Greetings all!I have decided to sell my car, buy a truck and plan to get a travel trailer to live in temporarily for the next year. I plan to get a travel trailer between 20-35ft long, and not more than 5000lbs (not a 5th wheel, just a TT). I've been doing some research on trucks, and the thing is, I'm not sure about buying new or used. I have good credit and buying new wouldn't be an issue as far as getting a good loan rate, but I don't HAVE to buy new. What concerns me about buying used is what has the truck been used for before me? I'm good to my vehicles and don't want something that pulled something too heavy and then got traded in, or whatever--to me, paying a bit more for something new would be worth it to have the peace of mind for the long run--know what I mean? Then lastly, I'm not sure what engine I really need. Can I get away with a larger V6? Further details of what I'm looking for is listed below. I fully welcome all input and suggestions.-engine with more than enough power to pull a 4k lb trailer (I read that you should have at least 10% more towing capacity than what you're hauling)-not a V8 if I can avoid it, since this will be my commuter vehicle as well. Not a far commute, but I think everyone can appreciate good gas mileage.-I don't need bells and whistles--but should I get something with the tow/haul button feature? I know I don't want or need 4x4 either-Oh, and I can drive a manual, so that's totally an option if it would be worth it.-Also, what class of tow hitch will I need? Is this something I should worry about getting with the truck, or deal with it on my own once I buy the trailer?-And, one more thing, what axle ratio should I shoot for? I read an article that said the higher it is, the more you can tow, but it also decreases gas mileage. So what do you think?Thanks ahead of time--I'll definitely stay tuned to the responses.

Pick your favorite brand of 250/2500 and move on. A 150/1500 would be sufficient for your lightest trailer picks, but a 2500 is way more at the end of the day. A gas motor truck will be a great pick.

donn0128 wrote:Pick your favorite brand of 250/2500 and move on. A 150/1500 would be sufficient for your lightest trailer picks, but a 2500 is way more at the end of the day. A gas motor truck will be a great pick.X2 on this. For the money compared to 1/2 tons Ford 250 or chevy 2500 can't be beat From my experience my trusty 20 year old f150 towed our 33ft 7500lb TT But after I bought a 2017 f250 6.2 liter gasser about 6k miles of towing I have to say nothing wrong with more truck than u need. Very comfortable experience towing mountains to the coast. Plus if a year from now u think u want a bigger TT you are covered. Over 10k lbs fifth wheel or TT. I would go diesel but only then.

sgfrye wrote:donn0128 wrote:Pick your favorite brand of 250/2500 and move on. A 150/1500 would be sufficient for your lightest trailer picks, but a 2500 is way more at the end of the day. A gas motor truck will be a great pick.X2 on this. For the money compared to 1/2 tons Ford 250 or chevy 2500 can't be beat From my experience my trusty 20 year old f150 towed our 33ft 7500lb TT But after I bought a 2017 f250 6.2 liter gasser about 6k miles of towing I have to say nothing wrong with more truck than u need. Very comfortable experience towing mountains to the coast. Plus if a year from now u think u want a bigger TT you are covered. Over 10k lbs fifth wheel or TT. I would go diesel but only then.Awesome! This is exactly the kind of feedback I was looking for, stuff based on experience. I know there's lots of truck owners that bought certain models and had a good or bad experience and would swear they would or wouldn't buy that truck again. So cool, thanks for the specifics ????

