RE: 99 Ram w/ 97 Sun-Lite
Photomike-
The basket does have a lot of potential, but it's also more room to accumulate stuff I don't "need"...I think?...
I'm pushing to get the bike done and hopefully it will come on the journey. If I could find a good storage spot for the winch (between the camper/bed, spare tire area or something?) I might consider it. I'm curious how many times a winch has been used or could have been used during a road trip. Even though I frequently find myself questioning my own judgment, I know not to go where a winch MIGHT be needed, alone, weighing near 5 tons... my buddies can't always come to push and pull me out.
I have all this stuff, just debating if it's a functional tool or fashion statement. Winch is a Ramsey RE10k on a overbuilt 2" receiver. Haven't done a full pull with it but it only takes one time to pay for it's self.
The dirtbike is an '86 Honda XR600. I started Mtn biking fairly young and then got into dirtbikes....blah blah... among others toys my father and I have 4, with parts to rebuild each one over, and over.... so besides the Honda part, It will be living longer then my Dodge will.
hopelessly overloaded... It's gonna be worse then the Beverly Hillbillies :R Not really, the truck does quite well and I'm very happy with it. (besides the Dodge part)
Maintenance is the story of my life... Everything is just about up to par, besides the roof. I'll rebuild it in January and add my Solar, Thule Racks and Box, extra vent over the bed area?, also would like to make it so I stand on top, for pictures and what not. I keep editing my lists and eliminating similar items. If I need it I can buy it or have it shipped to me.
Seems from what I have read and been told, sacking up and going for it is the hardest part. Like you said, I know I won't regret it. Story's and experiences that will be told for a life time. Thanks!
I had a Northstar pop up, similar to what you have....I would be careful as to how much weight you put on top of the roof. Solar and an additional vent won't be a problem but the addition of Thule racks and whatever you might put on top of them might be pushing the weight limits of the roof and the roof raising mechanisms.
RE: 2013 Ram HD 3500/2500 Payloads
I have been waiting, then following the '13 Ram 3500 and '14 GMC HD 3500 debuts religiously....Been watching the Detroit Auto show feeds to see the capabilities and pricing release on the '14 GMC HD. Nothing yet.
Are you expecting any changes to the 14' GMC HD's ?
According to reports, they have strengthened, yet again, their frame....that along with a new 6.2 liter engine that might put out over 400hp could increase their spec's.
Well know more as the Detroit Auto Show unfolds....
RE: 2013 Ram HD 3500/2500 Payloads
I have been waiting, then following the '13 Ram 3500 and '14 GMC HD 3500 debuts religiously.
While I love most of the numbers, especially the 14k GVWR, I'm still a little concerned with the RGAWR of 9750. Seems a lot of the bigger double and triple slide truck campers have some heavy RGAWR.
I've seen quite a few weigh in at the limit (9750) or more because of the weights and ultimately COG.
Oh well, I'll see what happens. Still pretty impressed with everything.
Been watching the Detroit Auto show feeds to see the capabilities and pricing release on the '14 GMC HD. Nothing yet.
I'm with you, need to decide between the two to put under an Arctic Fox 1150!
2013 Ram HD 3500/2500 Payloads
This released over the weekend.....
http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2013/01/2013-ram-hd-25003500-towing-charts.html
Spec's for the RAM Crew Cab Long Box Larame DRW 6.7 Diesel Turbo 6-Speed Auto HD with 4.10's
GVWR: 14,000
Payload: 5,680
Total Base Weight: 8,321
Front Base Weight: 5,023
Rear Base Weight: 3,298
FGAWR: 6,000
RGAWR: 9,750
GCWR: 37,500
Max Tow: 29,010 (chart did not indicate if that was conventional or 5th wheel rating)
That is a mighty fine payload and GCWR!
RE: Flippac camper
I purchased a Flippac back in 1985, I think they were pretty new at that time. I ended up selling it because it leaked in the rain. In fact it was terribly hard to flip the bed back up because so much water would be under the bed area, had to drill weep holes to let it out.
Nice idea, but I don't think the tent construction was up to snuff at that time.
The Wildernest had a better tent, built by a reputable tent manufacturer at the time, but I didn't want to have to support the bed off to the side or have to have a wider campsite to facilitate the side deployment.
First Hint of New 2013 Truck Capacities
PickupTrucks.com released this latest blurb on the 2013 Ram 3500...
PickupTrucks.com
This group is most interested in payload than towing, but the GCVW should be impressive. The stated figures of course are on a regular cab 2 WD long box.
Much more will be released by all the truck manufactures next week during the Detroit Auto Show.
RE: Battery reccomendation and thoughts...
You might want to consder removing the sliding shelf to gain the extra space as you won't need to service the new AGM's.
I agree with msiminoff on the Sear's batteries, plus they have the great Sear's warranty.....NOT like LIFELINE.....that's another story.
mello mike makes a good point about creative battery orientation....that is what is great about AGM's!
