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matthasnofriend's avatar
matthasnofriend
Explorer
Mar 06, 2018

I wanna hear from you! Newbie Needs some Guidance

Hey everybody - thanks for reading this.

So, planning to hit the road with my lady for hopefully 18-24 months and cruise around the USA and Canada in a heavy duty truck and cabover camper.

My plan is to first by a truck and then a camper later once we are closer to blasting off. What I have in mind would be something like a Lance 8-11 ft camper with facilities onboard (shower/toilet.) So wet weight of probably 3200-3400 lbs.

With that being said, I am at a loss for what route is best on the truck. I've been researching trucks for a long time (even before we got the camper itch), and seems to be tradeoffs everywhere.

The main things I need your help and opinions on are:
1) 3/4 ton or full ton pickup - what is really the best option for hauling a camper?

2) Diesel or Gas?

Thanks in advance! Hope to see you on the road soon -

Matt
Truck Campers
  • deltabravo's avatar
    deltabravo
    Nomad
    Mar 06, 2018
    matthasnofriends wrote:
    I am at a loss for what route is best on the truck.


    Diesel Dually. Buy once, and be done.

    I have never regretted buying the dually in my signature.
  • fpoole's avatar
    fpoole
    Explorer
    Mar 06, 2018
    Kewl, it's a balancing act...

    I went through it too...

    My suggestion is to find the "Camper" that has all the stuff you want, sounds like you've got that.
    Then find the Diesel truck that will haul it and more.

    You don't want to end up limited cause you bought a truck that won't handle anything in the future...

    Example:
    I started with a 1500 mind set and then went up the ladder to a 5500 (see sig) and am very happy with it. Also, consider the truck interior upgrades for suspension, gas tanks etc... Build a Tank and you won't have to worry as much for the camper part...

    Hope that helps.. Bigger is better, IMNSHO....

    Other's will jump in with additional comments/thoughts but to me Camper/truck are a balancing act.. You don't want to get a truck and then have ADD all the suspension to carry a camper safely...

    Best of luck, a new adventure awaits...

    cheers..

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