Truck Camper Questions

[dgstandard]

Level kit gives a bit more space for the 35's to fit.
Would need to get a bigger camper than the 8'11 for the longbox.

 

[ram3500md]

Level kit gives a bit more space for the 35's to fit.
Would need to get a bigger camper than the 8'11 for the longbox.

What are pros/cons of lift/bigger tires? Will be my first big truck so learning. Thanks much for your comments.

 

[dgstandard]

more clearance which sacrifices fuel economy

 

[ahhhr]

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!

Still a toss up for me - but i would consider the mega.
Longhorn with black/brown is awesome - thats what i have.

And yeah - the truck doesnt break sweat with the load - i just prefer to stay close to the limit.

With a long bed, you be looking at a 9-6 unless you take the 10-2 on dually.

 

[ram3500md]

Just thought I'd let the board know...called NL today vs. dealer for some questions. On PL capacity he said what really needs to be looked at is axle and tire ratings which give more than published capacity, which I have read. He said he's never heard insurance liability ever being a real world issue. He's said they need to be even stricter in Canada vs. States and there is more axle and tire rating capacity than most people realize. Said he has no problems recommending the 10-2 on SRWs too.

Interestingly he also said they recommend Ford and Chevy first though. He seemed pretty down on Ram suspensions. Maybe it's previous generations? I think the current generation has been beefed up? He said they use Ford's exclusively for transport. I recall that Ford's do have more PL capacity.

Thoughts?

Edit: Got me thinking about what my local NL dealer telling me a month ago. He recommended a 3/4 ton truck with my own aftermarket suspension upgrades. Doing my dd I thought he was crazy bordering on negligent. But maybe this is part of it...more capacity than we realize on these trucks?

 

[dtsequeira]

If you haven't bought a truck or camper yet I would shop the camper first then figure out which truck you need. I have a gas crew cab 2500 which has over 3200 lbs of payload and carry a Lance 865. I've owned the camper for 8 years and this is my 2nd truck carrying it so I knew exactly what I wanted and needed. My buddy on the other hand just bought a truck and camper last year and bought the truck first. He ended up getting a short bed gas Ram 3500. He was originally going to get a smaller camper but ended up with a huge Arctic Fox 865 and now wishes he bought a dually for handling the camper better.

 

[Capt. Derek]

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!

I have SRW 2020 3500 HO and hauls my camper much better than my 2013 2500 did, much better sway recovery, I'm guessing due to automatic air suspension compensates very quickly. Our camper is 2019 Adventurer 901, if that helps

 

[ram3500md]

Couple of more questions for you guys. What is purpose of dual alternators and do they impact truck camper in anyway?

Looking at NL 8-11 there is an installed generator option but rep said it's not needed much...just for microwave and AC. Would I be able to power those individually by just running truck engine? (I'm mostly thinking microwave, doubt I will use AC much. Thx.

 

[jsalbre]

I went with dual alternators in my gasser as I ran some 2AWG back to a connector under my bumper and from a matching connector on my trailer side to a 60A DCDC charger. This lets the truck dump 60A into my 630Ah lithium battery bank when I’m driving. It lets me go about 50% further with the AC running in the trailer in hot weather.

The 60A DCDC draws 90A from the truck battery, so I figured I’d be better off having the duals. It leaves me with enough excess capacity that if I ever feel like it I could drop a second 60A DCDC (and matching cable of course) and have 120A available. That would basically let me run the AC continuously without draining the batteries.

I don’t know what kind of stuff you plan to run in your truck camper but it could be a reasonable option.

 

[ram3500md]

Still a toss up for me - but i would consider the mega.
Longhorn with black/brown is awesome - thats what i have.

And yeah - the truck doesnt break sweat with the load - i just prefer to stay close to the limit.

With a long bed, you be looking at a 9-6 unless you take the 10-2 on dually.

What size rims and tires do you run? They look like stock 18" rims but with higher sidewall tires?

 

[oregonborn80]

Good thread, thanks to everyone contributing. I'm about to join the world of full size trucks for the first time, planning to also get a truck camper in the near future as well.

I've been doing a lot of reading and I'm thinking of going with wolf creek's new 890 model coming out in early '21, which looks to be about 3200 lbs wet + myself, wife, and 2 boys (6 years/6 months). I'm also looking to keep SRW because this will be my daily (currently in a '14 tacoma) which pretty much means 3500. I'd also like to stay with gas.

