Turns out I need a real truck. Kindly help me choose one!

[Darwin]

100k for a new truck and now all of a sudden the load just got heavier. Just spend your money on whatever one you want. It's not a daily driver, and will be used a few times a month, maybe. It's pointless to talk $$$ numbers because besides keeping or upgrading your Tundra, all of the other options make no financial sense.

 

[Darwin]

The criteria for Gas vs Diesel is:

- Cost GAS
- Reliability GAS
- Cost of maintenance DEFINITELY GAS
- Off Road performance GAS
- Availability GAS
- Fuel efficiency TOSS UP
- Range PROBABLY DIESEL, BUT IN NA WHAT DOES IT MATTER?

 

[phsycle]

100k for a new truck and now all of a sudden the load just got heavier. Just spend your money on whatever one you want. It's not a daily driver, and will be used a few times a month, maybe. It's pointless to talk $$$ numbers because besides keeping or upgrading your Tundra, all of the other options make no financial sense.

Our hobby, in general, makes no financial sense.

 

[Todd780]

Our hobby, in general, makes no financial sense.

I've grown to hate those words almost as much as 'Live, Laugh, Love'.

Buy Mr Noodles instead of generic? That make no financial sense!
Buy Jazz apples instead of MacIntosh? That makes no financial sense! In fact buying food make no financial sense. Go dumpster diving.

Own a car? That makes no financial sense! Walk every where!
Own / rent a home? That makes no financial sense. A used tent is near free.
With the exception of investing, spending money at all never makes financial sense.

 

[phsycle]

@Todd n Natalie Yup, got to draw the line somewhere. Otherwise, we’d just stay home (err…tent) and eat tuna and ramen.

Then, of course, we got the yolo crowd (another annoying phrase). Spending themselves into oblivion.

Back on topic:
So the correct answer is somewhere between Keds and an Earthroamer.

 

[calicamper]

First kid? Just a
Suggestion start a Kids college fund $50,000, put some $ in a kid’s account for club sports-$6000-$9000yr. Keep the Tundra and save your $. If your house is nearly paid for and large enough for 4.5 person family then go build your dream rig when the kids are hitting HS. It will be paid off by the time they graduate and you’ll have plenty of time to go play.

Kid 1 age day one - 5th grade you’ll be busy and definitely won’t have the time you think.

 

[GeorgeHayduke]

updated the payload calculations.

View attachment 798690

Some other thoughts around making the Tundra work instead of spending an addition 40k. Are 175# rock sliders really necessary ? You're not going to be rock crawling with a rig this heavy. Do you really need a Prinsu Rack? They look cool and all but you'll have lots of storage inside the camper.

Also, is the Alucab the only camper setup you're willing to consider? A Go Fast Camper is half the weight and there are a whole bunch of other similar light popup toppers. Those couple subtractions would put even your "Full" loadout within the Tundra payload.

 

[Todd780]

Some other thoughts around making the Tundra work instead of spending an addition 40k. Are 175# rock sliders really necessary ? You're not going to be rock crawling with a rig this heavy. Do you really need a Prinsu Rack? They look cool and all but you'll have lots of storage inside the camper.

Also, is the Alucab the only camper setup you're willing to consider? A Go Fast Camper is half the weight and there are a whole bunch of other similar light popup toppers. Those couple subtractions would put even your "Full" loadout within the Tundra payload.

Some good food for thought there.

 

[phsycle]

Some other thoughts around making the Tundra work instead of spending an addition 40k. Are 175# rock sliders really necessary ? You're not going to be rock crawling with a rig this heavy. Do you really need a Prinsu Rack? They look cool and all but you'll have lots of storage inside the camper.

Also, is the Alucab the only camper setup you're willing to consider? A Go Fast Camper is half the weight and there are a whole bunch of other similar light popup toppers. Those couple subtractions would put even your "Full" loadout within the Tundra payload.

Definitely something to consider. HOWEVER.
A few thoughts of my own:
- Are you sure the max payload in the Tundra is 1800lbs? I know that’s what the brochures say. What does the sticker say in the drivers door jamb? In my experience, it’s usually way less than that.
- The kid is going to grow. Meaning, more stuff to bring, not less. Soon, you’ll need to add another bike, more toys, etc.
- To the point above, you’ll outgrow a lighter camper, such as GFC.

I’d get a rig that can grow with your family and/or future needs.

Oh, and the comment regarding armor. One of my favorite places is the San Juan’s in SW Colorado. Many of those places, sliders/armor would definitely pay off on a long wheelbase rig. Speaking of, I don’t see Recovery gear listed.

 

[TexasSixSeven]

The last time I drove a diesel work truck was over ten years ago. They were 2007-8 ford powerstrokes. If it was colder than say -20f they wouldn’t start without two running trucks jumping the dead truck at the same time. We were also adding something called diesel 911 fuel additive to the fuel tank because the fuel was gelling up.

Lots of freezing your butt off and wasting time on those cold mornings.

Not sure if the newer diesels are any better.

Is only ran my 17’ 350 in -11 -12 temps, and my truck never hesitated to start. I also didn’t plug it in. I worked with a fleet mechanic that had spent some time on the north slope of AK a couple years later, and he said the trucks started just fine to -25. Beyond that was when plugging them in was becoming necessary. However their fuel was pretreated, so it wasn’t an issue.

 

[IdaSHO]

Cold start issues are caused by all sorts of things. The cold thickens the oil, (and fuel if not the correct blend), decreases battery cranking power, and really tests the limits of the fuel and 12v starting system.

Yes, well maintained and/or low mileage modern diesels have no trouble starting in the cold, provided they are running a proper winter blend fuel.

Bud the odds are constantly working against you in the cold. Any Heui injection truck needs a few things to fire. A minimum RPM, Minimum oil PSI, and minimum voltage when cranking are all required in order for the injectors to even fire. If only one is below required, they simply will not. And even if they do, if you have a high mileage truck with less than stellar compression, good luck.

Gas is simply less affected by dropping temps.

 

[tacollie]

@hdas cold starts are harder for diesels. Living the mountains it's good too plug it into an engine block heater if it's outside overnight. It'll help everything last longer.

The diesel power will help more on i70 than it will off-road. Off-road the extra weight of the diesel isn't ideal.

Do you actually own a Tundra?

 

[hdas]

Also, is the Alucab the only camper setup you're willing to consider?

Yes!, I need 2 separate sleeping enviroments.

Are 175# rock sliders really necessary ?

I think the protection is useful. I'm planning on exploring the beautiful and challenging backcountry roads I have just minutes away.

 

[hdas]

Do you actually own a Tundra?

No, I have a Prius, a Land Cruiser and a Range Rover....

Also an update. The outfitter says I don't need to do anything to the suspension of a RAM 3500. I need to clarify if this means no wheels and tires. Kind of surprised by his answer, but It's a good thing $$$$$$$$.

 

[Jurfie]

...then go build your dream rig when the kids are hitting HS. It will be paid off by the time they graduate and you’ll have plenty of time to go play.

Ugh. But what are rigs going to look like in 10-15 years? Will "gas vs. diesel" still be a discussion? Will back-country exploration still be allowed in NA (or abroad)? Will we still have our health, our mobility, or even be around?

Nah, don't wait. Don't put it off. Don't assume you'll "get to it tomorrow". If you can afford it today: do it today. If you can't afford it today: adjust your expectations and make those memories with a "less ideal" rig that you can afford. Take your kids out into the woods and encourage them to love the outdoors as much as you do and maybe you'll have a travel companion for life. At the very least, you'll have many memories with your kids.