First camper:

[Sock Puppet]

Like I said, I trust you've done your homework. It sounds like you know what you are after, and I say go for it!:sombrero:

One thing to always remember: None of this is irreversible. If it doesn't work out, do something else. Life is to short to always do the sensible thing.

With that said, I would still suggest looking very hard at 3/4 ton trucks. My Northstar weighs in at ~1500 lbs with battery and propane. Add water, personal effects, clothing, electronics, mountain bikes and gear, cookware, awning, etc and you get to 2K lbs. pretty quickly. My 3/4 ton handles my set up beautifully, and I never feel unsafe in handling/braking situations, or the light off road I do with this set up. Having a heavier duty truck also gives you the flexibility of upgrading to a hard side or travel trailer if you decide it suits you better. Yeah, you might pay for it a bit in fuel economy, but not as much as you think. a 1/2 ton with a smaller engine will work harder (run at higher RPMs) to do the same amount of work (move the weight) than will a HD truck with a larger engine. Many times folks with 1/2 tons who work the heck out of their engines end up getting about the same MPGs as the equivalent loaded HD truck.

 

[rystjohn]

You are right - we don't have to stick to one thing, but we need to make sure we have the ability to get out if whatever we decide....

That's good to know about the bigger trucks...I'm still thinking ¾ ton truck. Am I wrong though about the Tundra having more payload? I haven't had a chance to go weigh one and see...

As far as bigger trucks and bigger engines: I know the V10 dodge engine gets only 10mpg regardless of what you're doing (well, it supposedly drops to 5-7 when goin uphill, hahah). I've been looking at older Fords (especially diesels) simply because that's what we can afford. But if we could find a newer truck of any model I'd be fine - out biggest issues we don't want to compromise on are: safety (although I'm willing to forego airbags), reliability, and fuel economy. I know this is somewhat picky - but we want to make sure that what we get is structurally sound, not falling apart, and still manages to get decent fuel economy (anywhere from 12-17 would be great, whether loaded or unloaded). The sprinter vans are pretty great in that they get 25mpg, but they also cost 20k or more....even with over 200k miles!

Anyway - we're still looking. As always we welcome advice. If there is the 'perfect' base truck in your opinions, I'd love to know. I'm already pretty set on a FWC, but I know there are other great brands out there.

Or if you think there is a better alternative van, I'm all ears too!

 

[waterwindsuntraveller]

You might want to look for an older Roadtrek 190. I met a guy a few weeks ago who picked one up in good shape who was planning on living in it. Said the thing got 25mpg! It had a cool layout with a porta/and shower, lots of storage...throw a bumper-mount bike rack on the back, some kind of fabricated rack on back for extra gear... could be a good fit? However, they do lack ground clearance and 4X4 of a truck/camper combo.

FYI, I have a 2000 Tundra. Be aware, the older Tundras only have a 58" tail gate opening and won't fit all campers-Hallmark LaVetas and Northstar 650s or similar only. It's a 1/2 ton truck just like an F150 or Chevy 1500, but you can mod the suspension with either Timbrens or air bags and feel pretty solid around 15 or 1600 pounds. We used to have a Chevy 1500 with a Six Pac 650 hardside camper on the back- we called it "The Cube" cause of it's boxyness, but it was really comfortable. I'd maybe look for something like an F250 with a Hallmark Ute or Guenella for full-time living...if you're gonna go with a truck/ pop up-camper combo. Denver or Western slope craigslist is a good place to look.

 

[waterwindsuntraveller]

Something like this could be a good thing?

[ account ]CL >denver >all for sale / wanted >rvs - by owner
contact x prohibited[?] Posted: 2 days ago
1997 Roadtrek 190 Versatile - $9000 (Centennial, CO)




© craigslist - Map data © OpenStreetMap
S Ulster St at E Fremont Ave
(google map) (yahoo map)

condition: fair size / dimensions: 20 foot

1997 Roadtrek 190 Versatile, Dodge RAM VAN B3500 5.9L V8, VIN: 2B6KB31Z3VK528725, with 97,840 miles. Rear dinette, twin beds expand to small queen, front and rear seats form small twin beds (5'7"), and a homemade platform can be added between the rear seats to make a small full size bed.

Note: Carfax indicates only 1 owner, but I'm the 3rd owner, and that the vehicle was sold, new, with 392,910 miles, and a 2001 TX registration with 264,958 miles; so the data is corrupted. I called the listed dealer, but they had no records for this camper.