Looking to order new for 2021 and would appreciate any feedback on the build below. Anything critically important that i should order, such as dual alts, etc?

2021 RAM3500 Laramie CC 4x4 6'4" box, 6.4 8spd 3.73 gears

automatic-level rear air suspension
central stop lamp with cargo view cam
power deployable running boards
spray-in bedliner
leather trimmed bucket seats
U-connect 12"
aux switches
night edition
laramie lvl 2
safety group
patriot blue

I wasnt planning on doing a mega but my just-turned 6 year old is 50" tall so i might have to consider it. I ran the costo auto build and it looks like it has about 200 more lbs of payload as spec'd above. My wife is also one of those who like to pack everything in the cab for the entire trip for whatever reason.

Also the costco auto program website ( https://www.costcoauto.com ) shows "Reserve Axle Capacity - Front" "Reserve Axle Capacity - Rear" "Reserve Axle Capacity" under Weight Information. Are those numbers what were being referred to earlier in this thread? I dont understand how costco would have access to those when it seems its not readily available anywhere else (seems like)?

Thanks!

 

[jsalbre]

Good thread, thanks to everyone contributing. I'm about to join the world of full size trucks for the first time, planning to also get a truck camper in the near future as well.

I've been doing a lot of reading and I'm thinking of going with wolf creek's new 890 model coming out in early '21, which looks to be about 3200 lbs wet + myself, wife, and 2 boys (6 years/6 months). I'm also looking to keep SRW because this will be my daily (currently in a '14 tacoma) which pretty much means 3500. I'd also like to stay with gas.

Looking to order new for 2021 and would appreciate any feedback on the build below. Anything critically important that i should order, such as dual alts, etc?

2021 RAM3500 Laramie CC 4x4 6'4" box, 6.4 8spd 3.73 gears

automatic-level rear air suspension
central stop lamp with cargo view cam
power deployable running boards
spray-in bedliner
leather trimmed bucket seats
U-connect 12"
aux switches
night edition
laramie lvl 2
safety group
patriot blue

I wasnt planning on doing a mega but my just-turned 6 year old is 50" tall so i might have to consider it. I ran the costo auto build and it looks like it has about 200 more lbs of payload as spec'd above. My wife is also one of those who like to pack everything in the cab for the entire trip for whatever reason.

Also the costco auto program website ( https://www.costcoauto.com ) shows "Reserve Axle Capacity - Front" "Reserve Axle Capacity - Rear" "Reserve Axle Capacity" under Weight Information. Are those numbers what were being referred to earlier in this thread? I dont understand how costco would have access to those when it seems its not readily available anywhere else (seems like)?

Thanks!

For the low cost and impact of dual alternators I’d just go ahead and add them. If you ever decide to do some high-amp charging to the camper batteries you’ll have the capacity to do so.

Any weight info Costco has is probably just base weights for the trim, if even that specific. If you really want exact (or close to exact) weights you’ll have to either find the door jamb sticker for an identically optioned truck or use the option weight guide and add everything up.

I’d recommend adding the towing technology group so you get the 360 cameras, the power folding heated tow mirrors, and it includes the cargo camera that you listed above (though that will be useless when the camper is in of course.

I also suggest the bed utility group, which has the sprayed in bed liner you already mentioned, as well as the bed step and the led bed lights. Obviously the led lights won’t be much use with the camper in, but they’re great the rest of the time, and the step could be useful with and without the camper.

Good call (IMHO) with the gas engine. It’ll barely notice a 3-4K load and you get and extra 900 pounds of payload, not to mention saving $9000.

 

[ram3500md]

Good thread, thanks to everyone contributing. I'm about to join the world of full size trucks for the first time, planning to also get a truck camper in the near future as well.

I've been doing a lot of reading and I'm thinking of going with wolf creek's new 890 model coming out in early '21, which looks to be about 3200 lbs wet + myself, wife, and 2 boys (6 years/6 months). I'm also looking to keep SRW because this will be my daily (currently in a '14 tacoma) which pretty much means 3500. I'd also like to stay with gas.

Looking to order new for 2021 and would appreciate any feedback on the build below. Anything critically important that i should order, such as dual alts, etc?

