That’s a fantastic setup. His comments on the “hinging” of the camper and length of bed was awesome. Never thought of that. The man knows his stuff! No wonder their products are so well engineered. I learned so much I didn’t think of from this video! Outstanding! Keep up the good work bringing informative videos!
He’s a brilliant man and really knows his stuff. I learned a great deal while talking to him. It’s nice to hear that the video was informative and helpful.
Very Cool, We have the SAME eagle cap 1165. but, still have the 1ton with ALL the mods and the 19.5's. needless to say I know exactly what this man is talking about! It is comforting to know that my suspicions of 5500 truck would do the trick, and learning about the 60" cab to axle measurement was exactly what I've been looking for. For the video uploader, might wanna put "5500" in the title. Could help the algorithm. Thanks
Thank you for such a great comment! Every time I talk to Jared I learn something new! Knowing what I know now, I would build things a little differently. And thanks for the tip, I don't think I added the 5500 aspect anywhere in the video setup. I'll go update that now! Thanks 👍
We had camped in someone's driveway last December. And with the jacks extended for the slope of the driveway we had the inevitable rocking. This convinced me that we needed something to stabilize the camper and I choose the StableCamper system. I have ordered other products from StableCamper and they have been carefully designed and engineered. I would have little doubt that there modular flat bed system would be superb.
I'm glad you enjoyed. Jared is a wealth of knowledge and I wanted to make sure that most of it made it into the video, even if it was a little longer than normal.
Thanks for not using the same crappy van/bus/camper vlogger music that is so popular. You also seem to do well with keeping the volume rather consistent. That's something a lot video uploaders don't pay attention to. You have to crank up the volume to hear the dialog then you get blasted out of nowhere with crappy snap beat music. You're doing great.
Thanks for noticing! I try my best to balance things out, sometimes wind noise and other factors make it hard. Adjusting audio takes many hours, I appreciate you taking the time to comment about it!
Now this is for sure the best & most safe way to haul a heavy truck camper. My guess would be that more than half that are on the road are over weight. Good job
I agree completely, I have my mental gears turning and would like to make a change someday. And, I'm going to up your number and say that 80% are overweight!
Man one SHARP RIG ..!!!.. I don’t own a camper, but I’m a contractor and I hate vans ... this set up is very practical and appealing to me for my use... I currently own a crew cab duramax and I have aluminum diamond plate boxes mounted on top of my bed rails ... but with a lifted truck only about 4 inches it’s a pain to access my tools amd materials ... I want to go 2 in higher this bed doesn’t detract from look of truck like a typical flatbed does ... damn sharrp
Thank you! We are super pleased with how well this setup functions with and without the camper on it! One of the key benefits of a truck camper is being able to remove it and have your truck back. In our design, having a functional and great looking truck was a key criterion! Thank you again!
You definitely know your way around truck campers. I 100% came to your same conclusion after a year with a Ram dually with an 11' arctic fox with a 4' hitch extension towing an 8klb trailer. I am sure your sales are through the roof with Covid.
I was actually looking into this a few months ago, a lightweight alimunium flatbed and mounting some light toolboxes on it, just for a little extra storage, "batteries, water ect..."
Outstanding interview with an excellent student of truck camping needs. A very well thought out universal setup. Perfect! This will be my set up one day, and now I know who will outfit it. Great job!
You could check the service bodies - one might have a lower floor instead of flatbed height. CM's Hotshot body (in their specialty line) looks like it has a slightly lower floor, but it's still not right down between the wheel wells like a pickup box; it could be used with a camper and the right length side boxes if brackets were made to support the boxes, but at some point it makes more sense to just go custom.
STONYBOOT -Thank You! Soo Nice To View a Really Intelligently Imaged' Detail Cadenced and So Well Spoken' Review and Walk Around! Now the Reaction- Omg! YesYesYes! Someones Finally Advancing the American Truck and Camper System! WootyFlippinWho!😀🇺🇸
Great Vid again guys. We live in Europe and just love your beautiful country. We own a truck camper, one of maybe 3 in the whole country. Carried by our 2021 F250 7.3, one of 2 in the country. Truck campers are not known here. Hopefully we'll be able to ship our rig to the States to travel! We learn from your informative vids, keep up the good work!
