Importance of Camper Package on new DRW truck

[SoonDockin]

I am looking for a truck and often find one with exactly what I want but missing the camper package or heavy front suspension option. I am looking mainly at F450's but might go F350 if the price is right. TC will be a low 4k wet weight. Is it a bad idea to just get one without the extra stuff the camper package adds?

[Grit_dog]

^ True dat. Another misconception like a heavier (diesel) engine takes away from payload in the truck bed.

[burningman]

finsruskw wrote:
Heavy front suspension, IMHO, will be a waste as many T/C's, depending on the COG, take weight OFF the front axle instead of adding it.
Mt 1181 Lance takes 400 # off the front axle when loaded.

In a static situation that’s true. However, in a turn the front suspension creates and takes a lot of the roll-over force. The outside front tire and suspension are loaded heavy at that time.
The front does a lot in a curve.

[deltabravo]

TxGearhead wrote:
^^^my understanding is the RAM truck battery is not isolated from the camper batteries. While I don't do much boondocking, I don't want to drain the RAM batteries, and can easily unplug the bumper outlet if I am running off the camper batteries a few days.

Earlier GM trucks didn't have battery isolation either.

My camper dealer installed a solenoid. I later upgraded the wiring.

My video: Truck wiring upgrade for RV battery charging

[finsruskw]

Heavy front suspension, IMHO, will be a waste as many T/C's, depending on the COG, take weight OFF the front axle instead of adding it.
Mt 1181 Lance takes 400 # off the front axle when loaded.

[TxGearhead]

^^^my understanding is the RAM truck battery is not isolated from the camper batteries. While I don't do much boondocking, I don't want to drain the RAM batteries, and can easily unplug the bumper outlet if I am running off the camper batteries a few days.

[burningman]

TX Gearhead, just as a curious question, why do you prefer using the plug back at the bumper?

[GeoBoy]

The OP purchased a Ford F450.

[TxGearhead]

If you're going RAM there is no camper package. Only thing I've seen related is the 5th wheel pucks and gooseneck package that includes the in-bed 7 pin hook up. If I didn't have the 5th wheel I wouldn't get that as I prefer to use the bumper 7 pin outlet.
I put a Helwig Big Wig on and it works very well for the Bigfoot which is 4300-4400 loaded heavy and a full tank of water. The front axle gains 200 pounds.

[Kayteg1]

bighatnohorse wrote:
The Ford camper package provides a rear sway but it is a whimpy sway bar for a heavy camper.
Rear axle weight tends to unload the front axle, so no additional spring are needed in front.
Better to get a heavy duty aftermarket sway bar. I would avoid air bags until after the sway bar installation.

Not in this case. All duallies have rear sway bar.
My 2017 F350 carries 6500 lb camper just fine. The only mod I did was sulastic hangers for empty drive improvement.

[SoonDockin]

I am going Diesel. No gas trucks anywhere to be had. Don't want to wait for 90 days to get a special order, then find I want a fifth wheel that is too big for the gas to pull.

[Bedlam]

Look on page 34 of the 2019 brochure:

https://www.ford.com/services/assets/Brochure?bodystyle=Truck&make=Ford&model=SuperDuty&year=2019

[joelc]

You are not saying if gas or diesel. I have a 350 diesel and would recommend all tow packages.

[bighatnohorse]

The Ford camper package provides a rear sway but it is a whimpy sway bar for a heavy camper.
Rear axle weight tends to unload the front axle, so no additional spring are needed in front.
Better to get a heavy duty aftermarket sway bar. I would avoid air bags until after the sway bar installation.

[SoonDockin]

I plan to get a truck and get it all set up for a TC. Likely add air bags and if needed, will add any sway bars and stuff.