2021 RAM3500 Laramie CC 4x4 6'4" box, 6.4 8spd 3.73 gears

automatic-level rear air suspension
central stop lamp with cargo view cam
power deployable running boards
spray-in bedliner
leather trimmed bucket seats
U-connect 12"
aux switches
night edition
laramie lvl 2
safety group
patriot blue

I wasnt planning on doing a mega but my just-turned 6 year old is 50" tall so i might have to consider it. I ran the costo auto build and it looks like it has about 200 more lbs of payload as spec'd above. My wife is also one of those who like to pack everything in the cab for the entire trip for whatever reason.

Also the costco auto program website ( https://www.costcoauto.com ) shows "Reserve Axle Capacity - Front" "Reserve Axle Capacity - Rear" "Reserve Axle Capacity" under Weight Information. Are those numbers what were being referred to earlier in this thread? I dont understand how costco would have access to those when it seems its not readily available anywhere else (seems like)?

Thanks!

I've heard that if going with a TC it's best not to get any bed liner. This may not be accurate though so look forward to comments. Also would like to hear more personal experience vis-a-vis gas vs. diesel. Know payload is major plus but also trade-off between gas mileage, mountain driving (understand diesel torque and exhaust brakes are plusses) and expected lifetime mileage for folks who may be doing more traveling vs. just weekend camping.

 

[leo319]

Ill share my two cents and hope someone learns from my experience.. I was in the same position as you are just two years ago, factory airbags or not, dual alternators, debating between mega or cc, SO vs HO, 3.73 vs 4.10 gears, (DRW was definitely not an option), and short bed campers seemed to be the fit for me. Well, after a lot of research I ordered a mega cab SRW (the one seen on my profile picture) 6.7 SO, 3.73 gears, with dual alternators and factory airbags among other options giving me a payload sticker of 3880lbs. I bought a camper that was pretty close to the limit at 3300 dry, but once I was wet and loaded, my camper ALONE was just shy of 4200lbs. I also tow a boat behind it at times (400+- tongue weight), so you can imagine I pushed the payload pretty good when I would tow. Part of my poor reasoning with accepting pushing the payload is that I come from a Ram 1500 with full air suspensions and boy I maxed the payload on the truck multiple times (almost three times the payload on occasions) and the truck handled without a hiccup, I was just amazed how the truck handled with the air suspension. That was clearly a total different application, and systems (not mentioning payload sticker for that truck was 900lbs) which does not apply in any way to the air suspension on the HDs. Just sharing what led me to poor decisions haha.

Back on the topic, I knew my weakest link on that truck (2020 3500 SRW) were the tires, so I upgraded to a larger tires giving me over 8k lbs per axle capacity. The truck handled well in most circumstances and power was not never an issue even with the 68RFE and 3.73 axles, but the automatic rear suspension would throw codes at me when fully loaded or going up steep hills. Not fault of ram at all, but mine for pushing the payload limit. The truck would sway quite a bit and there were not swaybars for factory air equipped trucks at that time. I felt comfortable with the truck for the most part, but knowing I was pushing it so much made me feel uncomfortable plus seeing lights on my dash bothered me even more. A good friend of mine was looking to buy a new truck, so I mentioned my dilemma and ended up selling the truck to him (only 3000 miles on it btw).

I ordered a 2020 3500 Mega Cab DRW (did I write DRW was not an option before? haha), 6.7 HO, 4.10 gears, dual alternators, WITHOUT airbags (same color and other options as the other one) with a payload sticker of 5350lbs. I installed a hellwig sway bar, and added automatic remote controlled airbags. I actually like the aftermarket airbags better than factory, you know exactly the pressure on them and can adjust as you please, and much cheaper than factory installed option btw. Truck handles much better, there is power for days, bunch of positives for my application and what not, but here is the moral of my story: I did not want a DRW because of the way it looks, how big it is, blah blah, and I DID NOT THINK I was going to push the payload. I was wrong. Ive seen northern lites, and researched almost every brand of camper before buying mine (eagle cap 811) so I know their stamped weight is often different than real life, plus water, and options. There is a good website for only truck campers that allows you too match your truck and camper, and has bunch of information regarding truck campers (I'm not associated with them in any way), just google truck camper magazine and browse around... I hope this helps..

