What Are The Upsides & Downsides To Driving A DRW Truck?

Sheriffdoug wrote:
Sleepy,
Tell Janet you have PM.
And yes, I PM'd Sleepy. And he got out bed at 4am in the morning.
Here in OZtralia, maximum legal width for all RV's is 2.5m/98inches.
Eagle Cap 1160 I want is 102" and weighs 4320ib dry.
So, 4" over width, here.
What is maximum legal width for RV's/Truck Campers in The US?

Now you have asked the next OPINION question that will fuel the "No" it alls. I say opinion because when I "google" it this is the answers I get:

Code of Federal Regulations

Remember our TC's are not trailers... they are fuctionally "cargo"... maybe subject to "haul" rules. Because they are considered "cargo" we don't have to have licence plates in many states but can legally drive in all.

I have always been under the impression that 8' (96") was the limit in all over the USA.

I'm going to sit this part out, just watch this question and hope that someone has a single answer.

Please post the page from the US CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) if you find it.

Sheriffdoug, yes I did a tour fhe factory and they walked me through every stage of the build process. I was impressed. The Eagle Cap line is kept separate from the Adventurer line and has its own dedicated staff assigned to it. The head about 4 campers going at a time each in a different stage and I was allowed total access to look at everything and ask questions of the line workers etc, They said that they were planning a to expand the factory to have a repair facility - like the old EC factory in La Grande, OR - to handle things the dealers can't do or that owners would rather the factory take care of.
Seemed like great people that took a lot of pride in their work...

While we were there they had some 1165's on the line with the rear sofa and I totally see why you want that...that and the 102" over the rail design makes those campers seem more like a TT or MH inside...unbelievable amount of space.

Good luck in your quest for an Eagle Cap!

Sleepy,
Tell Janet you have PM.
And yes, I PM'd Sleepy. And he got out bed at 4am in the morning.
Here in OZtralia, maximum legal width for all RV's is 2.5m/98inches.
Eagle Cap 1160 I want is 102" and weighs 4320ib dry.
So, 4" over width, here.
What is maximum legal width for RV's/Truck Campers in The US?

I had a pm request for measurements... I should have included them. I went out and cnfirmed my measurements accross the back.

The exact outside corner to corner measurement accross the back is 94 inches

From the outside of the jack tube to the outside of the opposite jack tube is 96 inches (8')

and the extreme widest point would include the jack base disks... at about 98 inches (8'2")

The campers whole 4' overhang behind the truck bed is the same width as the dually fenders outside to outside.

And so, we'd still be driving an 8 foot wide load, 2 foot off the ground even it the camper was mounted on a go cart.

I won't tell Janet... it might scare her and she'd quit taking her turns at driving.

Curahee, Thanks for your post. Your in WA state. Have you been to the factory? I"m not unhappy with my current rig, just want the rear sofa in the 1160.

Sheriffdoug wrote:
In Australia Dodge Ram 3500hd Longbed crewcab diesel Dually will be considered a Truck.
The Laramie model is what I am considering buying, so it has all the creature comforts for driver & passengers.
I have experience about checking tire pressures for dual rims.
Thanks, once again!

I have a 2012 RAM Laramie 3500 DRW Crew Cab 6.7L and traded in my 2003 RAM 3500 SRW Quad Cab 5.9L to haul my Eagle Cap 995....and wouldn't trade it for anything.
We love the creature features, the ride, the capacity, better handling/anti-roll, etc. I really liked my SRW, but there is no comparison to the DRW...sure the cost to replace 2 more tires will hurt and the slight degradation in fuel economy, parking etc, but I used to park my SRW in the back of the lots and was careful with the overall size of the rig on the road.
My DRW feels and rides like a Cadillac and half the time we "forget" we are actually in a truck....oh yeah, until I realize I'm hauling a huge camper towing my 18ft boat up a 6+% grade and have to slow down for the corners!
No comparison!

sleepy wrote:
And the Prius is nestled in front of the dulley fender....

... see previous page for more pictures.

LOL

And the Prius is nestled in front of the dulley fender....

... see previous page for more pictures.

AnEv942 wrote:

sleepy wrote:
... they'd argue that the color of paint on a truck affects the mpg :B...
sleepy

Are you suggesting it doesnt?
Interesting thread...My camper is still wider than trucks fenders...
Driving ive noted no downsides only the gains, parking usaully not an issue, it'll fit but like others Im waaay out by the fence. Ive actually found it easier to center camper when loading-though certainly have to watch when backing under.

It turns out that you have given me the answer... and Sheriff Doug too! I bolded it in your quote

It's no wonder that I don't think my dulley is big... my truck camper is big. The same width as my fenders and with the 4 foot overhang I have 8 feet of truck and camper that are WIDE. I'd almost bet that most of us that don't moan and groan about dulleys have BIG campers.



I set my dirt tamper beside the fender so that you can gauge the camper s position. The camper and the fender are both touching.







Sheriff Doug.... if you are going to have a big camper... you'll need a big truck... if you can drive with the camper on... the dulleys width won't matter... :B Just man up and go for it!

Sleepy

sleepy wrote:
... they'd argue that the color of paint on a truck affects the mpg :B...
sleepy

Are you suggesting it doesnt?
Interesting thread...My camper is still wider than trucks fenders...
Driving ive noted no downsides only the gains, parking usaully not an issue, it'll fit but like others Im waaay out by the fence. Ive actually found it easier to center camper when loading-though certainly have to watch when backing under.