Dakota w/ a 5th wheel...

Those trucks were pretty tough. I think a lot of them had the 318's in them. Plenty of power for that little camper.

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My buddy had a 5vr camper that he was told was expressly designed for the Dakota. Upon borrowing it one time, I think we had more master bed headroom in a truck camper we once owned, as the 5vr queen bedroom volume was very similar to the TC cabover.

My buddy pulled it with an anemic '89 F-150 powered by an early 302. Even the Dodge Dakotas of the era had more power, and a frightful trip to the Black Hills of SD convinced him to buy an F-250 (V-10). At that point, the same rig became so zippy, I had to punch our 2000 Impala automobile to keep up with him in traffic.

Then after the small 5vr, he bought a 30+ 5vr and was just sick at the loss in performance. The new rig also nearly killed his tranny on the next Black Hills trip. Not enough cooler I suppose.

Along the original "overload" lines, I convinced my DW that she would enjoy camping again if we only got a TT large enough to have a permanent queen bed that did not require making up every eve. So we bought a 30+' TT and the plan was to only camp locally, driving a few miles at most. In that respect I knew I could get away with using my Ford Ranger type mini-truck (Mazda) to pull it at slow speed, although the TT was way past recommended towing limits for such a small truck. Other campers, often out of state, had no idea how far we had traveled and were appalled. I got several snide comments from campground passer-bys as you can well imagine.

I finally had to give up the minitruck and get a real truck, when friends insisted on camping at distant destinations requiring... gasp... actual highway travel. The first trial showed that the small Ranger engine would only pull about 30 mph on interstate type hills and likely would have killed the tranny in short order. Now I see how it is that most folks so easily escalate their original plans beyond the basic original plan. The best laid plans of mice and men...

Thanks to the OP for the pics that evoke these memories.

Wes
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Sever years ago we were at the Cabela's in Mitchel, S.D. and there was a set up like that there. Except it was a 360(5.9L) powered Dakota with extended cab. I believe they were from Washington state and had been traveling all over the east. They were very happy with it.

Nice little set up they got there.

I think its awesome. Good for them. Go camping!

I honestly found it intriguing and have never seen anything like that... I could see he had some helper springs on it and the camper seemed very light.. Also I noticed the toolbox didn't hit the nose of the camper - but the 5th wheel took up most of his bed, I wonder if he can turn the full 90°?

I can't see why it wouldn't work as long as he is within his tow ratings.

Years ago (mid '90's I think) we were in a Wisconsin camping areas. One of our RV neighbours had a '90's Dodge Dakota extended cab, with the 318 Magnum V8 (230 hp or so), AT, 3.91 gears, 4 WD. He had a 26 foot fifth wheel and had been everywhere from the Mid West to Florida to Alaska in it, with his wife.

He was from the Maritimes and said he and his wife, generally traveled with their friends. One friend had a '90's Chevy dually with a 454 and a 32 foot 5th wheel trailer, the other a 90's one ton Dodge, with the Cummins diesel and a 30 foot 5th wheel.

He indicated his Dakota and trailer combo kept up with them and got better mpg.

The Dakota was set up for a 5th wheel trailer, similar to the one in the OP pix.

His truck/trailer combo appealed to me. I considered getting a rig something like it.

I do not think I could stand up in that trailer....

I did not expect to see a small 5th wheel.. but a photo-shop...

I don't know about the weights, etc., but it is a neat little rig. :C

That is a Shadow Cruiser. Very light fifth wheels! As long as the power is there and he is under the ratings, not an issue.