Which Truck?

My thoughts are that too much truck is not a bad thing. I bought a one ton for our camper. If the truck was not my daily driver I probably would have gotten a dually.

$3500 in repairs sounds like a lot for an old gas truck, but as long as you are happy that's good.

Update. Well, got to Florida and brought truck in for assessment to my repair guy. Will end up spending about $3500 for a couple of leaks (differential, rods), tune-up, hoses, tires, coolant/tranny etc. flushes, oil change and a few other things. I did this cause: 1 - I am cheap 2 - I like the truck, it still sounds and runs great 3 - Repair guy (that I trust), said if it was his, he would do the maintenance and 'run the s#$t out of it'. So, my decision has now been put off for a year. (Or, unless I see an incredible 'on the lot' deal that calls my name.) The suggestions here have been saved and filed for future reference. Thanks to all.

sharkman:
no problem - SRW only for me. Interesting, as some of the reasons I went for the 815 included that it was the smallest, lightest, yet fully functional TC (from Lance, at least) at the time. I just assumed that it would fit any full-sized 3/4 ton (or more) truck.

Devocamper:
~~ 2 mos. jives with what I have been hearing. May wait until
mid Sept. to order, as I will be in Florida for the season the first week of Oct.

MiniAdventures wrote:
Well, I have started the 'build me own' process. Have saved several configurations, including ones for both the Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500.

Although I get an online price as part of that process, can I then contact a couple of dealers (within 100 or so miles) to compete for even a better price?

Assuming my truck/options need to be 'built' (likely) - anyone done this recently that could give me a ballpark Time-frame on receiving a new vehicle?

Thanks ...

I ordered a ram 3500, 2 wheel drive ,long bed crew cab, 6.4, 4.10,big horn with fifth wheel prep ,dual rear wheel option, spray in bed liner, leaf spring rear suspension no air bags, 14K gvwr 7000lbs payload. took about 9 weeks from order to pickup last october, the window sticker will say they built it for you LOL

Shark,
Yours is the first time I've heard of ' truck overkill' not working. Back in the day when I was running 12 inch wide rear wheels with 16 inch wide super singles, I had the same problem with my 86 inch wide Lance 165-s, essentially the same footprint as yours. My Rx was to make 6 inch wide channel iron extensions for the jax. jefe

Don't make the mistake I just made, dually, I have the lance 815 which is 10" narrower than most truck campers, even with swing out brackets it won't clear the rear fenders.

Sounds like if I go newer Dodge, it is the 3500 leaf.
I leave the camper on most (95+%) of the time and if I ever buy a heavier camper, will need the 3500 anyway.

The new Ram 3500s also have an air suspension option. I made sure I did not get that. I am currently across country on my first trip. The ride is OK but when I return I will probably add Supersprings. My 2018 crew cab with Cummins is heavy, about 8500 pounds with fuel but no passengers or gear. I lost some weight when I removed the tailgate but got that back with the torklift mounts.

^ It's true. Not a great platform for TCs, big ones anyway.
Not a "horrible" doom n gloom setup by any means though for the 99% of 2500 owners that don't haul a big white whale in their truck bed.
Stick with a leaf spring truck for simplicity and stability IMO when thinking TC hauling.
Have seen good reviews of the Ram 3500 air assist with TCs, but again, not that many of them on the road comparatively speaking. Leafs are the safe, stable, easily upgrade able with the most options for upgrades.