I am looking for suggestions for purchase of new 3/4 ton truck for 4x4 truck camping. I will be doing a combination of around town driving both with and without the popup camper on and 1-4 week trips with a couple of light weight kayaks loaded on top of the popup camper.

You will probably want to consider either Chevy/GMC, or Ford, or Dodge. A trip to your local dealer helps in choosing what you find most comfortable. Good luck.

It's just a matter of personal preference. I know what I like, but Baskin Robbins has done well by selling different flavors. If you look at all of them, drive them, and see what owners say about them on their respective forums, you'll make the right choice.

I like that first answer, Ford, GM product or Dodge product. Since there are no other options, that should cover it.I'd go with an F-350 instead of an F-250. Why? You get more GVWR with little or no increase in price. So think 1 ton truck.If you are looking for a truck, make sure it has a camper/heavy duty package so that you can get the heaviest duty suspension offered.Bed length is a factor, if you are looking at short bed campers, make sure you get the truck that fits your camper. Diesel engines have tons more power but add tons more weight. Gas engine trucks do better if all of your non-camping driving is short trips and in town. If you get a diesel truck and never drive it long enough to heat up or let it cool down from longer runs, it shortens the life. Add 1000lbs to whatever weight the dealer says for the camper and gear. The fully loaded weight, water, fuel, gear and kayaks is more than the weight listed on the sticker for the camper. The weight on the sticker could be anything, from what I have learned in the last year, it only vaguely estimated the actual weight of the thing they sold you.

I'd go with an F-350 instead of an F-250. Why? You get more GVWR with little or no increase in price. So think 1 ton truck. Well....yes and no. A couple of points. Some F350 SRW trucks have a 10000 GVWR just like a 10000 GVWR F250. We had one poster who came up with a 10k GVWR F350 SRW crew cab 4x4 6.7 diesel long wheelbase. The weight police convinced him he had to trade it in for the same truck with the 11200 GVWR sticker :R. And if the F250 comes with the heavy service package its the same as the F350 SRW truck. The newer gen 3/4 ton diesel trucks have up to 6500 RAWR and over 3000 lb rear axle payloads. Gassers even more.

Get the one you want,all the big three are good.I got a F250 with HD springs,since in Ariz trucks over 10000 GVW must have commercial tags.

3/4 ton truck suggestions for 4x4 truck camping

David_Okkema
Explorer
Nov 22, 2015
Steve_in_29 wrote:
Bedlam wrote:
The only bad thing I can say about the GM trucks is that they sit lower. Once you are in sand and start to drag your frame, suspension or axle, your day gets much harder.

Not sure about current GM products but in the past they also had less load capacity.

My 2007 F350 SRW has the same GVWR as a 2007 GM Dually....11,400 pounds.

not anymore
David_Okkema
Explorer
Nov 22, 2015
2500hd gas 2011 or later Chev or GMC..diesels are heavy for off roading independent front end on GM is better off road then straight axle..2011 and later have heavier frame and are stonger for TCs but u will hear lots of opinions..Ive owned them all and have had the best bang for the buck with the chevs..I own both diesel and gas

oh and get some timbrens...that's all u need
Steve_in_29
Explorer
Nov 19, 2015
Bedlam wrote:
The only bad thing I can say about the GM trucks is that they sit lower. Once you are in sand and start to drag your frame, suspension or axle, your day gets much harder.

Not sure about current GM products but in the past they also had less load capacity.

My 2007 F350 SRW has the same GVWR as a 2007 GM Dually....11,400 pounds.
Steve_in_29
Explorer
Nov 19, 2015
RWDIII wrote:
all the F350 that I have noticed have Commercial tags.Means more money for the State and you can use it for work

This varies by State. Here in CA ALL pickup trucks get commercial tags (pay weight fees to DMV) unless they have a truck topper or camper permanently mounted on them.

If you do this to avoid the weight fees don't ever take it off as they use different numbering then car plates so it's EASY for an LEO to tell if you are legal or not.
NEOK
Explorer
Nov 18, 2015
The most important decision you need to make is to match the camper weight including all the stuff you load into it plus the weight of you and all passengers to the weight of the truck. If you stick with a pop up camper and know you will never upgrade to a camper above the capacity of a 3/4 ton truck it should do fine.
Bedlam
Moderator
Nov 18, 2015
The only bad thing I can say about the GM trucks is that they sit lower. Once you are in sand and start to drag your frame, suspension or axle, your day gets much harder.
mellow
Explorer
Nov 18, 2015
Here in MD they ding you more taxes/tags for 1 ton vs 3/4 ton, so take a look at that in your state.

Out on the beach which is what I do a lot in the summer 4x4 with my TC I mostly see Ford F250's being the most popular size. My 250 does the job well in 4x4 with a camper on the back.

I have noticed the guys with chevys do get help pretty quick, the ford guys like to be seen towing a chevy behind them back out to the blacktop, maybe there is something to be said about that.
wvabeer
Explorer
Nov 18, 2015
I bet your sorry you asked that question. I say get what you like if doesn't haul it right modify it so it hauls it and just stay within your rear tire capacity. The main thing is to have fun. Thats all that matters.
RWDIII
Explorer
Nov 18, 2015
all the F350 that I have noticed have Commercial tags.Means more money for the State and you can use it for work
zcookiemonstar
Explorer
Nov 18, 2015
RWDIII wrote:
Get the one you want,all the big three are good.
I got a F250 with HD springs,since in Ariz trucks over 10000 GVW must have commercial tags.

What does having commercial tags mean? is it just more money? are you limited where you can drive or park? I am considering moving to AZ. in the near future and am also considering a 350/3500 series truck.