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texaspiper's avatar
texaspiper
Explorer
Jul 02, 2019

Questions and Opinions on Rigs

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
Truck Campers

19 Replies

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  • towpro's avatar
    towpro
    Explorer
    Jul 03, 2019
    I am one of the Dodge boys here. My 18 was custom ordered by me because I prefer 2wd. Plus I have always wanted a pickup with bucket seats :)
    Laramie, Aisin Transmission, 2wd, Dually, 3:73, single alternator with no factory air bags because as the truck leans the air transfers from one bag to the other.(although if your towing a 5er I hear its a great system)
    I did go with the switches but have not wired any of them up. I also added remote start, they come with this phone app for electric start but after 1st year they want more money than I feel its worth for the subscription to use it.
    I also went with Non NAV radio (the big radio comes rather with, or without nav)
    I did add the BigWig sway bar (1-5/16") on the back.
    But if you order now your going to get a 19, or maybe even 2020 pretty soon
  • deltabravo's avatar
    deltabravo
    Nomad
    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?


    I use my dual alternators to charge going down the road, while running the fridge on AC via the inverter, but it takes a heavy duty charging cable to accomplish it:

    Video: Truck to truck camper battery charging
  • Navy_LDO's avatar
    Navy_LDO
    Explorer
    Jul 03, 2019
    I run a 2016 Ram 3500 dually Laramie 4x4 with 69rfe, with stable loads and torque lift tie downs with fast guns. Opted not to get air suspension and very happy with ride. Use a super hitch and 36” extension to tow enclosed trailer with motorcycles. New camper is an Eagle Cap 1165. No issues and love the set up and rise. Did cross country move over the Xmas holidays from Bremerton WA to Suffolk VA. Very solid set up even in snow!

    Friend has 2017 Ford dually with no complaints. Drive the one you like.
  • texaspiper's avatar
    texaspiper
    Explorer
    Jul 03, 2019
    Thank yall very much for the feedback, especially regarding the air system.

    I don’t plan on powering anything major other than the truck camper. I was only planning on recharging the camper batteries and providing power for the fridge and ac unit while driving. Have yall found that a single alternator is enough for this?

    Work2much, did you have a lot of problems with your 1150? Did you buy new? How long did you own the camper? The slide broke a lot?

    Thanks,

    -TexasPiper
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Jul 03, 2019
    If you understand the bulk, absorption and float battery charging phases, you won’t get dual alternators. Get solar instead.
  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator II
    Jul 02, 2019
    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!
  • work2much's avatar
    work2much
    Explorer
    Jul 02, 2019
    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.
  • monkey44's avatar
    monkey44
    Nomad II
    Jul 02, 2019
    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.
  • Kayteg1's avatar
    Kayteg1
    Explorer II
    Jul 02, 2019
    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

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