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Truck Camper Forum > General > General Discussion
Saxophony
Hey Guys,

I got the classical headache now of looking for two weeks and at least three hours every day to get all the informations which are required to make a good decision in buying the right truck and camper that fits to it.

With my amount of money, my choices go very low now.. I know what kind of trucks are having which payload and I also know a lot about all other numbers.

My problem now is: Do I really have to buy a big truck like a Ford 350 to have a good choice on used campers that I can actually safely carry? Or am I fine getting a F 250 which is lower a fuel and less costly and still can get a big choice of campers that fit my truck?

Iīm here in Canada around Calgary and want to travel with my girlfriend in summertime. I donīt need slide outs or any special features, but I also donīt want a pop up. Just a regular size camper which fits a 8 foot bed without any big luxury..

Thx for your help.

Max
wintertree
pretty tight budget....to get totally set-up....one advantage you have is here in canada (I'm from Edmonton)....you may be able to find an older camper that has been used very little....like so many RV's here....however our winters can damage rv's easily....sitting around...uncovered...

Obviously most of your budget needs to be spent on the truck...as well kept as you can find. Payload on most 3/4 tons is quite low. A camper suitable with what ever is left in your budget really needs to be scrutinized before purchase to make sure its "healthy"...water intrusion is all to common....and serious things like mold and rot is often found on older RV's..

I am not all negative....I'm sure there "cherry' older rigs out there that because of their age they are not worth much and have been cared for...finding one is the challenge...maybe sitting inside a shed at a farm....not been used for years....but under cover...make sure you check for mice....and make sure the fridge operates...your most expensive appliance by far...

Good luck on your search and keep an eye on your weights...
Chief 2
It's all about the camper weight. You will be limited by your truck size /-weight carrying capacity. If you go with the 1 ton then you have more choices of campers.
RV_Tech
QUOTE(Chief 2 @ Feb 17 2018, 07:12 AM)
It's all about the  camper weight. You will be limited by your truck size /-weight carrying capacity. If you go with the 1 ton then you have more choices of campers.
*



Totally agree. With a 3/4 ton you find yourself asking " can my truck handle that weight", provided you are concerned about staying within the manufacturer's ratings.
Saxophony
Thanks for all your useful answers so far!

Still, Iīm wondering, all the discussions and advices from you, the magazins, the ford dealerships, like everything which is kind of "official" say, better go with the one ton truck, but why do so many (I fear almost the majority) carry their campers with the 3/4 ton trucks and even sometimes with the 1/2 ton ons?! And not only campers with a wet weight of 2500 lbs, which can go with most of the 3/4 tons but also some with 3500 lbs and more.

I just canīt stop thinking of the extra 1000 lbs which are advised to calculate to your wet campers weight (people, all your stuff you are carring around with you, additional items on your camper, ..). Because of this I get always to a bigger payload as officially advised to carry with a 3/4 ton truck (except pop ups and very tiny ones).

And I cant stop thinking about my friends words (who is a mechanic and even worked for ford) who said the big diesel trucks cause many problems and need a lot of expansive maintenance. Almost 95 % of Ford F350 are Diesel. He advices me to get a Gasoline one. So I have to take a F250 than..

I still donīt know what to do..
wintertree
Purchasing a diesel truck as you say.with you small budget...may not be a good idea.....yes repairs can take you to the poor house if needed....at the very least get it to a shop and have them go over it to give you a fair indication of its condition and life left..A gas engine will save you some weight..(allowing for more camper)....a gas truck should be cheaper....allowing for more $$ for the camper...There is plenty of gas one ton's out there (SRW)....do your very best to purchase the HEAVIEST truck you can afford....A year from now you will be so happy to have the extra capacity.

Posters on this forum are correct for the most part about anticipating another 700-1000lbs into your calculations....

Example....I run a new Ford F-450 (DRW) 14,000#GVW....dry weight of my camper is #3500 lbs....I am just under legal limit


The big diesel engine...4x4....and other options add up...
RV_Tech
QUOTE(Saxophony @ Feb 18 2018, 09:54 PM)
Thanks for all your useful answers so far!

