Step 1: Get the truck
After a ton of research and experimentation renting different kinds of RV's and looking around, we decided to go the TC route. We currently have a TT, but want the ability to winter camp for skiing. We have 2 dogs that we bring with us everywhere.
My DW was initially opposed to TC's, but we spent a lot of time at the RV show in January going back and forth between TC's and the Tiger Adventure vehicle and she finally decided the TC's were the best choice (and much less expensive). Of course we like the larger ones like the Lance 992 with 1 or 2 slides, which means a big truck. I have been looking at trucks and based on the recommendations from this forum I decided that DRW Gas would give me the most payload. We won't be towing with the TC on. Those are really hard to find (at least around here), but I spotted one last week and picked it up.
It's a 2012 F350 DRW CC 6.2 4X4 6-speed auto in XL trim with 45,000 miles on it and 3.73 gears. Door sticker says 5772 lbs, so I figure I'm good for about 5,000 lbs of camper and stuff, which gives us lots of options. It has the towing package, upfitter switches, and that's about it. Really basic with roller windows, manual locks, and floor shifter for the transfer case. This was what I was looking for because we wanted the vinyl seats and rubber floors to avoid the dog hair problem we have with our carpeted vehicles.
We are looking forward to our eventual TC purchase, but that's going to be at least a year away ($$$), so for now we will just tow the TT with it (huge overkill!).
I'll certainly be posting my experiences with this setup once we start using it.
Anyway, thanks to everyone here for sharing your vast experience which helped make this decision more clear.
My DW was initially opposed to TC's, but we spent a lot of time at the RV show in January going back and forth between TC's and the Tiger Adventure vehicle and she finally decided the TC's were the best choice (and much less expensive). Of course we like the larger ones like the Lance 992 with 1 or 2 slides, which means a big truck. I have been looking at trucks and based on the recommendations from this forum I decided that DRW Gas would give me the most payload. We won't be towing with the TC on. Those are really hard to find (at least around here), but I spotted one last week and picked it up.
It's a 2012 F350 DRW CC 6.2 4X4 6-speed auto in XL trim with 45,000 miles on it and 3.73 gears. Door sticker says 5772 lbs, so I figure I'm good for about 5,000 lbs of camper and stuff, which gives us lots of options. It has the towing package, upfitter switches, and that's about it. Really basic with roller windows, manual locks, and floor shifter for the transfer case. This was what I was looking for because we wanted the vinyl seats and rubber floors to avoid the dog hair problem we have with our carpeted vehicles.
We are looking forward to our eventual TC purchase, but that's going to be at least a year away ($$$), so for now we will just tow the TT with it (huge overkill!).
I'll certainly be posting my experiences with this setup once we start using it.
Anyway, thanks to everyone here for sharing your vast experience which helped make this decision more clear.
