TC or a "B", would like some opinions/advice...
My current situation: I currently drive a 1/2 ton shortbed (5.5' bed) as my daily driver. With storage a premium, the only real vehicle I have been considering is a "B", however, the cheapest "B" that isn't stripped down (as in no shower) MSRPs in my neck of the woods for over six digits.
A co-worker recently showed pictures of him boondocking in Death Valley with his 4WD pickup and TC.
This got the gears turning: If I traded in my half-ton (which is absolutely -useless- for anything but hauling a TT) for a one ton extended cab shortbed (not crew cab), I might have something that can work as both a DD and can haul a decent TC. I can squeeze my current half-ton in parking garages, so I don't think an extra foot of length will kill me there, although a long bed dually would be a different story altogether.
There seem to be some nice advantages of a TC over a "B" for me (who mainly travels by his lonesome.) Mainly one less vehicle (drivetrain, engine) to maintain/secure/insure, and the fact that I'd have only one car payment, not two. There are also disadvantages.
A few questions:
1: What are some good TC models that can fit on a shortbed (6.5') truck? I'm looking to buy something decent (with generator) for some extended boondocking expeditions.
2: If the TC allows for a tow hitch extender, I'd like to bring along a cargo rack with a number of propane bottles. In Texas, generator run time is critical, so I plan to carry plenty of LP gas.
3: Where can I store a TC? Can one fit in a normal parking place or garage?
4: Is the width of a TC prohibitive when parallel parking? I plan to park near events if possible.
5: Is a diesel engine required? I'm leery of newer diesels since I keep reading about blown turbos, water getting past filters and hydrolocking the engine, causing $20k repair bills, clogged DPFs (to the tune of $3200 bills), etc.
6: I read that TCs in general come with LP gas generators. From my experience, even something as small as a 2500LP will use 1.6 pounds (0.4 gallons) an hour at half load, and 2.3 pounds/hour when at full load. Which means about eight hours, assuming a 20# tank is filled to 16 pounds, I've drained a bottle completely dry. What do people do for extended run time? I'd prefer to use the inboard Onan if possible, as opposed to buying two Honda EU2000i models, parallel kit and run tank. Should I try to carry two larger (30 or 40 pound) bottles as well as the 2-5 gallon tank (using an Extend-a-stay device)?
7: How troublesome is it to leave the truck cab and hop in the back? The biggest advantage to me for a "B" is the fact that I don't have to hop out in a seedy area to take a nap -- I just jump from the cab seats to the bed, and that's it. If someone is trying to attack, I just hop to the cab and drive off.
8: I know this is very subjective, but compared to hitching/unhitching a TT, how time consuming is it to mount/demount a TC? I was told 2-3 hours with a TC once practiced, to mount or demount it. To me, especially in the Texas sun, hitching and unhitching is annoying since it means about 15-30 minutes out in the heat, which isn't an issue with a motorhome.
I know these are some basic questions, but I'd love some opinions, especially if one can get a reasonably comfortable TC on a shortbed one ton pickup that can be used for several days to a week boondocking.
A co-worker recently showed pictures of him boondocking in Death Valley with his 4WD pickup and TC.
This got the gears turning: If I traded in my half-ton (which is absolutely -useless- for anything but hauling a TT) for a one ton extended cab shortbed (not crew cab), I might have something that can work as both a DD and can haul a decent TC. I can squeeze my current half-ton in parking garages, so I don't think an extra foot of length will kill me there, although a long bed dually would be a different story altogether.
There seem to be some nice advantages of a TC over a "B" for me (who mainly travels by his lonesome.) Mainly one less vehicle (drivetrain, engine) to maintain/secure/insure, and the fact that I'd have only one car payment, not two. There are also disadvantages.
A few questions:
1: What are some good TC models that can fit on a shortbed (6.5') truck? I'm looking to buy something decent (with generator) for some extended boondocking expeditions.
2: If the TC allows for a tow hitch extender, I'd like to bring along a cargo rack with a number of propane bottles. In Texas, generator run time is critical, so I plan to carry plenty of LP gas.
3: Where can I store a TC? Can one fit in a normal parking place or garage?
4: Is the width of a TC prohibitive when parallel parking? I plan to park near events if possible.
5: Is a diesel engine required? I'm leery of newer diesels since I keep reading about blown turbos, water getting past filters and hydrolocking the engine, causing $20k repair bills, clogged DPFs (to the tune of $3200 bills), etc.
6: I read that TCs in general come with LP gas generators. From my experience, even something as small as a 2500LP will use 1.6 pounds (0.4 gallons) an hour at half load, and 2.3 pounds/hour when at full load. Which means about eight hours, assuming a 20# tank is filled to 16 pounds, I've drained a bottle completely dry. What do people do for extended run time? I'd prefer to use the inboard Onan if possible, as opposed to buying two Honda EU2000i models, parallel kit and run tank. Should I try to carry two larger (30 or 40 pound) bottles as well as the 2-5 gallon tank (using an Extend-a-stay device)?
7: How troublesome is it to leave the truck cab and hop in the back? The biggest advantage to me for a "B" is the fact that I don't have to hop out in a seedy area to take a nap -- I just jump from the cab seats to the bed, and that's it. If someone is trying to attack, I just hop to the cab and drive off.
8: I know this is very subjective, but compared to hitching/unhitching a TT, how time consuming is it to mount/demount a TC? I was told 2-3 hours with a TC once practiced, to mount or demount it. To me, especially in the Texas sun, hitching and unhitching is annoying since it means about 15-30 minutes out in the heat, which isn't an issue with a motorhome.
I know these are some basic questions, but I'd love some opinions, especially if one can get a reasonably comfortable TC on a shortbed one ton pickup that can be used for several days to a week boondocking.
