towpro
Compass PA
Senior Member
Joined: 02/08/2011
View Profile
 Offline
|
stufarmer wrote:I've owned several Rams in the past, but before anyone considers buying a new Ram Truck I suggest reviewing the latest Government/Insurance institute Crash Tests. Apparently there (Boxed Frame)
is only good for advertising because it does nothing for your safety. I've lost all the respect
I had for Ram Trucks for being listed as one of the most unsafe vehicles tested.
I can't seem to find that test. Got a link?
2022 Ford F150
Sold: 2016 Arctic Fox 990, 2018 Ram 3500, 2011 Open Range
Sold Forest River Forester 2401R Mercedes Benz. when campsites went from $90 to $190 per night.
|
jimh406
Western MT
Senior Member
Joined: 06/11/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
I don't own a Ram, and I guess it depends on the test. Given a choice between a Smart car and a Ram pickup, I know which vehicle I'd want to be in. ![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/wink.gif "wink")
'10 Ford F-450, 6.4, 4.30, 4x4, 14,500 GVWR, '06 Host Rainer 950 DS, Torklift Talon tiedowns, Glow Steps, and Fastguns. Bilstein 4600s, Firestone Bags, Toyo M655 Gs, Curt front hitch, Energy Suspension bump stops.
NRA Life Member, CCA Life Member
|
stufarmer
Tampa Fla.
Senior Member
Joined: 05/22/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
I've owned several Rams in the past, but before anyone considers buying a new Ram Truck I suggest reviewing the latest Government/Insurance institute Crash Tests. Apparently there (Boxed Frame)
is only good for advertising because it does nothing for your safety. I've lost all the respect
I had for Ram Trucks for being listed as one of the most unsafe vehicles tested.
|
Kayteg1
California > Nevada
Senior Member
Joined: 06/18/2015
View Profile
Offline
|
My build 2017 F350 should arrive in 2 weeks.
I ditto Bedlam's suggestion to consider C&C for camper.
Mu present 2007 F350 dually is originally C&C and longer wheelbase combined with stiffer suspension makes my 5000 lb camper hauling a breeze, even I mount the camper with 18" space on front of the bed for extra storage space.
Still setting the camper on level pad, I have to shim front wheels about 3" to get the floor level.
|
usmcshepherd
Asbury, IA
Senior Member
Joined: 07/29/2009
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
I'm certainly not looking for an exact camper match...it could be an eagle cap, artic fox or whatever. Although I did see someone recently over on the TC Facebook site make mention of a similar setup so maybe he'll chime in at some point.
2011 Ram 3500 / 2013 Lance 1172
Semper Fi
MGySgt/USMC
|
|
|
Bedlam
PNW
Moderator
Joined: 06/13/2012
View Profile
|
If you're not attached to having a pickup bed, look at the chassis cabs. They are powered lower than the pickups, but have sufficient gearing to get the job done. Typically you get bigger brakes and axles and higher rated suspension and wheels. Mine has needed nothing to carry a 4000 lb camper and tow a trailer with 1000 lbs of tongue weight. In a few months, I'll let you know how well it does with a 6000 lb camper.
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
|
mkirsch
Rochester, NY
Senior Member
Joined: 04/09/2004
View Profile
|
usmcshepherd wrote:Seriously no one has made the leap to a 2017 F-350?
As someone said earlier, someone has to be first.
Really, at this stage of the game, finding someone in this forum who has hauled a Lance 1172 with a 2017 F350 DRW has pretty slim odds. The truck is barely starting to show up in lots, this forum only represents a small sliver of the total camping population, and our tastes in campers vary widely. If we all owned Lance 1172's your chances would be much better. I'm willing to take one for the team and haul around a Lance 1172, if you're buying ![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/smile.gif "smile")
Putting 10-ply tires on half ton trucks since aught-four.
|
HMS Beagle
Napa, California
Senior Member
Joined: 08/22/2003
View Profile
|
I have a 2015 F350 DRW, identical to the 2016 but different frame than the 2017. On mine, I felt that the empty ride was a bit rough, with the (4300 lb) camper loaded there was enough sag to need attention. Not on the bump stops, but not level and headlights needing re-aiming, etc. I swapped the suspension out for air suspension which improved everything. The 2017 are supposed to have a better empty ride but reports are they will still sag with a heavy load. There is just no way steel springs can work well for both empty and full. Powertrain is the same from 2015 - current. The truck has more than adequate power - mine will climb 6 percent freeway grades at full speed in 6th gear at 7000 ft without much apparent effort, even with the camper and a trailer, downshift to get around a truck and it still accelerates with some authority.
I would put larger sway bars on regardless. This is the biggest improvement for handling you can make on any pickup with a camper.
Bigfoot 10.4E, 2015 F350 6.7L DRW 2WD, Autoflex Ultra Air Ride rear suspension, Hellwig Bigwig sway bars front and rear
|
Stefonius
Levittown, PA
Senior Member
Joined: 09/21/2011
View Profile
Offline
|
usmcshepherd wrote:Seriously no one has made the leap to a 2017 F-350? The way my finances are, I'll probably make the leap to a 2017 sometime around 2032.
|
Boatycall
Tacoma, WA
Senior Member
Joined: 11/06/2002
View Profile
Offline
|
usmcshepherd wrote:SOS???
Shiny Object Syndrome... I chronically suffer from it.
I priced an F450 through my employer's X-Plan discount. Out the door here in WWA with nearly 10% sales tax came to $82k.
My SOS was quickly cured.....
Worth noting, there is a beautiful 2017 F450 on Ebay brand new for a Buy it Now of $66k. I'd still have to pay nearly 10% tax on it once it's registered here.
F450 on Ebay
I'm of course not affiliated with Ebay or the seller... just posting as a public service.
To the OP--
Make sure to look at F450's vs. F350's - Dana 110 rear end vs. Dana 80 - that's 14k lbs vs. 10k lbs. Also, 19.5's vs. 17" tires. The 19.5's are rated at 4k lbs per tire. If you're going to haul a BIG TC with a trailer on a Superhitch, make sure to consider an F450.
* This post was
edited 02/01/17 09:45am by Boatycall *
'15 F450, 30k Superhitch, 48" Supertruss, 19.5's, Torklift Fast Guns
'12 Eagle Cap 1160, 800watts solar, Tristar MPPT, Magnum Hybrid 3k Inverter
'15 Wells Cargo 24' Race Trailer, 600 watts Solar, TriStar MPPT, Xantrex 2kw inverter
'17 Can Am X3 XDS Turbo
|
|
|