Oh, dual alternators would not let you use your microwave or other AC outlets on your camper. You need an generator, be plugged in, or get an inverter for the camper.

Regarding the bed liner, you're going to need a bed rubber mat (whether you have a bed liner or not) to protect the camper and preventing movement.

Theres a bunch of stuff on that website I mentioned, but I'm here to help. I started from ground zero with absolutely no knowledge regarding campers and I'm getting more comfortable as I go/learn. Have fun shopping and you're going to have a blast with the camper.

Here is a pic of my dually.... I just ordered 19.5 Alcoa wheels and Michelin tires, not for payload but for looks now lol (although payload will 9,880lbs at steer axle, and 18,700lbs at drive axle, Ill never need that I know)....




Here is my old SRW...



Hope this helps...

 

[ram3500md]

Ill share my two cents and hope someone learns from my experience.. I was in the same position as you are just two years ago, factory airbags or not, dual alternators, debating between mega or cc, SO vs HO, 3.73 vs 4.10 gears, (DRW was definitely not an option), and short bed campers seemed to be the fit for me. Well, after a lot of research I ordered a mega cab SRW (the one seen on my profile picture) 6.7 SO, 3.73 gears, with dual alternators and factory airbags among other options giving me a payload sticker of 3880lbs. I ordered bought a camper that was pretty close to the limit at 3300 dry, but once I was wet and loaded, my camper ALONE was just shy of 4200lbs. I also tow a boat behind it at times (400+- tongue weight), so you can imagine I pushed the payload pretty good when I would tow. Part of my poor reasoning with accepting pushing the payload is that I come from a Ram 1500 with full air suspensions and boy I maxed the payload on the truck multiple times (almost three times the payload on occasions) and the truck handled without a hiccup, I was just amazed how the truck handled with the air suspension. That was clearly a total different application, and systems (not mentioning payload sticker for that truck was 900lbs) which does not apply in any way to the air suspension on the HDs. Just sharing what led me to poor decisions haha.

Back on the topic, I knew my weakest link on that truck (2020 3500 SRW) were the tires, so I upgraded to a larger tires giving me over 8k lbs per axle capacity. The truck handled well in most circumstances and power was not never an issue even with the 68RFE and 3.73 axles, but the automatic rear suspension would throw codes at me when fully loaded or going up steep hills. Not fault of ram at all, but mine for pushing the payload limit. The truck would sway quite a bit and there were not swaybars for factory air equipped trucks at that time. I felt comfortable with the truck for the most part, but knowing I was pushing it so much made me feel uncomfortable plus seeing lights on my dash bothered me even more. A good friend of mine was looking to buy a new truck, so I mentioned my dilemma and ended up selling the truck to him (only 3000 miles on it btw).

I ordered a 2020 3500 DRW Mega Cab (did I write DRW was not an option before haha), 6.7 HO, 4.10 gears, dual alternators, WITHOUT airbags (same color and other options as the other one) with a payload sticker of 5350lbs. I installed a hellwig sway bar, and added automatic remote controlled airbags. I actually like the aftermarket airbags better than factory, you know exactly the pressure on them and can adjust as you please, and much cheaper than factory installed option btw. Truck handles much better, there is power for days, bunch of positives for my application and what not, but here is the moral of my story: I did not want a DRW because of the way it looks, how big it is, blah blah, and I DID NOT THINK I was going to push the payload. I was wrong. Ive seen northern lites, and researched almost every brand of camper before buying mine (eagle cap 811) so I know their stamped weight is often different than real life, plus water, and options. There is a good website for only truck campers that allows you too match your truck and camper, and has bunch of information regarding truck campers (I'm not associated with them in any way), just google truck camper magazine and browse around... I hope this helps..

Oh, dual alternators would not let you use your microwave or other AC outlets on your camper. You need an generator, be plugged in, or get an inverter.

Regarding the bed liner, you're going to need a mat (whether you have a bed liner or not) to protect the camper and preventing movement.

Theres a bunch of stuff on that website I mentioned, but I'm here to help. I started from ground zero with absolutely no knowledge regarding campers and I'm getting more comfortable as I go/learn. Have fun shopping and you're going to have a blast with the camper.

Here is a pic of my dually.... I just ordered 19.5 Alcoa wheels and Michelin tires, not for payload but for looks now lol (payload will be almost 10k at steer axle, and almost 20k at drive, Ill never need that I know)....


