Family size vehicle

[Ramdough]

Hello all

I have had my 02 Tacoma Dcab and have built it up with armor, suspension, shell, RTT, lights..... Etc

For 2 people it was plenty large and very capable. Now, I am considering something bigger than my RTT. (family grew).

I am contemplated building a camper for my truck, but what I really want is a vehicle platform that has a diesel with a solid front axle. I thought about doing the engine and SAS, but the thought of going to a remote location with too many custom made critical parts is not too appealing.

A friend suggested an F250 crew cab short bed. I think that I could build a heck of a camper for it but I would need huge tires and lift to get a decent break over angle.

I am worried that such a vehicle would not be trail capable. I imagine that such a vehicle would require mild open trails, but that may not be that bad for a family offside camper.

What so you guys think? Any suggestions?


I don't want anything with obscure parts or at an age where everything is breaking.

 

[Sleeping Dog]

Given the existing mods on your Taco, you're probably near the recommended gross weight of the truck when loaded and building a camper atop it will make the capacity a larger issue. Solid axles, a diesel, descent payload along with compact dimensions sounds like a 70 series Land Cruiser or Defender 130, both rare in the US.

A full size pickup is probably your best option, though you won't go some of the places that the Taco takes you and that will be the trade off. There are several posts of full size trucks with Flippacs and similar that would meet your needs. An option is a pop top slide in, but if you go that route I'd opt for a 1 ton rather than a 3/4, the weight adds up fast.

Jim

 

[Ramdough]

Thanks Jim for the response.

I definitely feel a little spoiled by the manueverability of my Tacoma. I am not sure what my weight is right now.

I think the smallest modern vehicle in America, that can haul a camper, that I can get with a diesel and solid front axle is the F250. That is a shame.

If I get a camper it will be a bed replacement that I build myself to cut weight. Plus I think I have a pretty cool concept (I have not seen anywhere yet).

If anyone else has any ideas for vehicles please let me know. Right now I am agreeing with Jim.

 

[Athabasca]

I went through this dilemma when we outgrew my 04 4runner.
I settled on an F250 CC SB with the 7.3 diesel.

I was close to getting a diesel HJ61 but parts availbility and highway cruise speed put me onto the Fullsize program.
I really wanted an Excursion but it was hard to find the right one.

 

[Pskhaat]

Excursion with pop-top. But yeah F250|350 with a 7.3 is really hard to beat. The Cruiser option does not net that much extra space and the slow speed will drive you bat crazy.

 

[Loco-Nomad]

X2 on the diesel excursion, but you can NEVER go wrong with a Cummins!! Just traded my Suburban on an '06 extended cab 3500 Cummins. My kids and wife love it!

 

[Ford Prefect]

X2 on that Cummings, that is a super nice engine, and for my money the Power Stroke has way too many lemons out there. I would also just go with the F350/3500. The weight capacity is nice, and you really do not have any loss of ability with the truck.

Now one thing I would certainly consider, if I were you, is getting a second RTT and putting them both atop an Excursion. I know you are still dealing with the PS but that thing gets ridiculous mileage, far better than my Grand Cherokee! With the space provided in an Excursion you could put in a super nice kitchen out of the back, and all of the storage you could want. They lift kits are readily available, if you should want to lift it a bit. Of course lifting that massive brick will cut back on your mileage. They say that suburban can get the same kind of fuel mileage, but I have not see the hard data that you can find on the Excursion, to compare it.

Well, just a thought for you.