Are you looking for a new or used truck? Will it be your tow vehicle (TV) only/exclusively, or also as a DD (daily driver)?I am partial to the 7.3L diesels, especially the Excursion for its family travel seating. Problem is the age. If you want all the bells and whistles and fancy stuff, they don't have them.Pricing is MUCH better than new, but if you aren't doing your own maintenance or know someone to rely on...remember, it's a 2000-2003 vehicle.If going new, many of the newer trucks ride like older luxury cars or modern SUVs. F250/2500 have a bit of a stiffer ride, but not as much as F350/3500 or dual rear wheels. They are nice, but designed with heavier suspensions. All depends what suits YOUR needs ;)A bigger challenge, I believe, will be finding a long trailer in that low weight range. Continue to ask, lots of good advice and TONS of experience on here ;)

donn0128 wrote:Pick your favorite brand of 250/2500 and move on. A 150/1500 would be sufficient for your lightest trailer picks, but a 2500 is way more at the end of the day. A gas motor truck will be a great pick.Before you jump on a 3/4 ton, check the price difference between it and a 1/2 set up for towing.A lot of people tow with a properly equipped F150 with the 3.5L EcoBoost engine. It won't save you any fuel while towing, but it will when you are NOT towing (if you keep your foot out of the accelerator). The problem with an F150 is selecting the right options ! At a minimum you want the Max Trailer Tow Package (53C) AND the Heavy Duty Payload Package (627)

Truck recommendations based on experience | Good Sam Community

rcracerguy
Explorer
Aug 30, 2018
A good idea is to buy the trailer first then buy a truck that can pull it safely. That way you do not fall in love with a trailer you can not pull. That said the 2013 F250 gas or diesel will pull any bumper pull you can find.
westend
Explorer
Aug 30, 2018
My experience is that the F250's are more durable than the F150's. I've owned a dozen Ford pickups/delivery trucks. With a 2013, I wouldn't give gas mileage a thought. Fuel is more expensive on the Left Coast but the amount you use for commuting is insignificant. If you really want to squeeze the fuel budget, buy a Class C and a scooter. Drive the Class C to the coast and use your scooter for commuting. If you end up on the coastal side of Oregon, buy some rain gear.
misspeabodi
Explorer
Aug 30, 2018
I'm going to get a gas truck. I believe I may have found one--2013 F250 XL, 58k, 4x2, tow package for $17900. We'll see what happens.
DiskDoctr
Explorer
Aug 29, 2018
misspeabodi wrote:
I literally plan to use the truck to tow a trailer from MS to OR, then park it and live in the trailer for the next 6-12 months. So I'll need to haul a trailer, then will be using the truck as a DD. I'm not one for bells/whistles, I'm all about efficiency and functionality. My only must-haves are PW/PL/cruise control. I don't care if it rides like a truck--it is a truck. :) I'm starting to lean towards an F250. I've always loved those trucks and would love to be able to justify getting one, but I'm not sure I'm there yet. :)

Thank you for the input! :) I'm going to keep researching! :D

Well, that makes it easy then, LOL.

If you *want* a truck, buy a truck. If you would rather have a car or SUV, rent a truck or pay a transporter to take it to your 'permanent' location. (another option) UShip will often find someone who can haul it and maybe have another load going that way, just specify that NOTHING goes into your camper (other loads)

Are you thinking (wanting) diesel or gas?
misspeabodi
Explorer
Aug 28, 2018
Tvov wrote:
So... you really aren't going to be towing a camper all over the place. Just tow to one spot and live in it.

Have you thought about contacting campgrounds around the area you want to move to and see if they have any 4 season campers with a campsite for sale or rent? Then just drive there in an economy car and move in. Related - what about just renting an apartment? and again, getting an economy car?

In no way do I want to dissuade you from camping! But it sounds like you are trying to figure out less expensive living options for a year. Buying a truck, a camper, and renting a campsite for a year may not be as inexpensive as you think - make sure you do the math.

As to the camper - 20 foot to 35 foot basically covers about 98% of all towed campers on the road today. That is a Yuge spread of sizes and options. If you are looking only for 5,000lb campers, you will mostly be looking at 19-21 foot campers. Perfectly good size for one person, but for a whole year they could get small. 25ish size campers many times will have a separate bedroom, which is nice for extended living. Double check on weight, though.

Good luck!

