Hello everyone. I have 3 weeks to spend in Alaska this year. Found two truck campers to rent. Both have mid 2000's Palomino Bronco popups. One truck is 2005 F250 extended cab. Other truck is 2004 F350 crew cab. Which truck do you think would be best for my purposes?
Truck Camper Disclaimer
I've never driven a truck camper. The biggest pickup I've driven is a mid 90's F250. But I've driven 15' UHauls before and can use the mirrors. As long as no one's within a 50 foot radius
My Purposes
Travel gravel and dirt roads to boondock. 50-75% of the time. Not crazy rough roads like I've seen in Youtube Colorado, Utah, etc videos. Nothing with basketball sized rocks, axle deep holes, super sharp breakover angles. I want to be far enough out to experience the wild and hear no humans, but don't want to rock crawl (e.g.) to get there.
My Abilities
Years (okay, decades) back I drove a few unmaintained forest service roads and a few semi/sorta jeep trails in New England. Nothing at all/no way like what I see on Youtube in Colorado, Utah, etc. But I can (I think) pick a line, brake softly, try to not put tires on slippery rocks, keep steady gas pedal, and get out to walk/look before I proceed if needed. Even so, I'm on vacation; I'm not in RV off road driving school. Want to enjoy the sights without worrying I'm on a road I -or the truck- shouldn't be on.
The Trucks
F250 has a 55 gallon tank, 2 inch lift (brand unknown), airbags, leveling kit, big front bumper.
F350 appears stock, with no lift, helper spring, etc.
The Campers
Exterior graphics indicate both campers are mid 2000's Palomino Bronco's.
Both campers identically equipped EXCEPT the F250 camper has indoor shower removed and a small cabinet installed in place of the shower. Toilet mounted on floor near entry door.
The F350 camper is factory stock with toilet and shower still in their little "closet".
What I'm Leaning Toward
The owner said the F250 is better for boondocking due to lift kit, airbags, leveling kit. I guess she's right. But I'm leaning toward the F350 for one reason only: the indoor shower and toilet are still in the factory location. At my age I want to shower inside if it's 60 degrees or less out; and at late summer/early fall it'll be 60 or less out.
I know the F350's longer wheelbase would impact breakover angle. And I wonder how much that'll limit the 'off road' roads I can go on. Then again, I'm not interested in driving the kind of roads where you need to worry about breakover angle. I'm on vacation and new at truck camper driving. I want to enjoy myself, not test my abilities or learn the hard way.
Questions
(1) Is the F350 a good choice for me, for my purposes?
(2) Is there much difference between the lifted F250 and the stock F350, for my purposes? If so, what are those differences and how big a deal are they?
(3) Do you think the F250 may be overloaded with a full 55 gallon tank, that aftermarket front bumper, lift kit, and air bags, me, food, 20 gallons water, gear and clothes? Gear and clothes are mostly lightweight backpacking gear except for some wool pants and wool hunting jacket. Total gear/clothes around 40-50 lbs...plus about 10 lbs for the electric bear fence to put around that soft side camper at night.
(4) What should I know/watch for with the 250? 350?
Phew! Sorry for the long winded-ness. Rushing to get out the door but wanted to get your opinions sooner instead of later. Lot of valuable experience and advice here.
Thanks, everyone.
F250
F350
Truck Camper Disclaimer
I've never driven a truck camper. The biggest pickup I've driven is a mid 90's F250. But I've driven 15' UHauls before and can use the mirrors. As long as no one's within a 50 foot radius
My Purposes
Travel gravel and dirt roads to boondock. 50-75% of the time. Not crazy rough roads like I've seen in Youtube Colorado, Utah, etc videos. Nothing with basketball sized rocks, axle deep holes, super sharp breakover angles. I want to be far enough out to experience the wild and hear no humans, but don't want to rock crawl (e.g.) to get there.
My Abilities
Years (okay, decades) back I drove a few unmaintained forest service roads and a few semi/sorta jeep trails in New England. Nothing at all/no way like what I see on Youtube in Colorado, Utah, etc. But I can (I think) pick a line, brake softly, try to not put tires on slippery rocks, keep steady gas pedal, and get out to walk/look before I proceed if needed. Even so, I'm on vacation; I'm not in RV off road driving school. Want to enjoy the sights without worrying I'm on a road I -or the truck- shouldn't be on.
The Trucks
F250 has a 55 gallon tank, 2 inch lift (brand unknown), airbags, leveling kit, big front bumper.
F350 appears stock, with no lift, helper spring, etc.
The Campers
Exterior graphics indicate both campers are mid 2000's Palomino Bronco's.
Both campers identically equipped EXCEPT the F250 camper has indoor shower removed and a small cabinet installed in place of the shower. Toilet mounted on floor near entry door.
The F350 camper is factory stock with toilet and shower still in their little "closet".
What I'm Leaning Toward
The owner said the F250 is better for boondocking due to lift kit, airbags, leveling kit. I guess she's right. But I'm leaning toward the F350 for one reason only: the indoor shower and toilet are still in the factory location. At my age I want to shower inside if it's 60 degrees or less out; and at late summer/early fall it'll be 60 or less out.
I know the F350's longer wheelbase would impact breakover angle. And I wonder how much that'll limit the 'off road' roads I can go on. Then again, I'm not interested in driving the kind of roads where you need to worry about breakover angle. I'm on vacation and new at truck camper driving. I want to enjoy myself, not test my abilities or learn the hard way.
Questions
(1) Is the F350 a good choice for me, for my purposes?
(2) Is there much difference between the lifted F250 and the stock F350, for my purposes? If so, what are those differences and how big a deal are they?
(3) Do you think the F250 may be overloaded with a full 55 gallon tank, that aftermarket front bumper, lift kit, and air bags, me, food, 20 gallons water, gear and clothes? Gear and clothes are mostly lightweight backpacking gear except for some wool pants and wool hunting jacket. Total gear/clothes around 40-50 lbs...plus about 10 lbs for the electric bear fence to put around that soft side camper at night.
(4) What should I know/watch for with the 250? 350?
Phew! Sorry for the long winded-ness. Rushing to get out the door but wanted to get your opinions sooner instead of later. Lot of valuable experience and advice here.
Thanks, everyone.
F250
2005 Palomino Bronco Truck Camper Rental in North Pole, AK
See 13 photos of this 2005 Palomino Bronco Truck Camper in North Pole, AK for rent now at $250.00/night
www.outdoorsy.com
F350
2004 Ford F350 Diesel Double Cab Truck Camper Rental in North Pole, AK
See 10 photos of this 2004 Ford F350 Diesel Double Cab Truck Camper in North Pole, AK for rent now at $250.00/night
www.outdoorsy.com
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