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Step 1: Get the truck

sky_free
Explorer
Explorer
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.
2017 Escape 17B, 2012 VW Touareg
24 REPLIES 24

sky_free
Explorer
Explorer
Mote wrote:
That certainly is a nice truck. Love the new Fords.
I'd sure like to get a dually to haul our Lance on.

What kind of truck camper are you wanting to get ?


We really like the Lance 992. We will probably wait to buy new left-over stock in late 2014. If one comes up used we may take a look at that, but we are a little nervous about buying an untitled expensive item off the street (Craigslist -- bad experience -- long story).

The things we are looking for are large tank capacities, U-shaped dinette with wide exterior storage door, 4-season, and lots of floor space for the dogs. All this at the lowest weight possible. The 992 seems to be the sweet spot for all that. I know there are other options out there because we have looked at most of them, but the 992 seems like a good fit.
2017 Escape 17B, 2012 VW Touareg

Mote
Explorer
Explorer
That certainly is a nice truck. Love the new Fords.
I'd sure like to get a dually to haul our Lance on.

What kind of truck camper are you wanting to get ?
2005 Dodge 3500
2001 Lance 1030
2006 Cougar 29RL

Super_Dave
Explorer
Explorer
Regarding the power lag, could it be the gearing? We had a nice thread going recently discussing the merits of 4:10 vs 3:73 gears. The truck you test drove may have been geared for highway speed and lacks the low end torque.
Truck: 2006 Dodge 3500 Dually
Rig: 2018 Big Country 3155 RLK
Boat: 21' North River Seahawk

_DJ_1
Explorer II
Explorer II
sky_free wrote:


Seems zippy enough driving it around empty, but there's no comparison with my Audi A4 that's my daily driver :-).


Comparing acceleration between a HD truck and performance sedan is about as ludicrous as chaining the rear bumpers together for a pulling comparison. :R
'17 Class C 22' Conquest on Ford E 450 with V 10. 4000 Onan, Quad 6 volt AGMs, 515 watts solar.
'12 Northstar Liberty on a '16 Super Duty 6.2. Twin 6 volt AGMs with 300 watts solar.

RZAR66
Explorer
Explorer
Mine does have a rather slow response to kick down when I mash the throttle at freeway speeds. Although flooring it at a dead stop and you're up to 60 right now.
2018 Ford F-350 DRW
2024 Northern Lite 10-2

_DJ_1
Explorer II
Explorer II
gregchambers wrote:
Congrats on the truck. I test drove a new F250 a couple days ago as it was the only truck they had with the 6.2 gasser. "you don't want a diesel, are you crazy?" was the general response of the Ford sales staff which was reflected in their inventory of almost all diesels. My test drive was dissapointing in that there was a significant lag between pushing the accelerator and the truck actually moving. Kind of like the turbo lag in the early turbo engines. Is this normal? Is it because the truck was empty? I know that there is lots of reserve power in the 6.2L but I drive an extended cargo van with a 4.8L gas engine carrying probably 2,000lbs of stuff that is lots zippier than this truck was. When I was on the freeway doinbg maybe 40MPG and punched it, it was scarry how slow it was to respond. Perhaps I should find another 6.2L to test drive?


Maybe they have changed something since my 2011 but as I posted earlier if I punched it I fear my camper would get ripped off. After 3 years and 22000 I have no regrets!! And my previous two trucks were CTD's.
'17 Class C 22' Conquest on Ford E 450 with V 10. 4000 Onan, Quad 6 volt AGMs, 515 watts solar.
'12 Northstar Liberty on a '16 Super Duty 6.2. Twin 6 volt AGMs with 300 watts solar.

Lantley
Nomad
Nomad
Nice truck. I played the same buy the truck 1st and wait game
19'Duramax w/hips, 2022 Alliance Paradigm 390MP >BD3,r,22" Blackstone
r,RV760 w/BC20,Glow Steps, Enduraplas25,Pedego
BakFlip,RVLock,Prog.50A surge ,Hughes autoformer
Porta Bote 8.0 Nissan, Sailun S637

RZAR66
Explorer
Explorer
sky_free wrote:
gregchambers wrote:
My test drive was dissapointing in that there was a significant lag between pushing the accelerator and the truck actually moving. Kind of like the turbo lag in the early turbo engines. Is this normal? Is it because the truck was empty? I know that there is lots of reserve power in the 6.2L but I drive an extended cargo van with a 4.8L gas engine carrying probably 2,000lbs of stuff that is lots zippier than this truck was. When I was on the freeway doinbg maybe 40MPG and punched it, it was scarry how slow it was to respond. Perhaps I should find another 6.2L to test drive?


