Slide in Camper with 2500/experiences or recommendations

[Highcountry]

I'll start by saying I realize a 2500 is not the preferred platform for a slide in camper. Mine is crew cab, long bed, diesel. That being said I previously had an 8' camper I ran on an '89 F250 extended cab and towed my ski boat and it did fine and never felt unsafe. I'm aware that the 10k GVWR doesn't leave much room, so I'd need focus on smaller/lighter versions. Not against putting an airbag kit or timbrens on the truck, not to ignore the weight ratings but to make it better to drive. Does anyone have any experience with reasonable sized campers on these trucks? I have no doubts that it's a lot more truck than the old Ford was. I appreciate any insights

 

[HarryN]

As a starting point, look at the weight of the camper.

Add 500 - 1 000 lbs of your own stuff.

Assume that all of that weight is on the rear axle.

Are you still in spec of the rating on the door ? If so, then you are probably ok.

 

[Ritchie_Rich]

What’s your payload rating? That’s the definitive factor.

 

[Jmonty]

Weigh your truck, subtract rear axel weight from rear GAWR and there's your absolute max weight it all can come out to. The floaty springs are nice on pot holes but not sure how they would handle a truck camper I have no experience trying myself. Id try and find a friend with one I could throw in to test with myself before throwing any money down but it would have to have some suspension help for certain.

 

[Cal Young]

May or may not be relevant as my truck is 20 years old. This is a diesel 2500. Currently shopping for a new 3500 SRW. Previous to this camper I had a Lance 950-S on this same truck. It does just ok, not great. We travel light but still probably around 11,000 to 11,300 most trips. Rancho shocks cranked all the way to 9, Timbrens but no air bags.

Special ordered camper without A/C, roof rack, skylight, or the regular absorption fridge (no side or roof fridge vents). I really didn’t save the weight I hoped for as the 4 solar panels I put on weigh just about exactly what the A/C would have. The 6.8cf compressor fridge weighs 30 lbs. less than the standard 6cf Dometic, but big deal… and the single 300ah LiFePo4 battery (58lbs) weighs less than the equivalent 2 regular lead acids would but still can’t deny I need a 3500.

I am probably going gas this next time, not for payload but for simplicity. This camper would just squeeze into the GVW of the gas 11,440) or the diesel (12,300).

You asked for a recommendation so mine would be a pop up camper if you are married to your current truck. I don’t have experience with the newer rear coils so…

 

[Highcountry]

May or may not be relevant as my truck is 20 years old. This is a diesel 2500. Currently shopping for a new 3500 SRW. Previous to this camper I had a Lance 950-S on this same truck. It does just ok, not great. We travel light but still probably around 11,000 to 11,300 most trips. Rancho shocks cranked all the way to 9, Timbrens but no air bags.

Special ordered camper without A/C, roof rack, skylight, or the regular absorption fridge (no side or roof fridge vents). I really didn’t save the weight I hoped for as the 4 solar panels I put on weigh just about exactly what the A/C would have. The 6.8cf compressor fridge weighs 30 lbs. less than the standard 6cf Dometic, but big deal… and the single 300ah LiFePo4 battery (58lbs) weighs less than the equivalent 2 regular lead acids would but still can’t deny I need a 3500.

I am probably going gas this next time, not for payload but for simplicity. This camper would just squeeze into the GVW of the gas 11,440) or the diesel (12,300).

You asked for a recommendation so mine would be a pop up camper if you are married to your current truck. I don’t have experience with the newer rear coils so…

Thank you, I appreciate you sharing your experiences

 

[0053maR]

I'll start by saying I realize a 2500 is not the preferred platform for a slide in camper. Mine is crew cab, long bed, diesel. That being said I previously had an 8' camper I ran on an '89 F250 extended cab and towed my ski boat and it did fine and never felt unsafe. I'm aware that the 10k GVWR doesn't leave much room, so I'd need focus on smaller/lighter versions. Not against putting an airbag kit or timbrens on the truck, not to ignore the weight ratings but to make it better to drive. Does anyone have any experience with reasonable sized campers on these trucks? I have no doubts that it's a lot more truck than the old Ford was. I appreciate any insights

Sorry, I'm not any help to you but we recently got our 3500 SRW for a slide in camper also. We want to go the popup route to save on weight. Also curious if we need an airbag kit but I guess we'll wait and see how it rides once we get the camper. Meanwhile I'm lurking hoping to steal any good insights you gain.

Cheers,
Marshall

 

[AH64ID]

I'll start by saying I realize a 2500 is not the preferred platform for a slide in camper. Mine is crew cab, long bed, diesel. That being said I previously had an 8' camper I ran on an '89 F250 extended cab and towed my ski boat and it did fine and never felt unsafe. I'm aware that the 10k GVWR doesn't leave much room, so I'd need focus on smaller/lighter versions. Not against putting an airbag kit or timbrens on the truck, not to ignore the weight ratings but to make it better to drive. Does anyone have any experience with reasonable sized campers on these trucks? I have no doubts that it's a lot more truck than the old Ford was. I appreciate any insights

The biggest issue is the 14+ Ram 2500’s have coils springs that are mounted fairly inboard so they don’t handle high CG loads very well. Luckily airbags mount outboard of the coil springs and provide a lot of increased stability. You might also end up wanting a larger anti-swaybar for the rear.

With that you’ll be setup as well as you can be for a camper.

What’s your payload rating? That’s the definitive factor.

Payload is not a definitive factor for most users, in realty on these trucks it’s a meaningless number much like GVWR. The axle ratings are what really matters.

 

[Highcountry]

Thanks for the feedback. I'm planning to add airbags of some sort whether I get a camper or not. I just like the enhanced capability they seem to provide. I just need to decide which type and whether to use the daystar cradles. I met a guy last weekend with a 2500 shortbed with a camper on it. I asked him if he had airbags, which he did, but told me it actually did alright before he added them. He told me his camper was 2900 pounds dry weight. I'd like to stay under that even with bags

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

My recommendation for your 2500 is a 3500

 

[Highcountry]

My recommendation for your 2500 is a 3500

That’s fair

 

[UglyViking]

Similar to feedback you've received from others, I've not heard someone with a heavy camper that's been happy with a 2500 long term. The 5 link is absolutely amazing for off-road articulation, but they ride a bit nicer on-road, but they aren't ideal for carrying heavy payloads.