For a beginner, what should I build?

[Smileyshaun]

best advice , don't build anything. toss some recovery gear, a tent, sleeping bag and food and just go out on some short trips and learn and evolve your gear for your needs . Don't get caught up in the building a overland rig with your free time use your free time to explore

 

[Smileyshaun]

also with winter driving you need to air down to maximize your footprint on the slippery stuff at street psi you might have a playing card of width of rubber on the ground . You don't have to go stupid low on psi to gain some benifits but its one of those things you need to try out to see what works best for your vehicle and tire combo

 

[leftfootmoe]

Im in Colorado in the mtns. I keep my Suburban in 2wd for a majority of the time with Michelin LTX M+S. I agree with Smiley, use the vehicle you have and figure out your needs before looking cool for the gram. I know one difference from my suburban to a truck is rear end weight but some sand bags will help you there. Or all that gear.

 

[Buliwyf]

As long as your wife is comfortable.

I can bivvy anywhere, and tent heaters are a joke. But that might just make the missus hate camping.

I'm still trying to get my sister to come camping with us. But one bad experience ruined that.

 

[Mighty Dodge Ram]

I’m going to stay out of the vehicle debate and comment on your description of the camping setup. You mention the Decked drawer/platform system and the AT Habitat, both excelllent choices. The Habitat uses a traditional style truck shell hatch that swings up. The Decked system is about 12” tall and stretches across the entire width of the bed. To enter the Habitat from your dropped tailgate you’ll probably have to crawl through on your knees under what is now a smaller vertical spacing...and that will get real old, real quickly. A setup that maintains some sort of center aisle will facilitate easier ingress/egress as you climb/duck into the back of the truck bed. I fight this issue with my “hi-rise” camper shell all of the time, even with the taller opening. You know, smacking your head or scraping your back. Check out the cabinet/storage offerings from AT and Goose Gear; both companies offer excellent products. But...quality comes at a price, or you’ll learn how to build what you need. Looking forward to your build!

 

[Sleeping Bear]

Never occurred to me that anyone would need AWD over 4wd - I get what you're saying about the winter driving, but since you already have an F150 you like, what about a set of dedicated snow tires for it, then you'd be fine 90% of time in 2wd and can engage the front if you really need it.

I ran Blizzaks on fwd cars for years in the Northeast and simply never felt any need for 4wd. And a set lasts for years if you only throw them on for the winter months.

A few of you suggested maybe just sticking with my current truck which I do like. I have an extended cab F150 with 6.5 ft bed. Since it is not a true 4 door crew cab my roof is a bit shorter.

As another option, does anyone have any thoughts of me installing a rooftop tent instead such as a James Baroud Space roof top tent on top of the cab? I'd prefer to install it on the cab so I can preserve the functionality of my pick up bed for the occasional motorcycle haul.

I appreciate the suggestions of not going crazy spending just yet, but trying to work with what I have.

Any feedback on RTT hard shells on top of the cab would be appreciated. Most the RTT stuff I have found has them on an SUV or on a truck bed mounted rack.

Thanks!

 

[MR. ED]

I would say keep your truck buy a topper and build a sleep platform with storage underneath, then throw some taller skinny tires on there. If that doesn't scratch the itch then buy a project for cheap and dig in. So many options....