Looking for a truck...

Scott in GB wrote:
Thanks for the info. I'll start researching 3/4 tons more. I have been having a hard time finding "max towing packages" on 1/2 tons as it is. I didn't consider items like bigger brakes - I can see that being huge in the mountains.

Now the really sticky question. Which brand?

And this one

Scott in GB wrote:
So, with that said I am looking to buy a truck. I am looking at either new or late model used crew cab. I would really prefer a 1/2 Ton, but we plan on taking this camper all over the country and that includes the mountains. I want to make sure that whatever I buy can handle long trips and mountain grades. I really don't want to spend more than say $45K and less than that if possible. We tend to keep vehicles for a long time, so I am looking at this as a 8-10 year investment.

Hi,

I'll add a few things not yet said. If you are going to pack up and hit the road traveling all over, (1st, congrats to you!!) think about what you will be taking with you on that trip.

Where are you going to put that gear? The camper or the truck? These light weight campers do not have a lot of payload ability like they use to. It is real easy to max out a camper payload doing long cross county trips with extras the weekend warriors do not take.

Once you do some thinking on this, a truck cap might be the solution to hold that extra gear. Now you can create room in the truck bed for that extra gear. Well the truck cap pending which one you get and be 200 to 300# and then the gear itself. I manage to have 500# of stuff under my tono cover...

Point: Go 3/4 ton or 1 ton single rear wheels and don't look back. A 1/2 tons weak link is payload. It will have a real hard time holding the "loaded" camper TW and truck bed gear and a truck cap may not even be a consideration as the 1/2 ton can't handle the weight.

If you want to down size what ever you are taking, be a minimalist, do that for 10 years... listen to the wife, honey we can't take that the truck can't carry it, the 1/2 ton might just fit.

Gas vrs diesel... this is a topic in itself. Getting a gasser with the right ratings will get the job done. The right engine with the right rear axle and tranny can pull the load. Granted the diesels have more low end torque and they can be more comfortable doing it at lower RPMs. Both have a cost. Gasser spends it in gas, diesel spends it in initial cost and added maintenance costs. In 10 years the cost can be close to the same. Just depends when you pay it out.

Brands... any of the big 3 will work. I myself prefer Ford or GM

Good luck and hope this helps

John