Slide-in camper

[Buttyman]

I'm wanting to get a slide-in camper, but I know that my 2018 PW won't carry one safely (according to the manual). Rather than trade-in the PW, can I reasonably upgrade the suspension to be able to carry the slide-in? The one I'm looking at is about 2000 pounds. Or, is it easier to get a 2500 or 3500? I'd rather hold on to the PW, but I want it to drive safely on the highway with that weight.

 

[retired]

research airlift or firestone air bags and daystar cradles.

 

[SeppW]

I'm wanting to get a slide-in camper, but I know that my 2018 PW won't carry one safely (according to the manual). Rather than trade-in the PW, can I reasonably upgrade the suspension to be able to carry the slide-in? The one I'm looking at is about 2000 pounds. Or, is it easier to get a 2500 or 3500? I'd rather hold on to the PW, but I want it to drive safely on the highway with that weight.

I'm almost certain bags and a stiffer rear sway bar at a minimum. Not impossible I suppose as I have seen slide-ins on PW platform. I was trying to find an article of a PW, I ran across, with the slide-in, but it was pop-up type. Some Web sites devoted to off road "trekkers" discuss their set ups on various platforms.

 

[aces-n-eights]

As i recall when i had a slide-in camper, things like air bags and sway bars will not increase your load capacity. Those items will help level the truck when loaded and provide some stability in windy conditions but will not increase the amount you can carry.

I don't know the numbers on your PW, but it sounds to me you need to upgrade your truck or downgrade your camper...

 

[Grand Mesa]

https://www.truckcampermagazine.com/off-road/adventures/frank-ross-power-wagon-on-the-rocks/

A slide-in camper is doable.

 

[olyelr]

As i recall when i had a slide-in camper, things like air bags and sway bars will not increase your load capacity. Those items will help level the truck when loaded and provide some stability in windy conditions but will not increase the amount you can carry.

I don't know the numbers on your PW, but it sounds to me you need to upgrade your truck or downgrade your camper...

It will not “technically” increase the payload of the truck per say (not the actual number on the door jam), but those upgrades sure as hell will increase what the truck can safely haul.

To the original poster, I would try it with the factory suspension and see how it handles. Then make upgrades from there. Worst case scenario you could change out the pw springs for regular 2500 springs if needed.

 

[2003F350]

It will not “technically” increase the payload of the truck per say (not the actual number on the door jam), but those upgrades sure as hell will increase what the truck can safely haul.

To the original poster, I would try it with the factory suspension and see how it handles. Then make upgrades from there. Worst case scenario you could change out the pw springs for regular 2500 springs if needed.

If I recall the regular 2500 springs are shorter, aren't they? So he'd lose a lot of ride height. That and I would be leery of putting that much weight in the back of a PW - as 'squishy' as the suspension is to get the flex, I would think there'd be a LOT of body roll involved here.

There are spring upgrades for the PW out there that stiffen the ride without sacrificing ride height, which would be step #1 for doing this safely (like you, I read the manual and sticker that states that, from the manufacturer, the PW is NOT rated for a truck camper).

Once you do your suspension upgrades if you decide to go this route, you'll want to get your truck's payload and tow ratings recertified, I don't believe you can get your axle ratings changed. As long as you don't exceed those, you should be safe.

 

[Grand Mesa]

research airlift or firestone air bags and daystar cradles.

Firestone air bags and Daystar cradles are what the "expert" at etrailer also recommends for a Power Wagon.

https://www.etrailer.com/question-325081.html

 

[4xdad]

the coil springs are squishy but I think the axles are the same I am not sure if newer 2500s have leaves or not but a 2015 pw has coils and a2500 has leaves in the rear

 

[62Blazer]

The PW and normal 2500 are based on the same truck and would be very easy to convert one to the other in regards to the overall suspension specs. The PW has slightly taller and softer springs, and generally the D-rated factory tires are a little softer. Axles, brakes, steering, frame, etc, etc... are all basically equivalent between the trucks. We are also talking a fairly light slide in camper at 2,000 lbs........that's at the lower end of the scale in weight as they can get in the 4,000 lb. weight range. I would try it in a stock truck and go from there. I would think some airbags or Timbrens, and possibly a tire upgrade, would be plenty to hold the weight.
Now I'm sure the payload police will jump in here and start talking about legal issues and such, and maybe how hauling a slide in camper will cause the truck to explode and kill a bus full of nuns........ Speaking of people bringing up legal issues, I would be very interested in hearing of any factual cases in which somebody got in trouble for being a couple hundred pounds over GVW on a 7,000 lb. 3/4 ton pickup.

