Lillo, I did almost exactly the same thing as you. In 2004 I bought a new Dodge Quad cab HD 2500, diesel 2x4 (almost the same truck as yours), then later on decided to buy a TC. The TC I ended up with (see my sig) has no slide, but is still on the heavy side (about 3,800 with gear). I added only Timbrens and it worked well, though still on the heavy side. Looking back, I think a little lighter TC would have been even better. As has been said, the limiting factor is not the axles but the tires. As Ponderosa stated the (third generation) SRW 3/4 and 1 ton Dodge are the same truck except that the 1 ton has factory overloads. I now have a 1 ton dually since DW wanted to get a bigger TC with a dry bath. I again added Timbrens, but with the same TC, the overloads don't even engage. Happy camping!
Lilly,
I think you're gonna be fine with the 2500 and an 8ft camper. There has been a lot of advice in this thread and not all of it is consistent. You need to decide what is right for you. I think you should get quality tie downs installed and pick up your camper with no mods at all. Drive cautiously and see how it works. Then write back with your results. Does it sit level, sway, porpoise or what? No TC is going to handle like your Subaru so don't expect that. I'd bet supersprings and better rear shocks are the most you will need and maybe not even that. I've carried a much heavier camper on an F250 for 10 years. I'd like the power of your diesel and better brakes but it handles the load just fine. I know the weight police will disagree but that's why you need to decide. Only advice you've rec'd that I strongly disagree with is to convert to 19.5 wheels and tires. Not needed for your camper weight, very expensive and not good for off road. There is another thread on Toyo tire upgrades for a dodge that would be a much better choice for your needs, if you need to upgrade at all. Take another deep breath. Your truck is ok!
lillyo wrote: Back to the truck - the bed is spray lined but I'm not sure what I ought to have done before I pick up the camper or bring with me to secure it. I'll have a long way home to go and want it to be easy and as care free as I can. Any ideas?
I think she should start a thread about Torklift vs. Happijacs....
Be thankful that you didn't buy an Arctic Fox 860 like I did or you would be trading your new Dodge 2500 CTD for a Ford F350.
I was so far overloaded with my 06 Dodge 2500 CTD, about 2200 above GVWR and 1600 above my rear axel weight rating that I couldn't haul the camper safely IMHO. For me it was sell the camper or the truck, the loss was going to be the same so the truck got upgraded and I don't regret my decision at all.
Even going with the Ford F350 I had to install aftermarket overload springs and 19.5 Visions with Michelen's.
I believe you will be ok with your setup but like some of the posters said you may need to do air bags, sway bars and tire upgrades.
NO, not everyone told you a 3/4 ton truck would be fine. In your other threads I told you to find your camper FIRST then get the truck to handle the camper! So much for the "I told you so" thing.
Now like has been mentioned before, get the truck weighed! If possible get the truck weighed and then weigh the truck with the camper on and fully loaded. This is the only good way of finding out just what you are up against. Work the numbers from there and see how far (if) over you really are.
Consider before spending lots of money to upgrade your current truck (and no you can't increase weight ratings!) it just might be more practical to swap your truck for a larger truck that's rated for your camper. Get it right to start with instead of the mess of trying to build up your existing truck with marginal bandaids. Get it right from the start, your life and others might depend on it!!
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