Under-$16K truck with 3500lb camper payload?

[Coyotefred]

Hello!

Truck camping newbie here, hoping for a little truck-buying advice from you experienced users. I need to replace my current 4×4 project/hauler/bad weather roads truck (not my daily driver–I have a 2wd car for that.) And I’d like to get into some truck camping, so I’d like to find a truck that can do both.

The truck camper sizes/models I’m leaning towards have a wet weight of around 3500 lbs (something like the Lance 850), so that’s the camper/payload capacity I’d need.

The challenge is that I need to stick to a $15-$16K budget for the truck, which limits me to older used trucks, and likely full ton rather than ¾ ton models since I’ve seen few older ¾ ton models that would get me the 3500lb payload.

Another challenge: I live in a rural area with pretty limited “local” truck-buying options, so I’m having to do my truck-buying research via internet/email/phone, and I’ll likely be driving 5+ hours to inspect/buy the truck.

Any general advice on years/makes/models I might focus on for getting that 3500lb payload on a $16K budget? I don’t have any preference on make. I need gas and 4×4, and would prefer SRW, xcab or crew for the interior storage and the long bed for projects/hauling when not hauling the camper. I’ve been able to find a couple of F-350 Super Dutys Crew LB 4×4 years 2005-2008 that are within my budget; seems like one of these might be a decent choice for what I need?

Finally, since I’m going to be looking at older trucks that usually have been “worked,” any specific mechanical issues I should keep an eye out for when I physically inspect/drive it?

Thanks for your help!
Colin

[mkirsch]

Snowplows are dual wheel but they are not going through deep snow. They are pushing the snow out of the way ahead of themselves. Lift the plow and try to charge through some heavy wet 12" deep snow. You'll go about 10 feet even with all wheel drive.

I'm speaking from experience. My DRW is helpless in 12" of snow. It'll go until the rear wheels get in, and then it's done, spinning 5 wheels. Luckily I've been able to back out. My SRW 1500 charges right through.

[burningman]

Most people who have done it will tell you they’ll never go back to a single rear wheel truck once they have driven with a camper on a dually.
I drive one as my daily driver and I live in a fairly big city. I think people try to find sky-is-falling reasons they are terrible when they don’t have one.
The doesn’t do well in snow story is funny. All tow trucks and snow plow trucks are duallys.
Mine (4x4) seems to go everywhere in the snow.
If you’re that far away from civilization I can’t imagine tight parking is an issue.

All the truck-is-too-wide people forget the mirrors are already wider than a dually pickup is.
They aren’t any longer and dual wheels don’t have any affect on turning radius.

I’ve had a whole bunch of single rear wheel pickups and three duallies, it to mention countless work trucks. I’m never putting a camper on a single wheel truck again. The difference with a camper on is that dramatic.

As for brand, with gas trucks they’re all pretty good I’d just look for the cleanest nicest lowest mileage one you can find. Your budget is plenty to find a very nice gas truck.

I will say don’t buy a Dodge. You only buy a Dodge to get a Cummins diesel, otherwise just don’t. Get a Chevy or a Ford.

With $15k to spend you shouldn’t need to look at trucks with 200k on them.
Try to stay closer to 100k, preferably less.

An existing truck/camper combo for sale might be a good way to go.

[mkirsch]

DRW trucks aren't as good in tough going such as mud and snow, even with 4x4. The reason being, an SRW truck's rear wheels follow directly behind the front, so you're only cutting two ruts. A DRW has to cut SIX ruts because none of the wheels follow directly behind any others.

If you do a lot of mudding or charging through deep snow, you might want to hold out for an F350 SRW. Other than that, no reason to not go with the DRW, because they are easier to find.

[Grit_dog]

Coyotefred wrote:
Several of you suggested I consider a DRW truck. I guess I've never considered one of these and always assumed they were for more specialized uses. I've never even driven one. They seem like an obvious choice for truck camper/hauling, I'm just wondering how much off a trade off for a DRW rather SRW the rest of the time when the camper is off and I'm using it for hauling (mostly firewood), constructions materials with friends' renovations, etc.?

If your using the truck for work and not trying to park it at the mall on a Saturday or in a downtown parking garage, I don't see a downside. Especially since you live in the country.

[Grit_dog]

. Most any 1 ton single or dually is good for 3500 lbs. preference is yours.
Going 10+ year old gasser I’d be like you and look for any brand but with the emphasis on miles and condition. And being in NE unless you find a grandpas farmer sunday go meetin truck, I’d look where it doesn’t rust much and budget the trip into your cost.
Be patient. I’d go older low-miles before newer beat up high miles. And since you’re talking pre-6 speed automatics, I’d be looking for a stick if you could find it or a 5 speed torq shift auto V10 Ford.
Good luck shopping!

