Suspension Recommendations for FWC Hawk Camper

[brad21]

We've put in an order for a Four Wheel Camper Hawk model. Dry weight is 1100 lbs. Looking for suspension recommendations from anyone who has put a camper on their PW.

I've been chatting with Chris at Thuren and he's saying do the camper without any suspension mods first to see what it's like. We've got a 2018 PW.

I know we're gonna be over our max payload right away fully loaded, anyone got real-world experience here? Kinda scares me to not do anything right away...

[OffroadTreks]

Chris is spot on. You shouldn't do anything until you get the camper. We can all name things that make good upgrades, but it's all dependant on how you load it up and how it feels.

I run a RTT and tow an Airstream, and my setup is dialed in for me without Airbags. Other dudes tow heavier and need bags. It really depends.

I think he's given you great advice. It's gonna squat off the bat for sure. But when you've got the FWC in the bed, you'll be able to start making plans more accurately.

Why waste money before you need too?

Not only that, but if you're thinking about Kings and what not, he probably told you it's good to know the weight. We tuned mine for the weight I carry. And I knew that from a visit to the cat scales.

I say wait. But that's me.

[TankerZak]

Except for replacing the tires and the rear track bar... those you can do.... criminal design items right there...

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[olyelr]

Yea, I would get the camper and load it up for a short practice trip to see how it acts before doing anything. Then start planning upgrades based on how it reacts. Maybe take it to the scales to get front and rear and overall weights too so you will have that info for them.

And keep us updated!

[OffroadTreks]

Having a base weight is a great idea, since then you can really see the effects of each addition.

[brad21]

Came across this article, seems like good info: https://outdoorx4.com/stories/ram-power ... dium=email

[TankerZak]

Came across this article, seems like good info: https://outdoorx4.com/stories/ram-power ... dium=email

That guy did NOT know what he was doing. Don't follow that advice. There are better solutions and better ways to build to do what you want to do. This forum has better advice. His airbag selection will bite him. They accounted for the lift of the PW with the drop bracket but they slayed the articulation. They also didn't account for the droop of the rear axle. Those bags will over extend. He also didn't know or didn't address the rear track bar which is a major issue on these trucks with weight in the bed.

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[Low_Sky]

Came across this article, seems like good info: https://outdoorx4.com/stories/ram-power ... dium=email

Great example of how not to do it. Thanks for sharing.


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[OffroadTreks]

Came across this article, seems like good info: https://outdoorx4.com/stories/ram-power ... dium=email

Great example of how not to do it. Thanks for sharing.


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Ugh, I follow that guy on IG and he had asked about the suspension. Glad to see he took my advice and threw it out the window. I'm really getting tired of offering advice for it to be ignored. Zak is right. That might bite him one day.

But I've never seen him do anything serious beyond dirt roads, so maybe not.

[DamageWagon]

You’re in Portland right? When you get the camper let me know and we can do a test drive. I do a lot of work with these trucks suspension and have my own camper. Been down that road before!

Marcus
tech@dethloffmfg.com

PS I don’t like campers on power wagons. Especially 4WC’s. They’re HEAVY. Throw that 1100lb estimate out the window. Most of their campers are in the 15-1600lb+ range once you add options, water and minimal gear inside them.

[Low_Sky]

Came across this article, seems like good info: https://outdoorx4.com/stories/ram-power ... dium=email

Great example of how not to do it. Thanks for sharing.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ugh, I follow that guy on IG and he had asked about the suspension. Glad to see he took my advice and threw it out the window. I'm really getting tired of offering advice for it to be ignored. Zak is right. That might bite him one day.

But I've never seen him do anything serious beyond dirt roads, so maybe not.

You obviously didn’t read about all that extreme fully locked front and rear axle articulation he did that one time when he needed to write an article about his truck.


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[OffroadTreks]

You obviously didn’t read about all that extreme fully locked front and rear axle articulation he did that one time when he needed to write an article about his truck.

I'm just a keyboard warrior after all. TL;DR

[Low_Sky]

Came across this article, seems like good info: https://outdoorx4.com/stories/ram-power ... dium=email

Great example of how not to do it. Thanks for sharing.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ugh, I follow that guy on IG and he had asked about the suspension. Glad to see he took my advice and threw it out the window. I'm really getting tired of offering advice for it to be ignored. Zak is right. That might bite him one day.

But I've never seen him do anything serious beyond dirt roads, so maybe not.

The author just dragged up an almost five year dead thread on another Ram forum to answer the question (publicize his article and try to generate some web traffic). I criticized his setup and seem to have triggered some kind of airbag nervous breakdown. I’m not into trolling and I didn’t know the guy was going to react that way, but it was hilarious.


