Advice on a platform for a FWC or other slide in

[Saline]

Hello all, this inquiry is for my parents. They travel with us quite a bit and often take refuge in our SMB when storms roll in when camping. This has happened often enough that it got them thinking about ditching their tent for more comfortable accommodations when "car camping". So, they are now looking at pop top slide-in off road campers and upgrading their pickup to a newer used truck. They currently have a 99 Dodge Dakota 4x4 that has seen better days. They will most likely go with what I recommend as far as a truck goes.
Trucks I'm leaning towards:

1) Toyota Tundra TRD Double Cab (older body style)
Reliable, roomy and plenty of power. Not much aftermarket support for this body style

2) Ford F150 CC (newer body style)
I don't know anything about them

3) Dodge Ram CC 2500 Diesel
I know the Ram is the odd duck in there but it has a few advantages over the others with a solid axle, decent mileage and weight capacity.

4) Nissan Titan CC
Don't know much about the Titan. I have an 01 Xterra that will not die!

5) Ford CC F250 6.4 liter Diesel
The F250 has the solid axle and weight capacity but still gets crap for mileage. Although I have a 6.0 and haven't had issues, I don't want to consider one for them.

Opinions on any of these rigs?

Thanks!

 

[xpndbl3]

i'd skip both the 6.0L and 6.4L fords, lots of problems with them and crappy mileage. I would however consider the duramax diesels in a crew cab short bed setup. Unless they're rock crawling I don't see the IFS being an issue. Really that list is all over the place, will they need a 3/4 ton truck? Planning on lifting it or mod'ing it? Etc etc

 

[ExpoMike]

Given your list, my first choice would be the Dodge. Great engine, solid overall truck and 4x4's have the same basic suspension as the Jeep Cherokees which ride very nice and can really articulate when needed. Definitely would be what I would buy.

 

[Saline]

i'd skip both the 6.0L and 6.4L fords, lots of problems with them and crappy mileage. I would however consider the duramax diesels in a crew cab short bed setup. Unless they're rock crawling I don't see the IFS being an issue. Really that list is all over the place, will they need a 3/4 ton truck? Planning on lifting it or mod'ing it? Etc etc

The list is all over the board for sure, 1/2 tons, 3/4 tons etc.

I do like the Duramax also, I drive them at work. Strong running and way quiet. I really wouldn't consider a Chevy/GM because of the lack of ground clearance and the cost of lifting them.

They will occasionally be in 4 low on fairly tough roads.

 

[poriggity]

I'm a little biased, but I love my 2500 diesel Dodge Ram.

 

[Rot Box]

The Dodge gets my vote hands down. Decent mileage?! I would say exceptional mileage for a 3/4-1ton truck! :elkgrin: If I were picking one for my parents I would shoot for something newer 2003-2006 to avoid emissions equipment headaches.

I have contemplated finding a 6.4 for my next rig. My brother has a F450 with the 6.4 and it has for the most part been a great truck from 0-90k miles. 3rd radiator, 2nd steering box and a few odds and ends overall great--but the mileage is just fowl. He never gets over 10 loaded down (usually 5-8mpg) :Wow1: and you have to run only ULSD. Supposedly the mileage problem goes away when you remove the emissions equipment, but breaking the law and getting caught is never fun...

If I had to pick a gas truck (I'm so bias towards diesel that I can't give an honest opinion ) I would go Dodge Power Wagon because of all the cool/functional accessories they come with. Next in line would be Tundra because I have yet to own a Toyota that hasn't blown me away with its reliability.

Anyway picking out a new truck is always fun! Let us know what they end up with :bike_rider:

Andrew

 

[redthies]

I loved my 03 Tundra, but would also go for the Dodge in an 05-06 era. Awesome engine, decent trans, and great drive train. The extra load capacity will give them more flexibility when shopping for a slide in. Some of the pop-ups, like the 93 Skamper I owned would be a bit heavy on a Tundra or other 1/2 ton. I had it on my 05 3500 shortbed quadcab Dodge and you hardly knew it was on the truck. I sold it to a guy with a Titan, and you can bet he knew it was there! It had his suspension on the bump-stops...

 

[shortbus4x4]

If you have looked at diesel prices lately they have been more than gas. If they aren't driving it lots of miles a year then a gas rig would probably be cheaper to drive, maintain and repair.
I have a 06 Tundra Doublecab and love it. The backseat is very small for kids though for anything but short trips. For two people it would be great. There is quite a bit of aftermarket stuff available for them too. Loaded and towing they don't get the best mileage either but they will tow a house. I bought mine brand new 9-06 and it just hit 92k. The most I towed with it was 6 tons of scrap metal on a 2500lb trailer with brakes, I only did about 45mph. I regularly tow 6-7k lb military vehicles with it on the same trailer and it has no problem doing 55. I just did the front brakes on it for the first time at 91,605 miles and updated the rotors to crossdrilled and slotted rotors to help it stop better and not warp the rotors. I consider it more of a mid size truck than a fullsize, its more dakota sized. I also wheel it and have it buried in a river up to the frame rails with water going thru the cab. The only repairs I have done are the front brakes and a tuneup. I service it on a regular basis and have changed all the fluids in the diffs/trans/t-case a couple times.
Stay away from any diesel Fords that have anything but a 7.3 powerstroke in them. My favorite diesel rig would be an 03-06 Dodge with a 5.9 cummins. They get decent mileage, are easy to work on, and go forever. 07 and newer have lots more emissions stuff which makes the mileage go down. Durmaxes are good engines but when they break expect to pay big bucks to fix. Very labor intensive to work on. I have done heads on one duramax and after that experience hope to never do one again. I would rather do a Ford 6.0 than a duramax.

 

[Ala5ka]

I have an 02 F150 and the engine is running strong. Very good quality truck for the money. You could get a cheap one with a supercab and short bed for next to nothing and put some money into mods. They are a little ugly but there are alot of parts floating around for them. I have the FX4 which came with skid plates, lower geared tranny and stronger axles. With a lift its a pretty capable truck.

 

[Regcabguy]

I'm a little biased, but I love my 2500 diesel Dodge Ram.

Me too! I'm at 9000# with two occupants and everything in my signature. 30K on it and average 14 mpg/combined every tank. A 2nd gen Tundra w/an extracab(didn't make them) and longer bed would be sweet also. Dream on.

 

[Saline]

Thanks for all the input fellas. I might start keeping an eye out for 2500 CTD Rams.

I tend to lean towards 3/4 tons because with a 1/2 ton, it seems like they would be trying to pack 10 pounds of crap in a 5 pound bag with the length of trips they might be taking.

Keep up the input!

Thanks,

Josh

 

[poriggity]

Thanks for all the input fellas. I might start keeping an eye out for 2500 CTD Rams.

I tend to lean towards 3/4 tons because with a 1/2 ton, it seems like they would be trying to pack 10 pounds of crap in a 5 pound bag with the length of trips they might be taking.

Keep up the input!

Thanks,

Josh

I don't think you can go wrong there. 3/4 ton with a diesel is the way to go.. They don't do the 1/2 ton in diesel... so if you must have diesel, the half ton is out. I really love my quad cab long bed truck, but it does take some getting used to, and there are some REALLY tight trails, that I won't do, if I can avoid them....
Scott

 

[Ala5ka]

I heard they just made a Dodge 1500 in diesel. I think that would also be a great platform if you wanted something smaller.