Do I need a DRW truck?

mlts22 wrote:
What I'm looking at for a camper is probably a Lance 855S. It is short enough to fit on a 6 foot bed, but long enough to have the basics available (including the must have propane genset.) Dry, it is 2650 pounds, so even with 1000 pounds (full tanks), I'm well within the GVWR of a one ton vehicle.

As for towing, it won't be much, if anything. I might have a small enclosed cargo trailer for boondocking or a hitch mounted cargo rack as a way to store additional propane bottles.

The good thing is that I see a lot of 3/4 to one ton pickups where I work, so other than tucking the vehicle in the back 40, there shouldn't be any real parking issues.

I just posted my #'s with my rig, which sounds like what you are looking for, in a new thread you may want to check out.
First, don't get the Lance factory genny. They are way too loud and way too heavy hanging off the back. Use that storage space for your back door rug/mat, ramps, water hose, etc. and get a Honda inverter 2K genny. Much quieter, you can put it behind a tree away from the camper and it's way lighter too.
Second, if you don't get the full ton short bed, you will need the Hellwig, bigwig sway bar and Hellwig overload springs. You'll also need high load-rated tires like I posted. Those suspension additions are heavy!!
Third, don't shy away from a Dodge Cummins Diesel. I get over 17mpg (real) driving around. I NEVER have to down shift on anything over 35mph no matter how steep. Long as the engine RPM's are at least 1000, the truck will walk out of anything no matter how steep. Some stuff I get into is so steep, I back up just so I don't worry about the camper sliding out of the truck. Yes, it's got the best tie down system available, but I'm not taking chances. I've gotten places and the camper has moved back an inch or two. If you get the diesel, you will never worry about having the power to get anywhere AND you will never worry about over heating.
Oh, if you are camping long and don't want to bring a genny, your diesel truck can idle for an hour or two to recharge your camper batteries. I do that so often, I'm tempted to dump my genny. The diesel uses almost NO fuel idling for an hour or two. Surely less than half a gallon. A 70ah alternator charges my batteries to full easy within an hour. If you plan on or need air conditioning, then be sure to get the genny. I wouldn't want to idle my diesel all day long to keep the camper cool. Charging battereis; o.k., but not the AC all day long.