Looking to buy a cab-over camper for a Dodge RAM 1500 SLT Short Bed

[aarongraff]

I am a brand new member.  I have been researching the internet like crazy trying to find the best (if any) slide-in camper for my truck.  I have a 2005 Dodge RAM 1500 SLT short bed with a 5.7L HEMI.  When I research my truck specifications, it says my max payload is around 1450lbs.  My GVWR is about 6550lbs.  My bed is about 6 feet from the front-inside of the box to the tailgate.  The reason I am getting a truck camper is because I pull a small ski boat (the reason I camp).  My boat is a Four Winns Horizon 180 which weighs around 2300lbs.  My truck should be able to tow around 8700lbs max.  My GCWR is around 9500lbs..  I am obviously looking for the best bang for my buck without killing my truck and was wondering if anyone had any advice for me about a good camper manufacture / model.

[RoyM]

Too light for hauling an overhead camper. Too much weight would be behind the rear axle, a sudden stop or quick evasive maneuver would bring the pucker factor to undesirable levels. By the time you load the wife, kids, dog, groceries, bedding etc etc, you will be an accident waiting to happen. My dad's first camper hauler was a heavy half with an 8' box. He was assured the truck was adequate but it was a handful in a prairie wind. The replacement 3/4 ton made all the difference

[Marsha/CA]

As long as the weight of the truck fully loaded with fuel, passengers and cargo, plus the weight of the slide in camper, plus the weight of the boat & trailer doesn't go over your CGVWR, you should be OK.  However, I'd be a bit concerned with a 1500 half ton.  You'd be much more safe and secure with a 2500 with a tow package.  But that was not your question...

When we were looking at slide in campers at one time for our Chevy 2500 short bed, we're impressed by the lift up "canvas sided (soft sided)" campers.  They were light weight and had all the amenities, including A/C.  The ones we were looking at were made by Northstar.  I was impressed with the quality and workmanship.  You might check them out.

Marsha~

[davemittan]

When we were looking at slide in campers at one time for our Chevy 2500 short bed, we're impressed by the lift up "canvas sided (soft sided)" campers.  They were light weight and had all the amenities, including A/C.  The ones we were looking at were made by Northstar.  I was impressed with the quality and workmanship.  You might check them out.

Do you mean one of these?
I saw that one at a local RV place - I was fascinated with it.  (So much so that I had to take a few pics)

[Marsha/CA]

Yep...that's it!  Aren't they neat?  I was fascinated with them too.  We live near a National Forest and National park and sometimes just want to go out for a week; but our motor home is too big to get up to the "high country".  So, I was toying with the idea of the soft-sided camper. 

Marsha~

[davemittan]

Lately, I'm not limber or agile enough for one of those.  Maybe a couple of decades ago, though......

[davemittan]

I think I'd rather have one of these.

I'd probably want a LOT of truck underneath it, though......