Chevy 2.8 diesel ZR2

[buckland]

For those interested in matching a truck to camper.... I will say I love my Colorado diesel with the Eagle camper combo. Three years and doing great. I changed the shocks (Bilstein 5100 RHA which allows the front adjustment 2" higher) and a Boise Spring Works leaf spring pack) and leaf springs. The height of the bed rails does require a raising of the camper ...I insulated the base of the camper while doing so.
This new model version looks like they have taken care of the shocks!


https://outdoorx4.com/stories/nearly-perfect-overlander/

 

[MaxSand]

How is that not overloaded?

 

[buckland]

The Eagle was on my Taco for 5 years. The payload is higher in the Chevy albeit not much. I drove 12000 mikes to Alaska across the Yukon from New England and this year 4000 miles across Newfoundland and Labrador. I’d say it’s been rough road tested.
I took out rear seats. It is over the top a bit. Good brakes and E rated tires. Averaged 20 mpg on AK trip which was a lot of rough. On the highway 23 with camper and without 28 mpg. I am pleased.

 

[Vic Harder]

I haven't read up on the DSSV shocks. Are they capable of adapting to different loads as well? Or does all that wonderful tuning go out the window when you drop the camper in it?

 

[buckland]

I guess I’ll stick with the Bilstein 5100’s. Though I am considering the OME now they have them for this truck.

 

[Mighty Dodge Ram]

I’m super impressed with the Bison. I know somebody who drives the ZR2 and the suspension really works. My only concern...if you break a shock the price tag for a single replacement is around $1,000. Ouch!

Edited for clarity: I prefer the gasser over the diesel but am not critical of it as such. I have no experience with the 2.8.

 

[MaxSand]

I am very interested in the topic of truck payload capacity and truck camper weight. In a quick internet search, I found a thread from WTW with a lot of good information. At one point someone observed that just about everyone with a camper on a mid sized or half ton truck is overweight. Of particular interest to me is Malamute’s entry regarding wheel bearings on page 4 and rando’s entry regarding stopping distances on page 5. I thank everyone for the good info on WTW.


http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/topic/6411-fwc-camper-weight/