[Coyotefred]

Several of you suggested I consider a DRW truck. I guess I've never considered one of these and always assumed they were for more specialized uses. I've never even driven one. They seem like an obvious choice for truck camper/hauling, I'm just wondering how much off a trade off for a DRW rather SRW the rest of the time when the camper is off and I'm using it for hauling (mostly firewood), constructions materials with friends' renovations, etc.?

[Coyotefred]

Hey thanks...I'll check this out!

FireGuard wrote:
If you haven’t bought your camper yet, I saw a Lance 992 on a 2002 or 03 Ford F-350 DRW with V10 4x4 with around 80 k mi. On RV Trader in Urbandale, Iowa. Not far from you.
I think the camper was around $17k and seller was willing to sell as a package. That truck should be around your price range.
992 is a very nice and roomy camper and much roomier than an 850.
Just a thought and you have a turn key package.

[Kayteg1]

I sold 2 Ford trucks with famous 7.3l engine in $6k range.
They run perfect, but high mileage flatbeds.
Than I've got $4k when I traded in my 2006 F350 dually with 6l.

[jaycocreek]

Colin..Don't give up and keep looking and you will find what you want..They are out there.

Last year I was looking for the same thing but for less than 10K..Because of where I live in the boonies I decided that I would have to travel to find both the truck and camper..I limited my search to 200 miles from my home which included Boise/Missoula/Spokane and the Tri-Cities..All 200 miles from here.I hit craigs list daily and finding one in good shape for that price was tough...

But I did find this in Kennewick for less than half your budget..1994 ford F-350 Dually/460 with 89K on it and 4600 for payload.Not a 4X4 but I couldn't pass it up..Having owned a number of logging trucks, I new this would go anywhere I want to..

In his driveway.



Good ones are out there if your patient.

[FireGuard]

If you haven’t bought your camper yet, I saw a Lance 992 on a 2002 or 03 Ford F-350 DRW with V10 4x4 with around 80 k mi. On RV Trader in Urbandale, Iowa. Not far from you.
I think the camper was around $17k and seller was willing to sell as a package. That truck should be around your price range.
992 is a very nice and roomy camper and much roomier than an 850.
Just a thought and you have a turn key package.

[jimh406]

coyotefred, yes, your numbers are right. I think donn0128 is guessing what it weighs while you read the sticker.

The axle is probably rated a bit higher with the tires being the limiter.

I agree that it depends on what you carry though. The easiest solution is go DRW.

[donn0128]

Sorry Fred, that "curb weight" is unreasonably low. The same truck with a diesel will scale reafy to go around 8000 pounds. Subtract 500 for the diesel your still around 7500 pounds. So in the real world you woild be right at the limits once you load the camper and before you add anything for living. Same for the camper. Your looking at unrealistic weights there too. Add propane, water, food, clothes, batteries and you could easily tip the scales at 4000+ pounds.

[Coyotefred]

Hey thanks. I wasn't considering a diesel. One I'm considering is a 2008 F-350 Super Duty Lariat Crew LB 4x4, gas, with the V10, SRW. The door sticker shows a GVWR of 11,200, front GAWR of 5600, rear GAWR 7000 (18 x 8.0 wheels LT 275 70R18E tires). I think curb weight is 6988, so that would get me a payload of around 4200 right?

It's got 225K miles on it and has obviously been a "worked" truck (some body dents/dings in places, etc.), but selling for around 9000...

donn0128 wrote:
The years of Fords your looking at are cheap for a reason. If their diesels, the motor is JUNK.
In old trucks to get close to that payload, likely closer to 4000 pounds, you will need a dually. Mid 90s Chevy with a big block gas motor, or a pre 2005 Ford with a 7.3L diesel or a 5.9L Dodge Cummins could fit your budget. But even those trucks in good shape could push you out of your budget. They are in demand after all.

[ctilsie242]

You can find a 6.0 Ford around that price, but you are going to have to "bulletproof" the engine, which will be about $2000 parts, and about the same with labor.

Trucks go at insane costs. I have given up in my neck of the woods finding a 3/4 ton to one ton, new/used for cheaper for anything less than 40-60k, so when I go for a truck, I might as well just special order and get what I want.

[jimh406]

I would go with a gasoline engine. If it is only for a TC, buy a DRW.