 

[unxpctd]

https://outdoorx4.com/stories/ram-power-wagon/

Power Wagon article specific for a 4 Wheel Camper (slide in). Excellent article.


I've had this saved as a favorite for a long time. I may do this down the line. I bought a 15 foot Escapade Backcountry square drop camper for now (2,000lbs).

 

[56PW17]

Not payload police here But I have had the weight you’re talking about and more in the back of my power wagon with no suspension upgrades and I would never consider driving the truck like that on a regular basis. Just too dangerous.

If I had airbags and the proper tire set up yes I would consider it.

 

[4xdad]

I would think it would have to be a truck guy cop to know the difference between models and their gvws

 

[4xdad]

they do sway when loaded

 

[Grand Mesa]

they do sway when loaded

Until 2 winter seasons ago I could purchase either a pallet of 50 or 60 forty pound bags of wood pellets either west or north in either Mesa or Garfield county. Both of those hardware stores located some 40 miles away have gone out of business. The Power Wagon would sway a bit on mountain corners carrying the smaller 50 bag (2,000 pound) load purchase, but I kept the speeds slow. I've driven 500 gallon filled water tanks on trucks for the Parks and it's about the same feeling.

I am lucky to even locate for purchase a 60 bag pallet over a mountain summit some 40 miles south in Delta county. Those 10 additional bags are noticeable with an additional tendency to sway. Glad that it's just 3 to 4 trips per winter season. Wouldn't want to ever do this heavy load for a long haul.

 

[Adventurebound]

I have a Hawk Four Wheel slide in on mine that lives there full time. I don't know what camper you are looking at weigh and height wise but I'm probably at 1,000-1,200 pounds, depending on if it's loaded with gear. I have airbags and cradles and better tires. Honestly, I don't even know it's back there, but then again I have never really driven the truck without it.

Truck handles fine on the highways, no sway. And off-road, no issues. Just did Mangel Pass last weekend up the rock garden. Camino El Diablo the month before and a ton of random trails in-between. Easy peazy.

 

[hbleconey]

you'll want to get stiffer coils. the PW doesnt handle well at load unless you upgrade a few things...she rolls from side to side a lot on the highway

 

[Buttyman]

Thank you all very much for these comments. Looks like the consensus is new truck to be safe. I like the Hawk too and it's a good weight for the PW, but we want a slide in with shower and toilet--the Hawk doesn't offer that. One poster is correct, 2000 lbs is light. After we looked more, the weight on the ones we're really interested in are in 3000 to 3500 pound range. I guess if we go this route I'll trade the PW. Interestingly, I think EVERYBODY on the planet wants one right now because the lead time is long. In fact, the lead time on the Hawk is 1 year! These things are super pricey too! The range we're looking at is 35 to 50,000 dollars! We will start looking for used ones.

 

[dhay13]

May have missed it but is a travel trailer out of the question?

 

[2003F350]

Thank you all very much for these comments. Looks like the consensus is new truck to be safe. I like the Hawk too and it's a good weight for the PW, but we want a slide in with shower and toilet--the Hawk doesn't offer that. One poster is correct, 2000 lbs is light. After we looked more, the weight on the ones we're really interested in are in 3000 to 3500 pound range. I guess if we go this route I'll trade the PW. Interestingly, I think EVERYBODY on the planet wants one right now because the lead time is long. In fact, the lead time on the Hawk is 1 year! These things are super pricey too! The range we're looking at is 35 to 50,000 dollars! We will start looking for used ones.

Yeah, my dad has had truck campers for years, they're great for hunting camp. His first he hauled on his GMC 3500 dually. It was a LOT for that truck. Then he got a BIGGER one and it took out 2 transfer cases, his original and a rebuilt one, before they found a 'low' miles used one to put in (he had about 180k on the truck when this went down).

He ended up with an F450. Believe it or not, that truck camper STILL squats that beast about 2".