Truck Camper Questions

[ram3500md]

Hi all. Newbie here looking for any helpful considerations. Considering a 3500 SRW 6.7 HO for a truck camper. Will be right at payload capacity. Pros/cons of air suspension, mega vs cc (longer vs shorter wheel base) etc. I've heard air is good for slightly better ride offloaded and loading/unloading camper but also that it's a waste if loaded a lot of time and could be a service expense down the line. Mega vs. CC is mostly longer wheel base. Going SRW for off-road capability but nothing too aggressive. And snow driving unloaded in deep winter. Any other items to note would be appreciated!

 

[ram3500md]

Forgot SRW also because it will be my daily driver when not on road. Retiring in a few years and will be on road at least 1/2 time. With pandemic now permanently remote work so will be on road a lot before retirement too.

 

[ram3500md]

Also on mega vs. CC I would have slightly better payload capacity but center of gravity will place more weight on rear axle.

 

[jsalbre]

If you’re going truck camper I’d skip the mega cab and go with a CC long bed. The 8’ bed gives you a lot more camper space than the 6’4”.

 

[ram3500md]

If you’re going truck camper I’d skip the mega cab and go with a CC long bed. The 8’ bed gives you a lot more camper space than the 6’4”.

What if I'm going with Northern Lite 8-11 short bed camper? I actually like it better than longer ones? I like Mega for storage. Both behind seat, and in front. My moutainbike mostly and inflatable SUP plus extra for occasional longer trips. But, yeah, if I was going bigger on camper then definitely.

 

[jsalbre]

Well if you already have a short bed camper picked out then ignore what I said!

I have a travel trailer so my bikes live in the bed under a cap. I’m not sure what it’s like putting a bike into the back seat area of a mega cab. There’s definitely more overall room, but you have less vertical space with the mega as the seats fold down forward instead of up and back.

If you have items that need to be stored i the cab I’d say you need to take them to a dealership and try out both options.

 

[ram3500md]

Well if you already have a short bed camper picked out then ignore what I said!

I have a travel trailer so my bikes live in the bed under a cap. I’m not sure what it’s like putting a bike into the back seat area of a mega cab. There’s definitely more overall room, but you have less vertical space with the mega as the seats fold down forward instead of up and back.

If you have items that need to be stored i the cab I’d say you need to take them to a dealership and try out both options.

I can take off the front wheel on my bike and turn the handle bars 90 degrees so they are parallel with frame. That would give me a fairly low profile footprint both vertically and horizontally.

I checked out Mega and CC today. The bottom seat folding up in CC actually gives quite a bit of space all the way to the floor of cab. In the Mega the seats fold down and end up eating a lot of space down to floor of cab. I actually don't think the Mega provides more storage space than I thought.

I am now thinking the longer wheel base may make for a more comfortable ride though. And it increases my GVWR. Trade off is shorter turn radius.

Will have to give it some thought.

 

[ram3500md]

*much* more storage space. The Mega definitely has more overall space but not as much vertical space as CC with bottom seats in up position. And this may be better for a bike, particularly with ease getting it in and out. The Mega has more legroom with seats up and that would actually be better for my bike vs. seats down.

Another thing about Mega is behind seat storage under floor board is drivers side only. The other side plus center seat is taken up with something. I read somewhere it is the subwoofer.

 

[jsalbre]

The passenger and center underseat storage on the CC is also taken up by the subwoofer.

 

[ahhhr]

I have the Northern Lite 8-11 with 6.7 HO.
On paper it's close to capacity including water and gear but its a challenge to keep it under and im usually a bit over. And i travel lite.

I like the air bags - if doing it again i would consider after market. Not saying saying it would change my decision.

I like the short bed around town but would prefer long bed dually on the long trips. cant have it all.

edit : if i had a do-over i would look for ways to increase my payload capacity.

 

[ram3500md]

I have the Northern Lite 8-11 with 6.7 HO.
On paper it's close to capacity including water and gear but its a challenge to keep it under and im usually a bit over. And i travel lite.

I like the air bags - if doing it again i would consider after market. Not saying saying it would change my decision.

I like the short bed around town but would prefer long bed dually on the long trips. cant have it all.

edit : if i had a do-over i would look for ways to increase my payload capacity.

I find myself leaning CC but your post is helpful. The Mega would give 500 lbs. more payload capacity on the longer wheelbase even though it is a short bed. So a little more capacity and stability but not quite as much as the dually. Would that be enough for you?

Thanks for your input!

 

[dgstandard]

I have a mega with a northern lite camper. No regrets, would do it again. Next time out I need to add a piece of plywood and another mat to build up so space between the cab roof and camper as sharkfin is tall...made a bit of a mess.
Edit: my buddy owns a crewcab longbox and has a 10ft something bigfoot. That extra foot or two is nice when there is more than one of you on extended trips. It is a bigger rig to turn around but not by that much.

 

[ram3500md]

I find myself leaning CC but your post is helpful. The Mega would give 500 lbs. more payload capacity on the longer wheelbase even though it is a short bed. So a little more capacity and stability but not quite as much as the dually. Would that be enough for you?

Thanks for your inpu

I have the Northern Lite 8-11 with 6.7 HO.
On paper it's close to capacity including water and gear but its a challenge to keep it under and im usually a bit over. And i travel lite.

I like the air bags - if doing it again i would consider after market. Not saying saying it would change my decision.

I like the short bed around town but would prefer long bed dually on the long trips. cant have it all.

edit : if i had a do-over i would look for ways to increase my payload capacity.

Also, what trim level do you have? Laramie or Limited? Any comments on trim choice? Thanks.

 

[ram3500md]

I have a mega with a northern lite camper. No regrets, would do it again. Next time out I need to add a piece of plywood and another mat to build up so space between the cab roof and camper as sharkfin is tall...made a bit of a mess.
View attachment 8901

Is that the Max Steel paint? Any issues with more weight being on rear axle with Mega? Additional capacity should help but there is likely more on rear vs. CC.

 

[dgstandard]

- Longhorn with brown/black interior - love it
- Max steel
Truck handles the camper no problem. Onroad, highway, snow, offroad, mud, washboard, bushroads, switchbacks no sweat. Just put it in 4 wheel drive and dont be a hero. Great truck.

 

[ram3500md]

- Longhorn with brown/black interior - love it
- Max steel
Truck handles the camper no problem. Onroad, highway, snow, offroad, mud, washboard, bushroads, switchbacks no sweat. Just put it in 4 wheel drive and dont be a hero. Great truck.

Do you have the factory air level or skip it? Any aftermarket additions?

 

[dgstandard]

Factory air - works great
2 inch BDS levelling kid and shocks the dealer installed
35" mud tires

 

[dgstandard]

If i didnt have a wife and kids who insist on packing everything they own inside the cab on short roadtrips i would have ordered a cclb. They are such sexy beasts.

 

[ram3500md]

Factory air - works great
2 inch BDS levelling kid and shocks the dealer installed
35" mud tires

What was thought process behind level kit? Off road clearance?

 

[ram3500md]

If i didnt have a wife and kids who insist on packing everything they own inside the cab on short roadtrips i would have ordered a cclb. They are such sexy beasts.

If i didnt have a wife and kids who insist on packing everything they own inside the cab on short roadtrips i would have ordered a cclb. They are such sexy beasts.

Lb with your 8-11 NL or would you have gone bigger on camper?