gprguy
Well-Known Member
This build has been something I've been planning for years and I thought I'd document it on here. A year ago I started the ordering process for a 5500 to build into our ultimate camping rig, and that didn't go so well unfortunately. The truck was built in February 2023, subsequently hail damaged, and from there who knows. In June I got tired of waiting and found a similar 2022 4500 and bought it.
The Truck
It's a 2022 Ram 4500 4x4, crew cab, 84" CA Limited. It has all the tech stuff including all the cameras not available on the 2023 chassis cabs. Beyond that it has the HD front suspension, dual alternators and a few other options that aren't too important. One big thing it is missing is the dual fuel tanks - something I plan on remedying.
Why settle for a 4500 you may ask when I originally ordered a 5500? Availability is the main thing, but beyond that there's little difference in the trucks beyond the stickers, badges and possibly gear ratios. It's plenty of truck.
The Goal
Build a truck that can haul our 2020 Lance 1062 truck camper (or it's successor, which would also be a large 4000-5000lb camper), have plenty of storage in the bed and around the camper, and at the same time be able to tow our 34' inTech enclosed trailer with our two Jeeps (or any two vehicles) inside it. Our previous truck, a 2018 Ram 3500 dually, could do either of those things but not both at the same time. At least not with the trailer loaded. We did tow the trailer home from the factory empty with the camper on the back and it towed fantastic.
We also enjoy boon docking and forest roads so the truck needs to be mild off-road capable enough (with just the camper, no trailer) but it's not going to be one of the 48" military tired monsters like you see over on Expedition Portal - this is staying a dually for towing safety. It may get some slightly more aggressive tires in the future but that's only because the truck I found didn't come with the off-road tire option from the factory.
The Plan
My list of plans is extensive, and ever changing.. So I'm not going to put an entire list up at this point. Here are the general highlights:
I'm hoping to have it done enough to be able to camp in the spring of 2024, although I very much doubt it'll be completely done at that point.
Alright, time to catch up what I've gotten done in the first week and 40 (!) miles of ownership.
The Truck
It's a 2022 Ram 4500 4x4, crew cab, 84" CA Limited. It has all the tech stuff including all the cameras not available on the 2023 chassis cabs. Beyond that it has the HD front suspension, dual alternators and a few other options that aren't too important. One big thing it is missing is the dual fuel tanks - something I plan on remedying.
Why settle for a 4500 you may ask when I originally ordered a 5500? Availability is the main thing, but beyond that there's little difference in the trucks beyond the stickers, badges and possibly gear ratios. It's plenty of truck.
The Goal
Build a truck that can haul our 2020 Lance 1062 truck camper (or it's successor, which would also be a large 4000-5000lb camper), have plenty of storage in the bed and around the camper, and at the same time be able to tow our 34' inTech enclosed trailer with our two Jeeps (or any two vehicles) inside it. Our previous truck, a 2018 Ram 3500 dually, could do either of those things but not both at the same time. At least not with the trailer loaded. We did tow the trailer home from the factory empty with the camper on the back and it towed fantastic.
We also enjoy boon docking and forest roads so the truck needs to be mild off-road capable enough (with just the camper, no trailer) but it's not going to be one of the 48" military tired monsters like you see over on Expedition Portal - this is staying a dually for towing safety. It may get some slightly more aggressive tires in the future but that's only because the truck I found didn't come with the off-road tire option from the factory.
The Plan
My list of plans is extensive, and ever changing.. So I'm not going to put an entire list up at this point. Here are the general highlights:
- Torklift Superhitch Magnum 30k receiver hitch
- Kelderman air ride front and rear with the automatic (electronic) height control system
- Hydraulic leveling jack system, similar to what you see on some class A and C RVs, so I can quickly level the truck before putting out my camper's slides
- Add the missing 22 gallon midship fuel tank
- Fabricate the flatbed in my home shop - currently the plan is an aluminum deck (I have a bunch of the same aluminum deck boards that are used in my inTech trailer's floor) with a steel subframe.
- Storage boxes around the bottom of the bed
- Flip up sides to enclose the underside of the truck camper for more storage
- A large backpack type cabinet behind the cab big enough to store our e-bikes
- Aftermarket front bumper of some sort
- Convert to a Night Edition, I can't take all this chrome
I'm hoping to have it done enough to be able to camp in the spring of 2024, although I very much doubt it'll be completely done at that point.
Alright, time to catch up what I've gotten done in the first week and 40 (!) miles of ownership.