Maybe you can help us

Zebedee wrote:

monkey44 wrote:
For the most versatile camping lifestyle, a good truck and a truck camper works quite well. I full-timed in mine for over two years, and then later in life, Genie and I have taken six month trips at a time with no issues, even when it rains.

Best combo is a hard-side with full bath ... tight fit, but functional. Gets you clean. you'd need a 2500/250 truck for anything but the smallest, lightest. The difference between 1500/150 and 2500/250 in price is not significant, and you want enough power and suspension for comfort on the highways.

Drive into tight campsite, or tight forest or desert roads, and/or drop the TC at the campsite and take the truck alone.

We've been all over this country, Canada, and Mexico at various times - it goes anywhere we need, and the camper can go anywhere the truck can go ... no worries about turning around at the end of a road.

We'd suggest a 4x4 PU, as you only need 4x4 once to make it worth the cost, and it appears you like back-country rather than "Full HU" resort style.
If we know more about your budget, we can recommend a good set-up. Tires are important - and brakes - when hauling a TC as well.

Thanks. I do like this idea a lot. We're good with small, that's why we like the shortbed campers (like the Lance 650) and yes, we do need help in the area of choosing the right PU (of course we'd like the most economical). Our budget is under $60,000.

If you explore this idea in more detail, make sure you look at TC that will suit you, THEN pick a truck that will haul it. I'd stay away from 1500/150 for any TC, even when spec's say it's OK, unless you think "pop-up" - which I'd never do for long-term camping.

I see you are considering the Lance 650 is very small, I'd suggest you think 825 - as it still fits on a short-bed truck and it has a full bath - plus a reasonable size fridge (not tiny, hidden up in the bed area, and it really means something to get a hot shower, even a short one. The tank-less WH's are not very effective.