Should not doesn't mean you can't.

For your safety and liability and the safety of others, you'd be well-advised to do what the owner's manual says.

 

Just curious, where does the fore-aft center of gravity for that unit fall when loaded for travel? IMO (and per guidance of all truck and slide-in camper manufacturers) it should be directly above or forward of the rear axle centerline for proper weight distribution (to achieve any possibility of decent / safe handling).

What do you estimate as the real-world weight when loaded for travel?

What do you do if / when you have a puncture / need access to the spare tire?

I'm avoiding comment on the 'should-vs-can' issue.

 

Just curious, where does the fore-aft center of gravity for that unit fall when loaded for travel? IMO it should be directly above or forward of the rear axle centerline for proper weight distribution (to achieve any possibility of decent / safe handling).

 

I do not have the exact answer for now.
The Ridgeline doesn't exist outside North America. The European manufacturer has to buy the Auto CAD from Honda to produce the images posted. We have a concern about the portion highlighted in red. Some modification to make it fits between the tail gate posts (slightly narrower than the competition mid-size pickup).
Unfortunately, there will be no way to access the trunk. I will have to figure spare tire carrier somewhere, somehow. As you can see, there is some issues to address.
It wise from you avoiding comment on "should-vs-can". This is lawyer's stuff...
Excuse my english, my tongue language is French.

 

I do not have the exact answer for now.
The Ridgeline doesn't exist outside North America. The European manufacturer has to buy the Auto CAD from Honda to produce the images posted. We have a concern about the portion highlighted in red. Some modification to make it fits between the tail gate posts (slightly narrower than the competition mid-size pickup).
Unfortunately, there will be no way to access the trunk. I will have to figure spare tire carrier somewhere, somehow. As you can see, there is some issues to address.
It wise from you avoiding comment on "should-vs-can". This is lawyer's stuff...
Excuse my english, my tongue language is French.

This is our 2017 Ridgeline BE with a custom-made Phoenix Pop Up camper Out of Denver. They do beautiful work and great customer support. The Ridgeline has a payload capacity of 1580 lbs. The camper weighs about 950 lbs leaving us around 600 lbs of people, a dog food & water. It has a propane heater, fridge that makes ice, and two-burner stove top + sink. The sleep over cab is a queen size bed. We lifted the rear 1”, reinforced the springs with Sumo Super Springs, and replaced the stock Firestone tires with BFG LT 265/60/18 K02 ATs. We were getting 28 mpg on the highway (over the Rockies) but now get around 21-22 mpg. So far so good. Note the spare tire mounted on the rear of the camper.

 

Yep, this is a good one !

 

No problem with the language @Luc , with that you are doing fine.

I think your problem is with the concept and application ..... ignoring "lawyer's stuff" my opinion is that you are working toward a too-compromised end result regarding practical and functional aspects of the project. Just because you may be able to 'make it fit' doesn't mean end result will be functionally desirable.

 

The story behind that image.

Insurance Covers $17k Repair to Pavel's Broken Ram 3500 Frame

You've seen the photographs and read the article by now---the Pavel's 2020 Ram 3500 buckled in two with a 2020 Eagle Cap 1165 mounted on back. The

www.truckcamperadventure.com

 

I agree with you but everything is about your needs and expectations accordingly with feasibility and safety of course. Also, there is an engineer involve in this project. This has to be validated by people who knows about such chalenge.

 

... Also, there is an engineer involve in this project.

You seem to have come here for confirmation and aren't getting it. Most of the large scale disasters that the world has seen have had engineers involved.

 

Questions I would want to be answered as a buyer or investor:

1. Will an insurance company insure this when Honda clearly says not to do it?
2. How will you tether this to the vehicle?
3. how do I mount and dismount the camper?
4. While CAD software can pinpoint the CG, I could see the center of gravity moving backward while lifting the nose reducing steering control. Saying an engineer is involved is not the same as wind tunnel testing by a Ph.D. (a minimum, if you are trying to disprove what Honda has already determined)

I would not be interested in this for a variety of reasons listed above. Were I able to get past those, I would need a 1-ton hoist and 12-15 ft. gantry as I would not want to drive it around except while camping.

I applaud the creativity and while it may be possible, it does not make it successful.

