New to RV Considering making the jump

[Magnum164]

Hello, I am new to the site and RV'ing in general. For me I am looking for a TV and TT for retirement in a few years. I made one mistake a while back and traded my F150 for a smaller vehicle and now need to make the jump back up:)

Since I am in negative equity land, I need to make sure I get into the right truck so I can pay the negative equity down as well as the truck and still keep some for a downpayment on a trailer.

Last week I went an looked at a 5th wheel and fell in love with the room, so a little hooked on a camper for extended trips as opposed to renting rooms.

However, I noticed the 5'ers are a little to large for me inside as far as height (yep, I am short). I will be going back to look at some TT's, like the 2012 Keystone Outback 298RE it has basically what I need and is about 2 1/2 ft lower at best than a 5th.

So my question is, since I have owned a F150 before (2008) and loved the truck, is a F250 capable of towing a trailer of this length?

For those that are towing the larger TT, would it be better to just get a F350 or is a F250 with 10K package enough? I have been researching and almost coming to the conclusion that a F350 XL SRW may be the best deal, although the F250 is cheaper:)

[45Ricochet]

Nice move, enjoy.

[Magnum164]

MO_Trout_Bum wrote:
OP, you could probably find a way to deal with the pickup bed height, and access to the 5th wheel release lever. You could probably add an aftermarket step or running boards if nothing else. You are also wise to go F350 if you can. Post-2010 if you go diesel, like 45 said.

Thanks, you may not have read all of the posts where I have already purchased the truck I wanted. I did a lot of debating/reading before I purchased and yes, I do plan on adding steps and the steps on the quad will help me reach the 5th pins.

edited: Opps did not realize this was a different post. I have already purchased a 2004 Ram 3500 DRW 4x4

[MO_Trout_Bum]

OP, you could probably find a way to deal with the pickup bed height, and access to the 5th wheel release lever. You could probably add an aftermarket step or running boards if nothing else. You are also wise to go F350 if you can. Post-2010 if you go diesel, like 45 said.

[45Ricochet]

2003-2010 I'd avoid like the plague. 6.0 and 6.4 PSD's. They did have a very nice big block gasser though.

[Magnum164]

As a followup as I am still considering all options.

Anyone know what to look for in a used F350? What years to avoid as well as the mileage/engine.

There are several used F350's used with no bed that would make a good tow vehicle. Since I would want to loose the bed anyway and replace with a aftermarket hauler bed. Since I am short, there is no way I could reach over the bed to work the hitch.

[Magnum164]

Hannibal wrote:

Magnum164 wrote:

Hannibal wrote:

fla-gypsy wrote:
No one ever complains about to much truck. We see daily complaints of those who do not have enough.

I agree! My next truck is going to be an F650 Supercruiser. Just in case!:B

Dang.. Now I am confused on what to get :M Kenworth?

Or a Tundra if a space shuttle "might" be in your future!:C

I actually live next to a Toyota plant where they make the engines for the Tundra, but due to past experiences with Toyota Service in general, not even an option for me..

[Hannibal]

Magnum164 wrote:

Hannibal wrote:

fla-gypsy wrote:
No one ever complains about to much truck. We see daily complaints of those who do not have enough.

I agree! My next truck is going to be an F650 Supercruiser. Just in case!:B

Dang.. Now I am confused on what to get :M Kenworth?

Or a Tundra if a space shuttle "might" be in your future!:C

[Magnum164]

Hannibal wrote:

fla-gypsy wrote:
No one ever complains about to much truck. We see daily complaints of those who do not have enough.

I agree! My next truck is going to be an F650 Supercruiser. Just in case!:B

Dang.. Now I am confused on what to get :M Kenworth?

[Hannibal]

fla-gypsy wrote:
No one ever complains about to much truck. We see daily complaints of those who do not have enough.

I agree! My next truck is going to be an F650 Supercruiser. Just in case!:B

[Magnum164]

Dick_B wrote:
I would suggest renting an RV a few times to be sure you like the lifestyle before investing in something that will only decrease in value.

I actually loved camping growing up, my brother is getting me back into camping, but at my age I can no longer fuss with a tent and sleep on the ground. A TT will get me out and away from the computers and city life for a while. No doubt I will enjoy it.

[45Ricochet]

fla-gypsy wrote:
No one ever complains about to much truck. We see daily complaints of those who do not have enough.

X2
The F350 will cover your next RV's weight. Most of us have gotten bigger RV's over time.

[fla-gypsy]

No one ever complains about to much truck. We see daily complaints of those who do not have enough.

[Dick_B]

I would suggest renting an RV a few times to be sure you like the lifestyle before investing in something that will only decrease in value.

[Magnum164]

donn0128 wrote:
You need to look at the trailers GVWR to determine that. Most companies will loudly tell you the dry weight, but that number is pretty useless. Get the GVWR instead. While you may never hit it, you certainally will never see the dry weight in your lifetime either. At least using the heaviest number there will be no surprises when you are loaded.

That is kinda what I was thinking.. Go for the larger truck, just in case.

I think a newer F350 with gas is in my price range, for a diesel I may have to go back 1-2 years which is no big deal and probably easier to wipe out a lot of neg equity.