Hesitant owner of 1/2 ton, need 3/4 ton?

[livemusic]

I have that other thread going about sleeping under a camper shell topper and how practical it might be. I have 2008 Nissan Titan, which seems to have plenty of power but maybe the frame of a 1/2 ton is just not enough? I read a lot of concerns about a truck camper on a 1/2 ton.

So... Nissan is coming out any day with the Cummins Diesel Titan, kind of a new kid on the block type of truck. I suppose its frame and capacity might be beefed up somewhat?

2016 Nissan Titan -- link

I despise the front end grill / headlight design! But, if I could get over that, what do you think of this truck for a truck camper; would it be enough? Or, do you think you really need a 3/4 ton truck? Do you think modern 3/4 ton trucks ride as good as a 1/2 ton?

Wondering about what it takes to haul a truck camper. Thanks.

Bill

[cpres]

Had a half ton, now have a one ton dually. You find the right camper, going to be hard, it will work. I love my one ton, it is my play not commute vehicle. Match the weights or you will regret it.

[KD4UPL]

A "3/4 ton" or 2500 series truck is better in every way from a "1/2 ton" or 1500 series truck. The wheels, tires, brakes, axles, springs, frame, etc. are all better suited for carrying a heavy load.
I started with a pop-up camper on a 1500 Dodge. I was 800 pounds overweight with no passengers and very little cargo.
I then bought a 3500 SRW truck and an 11' TC. I was overweight by 1,200 pounds with the wife and dog and ready to camp. So, started carrying the camper on a dually. Now I'm 1,700 pounds over weight loaded with the entire family and the boat hitched up.
By "overweight" I mean over the GVWR of the truck.
What's the point? Truck campers are heavy and stuff accumulates and adds weight. In my opinion, anyone planning to buy a TC should start with a 3500 SRW truck as a minimum.
Can you make some TCs work on some "1/2 ton" trucks? Sure. You can change out the wheels and tires, add air bags and sway bars, count every pound, don't take much water, don't take many passengers, drive very carefully in cross winds, etc.
Or, you can buy a truck designed for the job, load it up, and go camping.

[billtex]

~DJ~ wrote:

RoyB wrote:

I love my F150 with 6.5 foot bed and super cab layout so I never really could get into the truck campers
I also would have the other problems with truck campers and that is what to do to run around the neighbor in after you setup camp and how do you carry all of the must have items along with you... Truck campers are lacking for inside storage space it seems.

My F150 rear bed, back seat area, and my POPUP trailer large front deck area will carry some serious supplies.
Roy Ken

Why do you come on the TC forum just to knock them?

I would think if the OP was interested in a tent trailer he would be on that forum.

How do you pull your Jeep behind that OFF ROAD :R tent trailer?

Hey dj...it's called troll...

[kayco53]

If you decide to upgrade just get a 350 of whatever brand you like and get it over with.I have 200hd and it is close the GVW when we are traveling and I have a lite camper gear etc adds up.Its ok but not much different to buy a 1 ton.Good luck what ever you do.You can make anything work.

[mkirsch]

As always, the truth lies somewhere in the middle.

There is a truck camper for just about every truck out there. The bigger the truck the more choices you have, but there is one for most every truck.

Now the camper for your truck may not be as big as you want, or have all the amenities that you want. You have to decide where you want to compromise: Less camper, or more truck?

Somewhere I saw that your Titan has 2000lbs of payload capacity? Ok, remember that's for the camper, ALL your provisions, YOU, and anyone else in the truck. You can't just get a camper that says it weighs 2000lbs "dry" and expect good results with your truck. By the time all is said and done total load will be pushing 3000lbs, which is 50% over your truck's capacity, as well as the tire ratings.

[_DJ_1]

RoyB wrote:

I love my F150 with 6.5 foot bed and super cab layout so I never really could get into the truck campers
I also would have the other problems with truck campers and that is what to do to run around the neighbor in after you setup camp and how do you carry all of the must have items along with you... Truck campers are lacking for inside storage space it seems.

My F150 rear bed, back seat area, and my POPUP trailer large front deck area will carry some serious supplies.
Roy Ken

Why do you come on the TC forum just to knock them?

I would think if the OP was interested in a tent trailer he would be on that forum.