View attachment 9200


Here is my old SRW...

View attachment 9201


Hope this helps...

Thanks for this! I totally understand your thought process. My new basecase as of this past weekend is a long bed vs. short to give my 4k - 4.25k payload depending on trim. This would also allow a 9'6" NL which has same weight as 8'11" more or less. They tend to be conservative adding 1k over dry for wet weight when full tanks alone are an additional 400lbs. So 2900llbs dry plus tanks puts me at 3300llbs but if just go with their wet weight then 3800llb. But won't be running full tanks most of time so feel like the LB capacity would be good. However I am mindful of experiences like yours.

Also, agreed, think I will skip factory air and go aftermarket but thinking sumosprings may be better. Further research. Might lift it just a small amount for a little better clearance off road too.

 

[Larson]

Just thought I'd let the board know...called NL today vs. dealer for some questions. On PL capacity he said what really needs to be looked at is axle and tire ratings which give more than published capacity, which I have read. He said he's never heard insurance liability ever being a real world issue. He's said they need to be even stricter in Canada vs. States and there is more axle and tire rating capacity than most people realize. Said he has no problems recommending the 10-2 on SRWs too.

Interestingly he also said they recommend Ford and Chevy first though. He seemed pretty down on Ram suspensions. Maybe it's previous generations? I think the current generation has been beefed up? He said they use Ford's exclusively for transport. I recall that Ford's do have more PL capacity.

Thoughts?

Edit: Got me thinking about what my local NL dealer telling me a month ago. He recommended a 3/4 ton truck with my own aftermarket suspension upgrades. Doing my dd I thought he was crazy bordering on negligent. But maybe this is part of it...more capacity than we realize on these trucks?

I also talked with
NL last week's and asked about payload for my new 2021 Bighorn HO with 8' bed. They said the 3500 should be fine for the 9.6 TC about 3600 wet. My boat has tongue weight of 300. By the time family gets in we're at the max . I think my payload will be around 4300. Called Ram today my truck is still in D1 status ordered on 10/26 they could not tell me what the hold up is.

 

[ram3500md]

Ill share my two cents and hope someone learns from my experience.. I was in the same position as you are just two years ago, factory airbags or not, dual alternators, debating between mega or cc, SO vs HO, 3.73 vs 4.10 gears, (DRW was definitely not an option), and short bed campers seemed to be the fit for me. Well, after a lot of research I ordered a mega cab SRW (the one seen on my profile picture) 6.7 SO, 3.73 gears, with dual alternators and factory airbags among other options giving me a payload sticker of 3880lbs. I bought a camper that was pretty close to the limit at 3300 dry, but once I was wet and loaded, my camper ALONE was just shy of 4200lbs. I also tow a boat behind it at times (400+- tongue weight), so you can imagine I pushed the payload pretty good when I would tow. Part of my poor reasoning with accepting pushing the payload is that I come from a Ram 1500 with full air suspensions and boy I maxed the payload on the truck multiple times (almost three times the payload on occasions) and the truck handled without a hiccup, I was just amazed how the truck handled with the air suspension. That was clearly a total different application, and systems (not mentioning payload sticker for that truck was 900lbs) which does not apply in any way to the air suspension on the HDs. Just sharing what led me to poor decisions haha.

Back on the topic, I knew my weakest link on that truck (2020 3500 SRW) were the tires, so I upgraded to a larger tires giving me over 8k lbs per axle capacity. The truck handled well in most circumstances and power was not never an issue even with the 68RFE and 3.73 axles, but the automatic rear suspension would throw codes at me when fully loaded or going up steep hills. Not fault of ram at all, but mine for pushing the payload limit. The truck would sway quite a bit and there were not swaybars for factory air equipped trucks at that time. I felt comfortable with the truck for the most part, but knowing I was pushing it so much made me feel uncomfortable plus seeing lights on my dash bothered me even more. A good friend of mine was looking to buy a new truck, so I mentioned my dilemma and ended up selling the truck to him (only 3000 miles on it btw).

