Truck camper rig on a budget?

We bought a used 99 F-250 in 2007 for $14K, a new Palamino Bronco for $8K and were very satisfied with the combo. The truck had the 5.4 gas, auto trans 4X4 drive train super cab with short bed. We went from Maine to Oregon to Florida in the next six years. We ave about 13 mpg but drive with a light foot and mostly on 2 lane roads at 55mph. I also used the truck on my farm and pulled a trailer with tractors, etc. on it with no problem. Last year we traded trucks as the 99 was getting tired in the engine dept. with 166K miles. Found a pretty good 04 F250 diesel and like the added power in the mountains but for our flat ground in Iowa it is usually not needed, the diesel has higher cost to maintain but does get slightly better mileage. We ave about 14 on vacation now. I haven't weighed the new truck but my old rig weighed about 9K when ready to roll. You don't have to spend a fortune to have a great time in a truck camper but you need to USE it to have fun! Cheers.