Forum Discussion

Bluebeard's avatar
Bluebeard
Explorer
Mar 07, 2014

Sold TT Wife wants to get TC

Got rid of the 23 foot travel trailer, as we didn't like being a 40' long entity. Now I am ready to start looking for a truck and TC. My question is I am not sure what to get. Maybe you can help with the decision. I know for a fact that I need to sell my GMC 1500 extra cab 4x4, as just about any full sized TC won't work.

And reading a bunch of posts on this forum for that last couple of days, I get it that probably a one ton is probably a start, as apparently with a 3/4t you are somewhat limited to the TC that will fit within the weight constraints.

I haven't seen any discussions about which bed/cab configurations work best. The thought of driving a longbed, quad cab around without the TC on seems a bit daunting, as I am sure there are only a couple of places you could easily park with something that long. I like the idea of the quad cab, but I could get away with the extra cab. If you get a shorter bed, is there any disadvantage to have a TC that is designed to hang off the back of the truck?

I considered looking for a flatbed as an option and then looking for truck boxes that would magically be tall enough that the TC would actually sit right on top of them (any suggestions?). I like the idea of the added storage offered by lockable boxes on the sides.

I won't be purchasing new. My mechanic tells me not to buy a used diesel as if it wasn't taken good care of, it could be a can of worms. So I guess I am looking for a gas truck from 1990- 2001. The trailer would also have to be used too. I'd be curious to hear any feedback. Between the truck and camper I am looking to spend up to $20k.

My plan is to mainly park the truck and use it as our 4th vehicle. I will use it to take to my mining claim (on narrow windy dirt roads), and for using as a travel vehicle. Any recommendations on how many miles is too many for a used gas engine truck, for these circumstances?
Truck Campers

40 Replies

Show More
  • Bluebeard's avatar
    Bluebeard
    Explorer
    Mar 07, 2014
    You guys have great ideas, but remember, I am only willing to spend $20k for the combination truck/TC. I am guessing that puts me in the roughly 10K truck/ 10K TC ratio (or something like that). I have to be selective on what will give me the most bang for the buck.

    My wife and I are in our late 50's, but we are pretty athletic, so the only time we spend in the camper would be at night. A couch isn't a necessity, neither is air conditioning or any other power hogging devices as we would most likely be boondocking it.
  • jimh406's avatar
    jimh406
    Explorer III
    Mar 07, 2014
    My new to me crewcab drw is huge compared to my previous supercab srw, and there are challenges parking it because of the extra length and width compared to my previous truck. However, it sounds like you are where I am. I don't plan to daily drive the crewcab drw, so I can get by with it. I know I can't go through the drive throughs that I used to, so I don't try!

    I do recommend that you take a look at F450s, F350s with Towboss package, or the newer RAMs with better turning radiuses. It makes the crewcab drw more manueverable.

    No doubt that it is helpful to have a GVWR of 3100 more than the SRW. That's a very big difference. Keep in mind though that not all DRWs are created equal. Mine also has 19.5 tougher tires.

    In case you are wondering, I drove my previous SRW almost 8 years with the same camper, so that is definitely possible but has limitations. The DRW has different limitations, but those were a good tradeoff for where I am now.
  • Boatycall's avatar
    Boatycall
    Explorer
    Mar 07, 2014
    Bluebeard wrote:
    a DUALLY is a lot of truck- especially on the narrow dirt roads I travel on to get to my mining claims.


    Mine's an '01, I've had it since almost new, and I can honestly say I've never been in a situation where I went "Rut Roh" solely due to the extra width. You're only talking an extra 12". Seems like a lot, but you get used to it. Plus any TC you get will be as wide or wider.

    The extra capacity more than makes up for any inconvenience. For instance--
    I can haul 2 full yards of 5/8's minus driveway gravel (~5,000lbs).
    I have hauled 2 full pallets of decorative yard brick (~4500lbs).
    My 5'er Toyhauler (42' triple axle Cyclone) had a pin weight of 3,200lbs.
  • Bluebeard's avatar
    Bluebeard
    Explorer
    Mar 07, 2014
    I read through the DRW posts and I get it. The reality of the situation is my wife and I at most will be travelling/camping maybe one or two weeks a year, tops. And the rest of the time I will be driving around in an EMPTY dually. Not that I will be driving a lot in it, but a DUALLY is a lot of truck- especially on the narrow dirt roads I travel on to get to my mining claims. I have to wrap my head around that one and let it sink in.

