In this video I discuss 3 new truck build changes I will be making to my RAM 5500. These changes will help better fortify the truck and longterm use with while hauling the HOST Mammoth Camper.
Looks like you have put a lot of thought in to what you are planning. I am enjoying watching this progression. On your bed, what is the distance from the top to the ground. I am thinking of doing a setup similar.
The height is 51 inches from the ground to the top of the deck. Please let me know if you need more help. You will love the capabilities and where these big trucks can take you!
Hello Nate! Things are starting to get interesting, eh? I think you'll like the placement of the spare- certainly closer to the ground and easier to access! Have you had any issues with the tires so far? Any flats, or anything that required you to use the spare?
My friend!!! Thanks for stopping by! It's getting very interesting and I just plugging along with this build. I agree I am excited to have the spare moved to the rear and I will keep up off the ground as far as possible. Nothing is wrong with the tires and they have performed wonderfully!! No issues at all. Sending my best to you and the Mrs!
Did this camper come with a sticker on the side that showed fore/aft center of gravity, mind you that would probably be a dry weight spec so just depends where the water tanks, propane, and so forth are as to how that weight balance is altered once the camper is ready for the road. Had you weighed the truck axles individually with/without the camper to get an idea of what was going on with the balance. My presumption is that triple slide campers are going to shift more weight to the rear over a comparable non slide camper. In my mind when I saw the original placement of the camper due to the fuel tank/tire situation I was wondering how that would seem. Unfortunate that the spare can't be stowed ahead of the rear axle for weight balance, its tough to know where to put a tire of that size.
Charles, thanks for the comment. Yes, the COG of the camper is right after the rear axle so by moving it forward a full 12 more inches I will have it before the axle where it really needs to be at. The spare is sooooo big and hard to find a place that is not only a good fit but accessible for changing the tire. So that's why I am going with this rear hitch fold down system.
@@KruseandViews That certainly should help with better weight balance to move the camper forward. That reminds me of a friend who last year with their camper on a single rear wheel one ton ( not as heavy a camper as yours but heavy enough ) took a drive down a rough gravel road some 40 plus miles to see a famous water fall. They blew a rear tire just before they got to the falls and cranked their spare tire down from under the rear of the truck and installed that, the next day they leave and they blow the other tire on the rear LOL. So now he mounted a spare tire carrier on the front bumper so he has two spares. The problem with front mounted spares is they are in the way and they restrict air flow to the rad but so far that aspect has been ok. They had wanted to go up the Dempster "highway" which of course is a notorious tire eating type of gravel this summer to Tuktoyaktuk at the Arctic ocean so another reason to carry two spares but due to all the crap going on we can't even move freely around our own country here in Canada.
I had to go back and watch this video again to understand why you were moving the tire and fuel but still not 100% clear so I apologize if missed the main reason but just to be clear what exactly was the primary reason? Was it because you felt the Host would be more secure due to the tie down orientations and wanting the weight to be further forward and or was it more to due with wanting the fuel on the side and the tire more accessible and easier to remove and install the spare? Sorry it you made it clear and I missed it in the video. Also, if you did it again would you have gone with a difference flat bed system or design or has this part of your build made good sense and remain in sync with your plans going forward. I'm looking at getting the Host Cascade or Mammoth but I've also been looking at Kinstar which is much smaller ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-W0i6s2Yyoxc.html&ab_channel=Stonyboot
Like it matters? It’s not a rock crawling buggy it’s a massive truck camper that will see some dirt roads. When a departure matters this will have already rolled over, this is just internet circle-jerk crap. Almost no one needs it
No, I want the better turning radius while off road. I am trying to make things work the best I can. Hopeful that the departure angle won't be too impacted.
