Advice on truck and camper purchase
Greetings I have been reading and learning at the Forum for the past 3 years taking notes. I finally decided to buy a truck and camper. Like many of you I face the following dilemmas off-road ability ...
Forum Discussion
I would disagree on the dually for off-roading. Besides the extra rear tire there is little difference in 2500 and 3500s, it is really just the extra leaf in the rear, AND yes, the leafs are superior to coils for TCs. Duallys are not considered the best option for off-roading by off-roaders, but that all depends on what you plan to do. You could get a dually and modify it to be a 4 wheel truck and have the best of both worlds, many off-roaders do this (basically a wide stance SRW setup).
One tons come in SRW configurations too.
Duallys will sway less than a SRW, but that does not disqualify a SRW for still being easy to drive.
Consider a two-piece fiberglass TC, there are 3 brands that I know of. Two are obtainable, and the third which I have, hard to find. Fiberglass construction will shake, rattle and roll less, so less likely to tear apart.
The weakness will always be the tie-down system (on both camper and truck end). A big hit can bend your truck frame or tear the mounts out of the camper.
I would look seriously into an Alaskan camper. You do not have an indoor shower unless you are able to modify the bathroom - take out cass toilet and mod up a shower pan, BUT it does fold down which is good for off-roading. Less height, less sway, and will fit under tree branches and rock over-hangs. There are used ones out there for around $8k. If there were ones for sale at the time i might have gone this route.
Looks like you have money to spend, so probably can afford the gas expense difference in folding vs full height camper mpg.
Biggies for off-road are the full size has a high center of gravity, and full size are typically heavier (800 lbs at least), and of corse height clearance.
I agree on the regular cab, keeping wheel base short will help for ground clearance, but TCs are not known for storage space, and I make great use of the extra space my extra cab offers. I would personally not want a regular cab.
I know if you wanted to do serious off-roading you'd be in a Jeep or FJ Cruiser with a tent top (dumb) or off-road trailer, so I assume you mean to do off-road light.
Getting down un-maintained dirt roads is just slow going with a big TC on back compared to unloaded. You will need to air down tires, so will need a way to air back up yourself.
For full size TC there is no perfect set-up for off road.
Lastly, my best advice is to get a flatbed 2500 truck and get a flatbed TC on it. These are so much more robust and off-road worthy, and you do not lose the space of the bed rails. I have never seen a used flatbed TC for sale, so you might have to go new (sounds like your plan)
One tons come in SRW configurations too.
Duallys will sway less than a SRW, but that does not disqualify a SRW for still being easy to drive.
Consider a two-piece fiberglass TC, there are 3 brands that I know of. Two are obtainable, and the third which I have, hard to find. Fiberglass construction will shake, rattle and roll less, so less likely to tear apart.
The weakness will always be the tie-down system (on both camper and truck end). A big hit can bend your truck frame or tear the mounts out of the camper.
I would look seriously into an Alaskan camper. You do not have an indoor shower unless you are able to modify the bathroom - take out cass toilet and mod up a shower pan, BUT it does fold down which is good for off-roading. Less height, less sway, and will fit under tree branches and rock over-hangs. There are used ones out there for around $8k. If there were ones for sale at the time i might have gone this route.
Looks like you have money to spend, so probably can afford the gas expense difference in folding vs full height camper mpg.
Biggies for off-road are the full size has a high center of gravity, and full size are typically heavier (800 lbs at least), and of corse height clearance.
I agree on the regular cab, keeping wheel base short will help for ground clearance, but TCs are not known for storage space, and I make great use of the extra space my extra cab offers. I would personally not want a regular cab.
I know if you wanted to do serious off-roading you'd be in a Jeep or FJ Cruiser with a tent top (dumb) or off-road trailer, so I assume you mean to do off-road light.
Getting down un-maintained dirt roads is just slow going with a big TC on back compared to unloaded. You will need to air down tires, so will need a way to air back up yourself.
For full size TC there is no perfect set-up for off road.
Lastly, my best advice is to get a flatbed 2500 truck and get a flatbed TC on it. These are so much more robust and off-road worthy, and you do not lose the space of the bed rails. I have never seen a used flatbed TC for sale, so you might have to go new (sounds like your plan)