    What do you guys think about my mechanic's view of used diesels? He says if I bought new, no problem but if I get one where someone wasn't really good at maintenance, it could be an expensive can of worms. He tells me a rebuild of a diesel is around $10k vs $4k for a gasser. And toss in that I won't be driving it THAT much...? My wife just got a VW Toureg diesel and she tells me it is a lot more difficult finding gas stations that carry diesel. Do you guys have any issues along that line when your are travelling to small towns off the beaten path? The higher mpg and power bands are compelling..... but the thought of a possible can of worms is holding me back.
  • Jfet's avatar
    Jfet
    Explorer
    Mar 07, 2014
    +1 on the sofa. In our non-slide build we are not even putting in a dinette, just a 60 inch sofa. We always eat on the sofa in front of the TV anyway...
  • Artum_Snowbird's avatar
    Artum_Snowbird
    Explorer
    Mar 07, 2014
    You are right in the age zone to find a good used Ford 1T Supercab 7.3 diesel like so many of us have and love.

    I strongly suggest you look around the T/C section of this forum and check out the rigs that people own and put under their campers.

    Many of us carry heavier rigs and use 19.5 inch wheels and tires to assist safe carrying capacity and stability when using a SRW rig.
  • Boatycall's avatar
    Boatycall
    Explorer
    Mar 07, 2014
    Like many Senior members, I've had several campers, as well as 3 TT's and a 5'er. I can tell you the one thing you will DEARLY miss if you don't get it is a sofa.

    Plan on getting a dually and at least a double-slide model with a sofa. The dinette in virtually any rig is just not a "kick back and relax" place to sit. Your only other choice is the bunk, or a campchair outside.

    Not to start a SRW vs. DRW war again, but dually's handle the side-to-side sway motion much better, and of course, the obvious, you have a much higher payload.

    As far as Crew-Cab vs. standard - I use my CC for storage when needed, and it is very handy when I do. Some folks have even taken out the back seat for more storage space. It's not that big of a handful to get anywhere, and in fact, having downsized from a TT, I think you will find it quite easy.

    Here's mine--





  • MKish's avatar
    MKish
    Explorer II
    Mar 07, 2014
    I'd go to TC dealers and see about what length and frills level you'd want in your TC (even if you plan to buy used) and see if you can get what you'd like in a short bed. Maybe it'll turn out you need the longbed dually, but maybe you'll like some of the smaller options. They can be pretty nice as well!

    We have a shortbed (6.75') truck with a TC that has an 8' floor so there's some overhang. There are bigger overhangs out there and they don't seem to cause problems unless you're doing some really rough roads. It seems that only the real serious backcountry off-roading types have issues with overhangs and when you have trouble with that you should be heading in a totally different direction with your TC.

    We didn't want a longbed (or a dually) because we'd have trouble with it as a naked truck around town. We needed a crew cab for kids which makes it pretty darn long already. If no rear passengers, a regular (or even extended) cab with a long bed would be better.

    But there are many levels of weight/features among TCs so it's nice to get an idea what you want there so you get the right sized truck.
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    Mar 07, 2014
    I too have always wanted to have a TC but it just isn't possible for all the stuff I carry with me on my trips. I support to many other things to cut back on bringing everything. I would need to pull a utility trailer haha...

    Also to get the TC I really like with the side door entrance and large floorplan I would need a rather big truck with dually s to carry it.

    Then you also run into what to do when you are the camp ground. Do you set the camper on the ground and use your truck to run the roads for supplies or sight seeing. You certainly don't want to break camp everytime you need to go somewhere.

    I really like the idea of everything on the same frame and can go almost anywhere your 4WD truck will go... That part is great. Having hardly any extra storage area would be my problem.

    This would be my desired TC camper
    Chalet TS116 Floorplan or similar


    My OFF-ROAD Starcraft 14RT POPUP trailer with the front deck and my F150 truck bed gives me all the extra room I need to haul my very needed extra supplies including my 2KW Honda portable generator.

    All of this support my emergency two radio radio operations (another hobby) just fine for me...

    just something to think about...
    Roy Ken
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Mar 07, 2014
    While you can get TC's that fit on a SRW platform, it's much nicer to use a dually.
    I would never use a SRW truck again. Sometimes it was down right scary - like when a car pulled in front of me and I had to swerve. Or the time my wheel studs broke..

    If your buying a truck for this purpose anyway then why not just step up to a dually. It will give you more choices in a TC too.

About Travel Trailer Group

44,044 PostsLatest Activity: Jul 26, 2025