So pretty soon here I am looking to do some travel through Mexico, on four wheels this time, instead of two. I have been planning and troubleshooting my potential rig options as to what would best suite me. I am going with a slide in truck camper, and plan to mount a 315 pound motorcycle on the front of the truck. I need a larger camper, something that has a bathroom. I'tll just be the dog and myself.So no that I know what kind of camper I want I have been looking for trucks.I want a 1.5 cab, so access, or quad, or extended, whatever you call it.The truck I am looking at is a 2005-2007 ram 2500 quad cab with short bed. The reason I want a short bed is because when I drop the camper, I want to be somewhat offroad capable. I suppose I could go with a long bed, but I don't really need the extra camper space that much. So here's the question that I need help with......GAS OR DIESEL? I'll have a gas motorcycle so I would be nice to stay consistent with the fuel cans, also probably a small gas generator. I also like the lower acquisition price of the gas models. 5.7L Hemi.The diesel would be nice, and I do consider it for the better fuel economy it would offer with like 2000 pounds in the bed, but how much better would it be??Also I think there is less availability with diesel parts for these trucks in Mexico.I would like to stay around $15,000 for the truck, maybe a few thousand more.What are your thoughts, gas or diesel? Also any other options you might consider with my above stated preferences?

I like diesel, because the power if pretty effortless. And I like a lot of power. However, the Hemi will pull a truck camper fine. May have to work harder on hills, but it should mostly keep up with the speed limit. And depending on the size of camper, you are going to want to go with a 3500. If you do get a 2500, you are gong to want to add 3500 springs to it or at least an aftermarket overload spring.

Amastro46 wrote:So pretty soon here I am looking to do some travel through Mexico, on four wheels this time, instead of two. I have been planning and troubleshooting my potential rig options as to what would best suite me. I am going with a slide in truck camper, and plan to mount a 315 pound motorcycle on the front of the truck. I need a larger camper, something that has a bathroom. I'tll just be the dog and myself.So no that I know what kind of camper I want I have been looking for trucks.I want a 1.5 cab, so access, or quad, or extended, whatever you call it.The truck I am looking at is a 2005-2007 ram 2500 quad cab with short bed. The reason I want a short bed is because when I drop the camper, I want to be somewhat offroad capable. I suppose I could go with a long bed, but I don't really need the extra camper space that much. So here's the question that I need help with......GAS OR DIESEL? I'll have a gas motorcycle so I would be nice to stay consistent with the fuel cans, also probably a small gas generator. I also like the lower acquisition price of the gas models. 5.7L Hemi.The diesel would be nice, and I do consider it for the better fuel economy it would offer with like 2000 pounds in the bed, but how much better would it be??Also I think there is less availability with diesel parts for these trucks in Mexico.I would like to stay around $15,000 for the truck, maybe a few thousand more.What are your thoughts, gas or diesel? Also any other options you might consider with my above stated preferences? aren't Rams built in Mexico.. X2 on the 3500 heavy camper and a motorcycle on a rack equals a 3500. Diesel is cheaper than gas in MX. Propane is really cheap if you run gas/LPG switcable. MY dad had Class A MH with chev 454 and a 150 gal propane tank he filled in MX at $.26 a gallon about 15 yrs ago. Ran gas mode to go back south to refill LPG tank. Might still be feasible today??

Gas will be more readily available. Gas trucks generally have more payload, gas trucks cost less, gas trucks are more common when you are looking to buy.Go for a one ton, just a little more cost and a lot more truck. An 8' bed does not necessarily mean a bigger camper..just one that does not hang over the back. I go through some stream crossings where anything hanging over or sticking out in back would be in danger of dragging, so my camper ends where the bed does. I can also tow without the disadvantage of a hitch extension.

A diesel is not a good idea for Mexico. They do not have the ULSD that is required for the newer diesel engines. Some will tell you it is available but it is not except for maybe the very northern part of the Baja. Go the the Mexico travel section on this forum and search for diesel.

This is all really good info folks, appreciate it. It looks like the consensus is to go with a 1 ton. I'll do some considerations as to the long bed.

Quick Truck Question | Good Sam Community

pcoplin
Explorer II
Sep 25, 2015
I like diesel, because the power if pretty effortless. And I like a lot of power. However, the Hemi will pull a truck camper fine. May have to work harder on hills, but it should mostly keep up with the speed limit.

And depending on the size of camper, you are going to want to go with a 3500. If you do get a 2500, you are gong to want to add 3500 springs to it or at least an aftermarket overload spring.
cmeade
Explorer
Sep 25, 2015
Amastro46 wrote:
So pretty soon here I am looking to do some travel through Mexico, on four wheels this time, instead of two.

