Which of these two pop-ups (F250, F350) should I rent for 3 weeks in Alaska?

[84FLH]

Leaf springs get in the way. When they went to coils in the front it freed up a lot of room to improve the turning radius. The 05 should actually be coils. In the photos it looks like leafs.

Regarding the 6.0 both trucks are 6.0s. They have some design flaws that can be addressed with aftermarket parts but it gets expensive It's the second worst diesel Ford has used. The 6.4 was worse. Navistar built the 7.3, 6.0, and 6.4. Ford built the 6.7 themselves.

I still say get the F350 for the indoor shower.

Thanks tacollie. I'm going for the F350. For the shower. And because as billiebob said, it's a stock truck. Too bad about the 6.0 but I've asked the owner how they handle vehicle breakdowns. Waiting for an answer.

 

[84FLH]

So I looked thru the rental links...

Seems the host(s) are the same for both vehicles and are quite possibly based in AK and/or familiar enough with driving off-highway in AK (per description).

Interesting the rigs that they have chosen for their rental business/sideline. Maybe not the first rig, which might have been a family truckster, but likely the second one which is much like the first.

I note they advertise these units offered with, "no road restrictions":

- older trucks (18,19 yo)
- stock or mostly stock. (Despite the huge industry for mods)
- 6.0 diesel (despite the poor reputation - tho they may have been modified/fixed)
- Palomino Camper (despite, AFAIK, not having the best rep for build quality/durability)
- soft side pop up (despite AK bear population)

At least some of the above may be at odds with what one might usually read.

Question for the curious, which rig came first and how did that play into the choice for the second rig. Was the F250 the first, modded for fun and specific needs. The F350 the second, mods deemed not necessary ? Or vice versa ?

This is was my point in renting the stock truck and camper. One might be surprised how well it does for what "most people" might do (at least the renting public).

What a vehicle doesn't/can't do might be addressed with mods but I would never think folks spend money on mods only because said mods "work". Some folks just like spending money, or like building up cars and trucks. Some is for looks, some for performance, some for reasons that didn't quite pan out.

Sure mods like larger fuel tanks might "work" in that range is extended. Whether that is needed or is good value is a whole 'nother thing.

And some mods beget other mods. Want larger tires ? well you might need new rims, and a lift, which leads to new and longer shocks etc.

Anyway, good move on the truck camper rental if that's where you want to end up. Hope it's money well spent.

Btw, devil incarnate or not, the 6.0 diesel will prob give better fuel economy than the gas versions would have, which will help with range, but prob not enough to make up the current fuel price difference. But it might scratch the diesel itch.

You put some good stuff in here, klahanie.

The owner said they use the F250 when they go boondocking. So I'm guessing it was their first rental rig. They named it Blue. The F350 is named Blue Too. A word play on "Two".

They said the larger fuel tank lets them reach Prudhoe without fuel worries.

I didn't ask why they did the other mods (lift, air bags, etc). I know so little about which mod does what, and the how's and why's of mods (e.g., what's a high pinion diff do and why is it needed....why does everyone get different UCA...etc) that I didn't see the point in asking.

Several folks here gave several reasons to go with the stock F350. I've heard those same reasons from others. This is one time I'm going to listen to people who know more than I do.

 

[Fishenough]

Just asking a friend about this, I'm not a camper guy but he takes his camper every year to hunt the Yukon backcountry. Driving to some of the most remote areas where he sees no one all week. He agreed that the gravel roads, in Alaska are well taken care of, since if they are not traveled... Simply if they are not traveled they just are not. Who wants to get stuck that far from anything.

As I shared on another post, a 20 year Dodge Caravan that was in the shop, in Whitehorse, for a broken front shock. This van drove the Dempster Highway every week of the year, reportedly almost 400,000 km's. This van looked nasty the last time I saw it and with minor repairs keeps going. Stock suspension for the win.

Have a great trip

 

[RunninCold]

I live in Fairbanks and daily drive/explore Alaska in a 2006 F-250 with the 6.0. Either truck will be fine for a majority of the roads up here. Pick the one that has the amenities you want.

 

[mkish]

Probably too late, but unless you're camping with hookups, don't expect to get any use out of the shower...

 

[jamesjmcgough]

* m, v

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