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[TankerZak]

Great example of how not to do it. Thanks for sharing.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ugh, I follow that guy on IG and he had asked about the suspension. Glad to see he took my advice and threw it out the window. I'm really getting tired of offering advice for it to be ignored. Zak is right. That might bite him one day.

But I've never seen him do anything serious beyond dirt roads, so maybe not.

The author just dragged up an almost five year dead thread on another Ram forum to answer the question (publicize his article and try to generate some web traffic). I criticized his setup and seem to have triggered some kind of airbag nervous breakdown. I’m not into trolling and I didn’t know the guy was going to react that way, but it was hilarious.


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A meltdown with no link is like a story with no pics. Didn't happen...

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[olyelr]

Ugh, I follow that guy on IG and he had asked about the suspension. Glad to see he took my advice and threw it out the window. I'm really getting tired of offering advice for it to be ignored. Zak is right. That might bite him one day.

But I've never seen him do anything serious beyond dirt roads, so maybe not.

The author just dragged up an almost five year dead thread on another Ram forum to answer the question (publicize his article and try to generate some web traffic). I criticized his setup and seem to have triggered some kind of airbag nervous breakdown. I’m not into trolling and I didn’t know the guy was going to react that way, but it was hilarious.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

A meltdown with no link is like a story with no pics. Didn't happen...

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

BOOM



https://www.ramforum.com/threads/power- ... per.66899/

[olyelr]

“Airbag nervous breakdown” LMAO!

[JPatch88]

We've put in an order for a Four Wheel Camper Hawk model. Dry weight is 1100 lbs. Looking for suspension recommendations from anyone who has put a camper on their PW.

I've been chatting with Chris at Thuren and he's saying do the camper without any suspension mods first to see what it's like. We've got a 2018 PW.

I know we're gonna be over our max payload right away fully loaded, anyone got real-world experience here? Kinda scares me to not do anything right away...

What are you looking at for your delivery date? I have a hawk coming the week of 5/20. I'll let you know how my '16 handles it if I get it before you. I'll probably end up with airbags, but will drive it around a bit first.

[brad21]

We've put in an order for a Four Wheel Camper Hawk model. Dry weight is 1100 lbs. Looking for suspension recommendations from anyone who has put a camper on their PW.

I've been chatting with Chris at Thuren and he's saying do the camper without any suspension mods first to see what it's like. We've got a 2018 PW.

I know we're gonna be over our max payload right away fully loaded, anyone got real-world experience here? Kinda scares me to not do anything right away...

What are you looking at for your delivery date? I have a hawk coming the week of 5/20. I'll let you know how my '16 handles it if I get it before you. I'll probably end up with airbags, but will drive it around a bit first.

We're all set with Hellwig bags, taking delivery of our Hawk on 5/7.

[Reloaderguy]

Came across this article, seems like good info: https://outdoorx4.com/stories/ram-power ... dium=email

Great example of how not to do it. Thanks for sharing.


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Ugh, I follow that guy on IG and he had asked about the suspension. Glad to see he took my advice and threw it out the window. I'm really getting tired of offering advice for it to be ignored. Zak is right. That might bite him one day.

But I've never seen him do anything serious beyond dirt roads, so maybe not.

I'm sure you get more than I do but I get a lot of PM's and FB requests for advice. I delete them. No one wants advice, they want affirmation. Just look at this thread.

[Reloaderguy]

Dear sirs or madams. I have made a decision I don't want to tell you about. Would you please spend your time formulating your thoughts on the subject so that I may ignore them and possibly tell you you're wrong? Thanks in advance!

[JPatch88]

Lol, if I agree to listen to the advice here (as much as I can afford) hopefully I won't get pulled under the bus.

I'm assuming from the reading i've done on the site, the Airlifter 5000 ultimate with the daystar cradles is still the way to go. The guy I bought the truck from had installed the timbren rear "suspension enhancement system" which I've been meaning to remove and reinstall the stock bumpstops. Now that the snow's gone and I actually have a driveway/garage, I'll make that happen. Figure I'll plan on adding the thuren rear track bar while I'm under the truck doing everything else.

I know the power wagon/ four wheel camper isn't the perfect combo, but it's a good enough compromise for me to work with. Better than the damn Tacoma I had before this. Can always drop the camper as a home base if I can ever save enough vacation time to make it to PWIM lol

[DamageWagon]

Those airbags are a good idea, over timbrens. Thuren trackbar is a great idea. Keep the truck low if you do suspension. Lose weight where you can.