I ordered a 2020 3500 Mega Cab DRW (did I write DRW was not an option before? haha), 6.7 HO, 4.10 gears, dual alternators, WITHOUT airbags (same color and other options as the other one) with a payload sticker of 5350lbs. I installed a hellwig sway bar, and added automatic remote controlled airbags. I actually like the aftermarket airbags better than factory, you know exactly the pressure on them and can adjust as you please, and much cheaper than factory installed option btw. Truck handles much better, there is power for days, bunch of positives for my application and what not, but here is the moral of my story: I did not want a DRW because of the way it looks, how big it is, blah blah, and I DID NOT THINK I was going to push the payload. I was wrong. Ive seen northern lites, and researched almost every brand of camper before buying mine (eagle cap 811) so I know their stamped weight is often different than real life, plus water, and options. There is a good website for only truck campers that allows you too match your truck and camper, and has bunch of information regarding truck campers (I'm not associated with them in any way), just google truck camper magazine and browse around... I hope this helps..

Oh, dual alternators would not let you use your microwave or other AC outlets on your camper. You need an generator, be plugged in, or get an inverter for the camper.

Regarding the bed liner, you're going to need a bed rubber mat (whether you have a bed liner or not) to protect the camper and preventing movement.

Theres a bunch of stuff on that website I mentioned, but I'm here to help. I started from ground zero with absolutely no knowledge regarding campers and I'm getting more comfortable as I go/learn. Have fun shopping and you're going to have a blast with the camper.

Here is a pic of my dually.... I just ordered 19.5 Alcoa wheels and Michelin tires, not for payload but for looks now lol (although payload will be almost 10k at steer axle, and almost 20k at drive axle, Ill never need that I know)....


View attachment 9200


Here is my old SRW...

View attachment 9201


Hope this helps...

My next question is how do you breakdown drw vs. srw for off-road? Clearly won't be doing anything too technical with LB so mostly fire roads, etc. But part of concern is also snow driving unloaded in winter. It will also be my daily commuter.

 

[leo319]

Thanks for this! I totally understand your thought process. My new basecase as of this past weekend is a long bed vs. short to give my 4k - 4.25k payload depending on trim. This would also allow a 9'6" NL which has same weight as 8'11" more or less. They tend to be conservative adding 1k over dry for wet weight when full tanks alone are an additional 400lbs. So 2900llbs dry plus tanks puts me at 3300llbs but if just go with their wet weight then 3800llb. But won't be running full tanks most of time so feel like the LB capacity would be good. However I am mindful of experiences like yours.

Also, agreed, think I will skip factory air and go aftermarket but thinking sumosprings may be better. Further research. Might lift it just a small amount for a little better clearance off road too.

If you could do the long bed, then go for it. It will just open the amount of options with campers, but more importantly it will place your center of gravity COG on the right spot with room to adjust. I can't do a long bed because of the need of the mega cab (the reclining seats on the back are a MUST for us since we have two young girls still using car seats and reclining the seats has truly changed the game for us during long trips). In my situation, I cannot adjust my COG, I'm stuck where I'm at and a bit father back then what I would like to but still within the threshold. Look at the COG sticker on the second pic and you see where I'm at, if I had a long bed I could go farther in, and if it was too forwards you can alway space it to be at the right spot, you get the point..

 

[leo319]

My next question is how do you breakdown drw vs. srw for off-road? Clearly won't be doing anything too technical with LB so mostly fire roads, etc. But part of concern is also snow driving unloaded in winter. It will also be my daily commuter.

I don't think I'll be your guy to answer this. I hardly use the 4x4, actually never have with a camper on. I've use the 4x4 on sand, remote lake areas, etc., but only with the SRW, I never used a DRW 4x4, Ive read other posts where people talk about that. I am yet to experience and learn about it. I wish was of more help to you :/

 

[ram3500md]

If you could do the long bed, then go for it. It will just open the amount of options with campers, but more importantly it will place your center of gravity COG on the right spot with room to adjust. I can't do a long bed because of the need of the mega cab (the reclining seats on the back are a MUST for us since we have two young girls still using car seats and reclining the seats has truly changed the game for us during long trips). In my situation, I cannot adjust my COG, I'm stuck where I'm at and a bit father back then what I would like to but still within the threshold. Look at the COG sticker on the second pic and you see where I'm at, if I had a long bed I could go farther in, and if it was too forwards you can alway space it to be at the right spot, you get the point..

That was my other thought on LB vs. SB or MC...COG. The COG is closer to rear axle on SB and MC vs. LB putting more weight on rear axle.