Hey Everybody!!My family and I love the outdoors and we are giving up our timeshare to get into RVing! We are beginning to research what type of RV we want to purchase, but wanted to know what would be a good starter. We have a 3 year old son and a yellow lab that would be going with us. We have been looking at highwall pop-ups and 26'-29' travel trailers. The problem we have is that I am 6'7" and some RV's I don't fit in. I have been liking what I see on the Jayco Jay Flight travel trailers. Any thoughts?Also, I currently drive a 2010 Ford F-150 Supercrew 4x4 w/ 5.4L V8. I do have a leveling kit and running 31" tires. I drive this as my every day driver, as I am in Roofing Sales. I average 500+ miles a week on my truck for my job. Since I am 95k miles on it, I am looking at trading it in. I have been looking at the following vehicles and would like to know which would fit the bill. I'm looking a gas burners right now, as for $$$, but not opposed to desiel. I just have heard issues with desiels when they go wrong can really take a hit on your wallet.Gas Burners1. 2015 Toyota Tundra Crewmax w/ 5.7L 4x42. 2015 Ford F-150 Supercrew w/ 3.5L Ecoboost 4x4Desiels1. 2013-15 Ford F-250 Supercrew 4x42. 2014-15 Ram 2500 Megacab 4x4Thanks for your help as we become an avid RVing Family! Hope to see you all on the open roads soon!!!

Look at ot this way, either of the half tons you could comfortably pull up to about 25 foot TT. The Ford probably a bit easier than the Tundra. The 3/4 tons would allow you to to 30+foot trailers easily, plus you would also then have the option of some smaller fifth wheels.Dont be scared of the newer diesels. Have you checked the price for a turbo for your current eco?

My advise would be to rent one for a couple of weekend or a week trip. a 1K investment for a trial is a lot cheaper than a 25 or 30K mistake. JAyco are nice units, there are SO MANY others that you really need to get yourself a shortlist. When my wife and I decided we wanted to go from a trailer to a 5th wheel we looked at dozens. Found one we loved then looked at many more to make sure we had made a great decision. RV shopping can be lots of fun, just don't get too pressured. As far as tow rigs, no one has ever said they wished they had a gas over a diesel to tow with. They may say they want to go back for other reasons but not when they tow. What you really need to do is keep an eye on truck payloads and tow ratings because numbers can really sneak up on you. It is a tricky game when you don't have one or the other and you will probably get lots of advise here. Chris

At your mileage rate, get a diesel 3/4 or better 1-ton. Thank me when you sell it in 5 years with 100k miles. Resale will be significantly higher and you get to enjoy all the 800+ ft-lb or torque.If you stick with half tons, watch the payloads. If some are under 1000 pounds and others over 2000. Check the as equipped payload per the tire and loading sticker when you open the driver;s door and check them out. You'll want enough for 1000 pounds of tongue weight, 200 pounds of camping gear in the bed, and your passengers.

Thanks guys for the advice! I think I have made the decision to go with a 3/4 ton diesel for my TV. It makes the most sense, as it allows me for upgrade RV options down the road. Also, the cost of the F150 is same as F250, plus I know with a diesel, I can put up to 300k+ miles on it!! As for the RV, I have thought about renting them to see which ones we would like. There is an upcoming RV show in Dallas middle of September that we are thinking about going to.

You're fooling yourself if you think you can get an F-250 diesel for the same price as a F150. If it were me, I would compare the price of a F150, 3.5 Ecoboost with the max tow package and heavy duty payload package (you'll have to order it to get it). You'll have everything you get with the F-250 but in my opinion, a better package.

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Majja13
Explorer
Aug 13, 2015
If getting the Ford I would go with the 350. In the Ram I would drive them both and see. In my area right now Diesel can be as much as 30-40 cents cheaper the 85 octane unleaded.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Aug 13, 2015
APT wrote:
Slate, those are rare, but I too saw a loaded up Ram Megacab with 15xx at the local auto show this past January. I think most Ram 4WD crew/Mega are in the 1800-2200 pound range, and Ford/GM about 200 pounds higher. That's why I recommend the 1-ton when it comes to diesel HD and RVing.