How do you pull your Jeep behind that OFF ROAD :R tent trailer?

[sabconsulting]

Hi Bill,

I certainly understand those who already have a recently purchased 1/2 ton and / or cannot afford to change to a 3/4 or 1 ton truck looking at options for fitting a camper on the 1/2 ton, and the modifications necessary to make it work. I would do the same because I hate spending money if I can make something work (not saying that is the right approach - it is just me).

If you are potentially in the market to buy the 2016 Nissan 1/2 ton you mentioned then I would seriously check out the 3/4 ton trucks (or even 1 ton single-rear-wheel) - you've got nothing to lose by looking.

Maybe they are far more expensive, or less economical, or ride badly, but until you compare you won't know. If you can get a 3/4 ton or larger truck then you have a lot more camper options open to you.

Remember, check the payload of any truck you are looking at, and stuff like diesel and 4x4 tends to eat into the payload capacity of the truck.

Steve.

[wvabeer]

I see your truck rates at 2000 lb max payload. Stay within that mark or stray a little. I have a 1/2 ton 2 yr old truck and was not giving up on gas mileage (20 MPG) and my 2 yr old truck for a 1 ton truck. I bought a TC I thought I could live with part time. So far it has worked out great for me. Air bags and tires rated for the load are important. I am 400lbs over the max payload for my truck. I look at it like this, the truck camper isn't on there all the time. Five or six times a year, why buy something that gets 10 mpg 450 miles a week to work just to have a heavy truck. If you going to use the TC all the time I'd get a 1 ton.

[jmcgsd]

If you are going to go the TC route and need a new truck, don't screw around - just get an F350 dually. You won't be sorry.

[jmckelvy]

Why are Toyota vehicles being mentioned? The OP talked about a Nissan.

[Reddog1]

Photomike wrote:
I love Toyota vehicles but would NEVER add more than a shell to one. They are not made to carry, pull okay up to a limit but that is it.

Get a used 3/4 ton and put a camper on it and keep the Toyota for a daily vehicle.

I agree with this. I will go further and say get a full size bed. You will have more options on TCs.

You stated Diesels have higher maintenance cost. I do not agree with that at all. I have had my 1996 Dodge diesel since 2001, and about 200,000 miles. I see no more maintenance than on my gas vehicles. Other than maybe a larger volume of engine oil, what does a diesel have that a gasoline engine does not? If you chose a gas truck, do not let the decision be based on less maintenance.

Wayne

[Photomike]

I love Nissan vehicles but would NEVER add more than a shell to one. They are not made to carry, pull okay up to a limit but that is it.

Get a used 3/4 ton and put a camper on it and keep the Nissan for a daily vehicle.


(corrected for Nissan not Toyota - was doing to many things when I was typing. Sorry)

[WyoTraveler]

Several years ago I went into a RV dealership to buy a TT. They told me they didn't have anything on the lot that could be towed with a F150. I was looking at a 16 ft TT. I had just purchased the PU so I was not going to trade it. I bought some plans and built a TC. My F150 did the job. However, when I took the TC off at about 50K miles the truck was totally worn out. I went through 2 transmissions and traded it before replacing the 3rd. Looking at the PU after 4 years it looked brand new. The running gear, springs and shocks were junk. There are some limits for PUs. Can you do it? Yes. I would never do it again.

[Bedlam]

When we went to a truck camper, I already had a short bed 3/4t truck. I was not ready replace that truck, so I found a camper that fit the truck and was still able to tow my toys. Last year we decided we like this TC setup but want a bigger camper. I upgraded the truck so I can carry the camper we want to buy in the next couple of years yet still haul the smaller camper on it until our finances are in place to make a purchase.

We have followed both lines of advise in this thread. The first time, we sized the camper to our current truck. The second time, we have sized the truck to our desired future camper.

The 1/2t trucks are limited by their semi floating rear axle capacity. Once you get to next larger class of truck, the full floating axles give you more payload which results in more camper choices.

Look at your rating and get some actual weights of your current truck give you an idea of what you have left for payload. Now you can look at campers with dry weights that are 500 lbs or less under your payload and see if any appeal to you. If the larger ones (that are too heavy) are what you want, get an appropriate sized truck before trying to overload your current one.