looking for my first set up

[J.murphey]

so the search has begun. I have gone back and forth for months now on whether or not to build out a van or go with a truck camper set up. I have finally decided on a truck/camper set up, and now I have landed here looking for some advice. There are tons of older aluminum truck campers around my area all for right around $500...which is perfect because I plan on redoing most to all of it. my question is about trucks...what is the minimum i should be looking for? what size engine? can i get away with a short bed?

The campers are all around the same size. They "sleep 6", all the same layout, small bathroom, stove sink mini fridge and with a small table and wrap around seating.

my budget is right around 12000

fuel economy is more important the off road capabilities.

Any and all advise is greatly appreciated. THANKS!

 

[daddyusmaximus]

What is the goal? How long do you plan to go on trips? Weekends, two weeks, longer? If you aren't worried about off road performance, a big truck camper should be nice and comfy. They do catch the wind, so fuel mileage will take a big hit. How many people? Just you, or a family of four? You may get by with a camper shell. Build your own set up in back. Not as roomy, but better mileage, and you fit in tighter places. I would think about off road performance. Hate to start traveling only to be limited in where you can get to. Most of the beautiful, inspiring shots I see on here seem to be taking at remote locations. If not now, consider a truck that you can build on later.

 

[J.murphey]

What is the goal? How long do you plan to go on trips? Weekends, two weeks, longer? If you aren't worried about off road performance, a big truck camper should be nice and comfy. They do catch the wind, so fuel mileage will take a big hit. How many people? Just you, or a family of four? You may get by with a camper shell. Build your own set up in back. Not as roomy, but better mileage, and you fit in tighter places. I would think about off road performance. Hate to start traveling only to be limited in where you can get to. Most of the beautiful, inspiring shots I see on here seem to be taking at remote locations. If not now, consider a truck that you can build on later.

just me maybe my girlfriend if she is so inclined to come along.
weekends to a week
this is mostly for work...i travel back and forth and I want a place to sleep when I am away from home. a place that is not the floor of the company i work for or a tent. im a mountain guide and in the winters i live in a city and travel to the mountains to work...in the summers im gone so itll just sit.
I do want off road performance....however that is not my main goal right now like you said. I plan on building so overall this will be an investment.
and as far as fuel milage goes i know that itll drop signifigantly with the camper but Im at the point now where i spend so much time in tents and cramped spaces that the difference in comfort is worth it to me. Plus i will most likely be dropping the camper off in the back of the company i work for. the truck will serve as more of transportation for the camper as well as a daily driver and over all tool to turn the fun dial up to 11

 

[daddyusmaximus]

If you're gonna drop the camper off to drive around... there's your answer. I just have a preference for sleeping "in my truck" (28 years Army) so a camper shell is perfect for me. Plus my wife is scared of off-roading, so I'm normally by myself. There is something to be said for not having to pack and secure everything, to go for a drive.

 

[redthies]

For $8-9,000 you can get a good late '90s diesel 3/4 or 1 ton truck, and $3-4,000 would get you a pretty nice camper. I'm partial to a 12 valve Cummins ('92-'98 Dodge), as they deliver good fuel economy and are stone reliable. Get a camper that is comfy for you, but the smaller and lighter, the better for fuel economy and off highway driving.

 

[wirenut]

I would certainly get a 3500 series truck. With a truck camper the payload is the most critical specification. Campers, full loaded with gear, are usually heavier than people think.
Unless you need the power of a diesel I would get a gas engine. Most any gas engine offered in a 3500 truck will be more than capable of handling the weight of the camper. If you intend to also tow large trailers then that's another matter. With gas engines generally costing less and gasoline being much less expensive than diesel (here in VA anyway) diesel loses much of it's advantages if you're not towing something huge.
I would get a long bed truck. 3500 trucks are easier to find long bed anyway. You will have far more choices in campers if you have the 8' bed. Even if you end up with a short bed camper it can still be made to fit and you have 2' of bed space for storage of firewood, generator, etc.
The GM 3500's from the 90's would certainly be capable. One made after '95 will have more power and a nicer interior than the earlier models.
If you get a Dodge from that era I would get the manual transmission. I owned a '96 Dodge and have experienced first hand how bad those transmissions were.

 

[incognito]

choosing a truck for truck camper

Hy,

if your goal is fuel economy then a 12v from cummins is most economical diesel (claimed 18 mpg with a 3000 lbs truck camper again not by me) and very reliable( if not abused) drw. but i didn't owned one.
now those i own:
i,ve bought a 6.6 duramax 2003 drw 4x4 and i'm suprised how economical and comfortable it is. chairs inside are awesome and the bose audio system is crazy.but take care duramax before 2004 should have the injectors redone . very good alison transmission

i have now also a 2000 4x4 7.3 powerstroke diesel also very good engine solid front and rear.runs like new.
My personal rig is a Dodge ram 2005 .everybody said it's the best diesel engine 5.9 L cummins.true less noisy lot's of power but i don,t find it economical on diesel with the camper on it
transmission felt apart suddenly one good day at 180 000 km so it's new. cummins are reliable and repairs and less complicated than v8 diesels( more expensive to repair) .

so for 12000 $ and economy in mind you'll have 20% economy with a diesel than a gas engine. also more torque when you need at low range.when you put a lot of weight i'm sold for the Double rear wheel. truck camper have the same width, looks better and it is so very stable with the dually.a lot of traction with 4 rear wheels and it will sink less in sand or mud.also with a drw , dually and truck camper you will be inside load rating so legal which is important in order to avoid insurance troubles.the fun part is drw are less expensive because people likes them less than single rear wheels.
12v cummins until 1998
7.3 powerstroke engine from ford till 2003 f-350
duramax 6.6 from gmc or chevrolet 3500
cummins 24v 3500 till 2007

Now most important how choose one: first try to buy from old people who didn't abuse them or took them offroad. mileage is important also has to prove regular maintenance. is good to take it inspected( compression and more).also if was own by a construction companie, transport compagnie, etc truck could be very tired by too much work.
2003 duramax i've just bought had 170000km and 12000$ in repairs in the last year
2005 24v cummins 180000km had 7000$ engine redone +3000$ transmission was own by a construction companies before me.

so take a lot of time to find a good used truck a good well cared non abused truck will give you years of trouble free inexpensive enjoyment.
a abused tired truck, will give you years of expensive pain.
watch out for very shiny, as new , extremely clean old trucks, sometimes ( that mean not always) means trouble...
when i buy a truck first thing i change all oils to syntetics ( engine, transmission, transfer case, differentials). better on gas, less friction,less heat, less wear.
have fun
incognito