Alaska bound (cross-posted)

[jmoore1911]

Greetings all! My name is john, and I'm trapped in central Illinois - nothing but corn & soybeans as far as the eye can see I'm looking at retiring in a few years, and am starting to prepare for it now

First off - this is one unbelievable forum - FANTASTIC! VERY useful info.

To get to the point......

I'm basically a motorcycle traveler who must switch to 4 wheels d/t some medical issues. My last long trip was 6 weeks of exploring the lesser known aspects of Northern Newfoundland on my Beemer. Well - those days are behind me, and I'm looking to 4 wheel it. After a few weeks of lurking and searching this site - I've decided that I would like to get a pickup and a pop-up camper. Though I could certainly get by with a flip pac (which would be absolute heaven after years of motorcycle camping, I'll probably go with a hard-sided pop-up so that the wife can fly in for a week or two at a time to join me

I have the benefit of building my system from the ground up, hence the massive flow of questions I'll be sending to the various groups on this list. My initial question is in reference to getting a pickup to haul the popup. Though I drove a Wrangler for 13 years, I've never had a pickup - domestic or import. I KNOW that I risk starting an age old (to you - not to me war by asking the following - but here goes! (And Yes, I'm also working my way through the search function with my questions - but this is simply faster.)

I'm pretty much going to look at full size (I'm 6'5" and 290#) pickups with extended (not crew) cabs. Maybe short bed - maybe long. Depends on the popup I end up getting.

So - my local choices are 2-4 year old Ford, Dodge, Nissan and Toyota. Maybe gas - maybe diesel, definitely 4x4. The questions....

1) Are there any pros or cons that a newbie like me might need to be aware of based on a given brand, i.e., Brand X had terrible diesel engines from 2003 - 2005, but they're decent now.

2) This rig will be used mostly for Spring-Summer-Fall trips throughout Canada (BC & NWT) and Alaska. Re repairs and parts - I have no idea of what brands are common up in those areas, i.e., would I be less likely to find a Nissan or Toyota dealer in Deadhorse as opposed to Ford or Dodge?.

3) I plan on keeping the truck a long time - so the added cost of going diesel isn't a concern. Any problems with diesel availability in the outback regions described above?

4) Any other thoughts or suggestions? Again - I'd like to do this right from the get-go, and it looks like this is the place to post my questions. (I have cross-posted to cover both domestic and import trucks, BTW.)

Thanks up front!

john (aka - BoneDaddy)

 

[chris_the_wrench]

You could be stirring up a wasp nest on this one.

I drive a 2006 Dodge 2500 standard cab long bed w/ the 5.9 cummins 4x4. I have a smaller, 835, Lance camper on it for now. When I was looking for my truck I wanted a diesel 3/4 to 1 ton 4x4. My search narrowed me down to the Ford and Dodge. I eliminated the Chevy because I was not thrilled with the IFS on that size of a truck with so much weight, from the camper, on the front end. That concern could be illegitimate and limited only to me.

Anyways I have had really good luck with Ford gas powered products in the past and looked at them first, but the questionable reliability of the Powerstroke engine was a bit alarming. I went with the Dodge because of the Cummins engine. People seem to agree that the 5.9l is more bulletproof than the newer 6.7. If the F250 had a Cummins that's what I would have gotten, and been willing to pay for.

I have no quantifiable data to back up my statements; these are just my personal observations and stories I collected along my journey of truck shopping.

Good luck
-Chris

 

[frumpy]

First off, what kind of driving do you plan on doing? Mainly paved roads, loggings roads, trails, crawling, etc? Next, consider the weight of the vehicle and camper you plan on putting in. There is no need to have a one ton with super light camper if you are going to be trying tight and difficult trails.

Another consideration is solid axles vs IFS. IFS is a bit weaker and not as good in the more technical trails. It also tends to be harder on front end parts especially if you are lifted. Solid axle will not ride as smooth but do better off road for durability and the tough trails. Also, they can take the weight better.

If I were in your situation I would look for a V8 gasser with solid front axle and shorter wheelbase (short box) with a nice light simple camper. The only reason I didn't say diesel is because of their weight and size, but that may be what you want/need. Either that or a power wagon if money is not a concern.

 

[tlbrewer]

First I'll say that I'm partial to diesels. I currently own three so...that being said. Oh yea, I'm also partial to domestics for my own reasons.

I currently drive a 2006 Duramax and love it, it seems that you have ruled out the GM's. I don't know if it's availability or the dreaded IFS. I don't blame you if it's the IFS, although, it does ride quite nice. Even though my other two diesels are Fords, they are older IDI's. I would stay clear of Fords after 2003 (6.0), but the 6.4's seem to be getting some good feedback. The new body style is growing on me too (the GM's are hideous in my opinion). That brings us to Dodge. If I were buying right now, that's where I would spend my money...new or used.

Unless you plan on some tight or technical trails, I would recommend a long bed. I know that will meet with opposition from the hardcore off-roaders. A long bed is definitely harder to put in tight places. With a long bed, your camper choices are pretty much whatever you want. With a short bed, you are more limited. Although, there are increasingly more and more offerings in short bed models. You also made note of your size. I'm afraid a short bed is going to get "small" real quick for you.

My recommendation. Dodge 2500 club cab (whatever year you chose), long bed, Cummins, manual tranny, 4x4, suspension leveling kit, Alaskan 10' non cabover(special order) hardside pop up camper. Have 'em build the camper to your specs (read Carlyles thread) and set the truck up with whatever tires, wheels, bumpers, winch, etc. that fits your desires.

Just my opinion.

Tom

 

[blatant]

also check out rv.net

 

[jmoore1911]

update, & keep the feedback coming

Thanks for all of the feedback - much appreciated!

To answer a few questions ........

I only envision doing gravel, dirt and single track roads - no technical/crawling stuff. Some places I'd like to hit include Deadhorse, Inuvik and swapping ends of the continent - another run at Newfoundland via the TransLabrador Highway. (The last trip there was 6 weeks on a BMW GS 1100 motorcycle

BTW - that brings up a question. Any significant problems getting an American-spec vehicle repaired in Canada, i.e., parts availability???? FWIW - when I was last there - there wasn't a BMW dealer on the entire island of Newfoundland - so I was REAL glad I didn't need any repairs

I have had a chance to look around the ErrorNet a bit, and have certainly found some pros & cons about some fo the trucks I'm considering. No - haven't ruled out GM, BTW - assuming they don't go tango uniform on us [My dad was a GM worker for 30 years, so I am a bit partial to the marque:]

I'm seeing a lot of good stuff about the 5.9 diesel Ram - and that is certainly a possibility. Gas is not out either. I do see a fair amount of grousing about Dodge trannies - but hey, nothing is perfect

OTOH - I'm absolutely amazed at the number of folks (at multiple sites, with various backgrounds and needs) who badmouth the Fords. OTOH - it seems there is (was?) a pretty bad problem with spitting sparkplugs - and I can certainly understand their pain.

Re whether or not to go the IFS route - I'm open so far. Ride isn't that important, FWIW - I drove a Wrangler for 13 years

Again - many thanks for all of the input. Keep it coming.

jm

 

[frumpy]

I haven't been to NFLD but there shouldn't be a problem getting major brand vehicle parts in. A lot of "american" vehicles are actually built right in Canada and I know out east (in NB) I have never had a problem replacing parts on my jeeps or F150.