I am looking for suggestions for purchase of new 3/4 ton truck for 4x4 truck camping. I will be doing a combination of around town driving both with and without the popup camper on and 1-4 week trips with a couple of light weight kayaks loaded on top of the popup camper.

You will probably want to consider either Chevy/GMC, or Ford, or Dodge. A trip to your local dealer helps in choosing what you find most comfortable. Good luck.

It's just a matter of personal preference. I know what I like, but Baskin Robbins has done well by selling different flavors. If you look at all of them, drive them, and see what owners say about them on their respective forums, you'll make the right choice.

I like that first answer, Ford, GM product or Dodge product. Since there are no other options, that should cover it.I'd go with an F-350 instead of an F-250. Why? You get more GVWR with little or no increase in price. So think 1 ton truck.If you are looking for a truck, make sure it has a camper/heavy duty package so that you can get the heaviest duty suspension offered.Bed length is a factor, if you are looking at short bed campers, make sure you get the truck that fits your camper. Diesel engines have tons more power but add tons more weight. Gas engine trucks do better if all of your non-camping driving is short trips and in town. If you get a diesel truck and never drive it long enough to heat up or let it cool down from longer runs, it shortens the life. Add 1000lbs to whatever weight the dealer says for the camper and gear. The fully loaded weight, water, fuel, gear and kayaks is more than the weight listed on the sticker for the camper. The weight on the sticker could be anything, from what I have learned in the last year, it only vaguely estimated the actual weight of the thing they sold you.

I'd go with an F-350 instead of an F-250. Why? You get more GVWR with little or no increase in price. So think 1 ton truck. Well....yes and no. A couple of points. Some F350 SRW trucks have a 10000 GVWR just like a 10000 GVWR F250. We had one poster who came up with a 10k GVWR F350 SRW crew cab 4x4 6.7 diesel long wheelbase. The weight police convinced him he had to trade it in for the same truck with the 11200 GVWR sticker :R. And if the F250 comes with the heavy service package its the same as the F350 SRW truck. The newer gen 3/4 ton diesel trucks have up to 6500 RAWR and over 3000 lb rear axle payloads. Gassers even more.

Get the one you want,all the big three are good.I got a F250 with HD springs,since in Ariz trucks over 10000 GVW must have commercial tags.

3/4 ton truck suggestions for 4x4 truck camping

lonegunman
Explorer
Nov 17, 2015
You get the 1" back if you put 18" tires and wheels off the F-350 on your F-250. That's what I did.

I have a 2011 F-250 with the heavy duty and camper packages, both. It is identical to my buddies 2011 F-350 suspension wise. The difference was tires and wheels and I bought the same tires and wheels when my tires needed replaced.
Steve_in_29
Explorer
Nov 17, 2015
JIMNLIN wrote:
I believe you are confusing the spring rating with the rating of the axle. The link you provide lists only two AXLE ratings,
F250 - 6200lbs
F350 - 7200lbs

While the numbers you quote are what I see listed for the spring packs.

So no matter what spring package gets selected on an F250, it's rear axle isn't as strong as the F350's with the same spring rating

The link I provided gives the F350 SRW trucks RAWR as 6290 or 6730 or 7000 lb depending on spring pack selections which is what we find on Fords door placard.

As Bedlam says the F250/F350 SRW uses the same Sterling rear axle. The different spring packs/tires and wheel ratings determines the different RAWR numbers.

Where are you coming up with 6200 and 7200 numbers as a RAWR.
I'm looking at 3/4 ton gas trucks right now. Every F250 6.2 4x4 crew cab 18" wheels and tires I've found has a 6100 RAWR on the door tag.

Page 88 of the link provided by JIMNLIN.

It seems Ford doesn't cross check their publications since their ordering site had different numbers then their builders site then the door plaques.

This is all moot since DJ and others have verified the axles are the same. Something that now that it has been mentioned I do seem to remember reading when I was last active on here several years ago. So my apologies.

However the F350 still can be had with more load capacity then the F250 for less then $1K price increase. The 4x4 F350 also sits higher and has more tire clearance then a 4x4 F250. This I know since my friend had an F250 that we compared to my F350, both were 2006 models.
RWDIII
Explorer
Nov 17, 2015
Steve_in_29 wrote:
JIMNLIN wrote:
Ford lists a rear axle rating of 6290lbs and MAX GVWR of 10K for an F250. The F350 SRW has a rear axle rating of 7190lbs and a GVWR of 10K-11.5K.

Actually Fleet Fords body builders specs shows four different RAWR for the F350 SRW 6.2/6.7 line.
1. 6290 RAWR gas and diesel
2. 6730 RAWR gas and diesel
3. 7000 RAWR gas and diesel
4. and one 7180 RAWR for the 6.2 gas reg cab 4x4 truck only.

The F250 has one 6290 RAWR for the reg cab 2wd gas truck only.

All other F250 gas and diesel configurations come with the 6100 RAWR.

https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas/topics/2016/16_SD_Pickups_SB_Updates.pdf.

The F250 heavy service package uprates the the trucks suspension to the same specs as the F350 SRW truck.

