mike/kellie wrote:
It's going to have a contractor's set of boxes with a bed all built to accommodate my camper. No commercial hauling etc. Douglass Truck Bodies have become known for tailoring bodies for heavier campers and actually has a build sheet. I have a 2X4 with mud flaps and a temporary plaque from Indiana due to expire Jan 1st.
I must admit that Douglas Truck Bodies builds a beautiful truck/utility bed. But their customer service and follow through has caused many issues for myself and others in completing their upfit in a timely manner and in the fashion that was originally proposed/desired. Don't be sold on just Douglas Truck Bodies, alone, as the end all solution for your upfitting needs.
Over the years I have often written here and in Truck Camper Magazine the availability of using other Truck Utility Beds directly from their catalogs without building something custom. This is always in half the time and half the cost. Douglas Truck Bodies provided me an estimate for beginning my project at $16,000+ before installation and painting. Knapheide provided and completed my Utility Bed (out of the catalog) for $8,040 installed and painted. For which I have been successfully using for more than 8 years. Be aware this was for a 12 foot utility bed, unlike most conventional beds being used for a Truck Camper application.
A year, or so, after I completed my own project, using an upfitter in Denver, I actually stopped in California at Douglas Truck Bodies and talked to them about my dealings with them. They were very cordial, looked up the correspondence with me and looked at my truck and utility bed and conceded that, just like in the movie; Pretty Woman, they screwed up and dropped the ball. They assured me that they would do better if I would give them the chance. I often work with others going this route and suggested that they contact Douglas Truck Bodies, with caution. Two parties I had referred to them were met with the same issues, I had encountered in 2008. Just use my comments as a cautionary tale.
As was suggested earlier, install a temporary bed to your 5500 to get through the registration process. Also, South Dakota will fine you for registering your truck if it exceeds your taking delivery/ownership in excess of 30 days. Also, California and many other states require registering the vehicle in the state that the truck is kept in excess of 90 to 120 days per year. (This varies per state). Be sure you recognize what your state requires where you are keeping this truck. Be prepared to show proof (receipts/photos of the truck being maintained outside of your home state) if ever cited for this. Many states, including my home state, has a reward process (Whistle Blower) for people that turn in scofflaws that have a multi thousand dollar RV/Ferrari, etc. registered out of state and maintained in a state that the vehicle is not registered in. DOR (State Department of Revenue), of certain states (California especially), take this responsibility very seriously and often acts on these situations.
Also, insuring F450/550 - 4500/5500 trucks are especially difficult as the underwriters prohibit insuring these vehicles for many of the common insurance providers. Be sure to research this thoroughly before purchasing these Type vehicles and the requirements that are available. Also, typical add on towing and road hazards options are often sold with typical truck insurance but is often not available for these type trucks. Bottom line, these trucks are considered Commercial and special consideration must be made with selecting these trucks and what your intention is to use them.
What did I do? I researched all of these factors before purchasing my F550, bought the insurance which was then canceled 5 years later (Liberty) after I purchased the vehicle (I have a spotless driving record since I began driving in 1967). I installed a temporary wooden bed, on my F550 until my utility bed arrived and was installed. I registered my F550 in South Dakota, as I am full timing on the road and my truck is not in my home state more than 60 days (combined visits), per calendar year, and I can prove this with gas receipts and other log details.
While I am not directly answering your question, completely, I am providing others that might read this thread with information that they too may make choices. Of course if this is the direction that they wish to proceed, with their own upfit for their truck and truck camper. Anyone is welcome to contact me, for further detailed information.
b
