Selecting a truck camper-help please
My wife and I are long time campers and have owned a number of travel trailers and 5th wheels, so we are not new to the camping experience, but have never been around any truck campers. Most all of ou...
Forum Discussion
Essentially, the 2006 2500 has very similar components to the SRW 3500 with respect to drive train, brakes, steering, wheels, etc. You do not have the factory upper overload springs. You can buy components to "simulate" the weight carrying characteristics of a SRW 3500 but you cannot change the "legal" number... the self- appointed weight police will chime in on that.
I am not a fan of air bags, but in full disclosure I have never owned them (just read about some issues.) 2G Dodge truck did not come with a factory sway bar- GET ONE. I have heard good things about the Helwig brand... speaking of Helwig- I have read up on their upper helper spring, it might be a good fit for a 2500 Dodge. Other alternatives are Timbrens, Stable-Loads (I made my own), shock absorbers (I recommend upgrading from stock- I use Rancho's) and tires.
Your weakest link WILL BE wheels. If you run the arithmetic, perhaps stock wheels might work, but it will be tough. I got my numbers to work with stock steel wheels but I am 'prolly in the minority
Folks here often run over the GVWR but not axle ratings nor wheel ratings (the latter is oftern a big mystery.) 17" wheels are not the best for known weight ratings even though some tire brands if you step up into larger sizes will give an increased load rating. Ignore the passe "letter" ratings such as D, E, etc for the moment... you need to know the weight capacity (load index or LI) of the tire and not all "E's" are created equal in the LI category.
A short bed as mentioned will give less choice of TC units out there. Conventional wisdom says to go look for the camper that you like and then find the truck to carry it. You can get a TC for a short bed but you will have to do you homework.
Good luck and have fun on the search.
I am not a fan of air bags, but in full disclosure I have never owned them (just read about some issues.) 2G Dodge truck did not come with a factory sway bar- GET ONE. I have heard good things about the Helwig brand... speaking of Helwig- I have read up on their upper helper spring, it might be a good fit for a 2500 Dodge. Other alternatives are Timbrens, Stable-Loads (I made my own), shock absorbers (I recommend upgrading from stock- I use Rancho's) and tires.
Your weakest link WILL BE wheels. If you run the arithmetic, perhaps stock wheels might work, but it will be tough. I got my numbers to work with stock steel wheels but I am 'prolly in the minority
Folks here often run over the GVWR but not axle ratings nor wheel ratings (the latter is oftern a big mystery.) 17" wheels are not the best for known weight ratings even though some tire brands if you step up into larger sizes will give an increased load rating. Ignore the passe "letter" ratings such as D, E, etc for the moment... you need to know the weight capacity (load index or LI) of the tire and not all "E's" are created equal in the LI category.
A short bed as mentioned will give less choice of TC units out there. Conventional wisdom says to go look for the camper that you like and then find the truck to carry it. You can get a TC for a short bed but you will have to do you homework.
Good luck and have fun on the search.
