Images of this malfunctioning Ram 3500, equipped with an Eagle Cap camper in its bed, went viral when it broke down on the side of a road in Baja California. According to the owners, the frame “suddenly split in half,” despite their claims that it was not overloaded. Mopar, the factory warranty provider, disagreed and refused to cover the estimated $17,000 repair bill, as mentioned in the original Facebook post.
After their unfortunate journey, owner Mike Pavel shared his experience over the phone. He revealed that the Ram 3500 had been hauling the Eagle Cap 1165 since it was new, covering 25,000 miles through the Rocky Mountains, the Pacific Northwest, and eventually Baja. Despite the incident, the truck had always performed admirably, with its diesel engine delivering robust power while carrying the substantial slide-in camper.
Pavel mentioned, “I extensively researched before purchasing both the truck and the camper. The Ram dealer and camper company assured us that this was the ideal truck for the camper, capable of handling the load effortlessly. The truck’s payload capacity was around 7,800 pounds, and the camper’s dry weight was close to 5,000 pounds, fully loaded at approximately 6,500 pounds.”
If you search for the maximum payload capacity of a 2020 Ram 3500, ramtrucks.com content, the payload capacity for a 4×4 diesel dually tops out at 5,850 pounds.”
Having a camper that weighs 4,900 pounds when empty can lead to risky situations, especially when filled with weeks’ worth of gear. It’s crucial to remember that payload includes not only the bed capacity but also the weight inside the cabin like passengers and cargo. Additionally, each axle has its own maximum weight limit, highlighting the necessity of utilizing facilities like a CAT scale to accurately assess the total weight distribution. Pavel admitted that he had not taken the truck and camper setup to any weigh stations to confirm the overall weight.
Instances like this are unfortunately quite common. Truck owners frequently lack accurate information about their vehicle’s capabilities, whether due to misinterpreting specifications or receiving erroneous guidance from dealers. In most cases, failures like these occur due to improper handling.
“The roads in Mexico, specifically in Baja, are quite rough,” Pavel noted. “They are winding and feature various bumps and dips. The two-lane roads are narrow, with virtually no shoulders. Hence, we had to maintain a cautious speed ranging between 55-60 mph, navigating these challenging road conditions.”
During their journey, Pavel detected creaking sounds emanating from beneath the truck at one point. Despite inspecting the shocks and springs, he found no discernible issue and opted to proceed to their designated camping spot with his wife. It was only after a two-and-a-half-day drive north that the frame split, leaving them approximately 100 miles from the US border.
As Pavel described it, the truck began “surging” forward, akin to driving with a flat tire. Despite checking for any visible issues, they continued at slow speeds of “5-10 mph max.” However, the problem manifested itself further with visible cracks forming on both sides of the frame.
Mike Pavel
Fortuitously, their breakdown occurred near an automotive workshop where a mechanic assessed the damage. Utilizing the camper’s jacks, Pavel managed to stabilize the setup, and the mechanic performed on-the-spot welding.He did his utmost to ensure they could drive it again. He even generously offered to safeguard their camper until the truck was properly repaired. This is where they left it, about 800 miles from their residence near Lake Tahoe.
Following that, Pavel reached out to his local Ram dealer, who reportedly had encountered similar situations in the past. They informed him that if Mopar approved the warranty claim, they would place the truck on a new frame. Pavel was optimistic that Mopar would understand his situation and cover the necessary repairs, but as of December 29, that has not been the case.
“Mopar rejected the claim, asserting that the truck was overloaded, which is inaccurate,” Pavel conveyed to me via text. “I have now filed a claim with my insurance company, and they are sending an adjuster today. Reno Dodge provided an invoice for repairs totaling over $17,000.”
When inquired if Mopar provided any specific data to support their claim denial, Pavel responded, “No, they simply referred to the load capacity of my truck.”
The next course of action remains uncertain as Pavel’s insurance company has yet to reach a decision. He mentioned contemplating whether to keep the 3500 once it’s fully repaired, as a friend suggested upgrading to a Ram 5500, which would be better suited to accommodate his camper. Unfortunately, this decision arguably should have been made from the outset.
Updated at 4:25 p.m. ET on 12/29/2022: The article now contains additional information on the truck’s configuration, potential payload capacity, and details on manufacturer weight ratings.
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