D
Deleted member 225824
Guest
From what I've read the 5.9L seems to just be superior to all else. Thoughts? I am being too simple in my thinking?
Have you considered the noise of diesel engines?
The links below are to a few of @Mundo4x4Casa 's posts here and at TruckCamperAdventure.com . He recently replaced the Dodge (with diesel) under his truck camper with a 7.3L gas engine Ford F350, despite his many miles in the Dodge truck. (The 3 links to ExpeditionPortal.com are to 3 different posts, even if the descriptions might appear the same.)
jefe's hardside camper hauler
Jefe - It seems you are probably one of the most experienced off road camper guys on the interwebs. I'd love to get your feedback... I'm looking at a similar camper type setup. Would you give feedback on trucks? I'd like to buy a 4yr old or newer (possibly brand new) truck. My top choices...
expeditionportal.com
jefe's hardside camper hauler
Deserteagle56, Ha ha! It's still at the dealer having the front bumper replaced due to a C&C F-450 in front of it on the train from Kentucky backing into it when off loading. You can see the imprint of the rear frame ends on the bumper. How about a window sticker? With incentives, it was my...
expeditionportal.com
jefe's hardside camper hauler
Deserteagle56, Ha ha! It's still at the dealer having the front bumper replaced due to a C&C F-450 in front of it on the train from Kentucky backing into it when off loading. You can see the imprint of the rear frame ends on the bumper. How about a window sticker? With incentives, it was my...
expeditionportal.com
13 Vital Off-Road Tips for Truck Camper Rigs | Truck Camper Adventure
13 Vital Off-Road Tips for Truck Camper Rigs, Recreational Vehicles, Off-Roading, Overland, Overlanding, Expedition, 4x4 Roads, 4WD Camper,
www.truckcamperadventure.com
Dodge 2500 Extreme Truck Camper Drivetrain Build | Truck Camper Adventure
Dodge 2500 Extreme Truck Camper Drivetrain Build, Truck Campers, Ram 2500, Ram 3500 Recreational Vehicles, Slide-In Truck Camper
www.truckcamperadventure.com
Mundo4x4Casa
West slope, N. Ser. Nev.
Michelle and 1K arms,
I'm afraid i still love the gen II, 24v Cummins HO with 6 speed manual and we are keeping it in the family for the really hairy trails and the coming Armageddon. With the 2350 pound N* aboard it is a great fit for travelling in 4 seasons. Not many diesel trucks left that have no D.E.F. tank nor other smog reducing add-ons. It gets an honest 12-14.5 mpg mostly under any circumstances except strong, slightly off center head winds. We' bought it new in 2001 and have had two campers on board. It only has 188K miles on the clock, which is low mileage for a CTD. The diesel penalty then was only $4900. That's still not enough, but close to paying off the diesel penalty when buying new compared to the projected gas v. diesel paradox of my new 7.3L gas Ford F-350.
The real reason we bought the Ford F-350 gasser is that Jeanie and I can actually carry on a conversation on the road and she is not comfortable driving the 6-speed manual trannie anymore, easy as it is. Time does that. But it does raise your testosterone when males hear that throaty roar and all that merciless clacking. That aspect is not worth much anymore to me.
I will do a piece on gas v. diesel once I get the TC on board and some miles and camping/traveling under our belts.
I'm on the front end of the 7.3L gas Ford lashed to a TC adventure. We'll see where it goes.
In the pic below, you can see the first thing to go in our setup: the air dam under the front bumper. I checked it out and it's a bolt on that will be removed. Some bean counting Greenie at Ford thought this was a good idea.
jefe
I'm afraid i still love the gen II, 24v Cummins HO with 6 speed manual and we are keeping it in the family for the really hairy trails and the coming Armageddon. With the 2350 pound N* aboard it is a great fit for travelling in 4 seasons. Not many diesel trucks left that have no D.E.F. tank nor other smog reducing add-ons. It gets an honest 12-14.5 mpg mostly under any circumstances except strong, slightly off center head winds. We' bought it new in 2001 and have had two campers on board. It only has 188K miles on the clock, which is low mileage for a CTD. The diesel penalty then was only $4900. That's still not enough, but close to paying off the diesel penalty when buying new compared to the projected gas v. diesel paradox of my new 7.3L gas Ford F-350.