Seems zippy enough driving it around empty, but there's no comparison with my Audi A4 that's my daily driver :-). There was some discussion about this on the Ford Enthusiast Forum. I know the auto transmission "learns" your driving style and responds accordingly. You can reset it and have it relearn apparently, although I never tried it. Also, the F250 and F350 have different HP/Torque numbers so they are obviously tuned differently.


They use the same identical engine. Horsepower and torque numbers are taken at a lower RPM for the one ton vs. 3/4 ton trucks.

We did the same thing. I bought the truck first then waited a year or so to buy our Lance. Could not afford to take a hit on both at the same time. It was a lonnnng year of waiting!
2018 Ford F-350 DRW
2024 Northern Lite 10-2

sky_free
Explorer
Explorer
gregchambers wrote:
My test drive was dissapointing in that there was a significant lag between pushing the accelerator and the truck actually moving. Kind of like the turbo lag in the early turbo engines. Is this normal? Is it because the truck was empty? I know that there is lots of reserve power in the 6.2L but I drive an extended cargo van with a 4.8L gas engine carrying probably 2,000lbs of stuff that is lots zippier than this truck was. When I was on the freeway doinbg maybe 40MPG and punched it, it was scarry how slow it was to respond. Perhaps I should find another 6.2L to test drive?


Seems zippy enough driving it around empty, but there's no comparison with my Audi A4 that's my daily driver :-). There was some discussion about this on the Ford Enthusiast Forum. I know the auto transmission "learns" your driving style and responds accordingly. You can reset it and have it relearn apparently, although I never tried it. Also, the F250 and F350 have different HP/Torque numbers so they are obviously tuned differently.
2017 Escape 17B, 2012 VW Touareg

Bionic_Man
Explorer
Explorer
Congrats on the new truck!
2012 RAM 3500 Laramie Longhorn DRW CC 4x4 Max Tow, Cummins HO, 60 gallon RDS aux fuel tank, Reese 18k Elite hitch
2003 Dodge Ram 3500 QC SB 4x4 Cummins HO NV5600 with Smarty JR, Jacobs EB (sold)
2002 Gulf Stream Sea Hawk 29FRB with Honda EV6010

gregchambers
Explorer
Explorer
Congrats on the truck. I test drove a new F250 a couple days ago as it was the only truck they had with the 6.2 gasser. "you don't want a diesel, are you crazy?" was the general response of the Ford sales staff which was reflected in their inventory of almost all diesels. My test drive was dissapointing in that there was a significant lag between pushing the accelerator and the truck actually moving. Kind of like the turbo lag in the early turbo engines. Is this normal? Is it because the truck was empty? I know that there is lots of reserve power in the 6.2L but I drive an extended cargo van with a 4.8L gas engine carrying probably 2,000lbs of stuff that is lots zippier than this truck was. When I was on the freeway doinbg maybe 40MPG and punched it, it was scarry how slow it was to respond. Perhaps I should find another 6.2L to test drive?

_DJ_1
Explorer II
Explorer II
5700+ pound payload dually is going to be pushing it for anything but a pop up!!! :B

I love my 6.2. I'm sure if I gunned it at the stop light it would rip my camper off!!

Congrats on the truck!! :C

Good Luck waiting a year for a camper. You'd be a better man than me!!
'17 Class C 22' Conquest on Ford E 450 with V 10. 4000 Onan, Quad 6 volt AGMs, 515 watts solar.
'12 Northstar Liberty on a '16 Super Duty 6.2. Twin 6 volt AGMs with 300 watts solar.

69_Avion
Explorer
Explorer
Nice truck. Congratulations on finding it. It certainly will give you plenty of options with the camper.
Ford F-350 4x4 Diesel
1988 Avion Triple Axle Trailer
1969 Avion C-11 Camper

exhaustipated
Explorer
Explorer
Congratulations on your truck. Now it's time for Step 2 and go shopping for a camper.
2009 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD 4WD LT1 Ext Cab Z71 Long Bed Vortec 6.0L V8 SFI gas.
2012 Travel Lite 960RX
Torklift frame mounted tie downs with FastGun turnbuckles and a Lock and Load maximum security cargo tray.
Timbren SES
Curt front mount hitch receiver