Researched internet for documentation on all appliances.
do NOT contact me with unsolicited services or offers
post id: 4500696712 posted: 2 days ago updated: 23 hours ago email to friend ♥ best of [?]
Avoid scams, deal locally Beware wiring (e.g. Western Union), cashier checks, money orders, shipping.
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[bill harr]

Linky

 

[potterjon]

wow I can't believe that guy backed out of the sale. And after you bought a plane ticket? That is pretty lame. I feel your pain.....

 

[surlydiesel]

I was just looking on the Toyota site yesterday and a base model 4X4 Extended Cab Tacoma with a 5spd has a 1300 pound load capacity. I then looked at the base model 4X4 Tundra with the "quad" cab, not the crew with the 6 foot bed, 1320 pound capacity. Or roughly there about. Soooooooo yes, a Tundra is most certainly a half ton. The 2007 plus trucks have bigger front wheel bearings than an F250 with the Dana 50 in the front but it can't hold as much in the bed.

I would skip the Half tons and get the big truck like you have been talking. More space, safer load ratings and well, your going to get crap gas millage no matter what you drive ha ha ha. My definition of crap millage is less than 20mpg.

Keep the faith, find a clean F350 gasser and find a matching Camper.

-jorge

 

[bill harr]

Need apples to apples not apples to oranges.
An access cab (not a "quad" cab) shows a 1595 pound max load. A std cab long bed shows up to 2040 pound max load. Link to Toyota site.
Only thing I saw concerned with was brakes, a good friend who is a ASME certified mechanic told me that Toyota over sizes their brakes and I should have not problem.

I was just looking on the Toyota site yesterday and a base model 4X4 Extended Cab Tacoma with a 5spd has a 1300 pound load capacity. I then looked at the base model 4X4 Tundra with the "quad" cab, not the crew with the 6 foot bed, 1320 pound capacity. Or roughly there about. Soooooooo yes, a Tundra is most certainly a half ton. The 2007 plus trucks have bigger front wheel bearings than an F250 with the Dana 50 in the front but it can't hold as much in the bed.

I would skip the Half tons and get the big truck like you have been talking. More space, safer load ratings and well, your going to get crap gas millage no matter what you drive ha ha ha. My definition of crap millage is less than 20mpg.

Keep the faith, find a clean F350 gasser and find a matching Camper.

-jorge

 

[Sock Puppet]

Here's a combo out near Denver:

http://denver.craigslist.org/rvs/4505191139.html

 

[surlydiesel]

Sorry this is off topic a bit but it shows how close the "midsize" Tacoma is to the "full size" Tundra. In theory, if you were willing to get a Tundra with a camper, you could look at a Tacoma. They have similar load carrying capacity unless you get the regular cab 8 foot bed Tundra. Then you have a really serious truck. The 2X4 trucks have a good payload but not the 4X4 Tundras.

Reg Cab Long Bed 4X4: 1910
Double Cab 6' Bed 4X4: 1320
DC Long Bed 4X4: 1480
Crew Max 4X4: 1255

Tacoma:
Reg Cab 4X4 4cyl: 1390
Acc Cab 4X4 4cyl: 1320
Double Cab 4X4: 1305

Off the Toyota website. If you get a 2X4 in any truck you get a few hundred pounds extra in the payload dept but it's a trade off.

Anyway. Sorry for the hijack.
-jorge

 

[rystjohn]

So we are seriously considering purchasing a '97 F250 HD powerstroke that we found for a great price and only 2 hours away. It's lifted and has 37" tires. Solid body and frame, meticulously maintained, strong manual tranny, 4x4, etc.

We are really happy with it and think it will work for us but I want to hear y'all's opinions, thoughts, etcetera.

You've got roughly 24 hours before we pull the trigger. Stop us if we are making a bad choice, haha.

 

[topofpalomar]

How many miles on the clock?

 

[surlydiesel]

Does it have a Dana 60 up front? Tires that size on the stock front end of the OBS F250's might be hard on it. Balljoints and such. Check for rust, oilpan, leaks in the valley under the fuel bowl. That area should be dry. Ask if the Dual Mass Flywheel has been "upgraded" to a single. I love the OBS trucks, just don't pay too much.
-jorge


01 Reg Cab Tacoma

 

[rystjohn]

No leaks, upper & lower ball joints recently replaced, fluids all replaced. Minimal rust, only bad part is the radiator stay which is common on these. I'll check the valley tomorrow. It has 250k on it. Offered $10500 and he's ok with that.

 

[rystjohn]

Offered $10500 and he's accepting that with a full tank of gas.

It has 250k on it. Recent fluids flush, new ball joints, 2 spare full size tires & one of those is mounted to matching rim. Don't think the flywheel has been changed, could be wrong. Also didn't check the fuel bowl, but no leaks underneath, no oil, nada.

Rust is minimal and mostly superficial. The only bad spot is the radiator mount. But apparently that is common