The real reason we bought the Ford F-350 gasser is that Jeanie and I can actually carry on a conversation on the road and she is not comfortable driving the 6-speed manual trannie anymore, easy as it is. Time does that. But it does raise your testosterone when males hear that throaty roar and all that merciless clacking. That aspect is not worth much anymore to me.
I will do a piece on gas v. diesel once I get the TC on board and some miles and camping/traveling under our belts.
I'm on the front end of the 7.3L gas Ford lashed to a TC adventure. We'll see where it goes.
In the pic below, you can see the first thing to go in our setup: the air dam under the front bumper. I checked it out and it's a bolt on that will be removed. Some bean counting Greenie at Ford thought this was a good idea.
jefe
Last edited:
I never you doubted that you were still happy with your Dodge, or that you still owned it.
I knew that you had a new truck under your new truck camper, that you have lots of experience in four wheeling and truck camping, and that the OP might benefit from reading what you have written.
How does the HP and torque from your CTD compare to your Ford 7.3L gas engine?
Last edited:
Mundo4x4Casa
West slope, N. Ser. Nev.
1K arms,
2001 Dodge CTD HO 5.9L generation II, inline 6:
245 HP; 505 TQ.
2020 Ford 7.3L gas pushrod V-8:
430 HP; 475 TQ
They feel actually similar as the torque of the CTD peaks @ 1600 rpm and is pretty flat above that rpm
the 7.3 Ford gasser has near peak torque @ 1800 rpm and rises steadily to the grand peak @ 4K rpm, almost as much as the Cummins.
It doesn't feel like any Ford V-8 I've ever driven. It's definitely not a race horse, but more like a Clydesdale.
With the 'eco' mode on, the trans upshifts very quickly at a low rpm leaving the engine just loafing running from 1500-1900 rpm most of the time.
You can select a number of modes:
normal
tow/haul upshifts gears at a higher rpm
deep snow/soft sand
Eco
slippery
rock crawl
shift points and throttle response have subtle changes in each.
This thing is a beast in a dark grey suit.
jefe
2001 Dodge CTD HO 5.9L generation II, inline 6:
245 HP; 505 TQ.
2020 Ford 7.3L gas pushrod V-8:
430 HP; 475 TQ
They feel actually similar as the torque of the CTD peaks @ 1600 rpm and is pretty flat above that rpm
the 7.3 Ford gasser has near peak torque @ 1800 rpm and rises steadily to the grand peak @ 4K rpm, almost as much as the Cummins.
It doesn't feel like any Ford V-8 I've ever driven. It's definitely not a race horse, but more like a Clydesdale.
With the 'eco' mode on, the trans upshifts very quickly at a low rpm leaving the engine just loafing running from 1500-1900 rpm most of the time.
You can select a number of modes:
normal
tow/haul upshifts gears at a higher rpm
deep snow/soft sand
Eco
slippery
rock crawl
shift points and throttle response have subtle changes in each.
This thing is a beast in a dark grey suit.
jefe
D
Deleted member 225824
Guest
Hey there. K, my head hurts!! ThanksHave you considered the noise of diesel engines?
The links below are to a few of @Mundo4x4Casa 's posts here and at TruckCamperAdventure.com . He recently replaced the Dodge (with diesel) under his truck camper with a 7.3L gas engine Ford F350, despite his many miles in the Dodge truck. (The 3 links to ExpeditionPortal.com are to 3 different posts, even if the descriptions might appear the same.)
jefe's hardside camper hauler
Jefe - It seems you are probably one of the most experienced off road camper guys on the interwebs. I'd love to get your feedback... I'm looking at a similar camper type setup. Would you give feedback on trucks? I'd like to buy a 4yr old or newer (possibly brand new) truck. My top choices...
jefe's hardside camper hauler
Deserteagle56, Ha ha! It's still at the dealer having the front bumper replaced due to a C&C F-450 in front of it on the train from Kentucky backing into it when off loading. You can see the imprint of the rear frame ends on the bumper. How about a window sticker? With incentives, it was my...
jefe's hardside camper hauler
Deserteagle56, Ha ha! It's still at the dealer having the front bumper replaced due to a C&C F-450 in front of it on the train from Kentucky backing into it when off loading. You can see the imprint of the rear frame ends on the bumper. How about a window sticker? With incentives, it was my...