Have two of these beds please make an easy sideboard kit it would be a huge seller. The tail gate I will buy the second you have them available that back configuration with the angles makes finding something attractive and functional difficult. If your in the market for a CM bed buy the aluminum,I have the powder coated steel and it was rusting in 6 months. Not a big deal to hit it with paint but the marketing saying the powder coating will hold up is nonsense. My flatbed has been used for nothing and never been dinged and its rusting all over. Great bed very happy but I wish I had saved a little longer for the aluminum. Look forward to seeing these products come to market.
That’s an awesome setup especially for those like me who need a truck when the camper is off the vehicle. The extra storage is fantastic and the larger class truck can handle the largest available truck camper. My Lance 992 is probably 4500 lbs on my GMC 3500 I really can’t go too much heavier.
Knowing all the numbers now, I wish I could go back in time and order a 5500. I almost bought a cab-chassis truck, but I got scared away at the last minute. We are always running at our max GVW. Makes me want to look for a used cab-chassis and make a swap!
A few comments. Your truck beds with integrated hitch receiver don't allow for the Magnum hitch receiver so you can't use a Super Truss, correct? I had a 3500 Ram dually with the added Magnum and had been using a ST which made me feel safe towing a 16' utility trailer (with a Miata in it) Are you worried about a possible bending or even failure of the 48" single extension?? My (new to me) 2020 International CV came with a bed and integrated hitch and doesn't allow the Magnum addition. I am nervous that the extension will bend near where it inserts into the receiver. It doesn't look like you can access your above deck storage boxes with the tiedowns in place. That would be a major bummer to me. I would rather lose a little storage on each end and clear the tiedowns so that I can get into them any time I need something. Or change the "doors" so they aren't so wide. I don't have upper storage boxes yet. I will wait until I fabricate my tiedowns, and then order boxes sized so they are free and clear of the tiedowns. You mention that the price comparison between a 3500 with everything needed to carry your 1165 and a 5500 was basically a wash, but then in another video you install a $20,000 suspension system. Was the 5500 ride (loaded) THAT bad or do you (like me) just want all the cool bells and whistles?? It seems I am just a year or so behind you. I currently live full time in a Lance 992 but will buy an 1165 when my bank account recovers from the truck purchase. I haven't put the Lance on my new truck yet because the day after I drove it back to Denver from Illinois, I fell down with Covid. Now I am quarantined in my 992 in my friend's driveway feeling absolutely awful and with nothing to do except look at your GREAT videos and make plans for the future. I'm hoping the 4500lb Lance will make the International ride softer than it did unloaded from Illinois. It wasn't horrible but I'm afraid it would eventually "beat up" my camper. Sorry for the long post. Did you look at any other of the suspension systems? Cheers! Phil
I have a norstar flatbed on my 2nd gen dodge 3500. It’s 9’ long cause it was intended for Ford cab and chassis that was adapted for my dodge. I’m gonna try putting a camper on it. My truck does have airbags in the back too. I think it should work decent
I really wish there were more flatbed truck campers on the market, they solve so many problems. I looked at the Northstar option and I think its great!
Wow, this product (the truck bed) just blew my mind! Especially the part about it being adaptable to any truck camper I might buy in the future. Does it have to go on a chassis cab truck or can I order a 3500 HD with the pickup bed "delete" option and have it fitted on that? Just gaining all the extra external storage solves one of the main problems with truck campers. I'm very interested!
It’s a pretty awesome setup for a great price. You can always contact StableCamper for updated information. They are always working to improve and offer new products, it’s been a while since we did the video and I’m sure there has been some progress.
I want to know how it will work on the new electric trucks that have their own big batteries. How will all that work with truck campers? How do you integrate the electrical…?
Only problem with a 4500 or 5500 you have to have commercial insurance which is 3 times as much as a 3500 so check out you insurance first before you go out and buy one these bad boys !