 

To answer you questions:
1-I don't want to debate about the semantic "should not" as it is written black on white. This is not clearly a no.
2-The bed anchor can handle 350 lbs each. There will be some kind of aluminum subframe to bolt in lieu of those.
3-With lifting legs at each corner.
4-There is many slide-in camper for pickup bed on the market. I question myself about the roadworthy of some rigs (to much hang over in the back and as high as second floor building). The Ridgeline is built to carry 1000 lbs in the bed, so what is the problem here. Of course you have to adapt your driving to the load. The same applied for weather condition.
The University of Istanbul in Türkiye is involved in the design and conception.
I respect your opinion but there is many people out there enjoying proven solutions.

 

Don't get me wrong, my post was to inform the RL community about a new slide-in camper, Nothing more to say !

 

Nothing more to say!

That may be best based on this website's Terms of Use use that state:

You may not:

• Use the Web Site to post or transmit any unlawful, harmful, threatening, abusive, libelous, flaming, hateful, offensive (whether in relation to sex, race, religion or otherwise), defamatory, obscene, vulgar, harassing, pornographic, profane or indecent information of any kind, including without limitation any transmissions constituting or encouraging conduct that would constitute a criminal offense, give rise to civil liability or otherwise violate any local, state, provincial, national or international law.

 

The OP was simply trying to drum up interest/buzz about this (pipe dream) camper shell proposal.

I don't think this product is viable for a multitude of reasons.
But judging by the number of people hacking together frames/roof racks, in order to carry around rooftop tents that will be used a few times per year, there is certainly a niche market for this kind of thing.

 

This is a drive-by.
This is a forum for discussion, opinions, and feedback. Luc wanted none of that so we are all wasting our time.

 

@Luc , I am trying to find a link to a post someone shared about building a wooden in-bed camper that looked more like a sauna on wheels to me. You could get in contact with them to ask about handling issues etc.

It does seem like people are doing this despite the owners manual.

Another Custom Honda Ridgeline Camper Off To Explore New Adventures | Phoenix Pop Up Campers

Phoenix Custom Ridgeline Camper

phoenixpopup.com

 

1) The truck in the attached photo is sitting way to flat, the rear would be compressed.
2) With the option for, and proven success of pull behind campers I'm at a loss to see how the juice required to make this work would be work the effort of the squeeze.

 

I'm not sure I can think of a worse choice for a slide in camper than any of the three unibody pickups. Even a full size half ton is a poor choice for a slide in.

 

I am working on a Slide-in camper project. Despite the fact that it is mentioned in the Owner's Manual (page 535 model year 2022) "Your vehicle should not be used to carry a slide-in camper. If you install a truck cap, be sure its properly installed and does not exceed your vehicles load limits."
Most of the camper shells proposed on the market are close to the load limit without considering passenger an all the things you carry with you on adventure tour (water, food, personal gear etc...)
It weights between 300-500 kg (660-1100 lbs). The 1100 lbs is with the solar panels, inverter, awnings, refrigerator etc...
If you only ad a refrigerator, a heater and a portative toilet, you keep the dry weight under 350kg (775 lbs). Which gives room for belongings, food and water.
If you have a light shell well balance, means a low gravity center and aft of the rear axis, why not ? Should not doesn't mean you can't.
There was a similar one by Earthcruiser (Oregon) called MOD 300 now replaced by EC but not much specs for now. This model was fabricated under Gazelle V1 (France).
To follow...
Luc
Montreal

Just do this:

 

Just do this:

What benefits do you derive from tethering the tent to the back of the truck?
Are you sleeping in the truck bed? If so, why?

 

It takes much more time to set up and I prefer something with solid wall except for the pop up portion.

 

Does the 950 lb camper weight include all of the options mentioned (propane heater, full propane tank, fridge, stove, sink, water, ect)?
yes, except water. Water tank is 20 gallons or 166 lbs when full.
How much sag are you getting when fully loaded?
5” before installing lift, Sumo super springs & LT tires.
2” after above installactions.
You're looking at base price of about $30,000 + extras.
See Custom Truck Campers built to fit your Vehicles Make & Model to price options, etc.
I’ll take some photos later & post.

 

5” before installing lift, Sumo super springs & LT tires.
2” after above installactions.

