I have a 2015 Arctic Fox 811 short box camper, I'm thinking about upgrading my 2005 Ram 3500 (SRW) with a new 2021 Ram 3500. I really like the 811 but it is a very heavy camper, so my 05 has had a lot of upgrades to handle the 811 and pull my 18' aluminum boat. Looking at the new trucks and the payload capacity, looks like the truck with the equipment I want will have a payload capacity of 3900. The 811 is around that or more depending how much I'm hauling. Looking at the payload capacity for a 3500 mega cab with a DRW, that should be able to support the camper but I really don't want a DRW.My question, does anyone have a 811 and a newer dodge crew cab 3500 short bed (cummins) as a combo? If so did you have to add supplemental suspension? Does the truck sit level?

I have a 2020 Ram diesel 3500 Crew Cab SRW, but it's a longbed. I carry a 2019 Northstar 12STC, which is a 12' no slide camper. It looks comparable in weight to your 811. The truck does not sit level when loaded and it's surprising how far the truck has to squat before the overload spring is engaged. I added Torklift stable loads, as I want the overload leaf to be engaged when the truck is level. It still squats enough to bother me (and my headlights with oncoming drivers), so I put airbags on the truck, and 25-30 psi brings it level. Scott

You are beyond RAM’s 3500 SRW capacity. When you are over, you’re over. Lighter camper or DRW IMO. Bandaids aren’t smart.

Arctic Fox recommends a dually for all their TC’s with a slideout. There is a very good reason for that recommendation.

Your gonna' have the same problem with overloaded rear tires/wheels and rear suspension as your '05. Keep in mind that 3900 lbs payload is a gvwr based payload which goes over the trucks front and rear axles. Add 3900 lbs in the bed like a TC or a heavy GN/5th wheel trailer can overload the SRW 7000 RAWR. I 'spect higher rated tires/wheels and rear spring pack help will be needed for a heavy TC and a trailers hitch weight. Stay tuned I'm sure someone has the same combo.

It'll haul that camper just fine. Similar mods required, but the 4th Gen will likely handle the weight a bit better

SRW 3500 Dodge work with a Arctic Fox 811 | Good Sam Community

srschang
Nomad
Jan 31, 2021
billtex wrote:
Go with a gasser and gain 600# payload.

This is a common misconception. Here's the data from Ram. The RAWR is the same diesel to gas, the FAWR is higher on the diesel, and the GVWR and Payload are higher on the diesel.
JIMNLIN
Explorer III
Jan 30, 2021
Just like driving a srw with that camper on it is “no big deal.”
You guys do realize the OP has already been hauling the camper on a srw truck, right?
Guessing if he had issue with it, his thread would be about a dually.

The OP says..... "my 05 has had a lot of upgrades to handle the 811 and pull my 18' aluminum boat."
Most folks would assume he has upgraded wheels/tires and rear spring pack help for carrying the 811 as the '05 3500 SRW can have a 6200/6500 RAWR.
Granted it may have 18" or 20" OEM tires and wheels but the older trucks were a bit short on rear spring pack capacity vs the newer gen SRW rear spring pack.
Kayteg1
Explorer II
Jan 30, 2021
Grit dog wrote:
billtex wrote:
Go with a gasser and gain 600# payload.

And 0# on the rear axle where all the load will be.

+ low traction on front wheels when you get TC with COG behind rear axle.
specta
Explorer
Jan 30, 2021
ticki2 wrote:
specta wrote:
Regular cab, 6.4L Hemi, 2-wd 5170 payload.

Is that for a drw ? There was no configuration for a 3500 srw that went that high on the Ram site .

I have no idea if it is or not.
ticki2
Explorer
Jan 30, 2021
specta wrote:
Regular cab, 6.4L Hemi, 2-wd 5170 payload.

Is that for a drw ? There was no configuration for a 3500 srw that went that high on the Ram site .
Bedlam
Moderator
Jan 30, 2021
You can haul the AF811 on a SRW, but you most likely will be over GVWR while still within axle ratings. This may require aftermarket upgrades of wheels and suspension to get safety and stability so you need to decide if you start with a DRW or modify a SRW with additional cost.
specta
Explorer
Jan 30, 2021
Regular cab, 6.4L Hemi, 2-wd 5170 payload.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Jan 30, 2021
billtex wrote:
Go with a gasser and gain 600# payload.

And 0# on the rear axle where all the load will be.
billtex
Explorer II
Jan 29, 2021
Go with a gasser and gain 600# payload.
bwlyon
Explorer
Jan 29, 2021
I have a similar set up. S85RS Ascent camper on our 2015, 6.4 gasser Megacab 3500 SRW. Just like the Arctic Fox 811, the ascent is a SB camper with a slide, and it is heavy just shy of 5K fully wet and ready to camp. Now the 811 is a few hundred pounds lighter though, but only a few hundred fully wet and ready to go. You are going to be over every where with the exception of the steer axle. The 811 like my camper really needs to be under a dually. Like you we get by with the SRW, but our next truck will be a dually. Our weight fully loaded and ready to go is as follows. 13000lbs GRoss weight. With 8700lbs on the rear axle. That’s 1600lbs over GVWR, 1700lbs over rear axle capacity, 1300lbs over tire weight rating for the pair of rear tires.