He has a point between the price difference of a 3500 vs a 4500/5500 chassis if I was doing heavy towing/putting a huge bed camper I wouldn’t get a 3500. If your hotshot I’d just go straight for a chassis with a flat deck and gooseneck done.
Agreed. If I had things to do over again, I would have gone with a 5500. There are some legal issues with those trucks in my home state of NH, but I'm sure I could have sorted them out. It's really the best way to go!
Right size truck, the camper company needs the work with truck outfitters to possibly get the water forward the rear wheels small generator could be tucked in a cubby under the bed of the truck flatbed
Hi *StableCamper,* you're set-up is fantastic though the Eagle Cap seems sitting a bit high. If someone just wants the 'lower skirt' flat bed storage will the camper sit lower too? I plan to keep my camper always on my truck & have zero interest in towing so which StableCamper flatbed type sits the truck camper lowest? Mine is also a 550/Eagle Cap combo. Thanks.
Hi Celeste. I would suggest contacting them through their website or on Facebook. I don’t think they check the comments on this video anymore and I don’t know how to answer. They have a contact form on www.StableCamper.com
@@brianb-p6586 I was talking more along the lines of a flat bed vs a regular pickup bed. It looked like certain flatbed builds sat lower, which is a plus if you want the TC to line up with your truck to combat wind.
@@celestepalm6949 But the flatbed has to clear the tops of the tires when the suspension is fully compressed, and they're typically not any higher than that because there's no reason to be higher. As a result, flatbeds for the same truck are all about the same height. You might find one with a more optimal structure that is slightly lower than average, but not by much.
My wife wanted one of those eagle caps. I looked at the dry weight and said no dam way. By the time you wet weight and pack your looking at 7000lbs. I can't figure out how a dealer can legally sell one to someone with a 350 or 450. It's well over legal capacity!
They are heavy, but Jared seemed to solve that problem. His setup has really made me reevaluate things if we decide to go bigger. You’re right, it’s all to common to see the dealers sell stuff that is way over capacity.
It is the buyer's responsibility to ensure that they are buying a suitable camper for their truck. Yes, a responsible dealer would point out the problem, but you can't hold them legally accountable for their customers' choices. The situation is similar with trailers - many dealers are happy to make the sale, even knowing that the tow vehicle is inadequate.
We are working on both DRW and SRW setups for long and short models. Please watch our website (stablecamer.com) and social changes (Facebook and Instagram) for our progress!
@@jakep5121 Many aluminum flatbeds are near as heavy as the stock beds... if you have a ton of boxes maybe. But the high payload versions of those trucks can haul quite a bit.
Thank you Jay, we are so pleased with how this build turned out! It's gorgeous, and the whole system performs better than we'd hoped! Couldn't be more excited!
Stonyboot represents a boot full of stones/rocks that get in from a lot of hiking and traveling. It’s a play on a Russian word. Stonyboot sounds like Что-нибудь (which means “anything” in Russian). So it’s just an little inside joke from when I was trying to learn some Russian. We needed a social media name and wanted a single, unique word that was available on all social media platforms and a .com. It’s very hard to come up with, so after about 9 months we settled on Stonyboot.
It might be an option, but the 5500s come with regular leaf springs in the rear and coils in the front. We did another video recently about the LiquidSpring system that he used to replace the springs. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-f1J_Fh63A-s.html In that video there’s a clip that shows the removed spring packs.
A pallet of 80# concrete = 3200 lbs. !!! Not putting 4 of those in the bed !!!!! Very nice / EXPENSIVE setup !!! A 3500 series is fine with the " proper" loading , staying within GVWR !!!!
Yeah, 4 might be a little much, 3 pallets would have stayed within the GVRW. With today's large campers, staying within GVRW even on a 3500 DRW has become harder. Even when we ran a 10' single slide camper on our 3500 DRW we generally weighed in at 14,500 when fully loaded. For us, moving to a class 5 truck has been a big eye opener for hauling large truck campers in capacity and cost. We wish we'd moved to a 5500 a long time ago for our setup.
The aftermarket deck height seems much higher then stock ! Please touch on that point . The higher the camper, the more unstable going down the road !!
