Ram/Ford 45/5500 trucks for TC hauler

We have an Okanagan 116 Ultimate Suite that we had on a 1999 F350 Crew Cab dully, the truck with the 7.3 diesel handled the load very well, added Ride Rite air bag kit and went to 19.5 tires, Scaled in at just shy of 30,000lb. with the boat this was a considerable amount over legal weight I know the truck was good for the weight but it always haunted me about being checked by the highway patrol and shut down. As I did and lots of people on the forum, we all try and build up a lighter truck to handle the heavy and sometimes unstable camper load. In 2008 we purchased a F550 also crew cab but with the 6.4 diesel and custom built aluminum service body. This unit handles the load lots better. Geared lower to pull the mountain passes to get to the west coast. Total scale in now just a few hundred over 30,000lb. Defiantly a harsh ride when empty but its job is to haul the camper and it does it well. we have a F150 to drive when not camping. also as I have noticed the local authorities in some states have a different view of trucks larger than the 350s. (must stop at scales and commercially plate) Don't have this problem in Alberta. Ultimately we are responsible for our families and the other people on the road. If you question your weights at all go with the heavier truck and rest at ease you are safe.

I am looking at cab and chassis anyways, either 3500 or 5500. Right now the truck camper I have hasn't been off the bed of the truck in over a year and a half. I looking to upgrade to a flat bed camper camper. I expect it to be around 4000 lbs wet, but it could end up being more, I know a 3500 will handle it, but my experience with an older 2500 and 3000 lb wet weight camper in more demanding terrain like Baja and mexican roads has me thinking I should consider 5500. I am aware of the insurance issues, but I am going to see if I can register the whole thing as an RV.

Curious to hear from people who have experience with these trucks and how they like them, and specifically how they compare to a previous 3/4 or 1 ton truck they might have owned hauling a TC. Do they feel more stable? less rocking and swaying? etc.

I have been looking at a 2017 Ram 5500 crew 4x4 diesel. They don't come with beds so it is a chassis cab. That requires an aftermarket flat or utility bed. There are some issues with insurance with some carriers. Some, like AAA, won't touch anything bigger than a 3500. The Ram has plenty of payload and GVWR for any cabover camper, a bigger OEM fuel tank (up to 70 gallons) than the 3500, and costs no more than a 3500. I tend to agree with the previous poster that the ride especially without the camper would be harsh. But, if you want a 6000 pound camper the 5500 has around 9000 pounds of payload. Subtract the weight of the aftermarket bed and you still would be under gross especially if you went with an aluminum bed.

My previous truck was 2007 F350 originally C&C. Those come with longer wheelbase and stronger springs, so I never had to worry about overloading it with my camper, scaled for camping at 5600 lb
Driving that truck empty was making my dentist smile if you catch the trend.
So when my new F350 dually come, I was a bit worry about standard suspension carrying the camper, but turn that as long as I kept holding tanks empty, full of fresh water = no handling problem and it is 1-hand driving.
Empty driving is still truck-like, but I am planning to save on dentist expenses.
Technology change on weekly basis those days and since I started researching 2016 models, so my 2017 truck is way more advanced. Better GPS, TPMS, voice recognition, I order trailer towing pck and that gives you "satellite" view for parking.
Do you want to hear about beating Mustangs, while having 7000 lb cargo trailer behind?