Prepping Truck in Advance: Suggestions?
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Nov-29-2016 12:22 PM
I've ordered a 2017 Ram 3500 DRW 4x4 Cummins Crew cab with 8ft box and it's looking like it'll be built this week, though I probably have some time before it'll be delivered. I'll be mating it to an Arctic Fox 1140.
Originally I was going to wait until I got them both to make any changes as that seems to be what most people suggest. However I have a very long drive to pick up the TC and don't want to be caught unprepared for the haul. I also have a few months in-between so I have room to make any mods needed in advance.
To cut down on possible ordering time, are there any suggested mods that I can do in the meantime? Perhaps somebody who has a similar setup that might chime in? Sway Bars, shocks, stableloads or 19.5s needed? I just want to be prepared and have yet to own a TC, my previous RV as a Class C.
Thanks in advance!
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Nov-29-2016 05:31 PM
Other truck mods or gadgets?
I really like my Dashboss app on my iPhone. The interface plugs into the OBDII connector and provides real time data for tracking the performance while underway. There are like programs for Android.
Go ahead and install a bed electrical connector for the camper. The dealer can do this quickly before delivery as well.
Go weigh your truck at a certified scale. Take the usual things you carry (including people and pets) and a full tank of fuel. Leave the tailgate at home. You will have this as a benchmark from now on.
When ordering the Torklift stuff be sure to get the foam block kit that keeps stuff out of the hold down tubing. I forget what it's called.
Start thinking about an alternator upgrade to the truck. Upgrading the wiring to the camper might be an option to explore. Boy, I love to spend other people's money! Here at home the well is dry...
Best of luck to you with what sounds like an awesome experience. Truck camper envy is a terrible thing.
2006 F-350 Super Crew King Ranch SRW Bulletproofed
2016 Wolf Creek 840
Upper and Lower StableLoads
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Nov-29-2016 05:26 PM
Sold: 2016 Arctic Fox 990, 2018 Ram 3500, 2011 Open Range
Sold Forest River Forester 2401R Mercedes Benz. when campsites went from $90 to $190 per night.
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Nov-29-2016 05:21 PM
towpro wrote:
Does your new truck have the Air level suspension out back?
Yes, I opted for the factory auto level rear air suspension. Looking forward to seeing how well it works, if at all 😉
I have a bed mat, Torklift 'Talons' and 'Fastguns' already. Lots of good info here for sure, much appreciated.
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Nov-29-2016 05:06 PM
I don't leave my camper on full time, but I leave the tailgate off full time since I don't use the truck for "truck stuff" in the off season, and it's not my daily driver (DD).
1140 dry weight is way more than 3500, heck, my 811 weighs more than that bone dry.
Even if you don't do any initial suspension mods, and decide to do some later, do Stableloads first.
I wish I would have gone that route instead of getting caught up in the airbag hype.
2018 Arctic Fox 992 with an Onan 2500i "quiet" model generator
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Nov-29-2016 05:00 PM
d3500ram wrote:Penguelephants wrote:
...Any other reflections or comments are welcome.
Take the tailgate off and leave it at home before you go to get the TC.
good one, forgot about that. There is a bag inside cab with electrical connectors to protect camera harness when you remove tailgate (if you have camera. one snaps onto both tailgate and bed side after you remove the tailgate.
Sold: 2016 Arctic Fox 990, 2018 Ram 3500, 2011 Open Range
Sold Forest River Forester 2401R Mercedes Benz. when campsites went from $90 to $190 per night.
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Nov-29-2016 04:34 PM
towpro wrote:TxGearhead wrote:
There's an aspect of the StableLoads I'm not sure about...the concentrated weight in one surface area of the leaf springs.
your talking about the lower stableLoads correct? I have often thought the same thing. but any time I have seen a broken spring it was broken where the center hole is.
Yes, the lowers. I'm SRW so I don't have an upper overload spring, just the lower.
Ironically I was about to pull the trigger on the lower StableLoads. I have looked at their website many times. They have a link to "see what people are saying about StableLoads" that takes you to a thread on RV.Net. One of the posters said they bent his lower spring downward. I got to thinking about it and yeah that could be possible I guess. True or not I have no idea. Doing more reading in the thread there were posts about how TorkLift changed the StableLoads over a short time. I know some engineering is pure trial and error to find what works and what doesn't. I somewhat doubt TorkLift paid for a Finite Element Analysis of the stress forces of what the StableLoads do in different situations. If they did they would probably cost twice as much. I think I'n going to a Big Wig if anything.
