Truck camping on othe beach

There's no doubt that the current 1/2 tons are far superior to those of the 80's & 90's. There is one item that still concerns me when looking at the latest offerings in 1/2 tons. Truck campers are hauled, they apply high weight levels to wheel bearings and axles, and if a failure occurs it can have terrible consequences, especially at speed. The latest offerings of 3/4 and 1 tons all have full floating axles where as 1/2 tons have don't. 1/2 tons have 1 wheel bearing per side, carry all their weight on the axle shaft and uses the axle via the engine torque to "twist" the axle gears. 3/4 and 1 tons have 2 much larger wheel bearings per side that carry all the weight while the axle shaft (25-35% larger then 1/2 tons) is only used via engine torque to twist the axle gears. Considering the desire to travel on beaches with the assorted bumps and possible shock loadings applied I would only use a full floating axle equipted truck.

I mention this because years ago I broke the axle of a F150 pick up while going 50 mph and the wheel literally fell off the truck and allowed it to drop the axle to the ground. Fun ride for awhile. I was hauling 1500 pounds of cement bags. Truck was not overloaded based on factory ratings. I have since only owned 3/4 or 1 tons and NEVER broke an axle on them. Most full floating axles are rated for at least 5000 to 6200 pounds while 1/2 tons are 3000-4000 pounds.