Not sure where these payload ratings come from. Don't even know the payload/axle ratings on my 07, but I can tell you 1800-2000 lbs, unless it's half on the tailgate, doesn't do much but level it out an inch or 2.

Resale for some reason is crazy on diesels. Prolly due to the massive sticker prices of the new ones.the truck in my sig, with 130k mi on it still sells private party for mid-high $20s. Not bad for a truck I gave $30k for 1120kmi ago!
GoPackGo
Explorer
Aug 12, 2015
I really don't understand your question but -

IMHO diesel truck resale value is high for several reasons -

1. The diesel/transmission option is about $7-8000 so you would expect a used truck to sell for a proportionally higher price.

2. Diesel engines are perceived to last longer then gasoline engines.

3. There may be a shortage of good, low mileage, used diesel trucks available. Not saying there is, but I keep hearing rumors to that effect.
captnjack
Explorer
Aug 12, 2015
GoPackGo wrote:
When you start doing your comparisons, you may want to include an F350 diesel too. I understand that there is not much difference in price with an F250 and you will gain payload capacity - for now or in the future. But it will probably ride harsher when empty.

The thing about a diesel truck is that once you buy one, you're set. You don't have to go looking for a new truck if you buy a new/bigger trailer. Miles don't matter to them. It's the last truck you will buy.

If buying a diesel makes it the last truck you will buy, why do we hear so much about diesel's increased resale value?
GoPackGo
Explorer
Aug 11, 2015
When you start doing your comparisons, you may want to include an F350 diesel too. I understand that there is not much difference in price with an F250 and you will gain payload capacity - for now or in the future. But it will probably ride harsher when empty.

The thing about a diesel truck is that once you buy one, you're set. You don't have to go looking for a new truck if you buy a new/bigger trailer. Miles don't matter to them. It's the last truck you will buy.
wing_zealot
Explorer
Aug 11, 2015
murhodge wrote:
wing_zealot wrote:
You're fooling yourself if you think you can get an F-250 diesel for the same price as a F150. If it were me, I would compare the price of a F150, 3.5 Ecoboost with the max tow package and heavy duty payload package (you'll have to order it to get it). You'll have everything you get with the F-250 but in my opinion, a better package.

I was looking at the sticker prices for both and the trim level I wanted. The dealerhsip I went to had the F-250 stickered at the same price as the F-150 (sticker prices only). I'm sure after negoatiations, I might can get the F-150 at a lower price, but I do most of my vehicle shopping on Sundays (no sales reps around to bother me) and online.

I will look into the ecoboost, as I hear great things about them. Thanks for your advice.
I'm not sure I'm following. Are you saying that the sticker price on a F250 Diesel, was the same as the sticker price on a F150 Ecoboost with the two packages? Cause I don't believe it. The diesel is an $8,000.00 option.
APT
Explorer
Aug 11, 2015
Slate, those are rare, but I too saw a loaded up Ram Megacab with 15xx at the local auto show this past January. I think most Ram 4WD crew/Mega are in the 1800-2200 pound range, and Ford/GM about 200 pounds higher. That's why I recommend the 1-ton when it comes to diesel HD and RVing.
Lynnmor
Explorer
Aug 11, 2015
This gas/diesel debate can go on until folks do real world pricing. Last year I compared F150 and F250 trucks with like options and found that the incentives offered at that time put the diesel very near the grocery getter. I would bet that I would be ahead of the game when trade-in time comes.
Slate_CM
Explorer II
Aug 11, 2015
APT wrote:
Please consider payload on those 4WD crew cab diesel 3/4 tons. Some can be under 1600 pounds!

Interesting you mention that. I had a new, $69,000 sticker price, Ram 2500 Cummins in my shop. The door sticker was 1,5xx capacity. Even my grocery-getter has almost that much. :B
APT
Explorer
Aug 11, 2015
MSRP varies for any given model by a lot. F-150 for example starts at about 425k and goes over $70k. So comparing is not always easy. When I build and price any half ton and 3/4 ton gas truck with as close to the same equipment as allowed, MSRP is about $3k higher for the 3/4 ton. 3/4 diesel is another $8k.

The OP lists new half tons and 2-3 year old 3/4 ton diesels, which may be similarly priced.

Please consider payload on those 4WD crew cab diesel 3/4 tons. Some can be under 1600 pounds!

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