Forum Discussion

jimh406's avatar
jimh406
Explorer III
Oct 03, 2015

Is it good to be over built?

Buzzcut1's thread made me think about the changes I've made as well and what I think have big impacts from having maybe too much truck. Yes, I have a F450 with better brakes specifically to help with panic stops if I ever needed them, and improved suspension with air bags, extended bump stops, newer tires, and new and better shocks just in case. DRW vs SRW for some obvious benefits.

So far, there have been two significant uses this year of the capability on the interstate. 1)DW was driving when all of the traffic ahead slammed on their brakes. No, we weren't close, but DW was shocked at how well the truck stopped. 2)On one of the latest trips, we were following a big dump truck and trailer of bulldozer etc. All of a sudden, they turned right exposing an upcoming divided area with cones and concrete dividers. In any case, it required and equivalent sharp movement from us to miss the concrete and cones which it handled just fine. I think it likely was another equivalent time of good to be able to take a quick movement. We were a little surprised how well we came through that as well.

We don't really need the rig that we have since I was able to camp just fine with the SRW that I had previously. It is nice to make some use of the new rig though! We feel better about the added capability in situations like these.
Truck Campers
  • gbopp's avatar
    gbopp
    Explorer
    Oct 03, 2015
    I think this is the first time I've seen someone say they have too much truck. :)

    Yes, I think it's good to be over built.
  • Buzzcut1's avatar
    Buzzcut1
    Nomad II
    Oct 03, 2015
    I would much rather have what some consider too much than what many consider too little or just "good enough".
  • DutchmenSport's avatar
    DutchmenSport
    Explorer
    Oct 03, 2015
    In the two situations you just described, the "too much truck" saved your bananas! This is exactly the reason why "too much truck" is a good thing! You are one of the wise ones in your choice of vehicles!
  • rickeoni's avatar
    rickeoni
    Explorer
    Oct 03, 2015
    The F450 amazes most with what it can do for such a big a55 truck.
    Wonder what the 2017 will be like?
  • Bedlam's avatar
    Bedlam
    Moderator
    Oct 03, 2015
    My SRW handled well and safely after the upgrades I put into it. My DRW is stock and handles just as well even thought the truck is 3000 lb heavier than my former. The test for my DRW will be when I add another ton of camper weight and 1/2 ton of accessories to it. Then we'll see if I can still stay stock yet safe.

    If I had a truck I wanted to keep, I would not regret doing the upgrades I did to my F250 again. If I didn't have a truck, I would start with a long bed DRW and adjust from there.
  • fpoole's avatar
    fpoole
    Explorer
    Oct 03, 2015
    "When in doubt,
    Power out"

    Seems to be my mantra when I don't have a clue on things, I find out what is needed and then what's the next higher option and plan from there. So far, so good.

    I orginally got a Chev Colorado with a tear drop trailer... which was great.
    TD was getting smaller and in order to go to the next level that I wanted, I needed a bigger truck... ended up with this one 5500 and don't regret it one bit...

    I look at these things like a Fire Extinguisher..
    "You don't need it,
    "UNTIL you NEED it..."

    Hopefully, I'm done with the camping stuff.. LOL, but I doubt it.. sigh...

    fun..
  • Golden_HVAC's avatar
    Golden_HVAC
    Explorer
    Oct 04, 2015
    I had a SRW 1975 F-350 supercab and one trip, just after having the drum brakes replaced, then they did not tell me to tighten the lug nuts every 200 miles until the new studs are 'set' in place. The drivers side wheel fell off, because all the lug nuts fell off, and the last couple did not hold the tire on anymore. I was driving 55. My camper stayed in place, and I just drove over to the side of the freeway, and stopped. A Jeep driver behind me saw what happened, and actually went to retrieve my now bad rim and tire (the studs dug into the aluminum rim about 1/8").

    Anyway the camper in my case was not overloading my truck, and the 'accident' was un-eventful! So I can safely say that a blown tire would be a non-even in that truck and camper combo. It has a lot of it's weight ahead of the rear axle, and it always handled nicely.

    I am happy to hear that your F-450 can stop on a 'dime' so to speak when required. I don't know if I would want air bags on a heavy duty truck like yours unless you are also taking out some of the stiff steel springs, or using thinner ones, so that some weight on the air bags will actually make up for the softer than factory spring pack. With air bags inflated, then the spring pack will not be softened by adding additional loads of your camper, but will remain fairly stiff.

    I know that my camper would make my 75 F-350 drop about 4" when that 2,500 pounds is installed! But that is 'normal' and I had two drop hitches for the truck, one that drops the ball by 2" when I had the camper, and one that drops it 6" when I did not have the camper along. . .

    Have fun camping!

    Fred.
  • Reddog1's avatar
    Reddog1
    Explorer II
    Oct 04, 2015
    jimh425 wrote:
    ... We don't really need the rig that we have since I was able to camp just fine with the SRW that I had previously. ...
    I too recently purchased a "new to me truck", Dodge 3500 DRW 4x4 Quad cab. Like you, my SRW 2500 was just fine for over ten years. I have yet to load my TC, but unloaded I am very pleased with my truck. There are too many improvements to post. Although I can't say I am looking forward to the typical upgrades to haul the TC, I doubt I will be disappointed.

    Wayne

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