explorer II
Jul 03, 2019
texaspiper wrote:
. . . Both trucks can be optioned with dual alternators. How much use are these for the TC? Can you use them to charge batteries or say run the fridge or AC while running down the road? . . .
It would take approx. 20 amps DC to run the frig heating element on 120 vac using an inverter and, again, approx. 20 amps DC to run the frig's heating element on 12 vdc (have to have a 3-way frig to do this). The 7-pin connector wiring on most trucks are limited to about to approx. 10 amps. Unless you install larger gauge wiring in your truck you're gonna run a current deficit (with a 20 amp DC load) regardless whether you have one or two alternators.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Jul 03, 2019
Fridge s ucks alot of juice on DC. Propane is more efficient. Running AC on battery power will require a big, quality inverter and some dedicated effort into the charging circuit from the truck to the house battery bank.
Plan on some $ and effort there. You can't just plug in the camper and run the fridge all day on DC and cant run the AC at all.
bighatnohorse
Explorer II
Jul 03, 2019
For the Ram 3500, there is an available factory air suspension. It is more expensive than available air bag systems out there. But since it is a factory item it would be covered by warranty. Thoughts on this?

It depends. if their system simply air bags, then no, not worth it.

Both trucks can be optioned with dual alternators. How much use are these for the TC? Can you use them to charge batteries or say run the fridge or AC while running down the road?

With a good solar system, your camper will charge batteries going down the road AND standing still if good sunshine is present.
The truck alternators camper charging ability is limited by the small wire in the camper cable - truck charging will be insufficient to run fridge or AC.

Factory Upfitter modules. Any use? Extra Factory auxiliary switches. Any use?

Yes to upfitter switches. You might want to add a rear view camera to watch that towed Jeep. Or additional lighting projects in the future.

Axle ratios? Can I get by with a 3.73 or is a 4.10 more realistic for the AF1150 with a trailer behind?

3.73 with a diesel engine will do the job for you.

That AF1150 will put the rig at, and mostly probably, over the trucks GVWR - so be aware of that.
Concentrate your resources on upgrades to the sway bar and shocks. Possibly consider after market wheel and tire up-sizing.