Hesitant owner of 1/2 ton, need 3/4 ton?
I have that other thread going about sleeping under a camper shell topper and how practical it might be. I have 2008 Nissan Titan, which seems to have plenty of power but maybe the frame of a 1/2 ton ...
Forum Discussion
A "3/4 ton" or 2500 series truck is better in every way from a "1/2 ton" or 1500 series truck. The wheels, tires, brakes, axles, springs, frame, etc. are all better suited for carrying a heavy load.
I started with a pop-up camper on a 1500 Dodge. I was 800 pounds overweight with no passengers and very little cargo.
I then bought a 3500 SRW truck and an 11' TC. I was overweight by 1,200 pounds with the wife and dog and ready to camp. So, started carrying the camper on a dually. Now I'm 1,700 pounds over weight loaded with the entire family and the boat hitched up.
By "overweight" I mean over the GVWR of the truck.
What's the point? Truck campers are heavy and stuff accumulates and adds weight. In my opinion, anyone planning to buy a TC should start with a 3500 SRW truck as a minimum.
Can you make some TCs work on some "1/2 ton" trucks? Sure. You can change out the wheels and tires, add air bags and sway bars, count every pound, don't take much water, don't take many passengers, drive very carefully in cross winds, etc.
Or, you can buy a truck designed for the job, load it up, and go camping.
I started with a pop-up camper on a 1500 Dodge. I was 800 pounds overweight with no passengers and very little cargo.
I then bought a 3500 SRW truck and an 11' TC. I was overweight by 1,200 pounds with the wife and dog and ready to camp. So, started carrying the camper on a dually. Now I'm 1,700 pounds over weight loaded with the entire family and the boat hitched up.
By "overweight" I mean over the GVWR of the truck.
What's the point? Truck campers are heavy and stuff accumulates and adds weight. In my opinion, anyone planning to buy a TC should start with a 3500 SRW truck as a minimum.
Can you make some TCs work on some "1/2 ton" trucks? Sure. You can change out the wheels and tires, add air bags and sway bars, count every pound, don't take much water, don't take many passengers, drive very carefully in cross winds, etc.
Or, you can buy a truck designed for the job, load it up, and go camping.
