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Questions about new truck for slide-in camper

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Hayduke

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Hi all, I'm hoping to get some input on a new 3500 CCLB SRW build. We will primarily be using it to haul a slide-in truck camper and may possibly tow a Jeep at the same time. We will be upgrading from a 2016 Ram 2500 CCSB with G56 transmission as the coil suspension on the 2500's just doesn't cut it with our high center of gravity load and we also want the 8' bed. We live in CO and will be using it in high elevation mountainous terrain (think Ike Gauntlet every weekend) so I would prefer a diesel even though the truck camper is not all that heavy (~2500 pounds total load).

We had a good experience with our '16 but are not particularly brand loyal so are also considering an F350. Solid front axle is important to us, so we're not considering GM.

If we went Ram, we'd consider either Big Horn or Laramie trims and would look for these options:
-50 gallon tank
-5th wheel prep for extra plug in bed
-Snow chief package
-LED headlights
-Bed utility group
-Towing tech package

Love to hear if there are other recommended options that we've overlooked. Some questions that we have are:

-What's the consensus on the value of the adaptive steering system? Any issues using it offroad with larger tires?

-SO vs HO for truck camper uses? Our '16 Cummins with the G56 was agonizingly slow and suffered from a lot of dead pedal/torque management, however I do enjoy picking my gears and sensing exactly what's going on with the transmission. I ended up doing an emissions intact tune from CPS to make it more driveable, but would prefer to be able to leave this truck unmolested. I understand the 68RFE has better manners unloaded while the Aisin shines when towing, but am not sure if a truck camper is enough of a load for the Aisin to come into it's own?

-Compelling reasons to pick Ram 3500 vs F350 with equivalent options? Ram has gone back to the CP3 pump for 2021 which is great, and the turn radius on the Ram is much better than the Ford, however the 10 speed and 475hp in the F350 is pretty tempting.

Thanks for your input!
 
Depending on how high up you are, I could see you potentially wanting the cold weather group package, or just the block heater.

And while it is only ~$100 difference, if you're already talking larger tires, you may not need the snow chief group, as the rest of the components (alternator, cab lights, skid, aux switches) can be added slightly cheaper.
 
LateToTheParty said:
Depending on how high up you are, I could see you potentially wanting the cold weather group package, or just the block heater.

And while it is only ~$100 difference, if you're already talking larger tires, you may not need the snow chief group, as the rest of the components (alternator, cab lights, skid, aux switches) can be added slightly cheaper.
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On our 2016, all the trucks came with the block heater and we just needed to add the cord ourselves. If that not the case anymore?
 
jadmt said:
I would look at the ford with the 7.3 gasser
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The 7.3 does look like a nice engine and I've gone back and forth about it a few times. I'm less interested in the 6.4 Hemi so for the sake of keep this an apples to apples comparison let's stick with the oil burners.
 
Hayduke said:
On our 2016, all the trucks came with the block heater and we just needed to add the cord ourselves. If that not the case anymore?
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I am a Hemi guy as I live down in the foothills, don't hit the gauntlet more than a handful of times each year with nothing more than a travel trailer, so don't have a need for a Cummins. And even if I did, it doesn't really get cold enough down here to necessitate it. I just figured if you're up high enough to need it, you'll want it to be part of your list.
 
LateToTheParty said:
I am a Hemi guy as I live down in the foothills, don't hit the gauntlet more than a handful of times each year with nothing more than a travel trailer, so don't have a need for a Cummins. And even if I did, it doesn't really get cold enough down here to necessitate it. I just figured if you're up high enough to need it, you'll want it to be part of your list.
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Yeah, one way or another I definitely want to get a block heater on it.

Anyone have thoughts about the adaptive steering?
 
I have your truck in a 2020 model minus the towing tech group, led headlights and 50 gallon tank. I have the HO and I would say whatever complaints that people had were fixed for the 2020 trucks from the factory and the 2019 trucks were fixed with a software update. If the CP3 is important I believe ford is still using the CP4 so if that matters to me that is a big deal. I haven't even towed with my truck yet and I can already tell you I will never go back to a gas truck. The cummins just drives so effortless it blows my old 6.4 truck out of the water, so much so that my wife even made a comment about how much easier it is to drive. My only advice is get whatever options you want from the factory vs adding them. I am adding features little by little like cargo camera, passive entry etc and it would have just been so much easier to get this stuff done at the factory.
 
Screw the ford you would be good with the 3500 SO they are very capable and if you have no intention of using more than 20k towing you have no need for the HO.... drop the adaptive steering its useless..... i be the most concerned about towing with the slide in camper unless its short enough to remove the tailgate
 
Hayduke said:
We have a Scout Kenai which will actually fit in the 8' bed with the tailgate still on, so hitching up a trailer should be no problem.
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You can close the gate? If so thats great because hitch extensions can get risky
 
Millmutt said:
I think my 2020 SO is just fine for a slide in camper. But I disagree about the adaptive steering, I think it is great.
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Seems like there are conflicting opinions on the adaptive steering. Can you describe a little more about why you like? How does it react in situations with the camper on and a big crosswind gust?
 
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