Still, Iīm wondering, all the discussions and advices from you, the magazins, the ford dealerships, like everything which is kind of "official" say, better go with the one ton truck, but why do so many (I fear almost the majority) carry their campers with the 3/4 ton trucks and even sometimes with the 1/2 ton ons?! And not only campers with a wet weight of 2500 lbs, which can go with most of the 3/4 tons but also some with 3500 lbs and more.

I just canīt stop thinking of the extra 1000 lbs which are advised to calculate to your wet campers weight (people, all your stuff you are carring around with you, additional items on your camper, ..). Because of this I get always to a bigger payload as officially advised to carry with a 3/4 ton truck (except pop ups and very tiny ones).

And I cant stop thinking about my friends words (who is a mechanic and even worked for ford) who said the big diesel trucks cause many problems and need a lot of expansive maintenance. Almost 95 % of Ford F350 are Diesel. He advices me to get a Gasoline one. So I have to take a F250 than..

I still donīt know what to do..
*



You are confusing me. You can surely run a one ton gasser in an F350. My wife and I do, as do many others. Yes, it shifts down more often on steep grades than a diesel and there are arguments for and against either power train, but you can go gas or diesel in a one ton. When loaded and on the road for the summer, we are running at the full manufacturer's rating on the rear axle with no problems. Our last one ton was a diesel so we have had experience both ways.
SidecarFlip
QUOTE(RV_Tech @ Feb 19 2018, 03:54 AM)
You are confusing me. You can surely run a one ton gasser in an F350. My wife and I do, as do many others. Yes, it shifts down more often on steep grades than a diesel and there are arguments for and against either power train, but you can go gas or diesel in a one ton. When loaded and on the road for the summer, we are running at the full manufacturer's rating on the rear axle with no problems. Our last one ton was a diesel so we have had experience both ways.
*



Must be that cat of yours that adds the extra weight...... biggrin.gif
SidecarFlip
I have to agree with RVT. You can get a gas motor in a one ton SRW or a dually or a diesel, your choice. Ford, Chevy and Fiat Chrysler builds them everyday.

The only thing about a diesel is, you need to plan on keeping it a long time to realize the cost of investment in the engine. Diesels are appreciably more expensive than the gas motors and heavier too so your payload weight drops. Same applies to 4 wheel drive. A diesel powered 4x4 truck will have a much lower payload rating than a comparable 2wd gas truck.
Saxophony
Okay thanks guys,

I think I made a pretty good deal now. Got a dodge power ram 2500 from 2003,
Quad cab, 4 wd, lond box, manual transmission.
I think my payload now is 2580 lbs, if I can read the chart correctly..
So every camper which is up to 1600 lbs wet should be totally fine, right?

I got the car for a really good price, so there is even some money left to upgrade a little
bit, which means Iīd like to add another 500 lbs on payload to it by buying an
extra leaf spring or something like that.

Any recommandations? How much you think I must spend to get those extra 500 lbs?

Greets,

Max
RV_Tech
QUOTE(Saxophony @ Mar 1 2018, 05:22 PM)
Okay thanks guys,

I think I made a pretty good deal now. Got a dodge power ram 2500 from 2003,
Quad cab, 4 wd, lond box, manual transmission.
I think my payload now is 2580 lbs, if I can read the chart correctly..
So every camper which is up to 1600 lbs wet should be totally fine, right?

I got the car for a really good price, so there is even some money left to upgrade a little
bit, which means Iīd like to add another 500 lbs on payload to it by buying an
extra leaf spring or something like that.

Any recommandations? How much you think I must spend to get those extra 500 lbs?

Greets,

Max
*



Max,

You should be good to campers to 1,600 and maybe a couple hundred pounds more depending on how you pack. For example carrying less water until you know you will need it.

Remember that what the label on your truck says is the rating for your truck no matter what you do. On some trucks going up a wheel sizes gives a good deal more capability tire and wheelwise.

I just put Sumo bump stops replacing the stock stops on my truck to reduce sway and squat. They are simple to install and just $200. There are lots of add-ons out there and others may have ideas to share.
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