Looking to get a 2025 F350 DRW HO diesel for an estimated 4200 pound (loaded, wet) slide in camper. Per the 2025 guide, the camper package might include uprated front springs and a certifications form (for SRW a rear stabilizer bar is added, and for F250's rear auxiliary springs are added, but are supposedly "included" with the F350).

I'm thinking the camper certification sheet from Ford isn't that important, and the front springs could always be changed out if needed? The dealer I'm working with did a nationwide search and there are currently no camper package options on the King Ranch trim level in the truck I want (the trim level is a wife pleaser thing--I'd be fine with a lower level truck).

I'd appreciate any thoughts--thank you.

 

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Women will always find something to bicker about lol so go for a Lariat or Platinum and get the camper/tow packages IMHO. If you stick with the king then all you have to do after is toss on a Hellwig rear sway bar and a set of StableLoad bump stops for the overload leafs. Doubt you'd need to redo the front springs especially if you decide to upgrade the front stock sway bar with a Hellwig unit.

 

From what I was able to tell, the "camper package" consists of a heavier (+2 coil) front spring pack, a rear anti-sway bar, and a piece of paper.

When I was looking, I was having similar problems finding an F350 DRW with the camper package and the other 'features' I wanted - in my case, the XL package and 7.3L gas.

The one I did finally find didn't have the camper pkg, but it does have the "heavy service" package. Which consists of a +2 spring front spring pack... and DRW come standard with the rear anti sway bar. So all I'm missing is the slip of paper... 🤷🏼‍♂️

So maybe your dealer can find you one with *that* option package if they can't find one with the camper package.

 

I ordered my SRW with the camper package because I'll never have another pickup truck without a rear sway bar. Since the DRW already comes with a rear sway bar - and I'm towing a trailer - I would not have added the camper package. For a slide-in camper, I would either get the camper package or plan to upgrade the front springs. Or, as @memilanuk said above, the heavy service package or even the snow plow prep.





I ordered my truck just the way I wanted it so I didn't have to do a bunch of modifications days after driving it off the lot. I'm certainly capable of doing those modifications, I just wanted a truck that stayed stock.

I haven't kept up to date with the lead time for ordering a truck but if you can't find what you want in inventory, ordering is always an option.

 

Thank you to everyone who responded. I have a second, kinda related question. I was planning on trying to get (if something is at a dealer, otherwise I would order) the 5th wheel/gooseneck prep. Two reasons--one, it is possible that we will decide we aren't loving a slide in camper and might switch to a towed camper, and two I think it would help with resale value, esp. on a dually.

My question is that I would assume that nothing about having this prep package prevents using a slide in camper? Assuming that a 5th wheel hitch isn't installed and/or the gooseneck ball isn't installed or facing up. Thanks.

 

I have a gooseneck fifth wheel package. No problem with the slide in camper. I just put a bed mat over the puck covers and good to go.

 

I have both the 5th wheel prep and camper packages. No problems with the slide-in.

 

The 2018 F350 SRW we had came with the plow / camper pkg, and the 5th wheel prep pkg. As has been mentioned, the puck covers aren't really in the way of anything. You'll likely have to build a spacer frame for the camper to sit on, because the height of the Ford can is so tall. With that, you could probably get away with even having 5th wheel rails in the bed - just make cut outs in the spacer for them.

 

I bought my 2020 right off the lot since I could not find a TREMOR! It did not come with a camper package but did come with a 5-er pkg. So I added StableLoads and a factory anti sway bar. It was enough for my 2350 pound camper (with 40 gals. water and 20 pound prop). Remember with most truck camper applications, there is very little weight change on the front axle....except when you make that eventual emergency stop. Then there is big time weight transfer right to the front.
The one reason I thought the FX4 package was a good idea was for the steel skid plates under the T. case. As it worked out, with all the other parts hanging down lower that limit your clearance and breakover angle, the skid plates will probably never see any action before other parts are destroyed. So with the FX4 I basically get a sticker. My 2020 came with the 5-er prep package. I think it was a good thing with a truck camper aboard since it further stiffens the frame.
I would have gotten the camper package if i'd had the chance to order it. If your camper weighs more than say 3000 pounds, and you do little off roading, I would go with upper and lower StableLoads. If you want a really heavy camper, maybe the ultra thick anti-sway bar and a dually would make more sense.

 

The camper certification sheet isn't required but it does contain some important information.
The truck's payload rating assumes a distribution of weight. To that end, the max camper weight on the certification sheet reduces the truck's stickered payload rating by 150 pounds per seating position. The camper certification also shows where the CG of the camper should be located in the bed.

 

I have the tow package but no camper package (2012 F350 SRW gas) and it did not come with a sway bar. There is noticeable sway when I am standing in the camper. Hellwig swaybar should arrive today to install...At minimum I would check and confirm it comes with a swaybar, with whatever package you choose, or plan to add one.

 

Ordered mine with the snow plow prep and camper package. Payload is just under 5400 pounds, it’s a DRW though so that helps. All I’ve added were timberens bumps stops, and super sway stop from super springs and a Road master anti sway bar. Camper wet is 4400lbs. Truck loaded rides nice. I got the lariat and order without the roof glass for extra weight saving/ added payload capacity.

 

Have the same set up but my TC is ~3200lbs. When loaded up I am just under the limits on front axle by 80 lbs IIRC. Front axle on scale is 5520 and max is 5600.

GVWR 14k I am at 13500.

 

This and you get the 7 and 12 pin plug outlets in the bed.