Time to get serious. Sold TT and got a new RAM.

[Jfresh]

Sold the Travel Trailer today and picked myself up a 2015 Ram 2500 SB 6.4 Hemi Mega Cab 4x4. I'm pretty much sold on the Lance 855. I want a non-slide, 4 season, large tank capacity, 2 propane bottles, oven, shortest overhang possible. Is there anything I should consider before I get to work on pricing?

Wold Creek 850 nice camper but the tanks are considerably smaller.

Adventurer 86FB seems to fit the bill but the quality of the interior finishes don't seem as nice. I prefer the Lance wrap around dinette. Also I would prefer aluminum or wood but I know how much that matters. Also Should I take into consideration the Lance 1 piece front cap.

Quality is probably most important. I just want to make sure I'm considering everything important.

[jimh406]

I think the Nitto Graplers are rated around 4000 lbs.

[Bubtoofat]

SugarHillCTD wrote:
Have you looked into Northstar?

You mentioned quality- that would be Northstar. Family owned and operated. Call them for support and you will probably end up talking to one of the owners.

Call Rex. Rory is no longer with Northstar. He went off and started his own truck camper company.

And as far as customer service is concerned you will NOT find a better company to deal with than Northstar. If there is a problem with your camper they WILL make it right. Even years after the warranty is up they stand by their work.

I would be hard pressed to buy another truck camper that wasn't a Northstar. With customer service like theirs they get customers for life.

See this post for an example. CLICKY.

Mike

[Jfresh]

Bedlam wrote:
The bags will help, but the Toyos you chose will be over capacity once you are loaded. Look for tires that will give you 7250-7500 lbs of rear axle capacity. If your actual rear axle weight is over 7000 lbs, you really need to consider 19.5" rims and tires that will give you 9000 lbs of axle capacity.

If you have an OEM option for a rear anti-sway bar, get it. I'm not sure if there is one released for the coil spring rear in the aftermarket.

Valid point. I'm not ready to commit to 19.5's but if I continue to run the Toyo Mt's like I have in the past they are rated at 3640 putting me at 7280 lbs which I agree is a way better option.

[billtex]

Jfresh wrote:
Like everything else in life trucks are a compromise. The 2500 does have the coil springs and that is the top reasons I bought this truck. The ride is great! Yes the mega cab reduced my GVWR but keeping the rear seats folded flat is like having a SUV and a pickup. If the the Mega Cab came with a long bed I would have had to give it a serious consideration but I could not image using a rig of that length as a daily driver. Yes I will add a supplemental air bag system. I have had one on every truck I own because I like to ride level. I will be running Toyo R/T's with a max weight rating of 3195 lbs.

Roamer28 that is the exact information I was looking for that I can't get from manufacture websites. Thank you for your input.

I think the issue is there are not many (any?) aftermarket suspension enhancements for the coil spring RAM out yet and with that cab/bed it will place an unusual amount of weight over the rear due to COG.

You should start thinking about tires/wheels with greater capacity as well.

That might be a great setup for towing...but AFAIK you will be an early adapter in the TC arena with that cab/bed/suspension.

Anyone else out there running the coil spring w/mega cab?

[Bedlam]

The bags will help, but the Toyos you chose will be over capacity once you are loaded. Look for tires that will give you 7250-7500 lbs of rear axle capacity. If your actual rear axle weight is over 7000 lbs, you really need to consider 19.5" rims and tires that will give you 9000 lbs of axle capacity.

If you have an OEM option for a rear anti-sway bar, get it. I'm not sure if there is one released for the coil spring rear in the aftermarket.

[gregchambers]

The Lance 855 camper is no longer manufactured as of August I believe. You will be looking for one on a dealers lot or a used one.

[Jfresh]

Like everything else in life trucks are a compromise. The 2500 does have the coil springs and that is the top reasons I bought this truck. The ride is great! Yes the mega cab reduced my GVWR but keeping the rear seats folded flat is like having a SUV and a pickup. If the the Mega Cab came with a long bed I would have had to give it a serious consideration but I could not image using a rig of that length as a daily driver. Yes I will add a supplemental air bag system. I have had one on every truck I own because I like to ride level. I will be running Toyo R/T's with a max weight rating of 3195 lbs.

Roamer28 that is the exact information I was looking for that I can't get from manufacture websites. Thank you for your input.

[tonymull]

Too late to swap that truck?? With 400lbs of payload above dry weight you will need to avoid filling up those tanks anyway. You're likely to add the common 1000lbs of gear and be pretty far over payload from the git-go. The cost of 'improvements' might make the one ton looks like quite a good deal. Silverado 3500 long bed crew cab SRW has over 4000 lbs payload. Similar F-350 is not far behind.

[JumboJet]

Properly setup, the RAM 2500 will carry the 855 just fine. Just be sure and perform all the 'proper setup' needed.

[realter]

One of the biggest mistakes of my life was getting a 3/4 ton truck, even when I planned on getting a truck camper in a year or two. I ordered it, and the one ton was a measly $700 more. Best of luck to you. Even a lightweight NS Laredo with 2 of us camping minimally, we are over the GVWR.

[Roamer28]

Lance 855 experience. I did a lot of looking before I purchased the 855 and I am very happy I did. Spent 58 nights in mine this summer all weather. And this unit performed great, have gone a week at a time dry camping, and across the country without issue. Since you are looking at pricing different units out sometimes the smallest things can make the biggest difference , Fridge size, oven as you mentioned , and one that made a huge difference to me , the steps in and out. The nose cap looks good and cleans up easily. The 855 setup has performed well. My 2 cents. Welcome to Truck camping.

[Bedlam]

The short bed campers will work on that truck, but I see 19.5" wheels needed since all the weight will be on the rear axle.

Does this truck have coil spring rear? Do you have the supplemental air bag system? I'm not sure how you will compensate for rear sag.

[billtex]

Welcome.
I agree about tank size...can NEVER have too much.

I will also offer some advice/caution. Don't drink the kool-aid too fast, some of the other brands are a much better value than lantz...just proceed slowly and take a lot of notes.

One other thing, I am not intimate with Ram...but isn't that the model with the extra large cab? If so, you will really need to watch COG and payload....IIRC they are not recommended for TC's. But check the bed lg and COG...I don't know for sure.

Good luck, have fun.

Bill

[805gregg]

Too bad you didn't get a long bed, many more and larger campers to choose from. I don't understand every ones fear of an extra 1.5' of truck bed

[SugarHillCTD]

Jfresh wrote:

jimh425 wrote:

What's the payload for your truck?

2845 lbs

Ah....welcome to the world of being over GVWR- to be expected. Just keep an eye on RAWR (rear axle weight rating) which is probably dictated by the weight rating of your tires.