Trucks, Tech, Reviews, ADV Travel
Rancho 9000 shocks have been on several of my trucks over the past 20+ years and I still like them. They are much better than the factory dampers, and adjustable, which can be pretty fantastic for trucks that are often lightly loaded, and/or heavily loaded.
Want to go fast, then maybe a race-inspired shock is your solution? Got a heavy load, a less sexy (and less expensive) heavy-duty damper might work.
James Langan
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At the NW Overland Rally in June, I saw this Delxo three-step aluminum ladder outside a Four Wheel Campers Hawk flatbed. It’s light and super slim when folded.
The Louisville shelf-ladder mounted to the rear of my AT Overland can carriers is great once camped, however for brief roadside stops it’s not convenient to unbolt to help my wife get into our Hallmark flatbed camper. (The White Knuckle Off Road Products Hitch-Step works for me most of the time.)
The heavy-duty folding Louisville ladder is shown for comparison. It’s a fantastic shop ladder (and expensive), though far too big and heavy to mount on, or put inside the camper.
The Delxo seems rounded enough that I think interior cabinetry damage is unlikely on decent roads. If we really like the Delxo ($80 from Amazon) I may think about some cushioning cabinetry protection inside our Hallmark Nevada flatbed.
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James Langan
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White Knuckle Off Road Products
North of Bend, Oregon. Our public land. Free. Quiet. Last month, heading home from the Northwest Overland Rally.
James Langan
Copyright James Langan/RoadTraveler. All Rights Reserved
First of a few videos recapping recent suspension modifications on the RoadTraveler 2017 Ram/Cummins 2500 regular cab, with Hallmark Nevada flatbed truck camper. This video covers TUFTRUCK TTC-1225 and TTC-1224 heavy-duty coil springs, as well as Rancho 5000X shock absorbers. Rancho part number RS55044 was a good fit for both axles after lifting the front.
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James Langan
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Raising the roof on a Hallmark Nevada 8.5-foot flatbed model camper. This unit has an air conditioner and 320 Watts of Zamp solar panels on the roof. The Makita XPH07 drill offers 1,090 in.-lb. of torque.
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James Langan
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Flatbed camper truck suspension tinkering and changes are not risk free, and I like to say that often “modifications lead to modifications.” Followup mods might be desirable upgrades, or unwelcome consequences.
Application specifics matter. Assuming that standard tweaks which work well on the typical unloaded/lightly-loaded truck are also good for a much heavier outfit, are often naïve.
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Video EDIT- In the video I said “rec-tube”, however this step is actually made with 2.5″ square material. Their standard 3/16″ step ($60) is made out of rectangular tubing.
Also see this article: White Knuckle Off Road Hitch Step
Copyright James Langan/RoadTraveler All Rights Reserved
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White Knuckle Off Road Products