I completely understand what you're saying and I appreciate your note--I'm basically planning for a predicament I might be in. In a nutshell, I'm trying my darndest to get out of MS--I may have a job come through this week, and I need to give notice on my current apt. in MS by Friday. I have 3 cats too. So the truck/trailer idea came about with me thinking of a 'bridge' to change locations, and get out of an apt. lease. Housing is also quite limited in Tillamook, so if I get a job there, finding a place while not living there, and within a month, will be rough.

Therefore, this is a possibility for the short term. I plan to sell the camper after I find a place to live, so again, this set up would basically allow me to move with more flexibility, in addition to the cats having more comfort during the long trip, no hotel stays, etc. Don't get me wrong, it's not all about the cats, but they are a major consideration (4 legged children). Cost is something that I'm constantly calculating. Based on prices I've seen, monthly rent at a campground will not be cheap, but it will be comparable to the rent I will be paying when I find a place. So we'll see what happens. If I don't get that job, living in a camper would give me flexibility in leaving whenever I do land one. Trust me, I don't take living in a camper lightly. :)

So I really do take all of this advice to heart and am taking notes. This isn't a haphazard idea that I'm floating nor am I trying to waste people's time. :) The adventure of camper life for a while is exciting to me, but we'll see what happens. :) I'll keep everyone posted on my final decisions and happenings. Thank you again for the feedback :)
misspeabodi
Explorer
Aug 28, 2018
2112 wrote:
I'm starting to lean towards an F250. I've always loved those trucks and would love to be able to justify getting one, but I'm not sure I'm there yet.
You're there

If you plan to live in it you may pack/store more than you think. Get some CC headroom. Plus a true 4 season should weigh more.

Another good point! Thank you :)
misspeabodi
Explorer
Aug 28, 2018
2edgesword wrote:
Others may have mentioned this but if you're looking at anything close to 35' you're going to need a lot more truck than what would be adequate for pulling 5,000 lbs. Make sure you KNOW what trailer you really want and then decide on the truck. I know the saying is you can never have to much truck but if you decide an under 25 foot trailer that's less than 5,000 lbs is enough for you you can save a lot of money on the truck (i.e. something that can pull the 5,000 lb trailer nicely versus something that can pull 12,500 lbs nicely).

That's a very valid point. Thank you for bringing this to light. :)
2edgesword
Explorer
Aug 28, 2018
Others may have mentioned this but if you're looking at anything close to 35' you're going to need a lot more truck than what would be adequate for pulling 5,000 lbs. Make sure you KNOW what trailer you really want and then decide on the truck. I know the saying is you can never have to much truck but if you decide an under 25 foot trailer that's less than 5,000 lbs is enough for you you can save a lot of money on the truck (i.e. something that can pull the 5,000 lb trailer nicely versus something that can pull 12,500 lbs nicely).
normal_dave
Explorer
Aug 28, 2018
So I found an ad in Oregon for a 2016 Outdoors RV camper with a Chevy extended cab long bed 5.7L truck for sale as a combo.

PM sent...:B
Atlee
Explorer II
Aug 28, 2018
I have the unicorn of F150 trucks. It has 3.5L Eco, 4x4, Supercab, Heavy Duty PP and 8'box. It works wonderfully with my Jayco 23RB, which is 27' 1" long and GVWR of 6500# pounds. Just completed an 8,800 mile cross country trip from Virginia, to Florida to the Rockies (Grand Teton and Yellowstone NP, among others) plus the Black Hills and the northern plains. Zero complaints about the truck. If I were to go up in trailer size, I'd probably start looking at 3/4 ton trucks. I have a little wiggle room now, but not much. At least that I personally would be comfortable pulling.

All that said, if I had to replace my current F150 now, I'd probably go to a F250 with the 6.2L gas engine. Half or better of my miles are pulling and I don't need it as a daily driver since I'm retired.

Price of a newly minted, similarly equipped F150 and F250 Gasser is very close to each other.