2018 RAM 2500 with Adventurer 910DB

[Wy4x4]

Looking into the purchase of the 910DB from Adventurer. This model suits our needs down to a T, has all the features we are looking for. But will our truck handle it? We have a 2018 RAM 2500 crew cab long bed with the Cummins engine and 6 speed manual transmission. Never owned a slide in truck camper before, looking for advice. The dry weight as advertised on the website is 3373 LBS, and most websites list an estimated wet weight of 4400 LBS. Google says the 2018 RAM 2500 payload is 1,466 to 3,497 lbs.

We like the 910DB for it's electric bunk option over the dinette, 4 season rating, king size bed, ample storage, and dry bath. I have not found any other truck campers with all those options and a single slide.

Thanks!

[billyray50]

jimh425 wrote:

patperry2766 wrote:
The ONLY difference between the 2500 and a SRW 3500 is coil vs leaf springs. Same axle, tires, rims etc. I have the same truck as you and I'd be comfortable going 500-750 over payload with the addition of airbags. Everything else on the truck can handle it.

I'd check tire capacity as well. How about having 3500 leaf springs added to the 2500?

I owned a 2014 910DB and carried on a 2017 Ram 3500 DRW with springs. I would not carry TC on a 2500. Minimum 3500 1 ton with springs and some mods. TC is heavier than listed. Sold it to a new owner with a DRW. Nice model and well built though.

[jimh406]

patperry2766 wrote:
The ONLY difference between the 2500 and a SRW 3500 is coil vs leaf springs. Same axle, tires, rims etc. I have the same truck as you and I'd be comfortable going 500-750 over payload with the addition of airbags. Everything else on the truck can handle it.

I'd check tire capacity as well. How about having 3500 leaf springs added to the 2500?

[patperry2766]

The ONLY difference between the 2500 and a SRW 3500 is coil vs leaf springs. Same axle, tires, rims etc. I have the same truck as you and I'd be comfortable going 500-750 over payload with the addition of airbags. Everything else on the truck can handle it.

[MORSNOW]

Wy4x4 wrote:

MORSNOW wrote:
I have a WC850 on my 2500 GMC, the fully loaded wet weight including all of our camping gear is 3,200lbs.

Do you have air bags or any other upgrades to your truck?

After using it completely stock a few weekends, I added lower Stable Loads. They are incredible, keep the truck level and prevent side to side sway by including the overload spring into the equation all the time. I also tow a 16' trailer with a SXS on it so I added Timbrens later. The Timbrens are just above the axle most times and just assist when I load up the front of the trailer with a row a gas cans and firewood. No need for airbags with a non-slide camper and I don't want the sway/bounce of bags with all of Alaska's curvy mountain roads. A heavy spring is better for stability, that is why Super Springs, Stable Loads, and Sway Bars are preferred.

[Oregun]

We have Adventurer 910fbs very similar to your camper. It's on a 99 F350 SRW superduty V10.
Fully loaded with gas , water and gear our worst case weight are
Front 4050
Rear 7600
We upgraded the tires to 19.5 for $1600. Also have Rancho shocks, std sway bar, air bags and upper and lower torklift stableloads.
Truck handles camper fine but its a Ford so no help in your situation but the weights of our campers should be similar.

[dhull]

We have a 2017 model Wolf Creek 840SB. Has all options except driver's side awning, microwave and the larger air conditioner. Weighs 3300 lbs. First place I went was to the scales. It's listed as 2200 lbs on the sticker by back door!

[kirkl]

I just bought a 8ft northland camper a few months ago for my 2017 ram 2500 long bed cummins. Still had to put air bags on it because its so rocky from side to side with those crappy coil springs. I will never by a coil spring truck again. Ist pretty light, probaby around 1800 empty, it hardly squats me but again, the crappy coil springs.

[Wy4x4]

MORSNOW wrote:
I have a WC850 on my 2500 GMC, the fully loaded wet weight including all of our camping gear is 3,200lbs.

Do you have air bags or any other upgrades to your truck?

[jimh406]

Grit dog wrote:
Good idea, save for what a second truck will cost, how much work it will require and how reliable and comfortable the "old" truck will be when traveling on vacation.
I prefer to have the least likelihood for vehicular issues when I'm off the clock and far from home.

The reality is new trucks break down, too. I get where you are coming from as I used to drive new vehicles all of the time. That’s not exactly a cheap way to go either. How many vehicles can you own if you consider the depreciation of a new one?

Anyway, I now drive a 10 year old truck and for some, that’s super old. But, all you have to do is look at signatures to know there are lots of trucks still on the road that are much older.

Besides, last I checked, TCs and trucks aren’t exactly going for economy in the world of RVs. 😄

[MORSNOW]

Wy4x4 wrote:
Would a Northwood Wolf Creek 850 work well? Dry weight is right at 2000 lbs.

I have a WC850 on my 2500 GMC, the fully loaded wet weight including all of our camping gear is 3,200lbs.

[Grit_dog]

jimh425 wrote:
I think your idea of a second truck is a good one. It would also give you the ability to go bigger if you want. 11 1/2 campers give you a lot more floor space with more potential floorplans and usually larger bathrooms.

I’m not sure why you are looking at TCs, but consider shorter Class Cs as well if you at all will consider a dedicated truck to a TC.

Good idea, save for what a second truck will cost, how much work it will require and how reliable and comfortable the "old" truck will be when traveling on vacation.
I prefer to have the least likelihood for vehicular issues when I'm off the clock and far from home.

[Grit_dog]

Kayteg1 wrote:

specta wrote:

Grit dog wrote:

That said, if I already had the truck, I would be pretty motivated to make it work. The truck will handle 2 tons riding in the bed, all day, every day, with some upgrades to the suspension (not unlike most srw trucks hauling slide in campers).

I have to agree with Grit dog.

That all depends on COG.
When I loaded my 12' winterized camper on F250, I went to the scales to find close to 8000 lb on rear axle.

And 2 tons in the bed would be around 7500lbs ish on the axle.
OPs setup, 8' bed and a 10' camper will likely be CoG slightly in front of the axle CL, but the axle is still seeing all the camper weight more or less, like 99% of the campers out there.

[jimh406]

I think your idea of a second truck is a good one. It would also give you the ability to go bigger if you want. 11 1/2 campers give you a lot more floor space with more potential floorplans and usually larger bathrooms.

I’m not sure why you are looking at TCs, but consider shorter Class Cs as well if you at all will consider a dedicated truck to a TC.

[Kayteg1]

specta wrote:

Grit dog wrote:

That said, if I already had the truck, I would be pretty motivated to make it work. The truck will handle 2 tons riding in the bed, all day, every day, with some upgrades to the suspension (not unlike most srw trucks hauling slide in campers).

I have to agree with Grit dog.

That all depends on COG.
When I loaded my 12' winterized camper on F250, I went to the scales to find close to 8000 lb on rear axle.

[GeoBoy]

I would look at a Northstar TC, they are a non-basement TC, well made, offer the bunk over the dinette and their weights are realistic. Definitely install Timbrens and possibly a rear swaybar.