shelbyluvv Posted January 29, 2018 Share Posted January 29, 2018 My current truck is absolutely beautiful. I'm a bit biased though. There is one major issue with it and it isn't the transmission. I already had that built. My issue is the Mega Cab has a terrible cargo carrying capacity. It think it is like 1200#. Throw on a long bed and 22" of frame, drive shaft and exhaust and I have NO capacity. We want a truck camper but with Meg's limited capacity we don't have a lot of choices on campers. I don't want a Class C and a 5th wheel is out of the question because of our boat. I have come to the conclusion I am buying a Ram 5500, having a custom utility bed made and throwing a Eagle Cap 1165 on it. I am retiring in July from the Marines and moving back to Georgia. Yes it's true. The MJ is already on it's way back and should be there Tuesday. I can't wait to get back east and start the build on this thing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpdriver1 Posted January 29, 2018 Share Posted January 29, 2018 WOW --- a beautiful rig drool, drool, drool Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87MJTIM Posted January 29, 2018 Share Posted January 29, 2018 How about some interior pictures? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelbyluvv Posted January 29, 2018 Author Share Posted January 29, 2018 1165 http://www.amlrv.com/eagle-cap-truck-campers/eagle-cap-truck-camper-models-floor-plans/eagle-cap-truck-camper-model-1165/ 1200 http://www.amlrv.com/eagle-cap-truck-campers/eagle-cap-truck-camper-models-floor-plans/eagle-cap-truck-camper-model-1200/ We are between the 1165 and 1200 She wants the king bed and center bath. 1200 I want the queen with oven. 1165 The 1200 only has a convection oven. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DesertRat1991 Posted January 29, 2018 Share Posted January 29, 2018 What are some of the advantages of going this route vs class C? At first glance, that rig doesn't look to be the best tool for any of it's intended applications. Doesn't really seem much cheaper than Class C either. How big of a boat are you pulling? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelbyluvv Posted January 29, 2018 Author Share Posted January 29, 2018 What are some of the advantages of going this route vs class C? At first glance, that rig doesn't look to be the best tool for any of it's intended applications. Doesn't really seem much cheaper than Class C either. How big of a boat are you pulling? To me these are the advantages. I can still have a truck when I need one. I won't have a lawn ornament when it isn't being used, it will be my daily driver. The truck comes with a lifetime warranty. It will be 4wd. I can get a manual transmission. The camper can be removed by pulling 4 pins, lowering the jacks and driving away. This will come in handy when we want to go to dinner, the zoo or on a date. This keeps us from having to take the dogs in the camper and leaving it on. My boat is only a 22' pontoon. But I still have to have a hitch. Not all states let you pull tandems.Those are my reasons. Your ideas May differ. We are very outdoor types and will travel the country fishing and camping once my wife retires. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87MJTIM Posted January 29, 2018 Share Posted January 29, 2018 What type of camping- primitive or campgrounds? we have a 34 ft travel trailer. We haven’t used the oven in years. We cook on the stove or outside on a grill. If we want to heat something up, we use a small toaster oven. My vote, skip the oven. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelbyluvv Posted January 29, 2018 Author Share Posted January 29, 2018 We do a lot of both camping. We use the smoker and grill a lot. She loves to bake also. I could put a oven it in. It isn't that difficult. There are other issues...The lack of a real dinette is a downer. If we have the kids with us they will be on the floor. That is 2 missing bed spaces. We would not get the theater seating either. I like to sit with my wife and a center divide would stop that. Also kills another bed.The 1165 is laid out almost identical to our current travel trailer. I like that layout. We bought the pontoon so we can have our friends and family with us. The truck will be comfortable for them to travel with us. We need a place for them to sleep also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted January 29, 2018 Share Posted January 29, 2018 are you set on that particular manufacturer of truck camper? Lance has some decent floorplans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelbyluvv Posted January 30, 2018 Author Share Posted January 30, 2018 I don't like Lance floor plans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted January 30, 2018 Share Posted January 30, 2018 I think you'll be living like a king with either choice. have you guys stood in them yet? sometimes actually being there can make all the difference as to which feels right. 1165: 1200: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fiatslug87 Posted January 30, 2018 Share Posted January 30, 2018 I thought you were staying in CA for a couple of years after you retired from the Marines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelbyluvv Posted January 30, 2018 Author Share Posted January 30, 2018 That was the plan. I miss my kids terribly and we just had our first grand baby a couple weeks ago. I have put my career first for 25 years. Now my family will come first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted February 14, 2018 Share Posted February 14, 2018 found your new truck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dasbulliwagen Posted February 14, 2018 Share Posted February 14, 2018 With the Dodges, you might look into power ratings with the manual trans, many of the Cummins power ratings are detuned for manuals due to the dual mass flywheel. Not sure if thats an issue for you, but something you might need to know if getting one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gone Fishin' Posted August 5, 2020 Share Posted August 5, 2020 Looks like an amazing rig! I'm considering the same setup but haven't been able to get much info on which utility body to use. Can you let me know who manufactured the body that you choose and are you happy with it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelbyluvv Posted August 9, 2020 Author Share Posted August 9, 2020 Sherptek makes a bed for a truck camper. It is really expensive though. Somewhere around $25k for the bed. I decided against the 4500 when I stumbled on an amazing deal on my 3500. We finally decided on a Eagle Cap 1200. With the current situation campers are bringing a premium and dealers are asking crazy prices for them. Once things get back to normal I'm sure the market will be full on new campers people lost interest in when they can go on vacation again. Sent from my moto g power using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndersonSmith66 Posted August 10, 2020 Share Posted August 10, 2020 Thanks for this post shelbyluvv! I love your article! The content is very valuable. It shows that you spent time researching this and you have managed to turn it into an incredible piece of valuable content 🚘🚀👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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