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Welcome back to Rigs We Dig, our monthly series highlighting the people behind thoughtfully built adventure vehicles. This month, we’re featuring Sarah Murphy and her 2015 RAM 3500 Flatbed Dually, a hard-working ranch truck turned adventure-ready home base. Originally purchased to haul bison for Murphy Legacy Bison, Sarah’s rig now carries a vintage Northstar pop-up camper built for everything from backcountry ski starts to desert mountain bike trips. Outfitted with custom fabricated gear boxes, roof solar, and a sleep setup designed to stay warm through cold Colorado nights, this build strikes a balance between rugged practicality and everyday comfort. It’s a rig built for real life, one that works just as hard on the ranch as it does chasing quiet places off the grid.
Your Name: Sarah Murphy
Location: Hesperus, Colorado
Rig Nickname: The Ivory Tower or… THE RIG!
Make & Model: 3500 RAM Flatbed Dually
Year: 2015
What made you choose the RAM 3500 as your base?
Can you give us a top highlight overview of your buildout and its key features?
The camper itself is a Northstar pop up camper. Its an older model, from the year 2000 I believe! But it was taken really well care of, and the reason I love the older model campers is that they have OVENS! Sooo nice for warm cinnamon rolls and coffee on cold mornings :)
Also, the tool boxes were custom fabricated by a friend, Paul Dohm. He welded an attachment to the bulkhead/cab rack for tie downs to the camper so that the opening of the toolboxes would not be blocked by traditional tie downs. The toolbox storage is so nice for any trip. The rig also has roof solar to power the electrical, the heater, or even Starlink go, depending on the trip.
What were your main goals or priorities when designing and building your rig?
Living and working in southwest Colorado means my rig needs to be practical, capable, and ready for everything from hauling bison and ranch work to backcountry ski starts. I love that it lets me stay close to the land without giving up the comfort of a real night’s sleep (thanks Hest!) I also wanted to make sure I could stay WARM in winter camp situations. Although there was the one time the battery died for the heater in 12 degrees in Silverton…. But we still managed to say warm!
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced during the build process?
The biggest challenge has definitely been working around the 8-foot-wide flatbed. It is one of my favorite features of the build because it creates such a solid platform for the slide-in camper and gives me room for the gear boxes, but it also created some real logistical challenges. Most slide-in camper leg supports are not designed for that much width, so I ended up needing three width extensions just to get the camper legs wide enough to back the flatbed underneath. It works, but it can make loading and unloading pretty wobbly and unstable.. definitely not the most relaxing part of the process. The gear boxes actually help now because they give me a better visual reference for lining everything up, but I’m still refining the system and working toward a better on-and-off solution since this truck is also used for bison hauling.
How many dollar signs on a scale of 1 to 5 is your build (5 being the highest)?
$$$
What products, brands, or upgrades are you most excited about in your rig?
I’m probably most excited about the new solar setup. Having the ability to keep the battery charged while I’m out on the road or parked in more remote places gives the whole rig a lot more freedom and functionality.
I’m also excited about being able to run Starlink Go if I need to work on the go. My life is a mix of ranching, running a business, and spending as much time outside as possible, so having a setup that lets me stay connected when needed — without being fully tied to town or cell service!
Are there any features or upgrades you wish you had added (or done differently)? (For example, changes in layout, better materials, or omitted products)
None that I can think of yet!
What’s one feature in your rig that you’ve learned you cannot live without?
Definitely my HEST Dually Queen mattress. Getting good sleep is crucial for me.
There’s something really comforting about knowing that wherever I end up … a trailhead, a dirt road, a ranch stop, or somewhere completely unexpected…. I’ll still have a comfortable place to sleep. It makes the whole rig feel more like a true home base, not just a vehicle.
How much time and effort did the entire process take, and was it worth it? (Time from planning to completion and lessons learned)
Since the build itself was fairly simple, the whole process took a couple of months once I found the Northstar camper. Most of the time and effort went into getting the gear boxes built out and then figuring out how to safely and practically get the camper on and off the 8-foot-wide flatbed. The final setup gives me exactly what I wanted, a simple, functional, comfortable rig that works for both adventure and real life.
Where is the coolest place you have taken your rig?
That’s a tough question! One my favorite places to take it is to the Utah desert for early spring mountain biking trips. But honestly, anywhere in the mountains, desert, or remote wilderness is the best!
Do you have any advice for someone just starting their overland rig build? (Tips, tools, or key things to keep in mind)
I’d keep it practical and build something you’ll actually use. It’s easy to get caught up in making everything perfect or overly complicated, but the best rig is the one that makes it easier to get where you want to go with the amenities that are important to you - to have fun and be comfortable!
Choose a setup that isn’t too tedious to set up or take down, and that you’re not afraid to actually use. If you’re constantly worried about scratching it, denting it, or getting it dirty, it can take some of the fun out of the adventure!