Arctic Fox 865 Discontinued
Arctic Fox has discontinued its only non-slide camper, the 865. I noticed it was a listed floorplan on their website but not listed in their brochure.
I emailed Donald Cochran at Arctic Fox....his response:
Eric,
The 865 is a discontinued model for 2013.
Donald
You can still get a non-slide in their Wolf Creek line....but not the same nice interior as in the AF line.
Cheers!
Can the Arctic Fox be used on it's JACKS?
I've heard that some manufactures say the their truck campers cannot be used on on the 4 jacks alone and have to be supported under the camper.
Does anyone know if the Arctic Fox truck camper has such issues? They have a rather large water capacity (55 gallons) and large holding tanks, wondering if the the floor structure can hold such weight without being on the truck.
Thanks!
Road Salt Damage
Hi All,
How concerned should I be about the road salt damage to a truck that I am looking to buy that has spent the last two winters in Michigan?
It is a 2011 Chevy Silverado 3500HD Dually.
Out here in California I only put salt on my popcorn!
Thanks!
Road Salt Damage
Hi All,
How much should I be worried about road salt damage buying a used truck that spent two winters in Michigan?
The truck is a 2011 Chevy Silverado 3500 HD.
Out here in California we only put salt on our popcorn!
Thanks!!
RE: Is 42,877 miles too much in 19 months?
I forgot to add that this truck has lived in the Detroit area for it's 19 months. Should I be worried about salt damage in that time?
RE: Is 42,877 miles too much in 19 months?
If the interior is pristine and it is not a regular cab model it most likely was used primarily on the highway. When I was looking for a used diesel truck to buy last year it was obvious that the regular cab models were the ones most often used by people in the construction trades and the trucks had a lot more wear and tear than the mileage alone would indicate.
The condition of the brakes, if they are the original pads would also provide a good indication as to how the truck was used. If they have 70% pad life remaining it is unlikely that the truck was worked hard over the 42k miles.
The truck is still under warranty so you should be able to get the dealer to pull all the service records for the truck. There are key items that should have been serviced and I would want to verify that they had been done at the GM recommended times. There are also service bulletins relating to problems with early 2011 model trucks and I would verify that the necessary fixes have been done to this truck.
One drawback to buying a used vehicle from the dealer is that they can pretend to be ignorant of any problems with the truck that the prior owner experienced. The less documentation they can provide the less likely I would be to go ahead with the deal.
For a diesel I would seriously consider buying an extended warranty that covered the engine and drive train for an extra 50k miles. Add that cost to the purchase price or better yet tell the dealer that you will buy the truck if the dealer includes the warranty extension.
Used diesel trucks with fewer than 60k miles tend to be overpriced based on my own searching over a 4-month period last year for one. Most people needed to get $35k or more to pay off their car loan. I ended up buying a new 2011 instead and I paid $42k to the dealer for a fully equipped 2011 model with extended cab, 4WD, tow package, and other option packages.
The Certified Pre-Owned program transfers the 5 year/100,000 mile warranty plus adds it's own 12 month/12.K mile bumper to bumper warranty. The engine/drivetrain is covered in the first.
I will definitely have them pull the service records and see if the TSA's have been done....GOOD POINTS!
A quick check of the brake pads will be done as well.
According the the Kelly Blue Book, a truck such as this with said miles and options and being a Certified Pre Owned should be going in the $47-48K range. I am seeing that same number in the Auto Trader as well. A 2013 new truck out here in California with fleet discount (Costco) is $56K not including tax and license, that puts it near $61K.
RE: Is 42,877 miles too much in 19 months?
With that many miles, it already has someone else's butt imprint in the seat. LOL!
Don't think I haven't considered that!! Have to hope were the same size!
RE: Is 42,877 miles too much in 19 months?
All great comments, YES I am SURE that I am overthinking this, but that is who I am.
Good points regarding the probability of it being highway miles and that the engine reaches full operating temps.....
RE: Is 42,877 miles too much in 19 months?
I bought my Dodge new and used it as a (longish) commuter vehicle the first two years I owned it when I had two widely separated jobs. This is typical for folks living in So. Cal. I had no camper then and at first only occasionally flat towed my jeep, then towed a car trailer/jeep.
24 months: 51,000 miles. Since 2002 I've only put another 88K miles on.
I don't see any problem. That many miles do not seem out of line.
You might crawl under neath to see if it has any Baja mud on it, or to see if it has ever been off-road or has any oil leaks of any kind. And, to see how much load it has carried, crawl under and see if there are contact marks where the secondaries meet the snubbers.
There is a lot of smart detective work you can do. Just don't be fooled by the sparkling finish and tire black.
regards, as always, jefe
Absoultley, I will be crawling all over that truck....looking for rust and everything else I can find.