I have been planning and troubleshooting my potential rig options as to what would best suite me.

I am going with a slide in truck camper, and plan to mount a 315 pound motorcycle on the front of the truck. I need a larger camper, something that has a bathroom. I'tll just be the dog and myself.

So no that I know what kind of camper I want I have been looking for trucks.

I want a 1.5 cab, so access, or quad, or extended, whatever you call it.

The truck I am looking at is a 2005-2007 ram 2500 quad cab with short bed. The reason I want a short bed is because when I drop the camper, I want to be somewhat offroad capable. I suppose I could go with a long bed, but I don't really need the extra camper space that much.

So here's the question that I need help with......

GAS OR DIESEL?

I'll have a gas motorcycle so I would be nice to stay consistent with the fuel cans, also probably a small gas generator. I also like the lower acquisition price of the gas models. 5.7L Hemi.

The diesel would be nice, and I do consider it for the better fuel economy it would offer with like 2000 pounds in the bed, but how much better would it be??

Also I think there is less availability with diesel parts for these trucks in Mexico.

I would like to stay around $15,000 for the truck, maybe a few thousand more.

What are your thoughts, gas or diesel? Also any other options you might consider with my above stated preferences?
aren't Rams built in Mexico.. X2 on the 3500 heavy camper and a motorcycle on a rack equals a 3500. Diesel is cheaper than gas in MX. Propane is really cheap if you run gas/LPG switcable. MY dad had Class A MH with chev 454 and a 150 gal propane tank he filled in MX at $.26 a gallon about 15 yrs ago. Ran gas mode to go back south to refill LPG tank. Might still be feasible today??
tonymull
Explorer
Sep 25, 2015
Gas will be more readily available. Gas trucks generally have more payload, gas trucks cost less, gas trucks are more common when you are looking to buy.
Go for a one ton, just a little more cost and a lot more truck. An 8' bed does not necessarily mean a bigger camper..just one that does not hang over the back. I go through some stream crossings where anything hanging over or sticking out in back would be in danger of dragging, so my camper ends where the bed does. I can also tow without the disadvantage of a hitch extension.
bilmarde
Explorer
Sep 25, 2015
A diesel is not a good idea for Mexico. They do not have the ULSD that is required for the newer diesel engines. Some will tell you it is available but it is not except for maybe the very northern part of the Baja. Go the the Mexico travel section on this forum and search for diesel.
Amastro46
Explorer
Sep 25, 2015
This is all really good info folks, appreciate it. It looks like the consensus is to go with a 1 ton. I'll do some considerations as to the long bed.
Amastro46
Explorer
Sep 25, 2015
bilmarde wrote:
A diesel is not a good idea for Mexico. They do not have the ULSD that is required for the newer diesel engines. Some will tell you it is available but it is not except for maybe the very northern part of the Baja. Go the the Mexico travel section on this forum and search for diesel.
'

I would consider a truck made before 2007 when the us switched to ULSD
Reddog1
Explorer II
Sep 25, 2015
I encourage you to review the RVing in Mexico and South America Forum. You will get more info on what is and is not available in Mexico.

Personally, I would not consider a short bed. Too few TC's to chose from, and honestly if you cannot deal with a bed 18-inches longer, maybe you should consider a Class B.
Vinsil
Explorer
Sep 25, 2015
pcoplin wrote:
I like diesel, because the power if pretty effortless. And I like a lot of power. However, the Hemi will pull a truck camper fine. May have to work harder on hills, but it should mostly keep up with the speed limit.

And depending on the size of camper, you are going to want to go with a 3500. If you do get a 2500, you are gong to want to add 3500 springs to it or at least an aftermarket overload spring.

Agree go 3500, save yourself some cash in the long run.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Sep 25, 2015
Best bang for your buck for $15k tops is a gasser. As much as I like diesels, your budget and use say gasser.
Don't limit yourself to a 3500, rather the best deal, 2500 or 3500. Plus 3500 gassers aren't near as prevalent.
$15k wil basically get you a 200kmi diesel or 100kmi gasser.
I wouldn't rule out older than 3rd gen Dodges. My ideal gasser for that use would be a 2nd Gen 5.9 gasser with a 5 speed manual.
jimh406
Explorer III
Sep 25, 2015
Since you've traveled with 2 wheels, I'm assuming a popup camper would be fine. In that case, I'd go with Gasoline short bed extended cab and Four Wheel Camper minimum model.

As noted lots of times, look for the camper that suits you and then match the truck to it.