Rebel Overland Build/Payload

[Ramandeggs]

Howdy!

I am possibly attempting the impossible but I hope to put either a 4 wheel camper OR a small companies pop top camper on my 2023 Ram Rebel. I would like to have enough suspension travel to conquer the Mojave Rd with said camper on the bed.

Current Payload max is 1271.

The dry weight of the campers are hovering around 5-600 completely empty and up to nearly 1300 lbs fully kitted.

Anyone attempt this? I am possibly going to upgrades wheels and suspension but the issue is when I remove the camper the minimum weight will be 500 less than it needs to be so it'll ride horribly.

Any help or experience on this would be great.

 

[boogielander]

sounds like you're trying to do what I do - go fast and carry a bunch of stuff for overlanding.

I went with GFC because it is #bajaapproved and #boogierated, it is lightweight (sub 300lb) and still allows one to camp comfortably. It also means... you don't need to take it off when you're not using it - the truck won't even care if it's there. Look at my build list:







When it's in expedition mode (ie, when I did that run from SoCal to Alaska and Arctic Ocean Sign in Canada) I was pushing 1200-1300lb, including driver (me) and all the food, drinks, gears, camping AC, diesel heater, extra gas AND diesel, etc. In this mode, I can still do demanding trails like Mojave Road (I did Dempster & Dalton while they're covered in ten million potholes, and I still averaged about 70MPH)
When it's in "daily" mode (which is also my "weekend getaway/ up to 3 nights trip" mode), I have about 800-900lb overall, since I leave most of the things in the truck. In this mode, I can still do jumps, go through the choppy and high speed sections on KOH race course, on Mint 400 race course, on sections of Laughlin race course.

The Clayton springs are great, as the first spring rate is reserved for load carrying weight only, so even at a lighter load the truck's handling and ride is not negatively impacted. Realistically, if you want an overlanding truck that can tackle demanding trails and come back not worry about anything, follow the above pictures. I've tested these things over and over, replaced things that didn't work.
Note: If you want something more offroad focused, swap the Fox 2.5 to Thuren Kings Stage 6 tune. I've also replaced the Renogy with a Redarc Alpha50, just haven't updated the graphics.

If you're thinking about those slide-in campers, forget it because you got the wrong truck. These trucks come with a sheet of paper that tells you to NOT put slide in campers as they are not designed for that. So, bottom line, lightweight camper is the way to go. And don't think about removing them, because every time you remove and reinstall them, you will need new seals.