Truck camper rig on a budget?

free radical wrote:

Steelhog wrote:
So much of the gas/diesel question hinges on your usage pattern. Lots of miles, mountains, weight, majority with TC on-board favors diesel. Occasional use, truck stays parked except for once a year trip gas may be a better option. The issue with diesels is they are never cheap to fix. AND as they age stuff gets tired. A set of injectors are $1000 just in parts. A new trans =$3000++. New engine $12,000 or $5000 for a rebuild. Gasser parts are just cheaper. UNLESS...(back to my initial point). OK, I can buy a rig like my 2002 F250 4X4, CC diesel for 10K with 170,000 miles and have the trans drop out the bottom 10 miles down the road. Bingo $17K truck. The 4R100 Ford trans is decent but once overheated (the OEM gauge only indicates you just bought a trans)they are toast and a prime time to dump them so the new owner "discovers" the problem.

Wish I had dually for the TC but the other 340 days a year I don't need to be wearing out 2 more tires. You mention blowouts but you don't have duals on the front so you never really have full redundancy.

Read a lot of forums. Avoid the Ford 6.0 as a used truck. You can bullet proof them for $3-4,000 but then you are back to a newer truck or different maker.

(IMO) Dodge has the best engine with the Cummins. GM has the best Trans with Allison and Ford has the best chassis and interior. If I could build that combo I would be in heaven but then I'm spending $30K.

Excelent points,
however
,Chevy chassis is way better stronger then Ford see this

http://youtu.be/TKMQjm7i2Jw

The Chevy chassis is a "boxed" structure so it resists twisting more. The Ford is a "C" channel and twists much easier. The frame is designed to twist. It depends on what you are using it for. If you plan on running in through bar ditches constantly you may want the Chevy. Having said that, how many semi trucks use "boxed" frames. They are both good trucks, but the Chevy body leaves a lot to be desired. The ride of the Chevy is nice, but I really don't like the frame hanging down as low as it does in the center. I have a Ford currently and as things stand right now, if I replaced it I would buy a Chevy, but not for the frame or body, but the transmission and engine. If I want a heavier truck, I would still get the Ford in a F-550 because I get the small style cab with great load capacity.