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everyone, i need help with a truck/truck camper questions.

steeds
Explorer
Explorer
I'm upgrading a truck.and i've been looking at a 2015 f150 2.7l v6 eco boost engine.
i've seen good and bad reviews on them, but does anyone have a truck camper with this truck ? or ecoboost style engine ?

I'm looking to get a palomino truck camper, ranging from 1400-1600 for weight.
and looking to have it on an f150.

does anyone have input on what fuel economy is like with this truck ?

or do you suggest another style truck/brand for hauling a truck camper around.

from june to oct. it'll be a truck camper truck and be on full time. other wise the camper will be off and i'll be using it as an every day truck.

please help me if anyone has this truck.

ryan
53 REPLIES 53

hedgehopper
Explorer
Explorer
steeds wrote:
so really even a camper that is around 1200 pounds, and loaded being 1300-1400.
Figure 500 to 1000 lbs for propane, water, passengers, and gear.

TomG2
Explorer
Explorer
Do a search for people who haul a tuck camper with a 3/4 ton who wished they had purchased a 1/2 ton model. You won't find many, but you will find a whole bunch the other way around. Yes, there are a few heavy duty half tons that are more capable than others. They are very specific models with options that you don't usually see on the dealer lots. They are quite often seen in commercials. With lots of fine print.

Steve_in_29
Explorer
Explorer
I don't know if it still holds true but the last two times I did it you could buy an F250 for LESS then a similarly equipped F150 when you spec'ed them out on Ford's "Build Your Own" site.

The EcoBoost engine gets great mileage running empty but SUCKS gas when loaded. An acquaintance of mine told me this about his wife's F150, as did a guy I just talked to at King of the Hammers this weekend who had used his to tow a heavily loaded trailer to the event.

Also keep in mind the load capacity ratings on 1/2 ton trucks are the MAX they can carry for a SHORT distance. Such as bringing home a load from Home Depot. While the ratings on 3/4 ton and up are the weights they are expected to be able to lug around day-in-and-day-out for years.

It makes no sense to spend thousands on suspension upgrades for an F150 when for less money you could simply go with an F250 and skip the bolt-on suspension crutches.

Campers also ALWAYS end up weighing MORE then you think they will.

If you don't already have the truck then find the camper you want and buy the truck you need to carry it. To do it in the reverse order is a way to end up with a camper that you are unhappy with due to the compromises you made to fit it to the truck.
2007 F350,SC,LB,4x4,6.0/Auto,35" tires,16.5 Warn,Buckstop bumpers
2007 Outfitter Apex9.5,270W solar,SolarBoost2000e,2 H2K's,2KW inverter,2 20lb LP on slide out tray,4 Lifeline AGM bats,Tundra fridge
95 Bounder 28' ClassA sold
91 Jamboree 21' ClassC sold

tattoobob
Explorer
Explorer
Make sure you consider what you want for options in your camper, buying a camper because it's light is a big mistake,

Removing the jacks and saving about 60 pounds is really nothing and won't change anything.

These are the basic rules of truck campers; 1) If you own the truck already find a camper that fits properly 2) Buy the camper you want (well thought out with all the options you think you want/need) then find the right truck to handle the weight you need
2005 Ford F350 SRW 4x4

2000 Lance 1010

steeds
Explorer
Explorer
anyone know of many reviews on the travel lite 600/700 campers ?

wvabeer
Explorer
Explorer
wvabeer wrote:
I have a 13 3.5 EB I haul a camplite 6.8. I added airbags and heavier weight wheels/tires. good to go. I shoot to not go over 2800/3000 lbs


nice, do you have photos of your set up ?

i've been looking at a travel lite the past couple days. they are around 1200 and i assume with everything in it (battery/water/gear) could be around 1500. so i would be well under the 2000 mark so i would think.

what is your fuel milage like when you have it on? roughly how many miles are you able to get on one tank..or an average tank in distance?




and sorry about bringing up the ford f150 guys. haha I need to jump on a f150 that is at a dealership here. and ideally if i got a half ton, it was the best all around ride and options etc. so i'd like to try and stick with them? but I'm definitely considering other trucks as well.
steeds wrote:


I get 10 mpg empty or whether I am towing a atv ,side x side or Harley. It's the wind resistance that kills MPG.

