Big Camper vs. Giant RV: Which Of These Lifted 4x4s Is The Home On Wheels Of Your Dreams? 

Im happy to see that someone is finally building class C campers on a ram chassis with Cummins power. Never understood putting gas engines in a 20,000#+ camper.

30 year old me....off road rig.....nearing retirement me (now), the class C. Both are awesome for what they are designed to do....

One is for offroad camping, the other is a motorhome… Both break the wallet and weigh too much…

They need one more challege, leave on Friday at 5:00 with no reservation (reservations made 12 months in advance for the nice places) and see who finds camping.

My fav part was the "rock crawling" at the 1:30 mark by the 5500.

Great segment, I have drooled over the Isata 5 for a few years now......its a sweet ride.

Between the two of them, I would get the FWC set up. I would buy neither. I have my own experiment and it will be around $110,000 Canadian. (Just over $87,000 usd) I could drop the price by almost $30,000 if I want a base F150. I have a 2022 F150 SuperCab, Lariat, FX4, 5.0 litre, with the power up and down tailgate (important to my build) and the 2.0 kw Pro-Power Onboard. Ugly as they are, I also ordered the truck with the towing mirrors. For the sleeping arrangements, I have ordered a FWC Project M Canopy with the vents, lights, rear floods, awning, big passenger window, two vents, one with fantastic fan and the electric pre wire package. I have already built the 2nd bed/sofa area for the passenger side with just the top to finish and mate up with the shelf that comes with the Canopy. The refrigerator is a Dometic 55 that I can power with 12 volt or the 110 adapter. I will have that on a triple slide for area to cook with, the sink will be freestanding for now. Could change after I get the unit. I have the cabinets partially built for the drivers side. They will basically only match the depth of the 13” shelf that is in the Canopy. I will have a RV cabinet on top of the shelf with a bit of storage as well, I also have a fold out bathroom planned for the rear on the drivers side that will house a 5 gallon portapotty. In the cabinet up front will be at least one 240 ah LiFePo4 battery with a 2000 watt inverter as well. There will be a flexible solar panel attached to the roof so it offers no profile or wond resistance, 175 w (can add on if another battery is added, but should not need that. That will power all the lights and camper only accessories and be the charge station for the myriad of electronics that now charge with USB (8 plugs strategically placed) and USB A (4 by the front of the box. Everything installed in the box has 1” of hard insulation, the backs of the cabinets, the floor, the tailgate will have an insulated apron similar to the apron that surrounds the pop up canvas as an option. The unit will be used in below freezing climates. The heat for the interior will be electric. Can plug it into the truck itself and that will self manage, start & stop. The added weight will be about 1,000 lbs of the approximate 1700 lb payload on the truck. I pull an enclosed trailer with a 10 ft Jon boat and motors (electric and gas) as well as up to 4 other inflatable boats (all used as one man units) for trout fishing lakes. That has a tongue weigh no more than 300 lbs. I don’t see the trailer being an issue to pull of course. The interior can come out in 6 pieces if necessary and take maybe 20 minutes. My wnd cousin has a wood router CNC table and he programmed a pattern to make the plywood floor (oak)look like it is hardwood. We did the machining a,ready and stained the floor, the joints are slightly darker as the stain is denser there and absorbed more. As a result, it looks very convincing and cost me nothing!! Haha. So for anywhere between about $83,000 and $110,000 Canadian ($66,000 and $83,000 usd) you can have another off-road capable camper with more minimalistic features than the FWC flat deck set up (savings of $57,000 USD for the luxury version to about $74k usd). Savings of $72k cad to $93k Canadian vs the FWC Ram flat deck. I may level/lift the suspension if the 33” BFG KO2s don’t fit well with the set up as is. It is meant to be a full time camper. I bet other people have many more options. Basically, I could have put any truck camper within the payload of the truck in it and been fine for possibly less $, but the Project M has such a low profile on the truck, isn’t quite as wide as a full camper and the weight is distributed mostly into the truck box. Those are my reasons for now!! Haha.

We should do a comparison of your RAM Rig and my Earthcruiser, I am right down the road in Lafayette, could be fun!

I like both for different use cases. I have a chance to buy a 76' W300 4x4 dually with factory big block 400 with a factory flat bed. If I buy it I'll do a super single conversion and a three inch lift on it. For 6k I'll be just as capable as a new Ram then put a 4 Season truck camper on the flat bed and I'll be all in at 16K. 2/3 the price less.

That thing is a BEAST! "3" Center carrier bearings... dang!

