Starting to Look - Need Opinions
First off, wanted to say hello...first time poster although I've browsed this site for probably a couple years and have gained a lot of information.
I apologize in advance if this gets long, but here's my situation...we sold our pop-up last year and would really like to get back into camping within the next year or so. We also are planning an Alaska trip for 2015. I think I've narrowed down our travel trailer choice to a 26" bunkhouse type. We are a family of 6 and I think this would give us the space we need and this is also the longest trailer that I care to pull.
The problem I think is going to be our TV. We currently have a 2005 Expedition with HD tow package. It did fine with the pop-up, but I have my doubts about anything larger. I don't like that it only has a 4 speed tranny, and payload is only 1500 lbs roughly. The combined weight of our family alone is ~1000 lbs, and dry TW of trailers I'm looking at are 400-600 lbs, so already we are maxed or over on TW.
I'm considering going to a 3/4 or 1 ton crew cab truck since that will also give us room for bikes and other gear. Never had a diesel, and still not sure if I want to go that route. The specs on the new GM 6.2 look intriguing, but will have to see when the HD's come out.
So basically my options come down to the following:
1) Keep current TV (not ideal but it's paid for)
2) New Ford Ecoboost w/ MaxTow/HD Payload options (still a half ton, reliability?)
3) 3/4 or 1 ton gasser
4) 3/4 or 1 ton diesel (costly)
I know some will say to look at full size vans, but I am not interested in that as I would like the pickup bed for other tasks (plus we already have a mini-van). I also would like something new as I tend to keep my vehicles for at least ten years.
Any opinions are welcomed, especially from those that have or had an Expedition and tow similarly sized trailers. I would like to make due with the Expy for a couple years, but not sure it would be fun or doable. Thanks.
I apologize in advance if this gets long, but here's my situation...we sold our pop-up last year and would really like to get back into camping within the next year or so. We also are planning an Alaska trip for 2015. I think I've narrowed down our travel trailer choice to a 26" bunkhouse type. We are a family of 6 and I think this would give us the space we need and this is also the longest trailer that I care to pull.
The problem I think is going to be our TV. We currently have a 2005 Expedition with HD tow package. It did fine with the pop-up, but I have my doubts about anything larger. I don't like that it only has a 4 speed tranny, and payload is only 1500 lbs roughly. The combined weight of our family alone is ~1000 lbs, and dry TW of trailers I'm looking at are 400-600 lbs, so already we are maxed or over on TW.
I'm considering going to a 3/4 or 1 ton crew cab truck since that will also give us room for bikes and other gear. Never had a diesel, and still not sure if I want to go that route. The specs on the new GM 6.2 look intriguing, but will have to see when the HD's come out.
So basically my options come down to the following:
1) Keep current TV (not ideal but it's paid for)
2) New Ford Ecoboost w/ MaxTow/HD Payload options (still a half ton, reliability?)
3) 3/4 or 1 ton gasser
4) 3/4 or 1 ton diesel (costly)
I know some will say to look at full size vans, but I am not interested in that as I would like the pickup bed for other tasks (plus we already have a mini-van). I also would like something new as I tend to keep my vehicles for at least ten years.
Any opinions are welcomed, especially from those that have or had an Expedition and tow similarly sized trailers. I would like to make due with the Expy for a couple years, but not sure it would be fun or doable. Thanks.