1999 Dutch Star DP3884
2015 Camplite 6.8C
2012 Cherokee 39L destination
2022 F350 XL 4x4
07 FLHRS

steeds
Explorer
Explorer
wvabeer wrote:
I have a 13 3.5 EB I haul a camplite 6.8. I added airbags and heavier weight wheels/tires. good to go. I shoot to not go over 2800/3000 lbs


nice, do you have photos of your set up ?

i've been looking at a travel lite the past couple days. they are around 1200 and i assume with everything in it (battery/water/gear) could be around 1500. so i would be well under the 2000 mark so i would think.

what is your fuel milage like when you have it on? roughly how many miles are you able to get on one tank..or an average tank in distance?




and sorry about bringing up the ford f150 guys. haha I need to jump on a f150 that is at a dealership here. and ideally if i got a half ton, it was the best all around ride and options etc. so i'd like to try and stick with them? but I'm definitely considering other trucks as well.

wvabeer
Explorer
Explorer
I have a 13 3.5 EB I haul a camplite 6.8. I added airbags and heavier weight wheels/tires. good to go. I shoot to not go over 2800/3000 lbs
Beware of the weight police, they will be all over you.
1999 Dutch Star DP3884
2015 Camplite 6.8C
2012 Cherokee 39L destination
2022 F350 XL 4x4
07 FLHRS

steeds
Explorer
Explorer
well there are plenty out there made fore all 1/2 ton trucks.

like campers i've seen designed for dakota or tacoma for example. some were legal,and others were on the charts saying "made for tacoma" but its dry weight was 1300lbs...even tho the payload apparently on a tacoma is 1150lbs.
so i could easily have gotten it, but it'll be over my payload.

so I'm just trying to get a grasp of whats aloud and whats not.

Bill_T
Explorer
Explorer
I think I saw a camper made by Lance specifically for the Ford F150.
Bill and Debbie
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2012 Lance 855S

1996 Coleman Taos pop-up
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Geewizard
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steeds, send me a private message and I will give you my 2 cents....if you want.
2021 Winnebago Micro Minnie 1708FB
2014 Toyota Tundra Double Cab
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Wardster
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Explorer
There's a truck camper made specifically for and badged by Ford that is out or coming out for the F-150. Why not look into that model? I am pretty sure Ford teamed up with LivinLite to make this F-150 camper.
2016 Northern Lite 8'11" Q Classic Special Edition
2003 GMC 2500HD Crew Cab 4x4 - Duramax/Allison

steeds
Explorer
Explorer
yes forsure safety and comfort of the truck forsure. but of course I'm on a tighter budget i suppose.

so just looking now, what do you think about the travel lite truck campers ?

the 770R super lite and models down are lite (1000-1300) don't seem too bad. even for the summer, it'll have be on there the whole time i'd think, so i could also reduce weight by of course the legs..assuming around 15-20 pounds a leg, i could potentially save more weight that way. so really even a camper that is around 1200 pounds,and loaded being 1300-1400. you don't think that would be ideal for a f150...i don't think it would be too heavy ?

i totally under stand bigger and heavier truck to handle the weight etc. but of course i'll bring up budgeting and a smaller camper around 1000 pounds. that a 1/2 ton i assume would be ok?

sorry just trying to think of all options. and not just a 3/4 or 1 ton truck

and i did see the pay load. of course the tacoma is lighter at 1150 ..and the f150 being 2100lbs. so yes that is a brochure print off and it's not ideally something to look off. I'm only looking to get away from the tacoma as it'll make due for the camper,but the truck would be raving much much higher with the weight and maxed out in payload. but the 1/2 ton could handle the weight from what i read, in the payload department.

hedgehopper
Explorer
Explorer
Since you asked: I agree with those who suggest an HD truck, not a 150. If you already had the 150, maybe we could help you come up with a compromise that might work for you. But since you are looking to buy a truck, why go with the 150? Have you looked at the payload of the truck you are considering?

Mattyd
Explorer
Explorer
Ryan - while I appreciate your situation and multi use goals of your truck, I would have to say I wouldn't consider anything short of a single wheel 3500. Having had half, three quarter, and ton dually pick ups, the one thing I notice is each time I upgrade - I get a heavier truck. Each time I get a more satisfactory and safer vehicle. Could you get by with a 3/4 and a light camper, yes - but why cut it so close. Have some margin for comfort!
2016 AF 990
2013 Ram 3500 Dually, Crew Cab, 4x4 CTD
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