2018 Landmark Oshkosh
2008 Bigfoot 25C9.4
2014 NauticStar 21 ShallowBay 150HP Yamaha
2016 GoDevil 18X44 35HP Surface Drive
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Nov-29-2016 04:18 PM
Penguelephants wrote:
...Any other reflections or comments are welcome.
Take the tailgate off and leave it at home before you go to get the TC.
2005 Dodge 3500 SRW, Qcab long bed, NV-6500, diesel, 4WD, Helwig, 9000XL,
Nitto 285/70/17 Terra Grapplers, Honda eu3000Is, custom overload spring perch spacers.
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Nov-29-2016 04:17 PM
TxGearhead wrote:
There's an aspect of the StableLoads I'm not sure about...the concentrated weight in one surface area of the leaf springs.
your talking about the lower stableLoads correct? I have often thought the same thing. but any time I have seen a broken spring it was broken where the center hole is.
Sold: 2016 Arctic Fox 990, 2018 Ram 3500, 2011 Open Range
Sold Forest River Forester 2401R Mercedes Benz. when campsites went from $90 to $190 per night.
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Nov-29-2016 04:07 PM
I would recommend rubber bed mat,I have DeeZee purchased on Amazon.
Torklift frame mounts to hold truck onto camper. I have the steel ones.
Torklift Fast guns, this is the clamp between the frame mounts and the camper body.
According to Truck Camper Magazine, your new camper will weigh 5,236 pounds wet. my 990 weights 500 lbs less wet, but I have 400 or so pounds of tong load on my truck hitch (amplified through a 34" hitch extension)
see these trucks sit high in the back, and as you add weight the rear suspension drops. when loaded, I run level with no suspension enhancements.
I have added a bigwig sway bar to truck, this helps with lean going around corners and maybe some sway in crosswinds.
If I add anything, It might be blocks to lower my upper helper spring pads that are mounted to the frame by 2". but I really think I will just leave it the way it was.
Also Torklift makes these upper stable loads that replace the factory helper spring blocks, they are much taller. As your truck rear end drops with weight the helper springs will kick in sooner, stopping some of the drop. I ran a different brand on my 2006 3500 SRW: towing my 5th wheel it raised the rear suspension around 2-3", but when empty the stock truck springs raise the rear of truck and the blocks no longer hit the helper springs, thus not affecting your empty ride.
I would pick up camper with stock truck and see. Does your new truck have the Air level suspension out back? See your new camper can hold over 400 lbs of water alone, dump some water and you lighten the load.
Edit, your also going to need a torques screw driver, (t15 I think) to adjust your headlights when you load, than when you unload. There are 2 holes in front fenders under hood behind headlights. shine flash light down in one hole and look in the other, you will see the adjustment. only up and down adjustments is in there. I think I change 6 clicks up or down as needed with camper on or off.
Sold: 2016 Arctic Fox 990, 2018 Ram 3500, 2011 Open Range
Sold Forest River Forester 2401R Mercedes Benz. when campsites went from $90 to $190 per night.
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Nov-29-2016 03:17 PM
Looking at the AF spec...about 3500# dry. Add 1,000# you're likely still good.
There's an aspect of the StableLoads I'm not sure about...the concentrated weight in one surface area of the leaf springs.
2018 Landmark Oshkosh
2008 Bigfoot 25C9.4
2014 NauticStar 21 ShallowBay 150HP Yamaha
2016 GoDevil 18X44 35HP Surface Drive
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Nov-29-2016 02:56 PM
I'll be installing Hellwig Ft & R Sway Bars, Hellwig Air Bags and
Bilstein 5100 Shocks. Whether I need all this IDK, but I do know
these products and I have a new Truck and I want to play with it.
For the Camper I'm using the
Happijac Tie Down system for the Front
and Torklift Tie Downs on the Rear along with Fastguns
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Nov-29-2016 02:40 PM
Any other reflections or comments are welcome.
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Nov-29-2016 01:47 PM
Start with TorkLift stableloads.
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Nov-29-2016 12:49 PM
You will not need 19.5" wheels and tires. Nice, but no.
I have Torklift StableLoads, Torklift Tiedowns, Torklift SuperHitch and Truss Extension.
I also have a Dualliner installed.
No sway bar added but do have a Hellwig in the shop if needed.
I have run 75 mph and it drives like a Cadillac! 🙂
I carry a Lance 1050S no problem.