Truck shopping
I have a new Northstar Laredo SC (dry wt 2100) on an F150 with helper springs. While the F150 does a pretty darn good job with the load despite the specs (took it on a long trip to Utah and it did rat...
Forum Discussion
Ventura Dogman wrote:
I don't see me trading up to a bigger camper. It is me and a dog and I like to head to out of the way places on rough dirt roads, etc. This camper already weighs a little more than I would like, but it is comfortable and warm. The truck is strictly for the camper and road trips. I have a Honda Accord as a commuter until I can retire. This will be my retirement rig.
I just traded up from a Northstar popup (TC800) and I figure this will be it until I take the final dirt nap.
I spend a lot of time in the mountains on steep and curvy roads. I figured the torque of the diesel would come in handy for this? I have the F150 with the big V8 and it feels pretty underpowered climbing hills.
Realter, I just double checked and the base dry weight on the new Laredo SC is 2090 lb. per the Northstar website. I added a bumper, but will travel without the jacks, probably a net weight loss. The other options I added don't weigh much (longer windows, etc). It is fairly stock.
My GM gas (6.0L) 3500HD has no problem hauling 4500lbs of payload up a mountain at the speed limit. You'll start to notice the power drop of a naturally aspirated gas engine over 6,000 ft or so, so if you are traveling the high Sierra regularly, it might impact your decision. With a camper of only 2,000 lbs, though, I think the gas engine will perform fine. Keep in mind that the GM HD trucks will have a 4.10 rear end, giving them better apparent performance than most 1/2 ton trucks, even with about the same engine power.