The overall height difference between this camper on our 3500 vs. the 5500 is about 4" taller. The difference in height compared to the capacity difference between the two trucks is not noticed. For a large camper like this, the 5500 even with the extra 4" of height is a night and day difference. You are absolutely correct, however that height is always a consideration when putting together your truck camper system.
If you think that truck is less stable than a pickup truck you have never looked at the leaf springs that come on a 5500. The payload of that truck is far greater than any camper on the market, as he mentioned.
That particular 5500 has a 60" CA. The wheelbase is whatever 5500 crew cab with 60" CA is - that's in the standard truck manufacturer specifications. I don't think the wheelbase was mentioned in the video, but it is 173.4" for this combination according to the Ram Trucks website (just a bit longer than a crew cab pickup with 8-foot box). Other cab and CA combinations of the 5500 result in wheelbase ranging from 144.5" to 204.5", but as Jared has explained (at least in other videos) as far as the deck and accessories are considered only the CA matters.
I have a dodge 3500 with the same flatbed so all I need is the 2 boxes that the camper sits on so how do I get pricing on the boxes and how to contact u ?
It sure does. We never used it anyway and just canceled our Sirius subscription. An extra piece of information, the Sirius company is pretty frustrating to deal with. They constantly call and email you and make it nearly impossible to cancel. The guy kept saying, it’s only $5. It’s one of the worst customer experiences I’ve ever had. We have and continue to use streaming audio through our phones.
You mention a price that seems to include the cost of the bed, what is the projected price for the boxes if you already have a truck with the SK Bed on it?
That's a good point. You can contact them directly through their website or facebook for more information. I know that this product line is new so they didn't have all the details ironed out, but I'm sure they can give you an idea.
I think I could live with that. The turn buckles are really easy to remove (except for the turnbuckle locks, those take 3x longer to remove than the turn buckles!)
That seems like a problem. It wouldn't be a good idea to use the boxes structurally, but it would be nice to have multiple door lined up so that at least one per side would open with the tie downs in place.
Don’t tell anyone, but Jared is a pretty big inspiration for me. Smart business man and a great guy! I was so happy to get a chance to do this video with him!
We are busy working on finalizing our designs and ramping these up for production. Please contact us directly through our website (stablecamper.com) and we can discuss details needed for your setup.
I'm pretty sure he went with the 5500 over the 4500 for the additional payload capacity and ratings. But, you can contact Jared through their Stablecamper website and on facebook.
Nice looking bed but the tops of those box’s definitely are higher than a regular bed also the camper seems to look very top heavy and dangerous not for me
It still rests directly on the bed which sits on the frame rails. There is no fundamental difference from a conventional truck bed in that sense. That truck with the spring pack and brakes on it is stronger, more stable, stops faster and is safer than a normal pickup truck. Go take a look at the leaf springs and brake calipers that are on a 5500... it is insane how much bigger they are than a 3500.
@@alanpettibone Of course there's a height difference. A pickup bed floor sits on top of the frame, but a flatbed sits over the tires, not down on the frame. The tire tops are higher than the frame, which is why pickup beds have wheel wells in them. The frames of these Class 5 (e.g. Ram 5500) trucks are so tall that the difference is not as great as it would be on a lighter truck (such as a Class 3 like a Ram 3500).
All chassis-cab trucks of this weight class are only available with dual rear wheels... so yes, any Ram 5500 is a dually unless the buyer converts it to single rear tires.
@@Stonyboot I get 9 mpg hauling the same camper on a 3500HD Chevy with the gas engine. And it hauls it just fine without air bags. But I do like the bed he is going to offer.
Although it's a big truck, that camper is obscenely huge...hanging off the back like that. I can't help but think it would be better for someone that absolutely needs a camper with this capability to buy a nice trailer instead. He doesn't go off road...and even if he did I sure wouldn't drive that thing but the best condition dirt/gravel. The pickup truck hauling it can be used for storage as well...heck, you could put a contractor utility body on the back of it. This thing is just too big for it's own good. To each his own, of course.