I believe both reg works, but one is intended for more a little younger audience that actually want to stay off the grid. The other one is for more of long travel with select road and camp site.

The larger one for sure 👌 The little one looks ridiculously uncomfortable 😕 🥶

The RV times are when it starts and stops moving but andres times are when he starts walking to the truck and when he gets back out after it opens. His top was closer to 45 seconds.

Dynamax. Space, comfort, and can tow 10,000 pounds, so you can tow a Chevy Colorado ZR2.

I'd buy the full camper

Both are awesome!

Andre, you must have made some major change. Your reviews have been fantastic lately! Keep it up.

The 3500 for me fits my life better because it can double as a daily

Both are great trucks 🍻

That water pipe looks like it has some good clearance under the 5500

Both would be wonderful, fun and informative thank you

It's easier to start with the smaller camper and pull a trailer to give you more room. Then that allows you the addition of an extra bathroom in the trailer. If the space isn't needed just leave the trailer at home or at the campsite while you roam.

RV towing a Can-Am Mavrick for the win.

I want one of those Isata 5 4x4. Nice

I like both!

The 5500 is my most favourite

I think I like the Host 330 from 2008 pre- extra fluids, 4 wheel drive, 4 door truck campers, but these two are interesting too.

Dynamax 28SS for me with the explorer paxkage 950watts solar and 400ah lithium and 8000 w generator and dusl atermator 220ah for 440a total alternatots. The dynamax js also insulated roof, wall and floor for four season. The tank are heated with furnace and extra 12v heater. 360hp 800 torque, front air suspension. It can be used with no slide out. Tv in the dedicated bedroom. Pass through storage for kayak. Air 360+ winegard. Sleep for 6 with the sofa bed and the front bunk. The dynamax is one of the best for travel.

Fun comp.

Can’t go wrong with either. It just depends on where and how long you want to go off the grid for.

I Love 💕 Motorhome.

This video review is useless until we get a tie-in with Matt's Off-Road Recovery to see which one of these diesel Rams is easier to get unstuck from sand and mud because novice, first time purchasers of this type of rig will take them to places where they should not be driven.

Two great rigs each for different uses. One concern that always comes to mind is the dry weight vrs wet weight and the amount of weight it can really carry with people, Gear, food, water, etc.

I'm in between those, hardside 10.5 foot floor length camper on 3500 4x4 ram dually. Your hawk is about as long as my rig because of those extra storage boxes on the back. Full dry bath, 6 cu. Ft fridge, good set of compromises for some. Loved the rock crawling! Have you seen the crazy terrain some of the pop top camper guys can go?

17:10 8000 kW?!?! Dang that's an insane amount of kW in a tiny package! 8000 watts ;)

1:32 LMFAO🤣🤣🤣🤣

The HD chassis have tight turning radius all are designed for that, a 2004 4500 GMC 4 by has tighter turning radius than a Taurus.

So... almost nobody can afford these...

😂 Climb that rock baby! 😂🙏☘️

Spaceballs was a good movie. 1:33

When will the 1 ton ike gauntlets take place? We missed the 2021 edition

Tempting but at a hefty price. If you can easily slide the Four Wheel Camper off and use the flat bed for work then YES it would be the better choice for short durations and constant movement. If you are going to do a basic tour via highway and occasionally drive on the beach (New Symrna/Daytona) then yes the 5500 Ram ISATA would be the way to go.

160000 thats more than my house wow!!

Dynamax for me.

Neither. The Toyota camper from SEMA you showed us is my pick. ;)

I think a better comparison would be a setup like the one on my channel. Hard side vs popup. We basically have the same truck as well.

Big RV all day 👍

Financed for 3,600 months =)

Giant RV x 1000 Looks a lot more comfy

dodge ram 5500 6x6 motorhome is my dream camper but this big monster is good but The little one uncomfortable ✌

I can't lie about I like the Ram better ;-)

The big surprise is how close they are in cost. But I'll bet the big one actually cost far more with all the stuff shown like the generator.

Is tfl still doing no pavement needed trip?

Neither of them. I'm a Jeep WJ die hard myself, but for overlanding/RV-style recreation my choice would be a *Peugeot Expert 4X4 Dangel L2H1* (long wheelbase) with a 2,0 L/128 hp HDi engine and lifted with 33s. Then I'd drive exptreeeemly more fuel efficient than any overlanding vehicle available on the US market, and can go everywhere where I need to go. Rubicon-type tracks does not even exists in Europe, and the Expert would be excellent to cross Sahara - if I want - as Peugeot parts/service are readily available.

