Best Platform

[GeorgeHayduke]

We run the Kenai on a shortbed Ram 2500, so I wouldn't say it 'requires' a long bed. Would be nice to have though, being able to close the tailgate to keep skis in and retain the back up cameras is sweet.

We're not in an area where AC is really needed on a truck camper but I've found it can get stuffy in the cabover since there aren't any windows up there. The shower on the Kenai is portable, you could easily take it outside or route the hose out through the rear hatch. I prefer this approach since hard plumbed outdoor showers are difficult to insulate and freeze easily.

Kenai on a sherptek does sound awesome!

 

[Tex68w]

RAM or Ford IMHO. If going gasser I'd choose the Ford 7.3L and if diesel I'd have a hard time not recommending the Cummins in the RAM but I did have good luck with all four of my 6.7L Powerstrokes as well. Diesel has it's pros and cons but so do the gassers, it really boils down to preference and needs. If you don't need to occasionally tug something 15K lbs or more then I'd probably forgo the diesel and accept the lower price and fuel economy of a gasser. If you go RAM then I'd skip the 2500 to avoid the rear coils, with the Ford the 250 should more than meet your needs. Best of luck with your search and ultimate decision, just keep in mind that it's hard to go wrong with either.

 

[jadmt]

Ford HD with 7.3 gasser for a camper would be my choice. I am mildly disappointed in my 6.4 hemi's power. The ride is excellent but the thing takes for ever to get up to a 100...Also get a 1ton. if you put any decent camper on you will be over weight. I have a GFC camper so it weighs around 400lbs and with weekend of camping gear I am over gvwr by 300lbs. this with only 2 normal size adults.

 

[ramblinChet]

maybe it’s a phone browser thing, but I don’t see any links. ?

OK...let's try this: https://expeditionportal.com/forum/...long-box-4x4-full-time-overland-build.221431/

 

[tacollie]

I saw that. Cool build. More money than I want in though.

I’m thinking proper off-road tires (Wildpeaks or Coopers), maybe oversized, but probably not (love to know why you did) and stock shocks until they wear out, then Bilsteins.

What’s the reason for all the extra mods? I’m sort of clueless, figuring most lift, go big tires and then rarely if ever go off road. I could be wrong though. What’s the rationale?

T

Most of the 3/4 and 1 ton trucks are tall stock. I dont want to lift it. The 35s are the same size that comes on the Ford Tremor. I wanted taller tires to gain a little ground clearance and get more sidewall to improve the ride. Stock size was 33.5.

Stock the F250 rode and handles like garbage on washboard and rough roads. Our Tundra was plush and I could go faster than I ever wanted to. The first trip out she asked why I bought such an awful truck. I did tires and Bilstein 5100s. The Bilsteins didn't really help. I was told to buy real shocks or sell the truck. I bought Fox 2.5 DSCs and Carli leveling coils. Now she loves the F250 more than the Tundra! Now the truck isn't unruly like it was stock.

Our truck gets used in 4low. It also sees a lot of rough roads.

 

[eyemgh]

We run the Kenai on a shortbed Ram 2500, so I wouldn't say it 'requires' a long bed. Would be nice to have though, being able to close the tailgate to keep skis in and retain the back up cameras is sweet.

We're not in an area where AC is really needed on a truck camper but I've found it can get stuffy in the cabover since there aren't any windows up there. The shower on the Kenai is portable, you could easily take it outside or route the hose out through the rear hatch. I prefer this approach since hard plumbed outdoor showers are difficult to insulate and freeze easily.

Kenai on a sherptek does sound awesome!

Which shower do you use? Rinsekit? If so, how do you heat it? Also, can you leave the heater on while away? We pop the top, fire up the propane heater, go ski and come back for coffee in an hour? Did you get the pop top? Thanks!

 

[eyemgh]

RAM or Ford IMHO. If going gasser I'd choose the Ford 7.3L and if diesel I'd have a hard time not recommending the Cummins in the RAM but I did have good luck with all four of my 6.7L Powerstrokes as well. Diesel has it's pros and cons but so do the gassers, it really boils down to preference and needs. If you don't need to occasionally tug something 15K lbs or more then I'd probably forgo the diesel and accept the lower price and fuel economy of a gasser. If you go RAM then I'd skip the 2500 to avoid the rear coils, with the Ford the 250 should more than meet your needs. Best of luck with your search and ultimate decision, just keep in mind that it's hard to go wrong with either.

Thanks! We don’t ever tow, nor do we plan to. I like the increased payload generally associated with lighter gas engines too. ??

 

[eyemgh]

Most of the 3/4 and 1 ton trucks are tall stock. I dont want to lift it. The 35s are the same size that comes on the Ford Tremor. I wanted taller tires to gain a little ground clearance and get more sidewall to improve the ride. Stock size was 33.5.

