3 New Truck Build Changes Are Coming To My RAM 5500! HD RV HOST Mammoth Truck Camper Off Road 4x4

[@PhilP-b1y]

You didn’t mention the need or reason for relocating the camper further forward - What drove this decision?? As a 5500 4x4 owner myself, I would assume this mod is to help overcome the excessively light steering effect that a too rearward COG will create, and I would guess that this effect is amplified by having a much lighter gas hemi over a Cummins, yet this may be offset by the heaver front tires and bumper…From experience, my guess is that little if any will be gained as a result of shifting the spare tire to this new rearward location - a trading one aft COG weight for another thingy… Also you mentioned the bed length but not the all important bed width (to include the rub-rail…Note that some beds are tapered a bit in the front) - one should note that when the swing-out front jacks are stowed in their inboard travel position, either the bed needs to be narrow enough to accommodate this inboard travel position or the swing-outs need to be slightly modified so they don’t touch the bed (centering of camper becomes critical) - or I suppose one can remove the jacks… I’d be curious to know how the overall drivetrain reacts to the larger diameter tires, and if the final front and rear gear ratios needed any modifications - no doubt the computer needed reprogramming…

[@nightfall22]

Interesting 🤔 can’t wait to see this

[@KruseandViews]

It's in the works right now and I can't wait to share it soon! Thanks for watching and all of the positive support, Brother!

[@danielcalle9476]

Looking forward to seeing the progress

[@KruseandViews]

Thank you for watching my friend!

[@buckcannon1811]

Can’t wait to see the changes! Great video Brother!

[@KruseandViews]

Thank you, Buck!! I appreciate the support my Brother!!

[@ethansmith-iq4pz]

I need that tank

[@KruseandViews]

It's yours my friend!

[@treetopflyersofva2]

Looks like you have put a lot of thought in to what you are planning. I am enjoying watching this progression. On your bed, what is the distance from the top to the ground. I am thinking of doing a setup similar.

[@KruseandViews]

The height is 51 inches from the ground to the top of the deck. Please let me know if you need more help. You will love the capabilities and where these big trucks can take you!

[@charlesb4267]

Did this camper come with a sticker on the side that showed fore/aft center of gravity, mind you that would probably be a dry weight spec so just depends where the water tanks, propane, and so forth are as to how that weight balance is altered once the camper is ready for the road. Had you weighed the truck axles individually with/without the camper to get an idea of what was going on with the balance. My presumption is that triple slide campers are going to shift more weight to the rear over a comparable non slide camper. In my mind when I saw the original placement of the camper due to the fuel tank/tire situation I was wondering how that would seem. Unfortunate that the spare can't be stowed ahead of the rear axle for weight balance, its tough to know where to put a tire of that size.

[@KruseandViews]

Charles, thanks for the comment. Yes, the COG of the camper is right after the rear axle so by moving it forward a full 12 more inches I will have it before the axle where it really needs to be at. The spare is sooooo big and hard to find a place that is not only a good fit but accessible for changing the tire. So that's why I am going with this rear hitch fold down system.

[@charlesb4267]

@@KruseandViews That certainly should help with better weight balance to move the camper forward. That reminds me of a friend who last year with their camper on a single rear wheel one ton ( not as heavy a camper as yours but heavy enough ) took a drive down a rough gravel road some 40 plus miles to see a famous water fall. They blew a rear tire just before they got to the falls and cranked their spare tire down from under the rear of the truck and installed that, the next day they leave and they blow the other tire on the rear LOL. So now he mounted a spare tire carrier on the front bumper so he has two spares. The problem with front mounted spares is they are in the way and they restrict air flow to the rad but so far that aspect has been ok. They had wanted to go up the Dempster "highway" which of course is a notorious tire eating type of gravel this summer to Tuktoyaktuk at the Arctic ocean so another reason to carry two spares but due to all the crap going on we can't even move freely around our own country here in Canada.

[@majerstud]

Hello Nate! Things are starting to get interesting, eh? I think you'll like the placement of the spare- certainly closer to the ground and easier to access! Have you had any issues with the tires so far? Any flats, or anything that required you to use the spare?

[@KruseandViews]

My friend!!! Thanks for stopping by! It's getting very interesting and I just plugging along with this build. I agree I am excited to have the spare moved to the rear and I will keep up off the ground as far as possible. Nothing is wrong with the tires and they have performed wonderfully!! No issues at all. Sending my best to you and the Mrs!

[@TopTopTopD]

You cant have your Host 9 ft forward, the stair well area sits below the flat portion of the camper..

[@KruseandViews]

Yes you can when you have a flatbed like I do.

[@sipester10]

How much of an impact will this have on your departure angle? If you were to do it over again, would you go with an 84 inch cab to axle?

[@biggun5460]

My first thought also. Departure angle will be greatly diminished.

[@Tlicious726]

Like it matters? It’s not a rock crawling buggy it’s a massive truck camper that will see some dirt roads. When a departure matters this will have already rolled over, this is just internet circle-jerk crap. Almost no one needs it

[@KruseandViews]

Haha, tell us how you really feel! It's all good... just having a little fun.

[@KruseandViews]

The tire will sit above on the fold down holder. So it will be as low as the rear hitch.

[@KruseandViews]

No, I want the better turning radius while off road. I am trying to make things work the best I can. Hopeful that the departure angle won't be too impacted.

[@WADZUP]

I had to go back and watch this video again to understand why you were moving the tire and fuel but still not 100% clear so I apologize if missed the main reason but just to be clear what exactly was the primary reason? Was it because you felt the Host would be more secure due to the tie down orientations and wanting the weight to be further forward and or was it more to due with wanting the fuel on the side and the tire more accessible and easier to remove and install the spare? Sorry it you made it clear and I missed it in the video. Also, if you did it again would you have gone with a difference flat bed system or design or has this part of your build made good sense and remain in sync with your plans going forward. I'm looking at getting the Host Cascade or Mammoth but I've also been looking at Kinstar which is much smaller kzbin.info/www/bejne/jWHMZ6Zojt6irsU&ab_channel=Stonyboot