Dodge Ram for 2009 - Spring Loaded?

No, it's not a new ploy toward greater fuel economy, don't think in terms of wind-up-trucks. Rather, Dodge has announced that it's 2009 model year Ram pickup truck will come--not with the usual leaf springs--but coil springs for rear end suspension.

While the company argues that the suspension system has been completely redesigned for good handling, some truck camper owners are reacting with suspension suspicion. Said one in a popular forum, "Many people buy trucks only for that truck 'look,' not the capabilities of a truck . . . These trucks are going to be marketed to that crowd, the boulevard cruisers."

Indeed, it's a purty small truck camper that can comfortably be toted on a 1/2 ton truck. We tried in years ago, beefing up the existing leaf springs and "porpoise-ing" around the countryside until we finally broke down and moved the rig onto a 3/4 ton unit.

Nevertheless, there is a review, including an interview with a Dodge suspension engineering team member found here. Really, this all goes back to the simple rule: Make sure you have enough truck to support the camper you want to tote. For a fuller discussion of that topic, check out an earlier post on this blog here.

Hey, on while we're on the subject of truck campers (aren't we always?), don't forget to read John Steinbeck's Travels With Charley, the definitive truck camper travel story, written early in the truck camper era. Check it out on the RV Bookstore.

Photo: kevin on flickr. com