13 Vital Off-Road Tips for Truck Camper Rigs | Truck Camper Adventure
13 Vital Off-Road Tips for Truck Camper Rigs, Recreational Vehicles, Off-Roading, Overland, Overlanding, Expedition, 4x4 Roads, 4WD Camper,
Dodge 2500 Extreme Truck Camper Drivetrain Build | Truck Camper Adventure
Dodge 2500 Extreme Truck Camper Drivetrain Build, Truck Campers, Ram 2500, Ram 3500 Recreational Vehicles, Slide-In Truck Camper
I still dont know really what I'm even reading. The vocabulary is so unfamiliar. But I think I'm getting a clearer picture and a better understanding. I'm a little scared that I wont know all the things I would need to make it all work. Like I'm better off buying something already put together than trying to buy a truck and camper separately. And definitely rethinking the diesel. So its something to think about. Mostly it seems like, and please correct me if I'm wrong, the older diesel 5.9L ram may need a lot of changes to it to make it safe for a camper? Please if I'm being stupid, correct me. All those other things to do, all those parts that I dont even know where they go or what they do.. feel way in over my head! No wonder someone suggested a van...
Those were great articles, thank you. I'll be rereading them. A couple more times at least. With google.
Awesome 1k arms and mundo4x4casa
Thank you jefe.
You are welcome.Hey there. K, my head hurts!! Thanks
I still don't know really what I'm even reading. The vocabulary is so unfamiliar. But I think I'm getting a clearer picture and a better understanding. I'm a little scared that I wont know all the things I would need to make it all work. Like I'm better off buying something already put together than trying to buy a truck and camper separately. And definitely rethinking the diesel. So its something to think about. Mostly it seems like, and please correct me if I'm wrong, the older diesel 5.9L ram may need a lot of changes to it to make it safe for a camper? Please if I'm being stupid, correct me. All those other things to do, all those parts that I don't even know where they go or what they do.. feel way in over my head! No wonder someone suggested a van...
Those were great articles, thank you. I'll be rereading them. A couple more times at least. With google.
Awesome 1k arms and mundo4x4casa
People travel all over the world living out of small vehicles. Jeeps, Land Rovers, small pickup trucks, full-size pickup trucks, vans, minivans, RVs, tents, cardboard boxes, ... , but, you have asked about reliably camping in small places while avoiding pop-up campers, and you have the ability to purchase (some vehicles) new, so:
Today's gas engines can be quite reliable while putting out as much power as older diesel engines (and without the noise).
A crew-cab (4 door) 4x4 full-size pickup truck will have plenty of room in the cab for you and your four-legged companions (a super-cab might work too). It will get you in an out of many remote camping places, while having more living space than a Jeep/car/...
A long-bed truck will be longer than a short-bed truck
, but will you give you more floor space in a truck camper while still being able to keep a bumper between tailgaters and your camper. Yes, there are many much bigger and longer truck campers made which overhang the end of the truck even in a long-bed pickup truck, but I don't think that is what you are looking for.Most vans don't have the clearance and 4x4 capability that I think you are looking for. The vans with that capability are likely used and custom jobs, which means harder to fix or replace (with the same). Vans usually do have a "pass-through".
Newer full-size pickup trucks usually have a greater payload than older trucks.
My suggestion for you is to buy a full-size pickup truck with the plan to buy (or build) a truck camper for that truck.
The two unit combination would allow you to fix/replace either unit if needed.
Registration and insurance would likely be straight forward for a pickup truck + camper combination. Many states don't even require a registration of the truck camper. A bit old, but see https://www.truckcamperadventure.com/which-states-require-truck-camper
Flatbed truck campers are becoming more available, but there are many more slide-in truck campers available, both used and new.
I know you want to avoid pop-up campers, but, I will suggest being aware of Alaskan Campers hard-sided pop-up truck campers. They make a number of sizes. One example is a cabover 6.5 foot model:
Alaskan Campers | Telescopic Truck Campers
Discover 60+ years of quality with Alaskan Campers. Explore remote spots in comfort and style with the original telescopic camper. Get a quote today!
alaskancampers.com
I suggest you really consider a Ford F-350 XLT 4x4 crew-cab short-bed pickup truck with the "Tremor" package, and buy/build a camper to match it. I'll make another post with some "Tremor" information and links.
As many forum members have suggested, a gas engine would likely work well for you.
