I live in an area where a pickup truck longer than 18 feet is not allowed. So, this pretty much requires me to look for an extended cab, shortbed one ton. I'm also looking at a gasser engine model, just because the vehicle will be idled for long periods of time, and I don't want to kill a DPF or deal with wet stacking issues. Especially if I get a second alternator or a MEPS system (which is an alternator plus inverter for 5000+ watts of 120VAC.)Will having a short bed, 6.5' bed pickup hamstring finding a decent TC?

Short bed trucks do limit to some extent the camper selection, but more limiting is a 150 series truck. The fact that you are considering a 1-ton greatly opens up the prospects.

There are fewer models to choose from, but camper manufacturers are slowly making more short bed models as there are more short bed trucks sold now. I'm very happy overall with my shortbed Wolf Creek 850. The short bed model has more options like a generator option, extra storage compartments, etc.

Agreed. My dumbest mistake I have made was buying a half-ton for my current ride. Hopefully this can be rectified soon.

It will limit you, but it isn't impossible. RAM also makes a shortbed DRW, fwiw. I don't know if they make different cab models. BTW, GMs are generally shorter than Ford last I checked from firewall forward by 8 or so inches.

You won't be able to carry an 11.5' behemoth, but I believe you can get up to 9.5' of floor length in a short bed camper these days.3.5' seems to be about the practical limit for rear overhang in truck campers.If it were me, I would be looking to move out of that HOA-controlled subdivision to somewhere that you are free to do with your property as you please. I thought it was legal to shoot people in Texas for even thinking about forming an HOA.

Will this limit my TC selection? | Good Sam Community

d3500ram
Explorer III
Apr 25, 2017
Short bed trucks do limit to some extent the camper selection, but more limiting is a 150 series truck. The fact that you are considering a 1-ton greatly opens up the prospects.
MORSNOW
Navigator II
Apr 25, 2017
There are fewer models to choose from, but camper manufacturers are slowly making more short bed models as there are more short bed trucks sold now. I'm very happy overall with my shortbed Wolf Creek 850. The short bed model has more options like a generator option, extra storage compartments, etc.
ctilsie242
Explorer II
Apr 25, 2017
Agreed. My dumbest mistake I have made was buying a half-ton for my current ride. Hopefully this can be rectified soon.
jimh406
Explorer III
Apr 25, 2017
It will limit you, but it isn't impossible. RAM also makes a shortbed DRW, fwiw. I don't know if they make different cab models. BTW, GMs are generally shorter than Ford last I checked from firewall forward by 8 or so inches.
mkirsch
Nomad II
Apr 25, 2017
You won't be able to carry an 11.5' behemoth, but I believe you can get up to 9.5' of floor length in a short bed camper these days.

3.5' seems to be about the practical limit for rear overhang in truck campers.

If it were me, I would be looking to move out of that HOA-controlled subdivision to somewhere that you are free to do with your property as you please. I thought it was legal to shoot people in Texas for even thinking about forming an HOA.
RedRocket204
Explorer
Apr 25, 2017
mkirsch wrote:
I thought it was legal to shoot people in Texas for even thinking about forming an HOA.

hehehe!

Austin is a lone island in the lone star state.
d3500ram
Explorer III
Apr 25, 2017
I think it is legal to shoot people when they come peddling their wares at yer home or bizness if you have a "no soliciting" sign posted. (LOL)
narcodog
Explorer II
Apr 25, 2017
So you can get a 2500HD short bed which will haul a nice camper. Or you could get a Ford F350 short bed with a V10.
hedge
Explorer
Apr 25, 2017
I'm guessing you must mean 18' with the camper off as the truck bed won't have an affect on overall length once the camper is loaded, just more of it would be under the camper with a 8' bed. I don't think You'd be able to find a combination that would be under 18 with the camper on, maybe a single cab I guess.
kohldad
Explorer III
Apr 25, 2017
Will limit your selection but you will still find a nice selection of campers.

My question is if the HOA enforces the 18' rule. Reason I ask is because my HOA by the book can enforce a 1/2 ton policy (written in 1980) but they are realistic and only enforce the non-commercial aspect of the rule. So we have folks with a 1-ton DRW in the neighborhood. And this isn't that lax of an HOA.