Th point here, as my other reply, was if moving up to a F350 SRW watch which GVWR package the truck is plated at .....if the trucks GVWR is important to you.

While I agree people need to pay attention to what the trucks are rated at I believe you are confusing the spring rating with the rating of the axle. The link you provide lists only two AXLE ratings,
F250 - 6200lbs
F350 - 7200lbs

While the numbers you quote are what I see listed for the spring packs.

So no matter what spring package gets selected on an F250, it's rear axle isn't as strong as the F350's with the same spring rating.

the ratings are based on the tires
If you want a HD F250 get the 18 in tires
Ford makes it confusing on the F250 because with 3 different spring packs and 2 different tire ratings the GVW stays the same at 10000lb
_DJ_1
Explorer II
Nov 17, 2015
Bedlam wrote:
The same Visteon Sterling 10.5" rear axle rated at 9750 lbs is used in all F250's and SRW F350's. The same main rear spring pack is also used in both models. The specification differences are due to vehicle class and wheel choice with no actual difference. Look up the part numbers if you doubt this information - I did, so I can cofindently make this claim.

This is absolutely correct. I researched this when I got my F 250. Not only does the diff/axles have all the same part numbers, so do the brakes. Ford de-rates this axle for wheels/tires/springs. The axle itself is rated at 9750. It also weighs 348 lbs in case you needed to know that.
JIMNLIN
Explorer III
Nov 17, 2015
I believe you are confusing the spring rating with the rating of the axle. The link you provide lists only two AXLE ratings,
F250 - 6200lbs
F350 - 7200lbs

While the numbers you quote are what I see listed for the spring packs.

So no matter what spring package gets selected on an F250, it's rear axle isn't as strong as the F350's with the same spring rating

The link I provided gives the F350 SRW trucks RAWR as 6290 or 6730 or 7000 lb depending on spring pack selections which is what we find on Fords door placard.

As Bedlam says the F250/F350 SRW uses the same Sterling rear axle. The different spring packs/tires and wheel ratings determines the different RAWR numbers.

Where are you coming up with 6200 and 7200 numbers as a RAWR.
I'm looking at 3/4 ton gas trucks right now. Every F250 6.2 4x4 crew cab 18" wheels and tires I've found has a 6100 RAWR on the door tag.
trailgranny50
Explorer
Nov 17, 2015
Whichever one that can carry your load and you can afford and like. Everyone else has a fav so its up you. So glad we're not shopping trucks.......or campers. Too many decisions. We had a Chevy Duramax 3500 Dually paid for work truck and bought a used camper for very little and added that much more in changes,add ons and minor fixes. Called it good and just go camping. Finally weighed rig fully loaded as we go and 2,000# under rear axle and total weight limits. Don't know how we managed figure it all out on our own without a major disaster. Who says there isn't a God that takes care of fools,children and old folks?
Peg_Leg
Explorer
Nov 17, 2015
Doesn't matter as long as it's red.

They call it resale red.
md11hog
Explorer
Nov 17, 2015
There are 2 part differences between a F250 and F350. Rubber Axle block that lifts about 2 inches and a 3 instead of a 2 on the side Fx50 emblems. It's about $900 dollars on a new truck. I needed the extra inches because I got a heavy camper. Artic fox 811 at 3-4 k. You won't need it with a popup but if you ever
want to upgrade?
Bedlam
Moderator
Nov 17, 2015
The same Visteon Sterling 10.5" rear axle rated at 9750 lbs is used in all F250's and SRW F350's. The same main rear spring pack is also used in both models. The specification differences are due to vehicle class and wheel choice with no actual difference. Look up the part numbers if you doubt this information - I did, so I can cofindently make this claim.
Steve_in_29
Explorer
Nov 17, 2015
GeoBoy wrote:
06Fargo wrote:
A truck with a good stiff frame and solid axles on very flexible suspension works well in non Walmart parking lot boondocking conditions :):

Clicky

Well then that eliminates the Ford.

I have taken my F350/Outfitter combo on MUCH worse trails then that supposedly tough Land Rover test track in the video link.

I was out in Johnson Valley working the King of the Hammers event and had to get my camper out to a remote road crossing I was working alone, since I was going to be there almost 24 hours. I was digging furrows with my jack feet and using my hitch as a skid plate as I worked my way through wash after wash.

The BIG issue with a "flexible" suspension is that you loose weight capacity. Unless you have a custom set-up designed ($$$). This is something Off Road Magazine found out with their "White Whale" project where they set up a Super Duty with a prerunner type flexible suspension and then tried to carry a truck camper. Didn't work as the weight required the installation of air-bags which in turn negated the flexibility of the suspension. So even though the fault wasn't their's Outfitter was gracious enough to buy the camper back.

A former member on RV.net (the late Don Curley) also found this to be true when he reluctantly bought into the dealership's assurances that the Dodge Power Wagon could handle his fully loaded Apex 8. It wallowed like a drunken sailor on the Highway and was so tippy it almost went over on the trails. He ended up forcing them to buy him out of the truck (got every penny back) and getting the truck he knew he needed in the first place. Though that meant he was now stuck with the new for 2007 diesel smog, that he had problems with but that's another story.