Have you considered a Ford F350 "Tremor" with the 7.3L gas engine?
https://expeditionportal.com/is-the-ford-tremor-the-new-full-size-overland-benchmark/
https://media.ford.com/content/ford...eries-super-duty-tremor-off-road-package.html
From the first Ford Tremor link: "For capability, the list is impressive, including class-leading 35-inch Duratrac tires, a 31.6 degree approach angle, 10.8-inches of ground clearance, a 33-inch fording depth (best in class), and a 53:1 crawl ratio (gas engine). For the differentials, there is a locking rear and a Dana limited-slip front. The front LSD will work excellent when combined with traction control, and work as well as a full locker in nearly all scenarios."
The F350 Tremor package comes with the 7.3L gas engine or diesel engine, but is limited to a crew-cab shortbed truck.
The maximum payload for the Ford F350 Tremor package is 4,210 pounds with the 7.3-liter gas engine.
See https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2019/09/26/2020-ford-super-duty-pickup.html
From the link "The 2020 Super Duty with Tremor Off-Road Package is the most capable off-road Super Duty ever." (This means remote camping capability! )
Have you considered a Ford F350 "Tremor" with the 7.3L gas engine?
https://expeditionportal.com/is-the-ford-tremor-the-new-full-size-overland-benchmark/
https://media.ford.com/content/ford...eries-super-duty-tremor-off-road-package.html
From the first Ford Tremor link: "For capability, the list is impressive, including class-leading 35-inch Duratrac tires, a 31.6 degree approach angle, 10.8-inches of ground clearance, a 33-inch fording depth (best in class), and a 53:1 crawl ratio (gas engine). For the differentials, there is a locking rear and a Dana limited-slip front. The front LSD will work excellent when combined with traction control, and work as well as a full locker in nearly all scenarios."
The F350 Tremor package comes with the 7.3L gas engine or diesel engine, but is limited to a crew-cab shortbed truck.
The maximum payload for the Ford F350 Tremor package is 4,210 pounds with the 7.3-liter gas engine.
See https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2019/09/26/2020-ford-super-duty-pickup.html
From the link "The 2020 Super Duty with Tremor Off-Road Package is the most capable off-road Super Duty ever." (This means remote camping capability!
)
D
Deleted member 225824
Guest
Sorry. Try to be more educated with the site. Still exploring it..
D
Deleted member 9101
Guest
Lmpo @ Superior
They are reliable, last a long time, and were a good motor in their day... But they are definitely not superior to anything on the road today.
The problem with buying a 5.9 Cummins today is the good ones are over priced and the ragged out ones are also over priced. They are all in older trucks and they all have wear and tear.
Stock the 5.9 is slow, noisy, and expensive to repair.
62k for a loaded gasser, one ton, 4x4, dually. ... The XLT, STX, and XL versions are even cheaper. ... Definitely leaves a looot of gas money in the budget
Ford Super Duty F-350 Trucks for Sale in Orlando FL | Mullinax
Find your Ford Super Duty F-350 Trucks at Mullinax Ford of Central Florida. We make buying easy with Up Front® Pricing and No Dealer Fees! Choose from a Huge Inventory.mullinaxfordfl.com
Go to the following link, enter a zip code, select "Build your own", select "F-350", and explore
...
Please keep in mind that a F-350 XL 4x4 (Regular-cab long-bed) 6.2L gasoline engine pickup truck with the "Fx4 off-road" package skidplates, 4.30 locking rear axle, camper package (or snow plow/camper package), 240 amp (or step up to the 397 amp) alternator, (step up to) dual batteries, block heater, XL value package (for cruise control), 18" steel wheels + LT275/70Rx18E BSW A/T, 4x4 Tires, and Integrated Trailer Brake Controller, has an MSRP of $41,950.
The crew-cab long-bed is about $3800 more.
The gas 7.3L engine is about $1705 more.
The "Tremor" package is (a crew-cab short-bed only, and starting as an XLT rather than the XLs mentioned above) about $55, 000 for a very capable truck that no one has abused/neglected/crashed/ ...!
The 18" wheels + LT275/70Rx18E tires will help with your payload and clearance.
Get the F-350 rather than an F-250. It won't cost much more, but you will appreciate the payload for a truck camper.
... See https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2019/09/26/2020-ford-super-duty-pickup.html
From the link "The 2020 Super Duty with Tremor Off-Road Package is the most capable off-road Super Duty ever." (This means remote camping capability!
No, she probably does not "need" the "Tremor" package, but, would likely appreciate having such capability if needed. Considering a "Tremor" also makes the gas engine F-350 XL pickup trucks even more tempting!