The thing I don't like about FWC is that they seem almost completely unusable with the top down. In contrast my old Scamper pop up remains fairly useable, including the stove, with the top down.

whats the cost of the maintenance crew that follows you on your vacation keeping the thing running???

The rock crawl wasn't a fair comparison seeing that the four wheel is a pop up truck camper and is light weight and has a lower center of gravity.

What is towing on dynamax?

Ram anything I’m into!

this was funny

I want a tri-motor cybertruck with a camper

So there is a $20K price difference between the 2 vehicles, but that doesn't take into account any of the optional add-ons you can get on the motorhome does it? You said it started at about $160K, which leads me to believe the as-equipped version you toured cost considerably more. And with the Li-Ion batteries, extra Cummins 8kw generator, and all the other comfort features, I would not be surprised. These are meant for 2 totally different kinds of use by 2 totally different kinds of people, with the common theme being that they both cost a shitload of money.

Where can I get the 3500 4x4camper?

👍👍

Remember quadrasteer?

Can we get a practical version of this on a half ton truck? Budget pop top vs and hard top camper is in more peoples price ranges.

Dynamax all the way I don't need to rock crawl to get to a good camp spot. Also I'm surprised it has a 8000kw generator it's way overkill our 45 foot 3 air conditioner toyhauler has a 5500kw gen and does fine.

what are these nighthmarish things 6:40?/??

Going up and down that ladder would get old real quick.

All the automated and electric awnings and slide outs are just one more thing to break and reduce long term reliability.

Rock crawl with a tail that long and low?!? Departure angle is absolutely no good for other than dirt roads. I’d go with the truck/camper.

both are quite expensive....

Raise the Roof 🙌 Andre! Now you just have to lower the floor! Lol

dianemax

I would just buy an rei tent and call it a day.

Isata for the win, camper doesnt even have AC on it and for the money not a lot of value also dusty in the desert and in cold weather doesnt stay warm vs the Isata..I like the Dodge rv chassis but if i was going to the super c i would get the international chassis 4wd a bit more money but more robust and durable

Doing more diesel motor home reviews would be awesome

Dynamax for me too old for those steps

Come on Andre turning radius has nothing to do with the length it's the wheelbase

3500 with 5th wheel toy hauler and toy would be better than both.

8,000 kw generator 😂 you've got a substation there...

Isatta all day long

haha, 8000 kW. Smallest 8 meg unit ever...I know he meant to say 8000 watts

I am a fan of trailers, I would take the motor home over the camper. I am getting to old to live without my creature comforts.

Dynamax: Get out of the way poors.

Honestly both probably to expensive plus whats really the need unless your really living the lifestyle I like living a simple but fun like not wasting materials because in america we waste so much everyday.

I would just buy a old school bus and do a conversation

So you’re driving the backcountry road to your destination when you come upon a bridge marked “5 ton limit.” (Commonplace on backroads). Neither of these porkers can safely proceed; both must return to the Walmart lot. 🤣

Okay, I wish four wheel campers didn’t nickel and dime you for every single thing and wish they offered an air conditioner and cassette toilet on the same model… if I recall they didn’t… maybe I’m wrong… I love the isata 5 28ss but that thing is also like 180k 🤣😂…. Especially f0r their off grid package which would be the one I’d want because I want to boondock

This is a infomercial

They keep trying to sell the truck camper and obviously it’s not selling well because it’s way overpriced for what it is I wouldn’t even pay half the price they’re asking for

They both look cheaply made to me. I foresee much breakage for these rigs and legit lol at those stairs.

uhmm let me check with my wife??

That's not a 'big camper',it's a regular sized camper on a big truck

"Lifted $x4" yet it's a stock or lower than stock 5500....yeah ok

Both of them are a complete ripoff 🤣

This is silly. You’re comparing apples to oranges. One is off road and the other is a highway vehicle.. come on man get serious

If you're going to get a motorhome get one that's built on a Freightliner with a Detroit Diesel if you're going to pull a camper you're better off with a Duramax or a powerstroke than a Dodge with a Cummins idea is for the truck to last longer than the poorly made camper that's on top of it or behind it no Dodge that has ever been built is capable of this the only reason anybody would buy a Dodge is because they could not afford a Ford, or they're a RU-vidr that's paid by Dodge

The revving of the diesels with stock exhaust is stupid and needs to stop, there’s nothing impressive of about the sound coming from a modern diesel. It’s more impressive that there’s minimal noise.