Thanks for the information.
I assume you remove the camper when not using it.
If so, how is ride quality when the truck bed is empty?

Given the cost of this slide-in unit, did you ever consider a small towable camper?
Something similar to this...Teardrop Campers & Truck Campers - TAG, TAB, Cirrus, Barefoot | nuCamp RV

 

My wife & I wanted to avoid towing. And yes, we remove the camper in the winter (unless we plan to head South) & store it in our garage. We drove the Ridgeline (without the camper) about 800 miles recently and it handled surprisingly well.

 

Very nice ! I have seen it on Phoenix web site. I am please to hear that you are happy with it.

The Stork Camper (base model) is lighter than the Phoenix (depend also of the options selected), but if necessary I am looking to opt for air ride suspension that could be use to compensate for the load as well as lowered the ride as image shown in the link below.

FV Suspension Air Struts - 2016+ Honda Ridgeline YK2 - FVAIRSTRUTS282

FV Suspension Air Struts - 2016+ Honda Ridgeline YK2 - FVAIRSTRUTS282 Part Number: FVAIRSTRUTS282 Note: This is Air Struts only, You will Need Management to Control it, Check out our Full Kits here. Product image for illustration purposes only. Actual product may vary. Note: Affirm and Sezzle...

www.fvsuspension.com

or

FV Suspension Coilovers - 2016+ Honda Ridgeline YK2 - FV-Coil-01-623

FV Suspension Coilovers - 2016+ Honda Ridgeline YK2 - FV-Coil-01-623 Part Number: FV-Coil-01-623 Product image for illustration purposes only. Actual product may vary. Note: (Sezzle and Affirm please allow 2-3 days to process) FV Suspension Coilovers are perfect for street driving, and still...

www.fvsuspension.com

 

This is my setup. A Camplite 5.7. its only 940lbs. I love it.

 

View attachment 442535
This is my setup. A Camplite 5.7. its only 940lbs. I love it.

Nice rig !
How the pickup handle the load ? Is it the standard rear coil over at the rear end ? It seems to be level but the back legs are not retracted.

Here is mine, waiting after its shipment from Türkiye.

 

It handles it very well. It does squat when you lift the legs. I just received my Summo Springs and did not have the chance to try them out with the camper. They should help with the squat.

Nice rig !
How the pickup handle the load ? Is it the standard rear coil over at the rear end ? It seems to be level but the back legs are not retracted.

Here is mine, waiting after its shipment from Türkiye. View attachment 442538 View attachment 442539 View attachment 442540

nice rig but the website says its 52inch wide at the back and the Ridgeline is only 51inch. Did you do a special order?

 

Does the 950 lb camper weight include all of the options mentioned (propane heater, full propane tank, fridge, stove, sink, water, ect)?
yes, except water. Water tank is 20 gallons or 166 lbs when full.
How much sag are you getting when fully loaded?
5” before installing lift, Sumo super springs & LT tires.
2” after above installactions.
You're looking at base price of about $30,000 + extras.
See Custom Truck Campers built to fit your Vehicles Make & Model to price options, etc.
I’ll take some photos later & post.

With the lift and sumo spring, do you have any negative camber on your back wheels?
Also are you talking about this springer helper or there is a custom made sumo spring you can option for RL: https://www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Suspension/Honda/Ridgeline/SuperSprings-Intl/CSS-1168R.html

Thanks

 

With the lift and sumo spring, do you have any negative camber on your back wheels?
Also are you talking about this springer helper or there is a custom made sumo spring you can option for RL: https://www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Suspension/Honda/Ridgeline/SuperSprings-Intl/CSS-1168R.html

Thanks

They are not listed but if you have a G2 RL you will need the 1145 sumo springs for the rear and 1125 if you want some for the front also. You will still have negative camber with the camper on but will be less. I drove about 4500kms this summer with the camper on the back and you can see a bit more wear on the rear tires then the front. I still have the factory Firestone tires on the RL and have 40000kms on truck now. I will need new tires for next summer and will get XL tires as they can carry weight better.

 

There is also two kits for (G2) by Flatout Suspension, Honda Ridgeline Lift Suspension [GR Plus]
The GR Plus at $ 2 485 USD or the GR Lite at $ 1 795 USD when budget is not much of a concern...