Bedlam
PNW
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zb39 wrote:Well, I went and ordered a Ram 5500 yesterday. I have been thinking about the trips I want to take and how i want to use the Host. I just decided I wanted a little more capacity. I'm probably being paranoid but i always over build etc. I don't always need the extra capacity but I just want it. I want to go back to Alaska flat towing a jeep and want to hit a lot of back roads.
I ordered a crew cab Laramie 5500. 60 inch cab to axle, pretty much all the options. Now I'm looking at aluminum beds to bolt on it. Prob take 10 weeks for the truck to get here. The MSRP is actually less than my 2016 3500.
You will want the load bed strong enough that the front camper corners do not wear in to the bed or look at using horse stall mats underneath. Your tie down anchors on the bed will be critical unless you go with frame mounts - This is where the manufacturers gave me doubt about any stock bed/deck and I could not afford a custom solution.
The Ram chassis cabs are priced well...
Chevy Sonic 1.8-Honda Passport C70B-Host Mammoth 11.5-Interstate Car Carrier 20-Joyner SandViper 250-Kawasaki Concours ZG1000-Paros 8' flatbed-Pelican Decker DLX 8.75-Ram 5500 HD
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zb39
slippery rock
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I am going to use my 1/2 inch rubber mat that I use now. Do you run the camper all the way to the headache rack. I was thinking you had space there to store some items. Also the rack is wide and sometimes the corners stick out and would contact the TC. I have noticed this on some beds. I was thinking of bolting a channel across the bed to hold the TC from going forward anymore from where I want it. From my measurements of the TC it seems like I can set the camper on about 8 1/2 feet of bed. If I get the standard 9.3 foot bed I would have 9 inches left between the front of the camper and the headache rack. Or I could just set the camper on the back 8 feet of the bed and have 15 inches of space between the two. Maybe I can get them to build me a 10ft bed. not sure with the short frame.
2017 Host mammoth, sold
49 states, 41 National Parks, 7 Provinces
2019 2 door Rubicon 6 spd.
2019 Berkshire XLT 45B
2022 Host Cascade
2021 Ram 5500 Air ride
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mike/kellie
northern calif.
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zb39,
Are you going to have storage boxes under the flat deck or on top?
2015 Host Mammoth triple slide w/ TorkLift Fastguns
2015 Ram 5500 SLT cab & chassis with Douglass 9' utility body
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yblaw
San Diego
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Joined: 09/14/2017
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When I ordered our Ram 5500, I contacted Highway Products in Oregon about having them build an aluminum flatbed for our Host Mammoth. They told me that an aluminum flatbed wouldn't support the TC's weight, so I went with a Douglass truck body. It might be worth checking out. We have the 84" cab to axle model 5500, and I suppose it's possible that would make a difference to Highway Products, but still worth checking out.....
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JTLance
Salem, Oregon
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Anyone getting the idea that being a millionaire is getting to be a prerequisite for getting into a new camper and truck?
I shake my head and just think......WOW. ![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/scratchead.gif "scratchead")
Have fun with your new combo.
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Bedlam
PNW
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My deck is 9' long and I have the TC on all of it except 3.5" due to the water fill door. Even though I can remove it once unlocked with my modification to the hinge, I still need enough room to get the key in place. If you find a headache rack that is only as wide as the cab (verses mine which is as wide as the deck), you will not have this problem. The rear wings on the TC are narrower than 8' on the inside - Having the rear of the deck taper in will help. Without that taper, you are limited to 8.5'.
Pushing the TC back farther does change the CG and requires you use a longer SuperTruss. I could get away with a 36" SuperTruss but have 42" model so I can open the cargo tray fully while hitched to my trailer. I did not want a vehicle any longer than it need to be. If I had chosen the Ford F550, I would have the extended cab rather than my four full doors on the Ram.
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Bedlam
PNW
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I went with a single 36x18x18 box on each underside and two 48x18x18 boxes on top of the deck.
![[image]](https://i.imgur.com/w5kYjiLl.jpg)
![[image]](https://i.imgur.com/PpR4mfrl.jpg)
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zb39
slippery rock
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In the end I want storage boxes on top and bottom. I will start with 1 on each side underneath. I'm still waiting to hear about the quote.I will definitely question them about aluminum being strong enough. I would love a douglas body but they are a long ways away.
I think being a millionaire helps but I don't think it's necessary. Getting things the way you want takes time and money. This truck and the camper are FAR cheaper than some of the DP I have owned and still look at. I will talk to them about tapering the rear of the bed. I will have to take some more measurements. Your storage boxes look great, those are the first pics I have seen. What do you have in all of them?
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Bedlam
PNW
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I wrote about them on the Host Owner FB page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/350835452030178/permalink/368840293563027/
Both lower boxes are filled with batteries. The upper boxes on the passenger side are filled with outdoor furniture and cooking supplies. One upper box on the driver side holds all the gear used for utilities. The last box is still available and will either store athletic gear or beverages. This means my bed in the MIL drawer is open for guests.
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Reality Check
North Bend
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Joined: 08/29/2007
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yblaw wrote:..... They told me that an aluminum flatbed wouldn't support the TC's weight.....
Huh??? Sometimes I just shake my head.
Campers are an easy load to plan and build for. They are not a concentrated load; their weight is spread nicely over a broad area. Pretty much ideal for light weight or Aluminum beds.
Tie downs need to be addressed, but not a big deal. A single drilled hole in the material would elongate after a bit, but again, not a deal breaker. Just something to either build for or watch and maintain over time.
I'm not a fan of Aluminum for our applications. It looks good if maintained (like everything), but it's expensive and more costly to work with. Savings in weight, although a big deal in larger trucks and trailers, isn't an issue for most of us (in the 450/550 trucks). I just don't see a ROI, unless you really want the look.
But not being able to support it...balk at that for sure.
'16 F550 CC, 4x4 with Link Ultraride air suspension, '18 AF 1150. Just so we can play with our snowmobiles, dirt bikes and fishing boat. And new 20' tag along...kayaks, bikes, mc's and extra water and food!!
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