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

Weighing In--Is That Camper the Right Fit for Your Truck?

It's an area that truck camper newbies sometimes get caught up in: Not every camper is a suitable fit for your truck. Every truck has a weight capacity that it's "happy" to carry--go over that capacity and things can get ugly.

How do you properly marry your truck to a camper? First, you need to know how much weight your truck can handle. The figures are fairly straight forward. On the inside driver side doorpost you'll find a sticker showing the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) for your truck. This figure is the total amount your truck can weigh, including fuel, passengers, and "cargo" which a truck camper becomes. In the photo, the GVWR of this venerable Ford is 8,800 pounds.

It's easy enough to subtract the "curb weight" of the truck from that figure--if you have access to it. The curb weight may show up on your title or registration. It's better to take your truck down to a commercial scale and weigh it in, preferably with a full fuel tank. After all, equipment added on after manufacture will add on real weight. Now, add in estimated weights for passengers (Careful fellas! Hide the scratch paper from your better-half!). Now subtract that actual weight for the truck from the GVWR figure for your truck, and you know how much truck camper you can carry. Or do you?

The weight of your camper is stamped on an ID tag, usually found somewhere on the back of the camper. This weight, however, lists the camper with "standard" options. If the camper manufacturer considers a refrigerator, or stove, or furnace an "option" then you've got to guestimate these items in, and add them on. Jacks might be considered an option, as would be an air conditioning unit. How do you figure out whether these are standards or options? Ask the manufacturer.

The "certified" camper weight from the tag should include full water and propane tanks. But you'll be adding your own "stuff" to this weight. Food, clothing, books, gear, dog, the list goes on. Add 'em all up and tack them on to the camper weight. Now, are you "in the ballpark" for your truck's load capacity? Overloading your truck can lead to trouble, so it's best to keep it in the rating area.