Stock the F250 rode and handles like garbage on washboard and rough roads. Our Tundra was plush and I could go faster than I ever wanted to. The first trip out she asked why I bought such an awful truck. I did tires and Bilstein 5100s. The Bilsteins didn't really help. I was told to buy real shocks or sell the truck. I bought Fox 2.5 DSCs and Carli leveling coils. Now she loves the F250 more than the Tundra! Now the truck isn't unruly like it was stock.

Our truck gets used in 4low. It also sees a lot of rough roads.

Mine has Bilsteins, and it was an improvement over dead stockers. That said, I don’t know what I don’t know. I’d probably opt for better like you did. We too are on rough roads often, and 4WD-L not infrequently. Thanks!

 

[eyemgh]

Sell the bed yourself.

Id prefer to keep it, if we ever decide to sell, but have no place to put it. ?

 

[GeorgeHayduke]

Which shower do you use? Rinsekit? If so, how do you heat it? Also, can you leave the heater on while away? We pop the top, fire up the propane heater, go ski and come back for coffee in an hour? Did you get the pop top? Thanks!

We actually decided against any shower in our Kenai. The one in the Northstar was more trouble than it was worth and the Kenai is already short on water storage.

We leave the heater on while away and while sleeping without concerns. Only thing to be aware of is that there's no thermostat control. You get a high/low heat output and fan control but it won't respond to inside temps.

We did get the rooftop tent. It's great for kids and access from the inside is really cool. It's a bit of a hassle to close up and climbing around on the roof to close it in the snow is a little dicey.

 

[Regcabguy]

My half ton Chevy is fun and gets us a lot of places. It has stock suspension save for a Helwig helper leaf and Bilsteins. We’re bumping up to and occasionally exceeding the weight limit though and still want extra amenities. Now we’re considering building a new rig. It would most likely carry a fully outfitted FWC Granby, but maybe a Scout Kenai or even a hard side Lance. It‘ll be a slide-in because we want a Sherptek deck for storage.

To that end, what are the motors to avoid? I’m agnostic to brand having owned all three big US rigs. I’m conflicted on gas vs diesel. I like the bulletproof ness and mileage of diesel, but the extra payload of a gasser. Any must have mods.

If you were starting from scratch, knowing what you know, what platform would you choose and why?

Also, really conflicted on the camper. I like the durability and agility of the little Raven, but want more space and amenities. I was thinking Hallmark, but I have a friend with one that’s leaking and experiencing electrical glitches. There’s no local service. I think a Granby is the ticket, but I’m all ears.

Essentially, I’m in ultra early planning mode with one known…Sherptek deck with side flanks long enough to carry skis.

Thanks!

The extra payload with gas is deceiving. The body can handle it but the performance and fuel economy is abysmal compared to the diesel. The exception is Ford's 7.3 gas engine which is powerful but extremely thirsty when loaded with a cabover.and some tires that won't let it sink offroad. I've had a Northstar for 20 yrs. It's been excellent. Storage is plentiful compared to the FWC and ATC.

 

[eyemgh]

We actually decided against any shower in our Kenai. The one in the Northstar was more trouble than it was worth and the Kenai is already short on water storage.

We leave the heater on while away and while sleeping without concerns. Only thing to be aware of is that there's no thermostat control. You get a high/low heat output and fan control but it won't respond to inside temps.

We did get the rooftop tent. It's great for kids and access from the inside is really cool. It's a bit of a hassle to close up and climbing around on the roof to close it in the snow is a little dicey.

Well no thermostat is a deal killer. Both of us are pretty temp sensitive, preferring to sleep cool, but not freeze.

The perfect combo is something like a gas Webasto or Espar if they come into the US. Lower condensation, bigger pool of fuel.

 

[tacollie]

The 6.2 in our Ford had more than enough power with the 35s and camper. We have no problems accelerating or holding speed. If we are doing a lot of passes and head wind at 75-80 its getting 11 mpg. If we drop to 65 it goes to 13. A diesel in the truck I wanted would have been $15k more unless we went 10 years older. There aren't a lot of 17+ super cab short bed diesel super dutys.

 

[GeorgeHayduke]

The extra payload with gas is deceiving. The body can handle it but the performance and fuel economy is abysmal compared to the diesel. The exception is Ford's 7.3 gas engine which is powerful but extremely thirsty when loaded with a cabover.and some tires that won't let it sink offroad. I've had a Northstar for 20 yrs. It's been excellent. Storage is plentiful compared to the FWC and ATC.

Agreed, and another way that the payload is deceiving is that the weight change between gas and diesel is all on the front axle. The available capacity on the rear axle, which takes practically all the weight of a truck camper, is basically unchanged. I really like how with a diesel and camper loaded my weight distribution is just about 50/50.

 

[Explorerinil]

If you go with a gas ram truck, you will probably hate the dial shifter. The 6.4 hemi is a good engine, but it does suck gas and the MDS is very annoying. Oddly my f250 tremor on 35’s with the 7.3 gets better mpg than my 19 ram 6.4 did.

for gas truck, get a Ford with the 7.3, for a diesel, wait and get a ram after then upcoming refresh, they are supposed to have either a zf or allison trans.