need truck advice to carry a camper

rfuerst911sc · 10-16-2011, 11:48 AM

In a separate post I said I had made a deal for a 1968 Avion C11 truck camper. From doing internet search it looks like this camper is aprox. 2200 lbs. dry. So figure about 2500-2600 fully loaded with stuff. So I'm looking for a truck to carry this camper. My gut tells me a 3/4 ton truck may not be enough. If I go one ton do I go with single tires in the rear or look for a dually ? I'm sure a dually is the best but I'm thinking I am going to use the truck as my daily driver to work ( only about 5 miles each way ). I did some internet shopping today and diesel duallies are available with some miles on them for about 12,000.00 which is the ballpark I want to be in. Oh I will also be towing on some occasions either a 13 1/2 ' boat ( 800 lbs. total ) or a 24 ' aluminum car trailer ( 1200 lbs. ) with either a 914 or 911 on it. So for you guys using your trucks hard what are you using ? Should I just start looking for a dually ?

TimT · 12:57 PM

I think your would be much better off getting a diesel....A dually would be preferred but not a deal breaker.

Also I think your guesstimates at weights is conservative...err on the high side

Seahawk · 10-16-2011, 12:56 PM

I read your other thread and also goggled your 1968 Avion C11 truck camper ...nice.

I would add at least 600lbs to the dry camper weight to have margin. I would get a one ton diesel dually given the weight your are going to be carrying and the tow factor.

A rear blow-out with that much gross weight could be interesting.

I tow quite a it but do not have a truck camper. I'm able to meet all my needs with a 1/2 ton with a beefed up tow package.

Your camper is really nice

tooms351 · 10-16-2011, 02:29 PM

Hi there rfuerst, first off congrats on your slide-in camper! I've owned a lance 1010 since 1999and love it. I started out with an F-250 with a 351 engine. I added air assist bags on the rear axle and it helped with the truck squatting down but the truck was a dog, underpowered to say the least! Acouple years later I bought a 2003 F-350 dually with a 7.3 power stroke, that weekend I hauled the camper to the 24 hours of Daytona doing 80mph up I95! I transfered the air bags from the old truck and now I haul the camper and tow my 944 to club events with no problems in traffic ( with a running start I have passed cars on the back roads to Sebring!) So I say get the dually diesel and once again good luck.

rfuerst911sc · 10-17-2011, 01:55 AM

I have internet searched all weekend and found locally a 2001 GMC 1 ton dually 4x4 with 6.6 litre turbo diesel and Allison auto tranny. It has 132,000 miles and asking price at dealership is 12999.00. Truck appears to be nicely equiped. I really was not looking for a 4x4 but used you can only be so picky. It's an extended cab which is something I'm wanting. I did some internet searches on the truck and engine/tranny combo and for the most part everything seems quite positive. Some fuel injector issues ( $$$ ) and an occasional blown head gasket but them seem to be quite stout.
On the flip side also found a Ford 350 dually with Triton V10 and 5 speed manual. Only has 79,000 miles but is not an extended cab but they are only asking 6999.00 but the interior is quite spartan. I know the V10 will not be as good on fuel but the fuel is cheaper and the 6000.00 in price difference buys a fair amount of fuel.
I've never owned a diesel so you guys that own them help me out with a decision. Thanks

LWJ · 10-17-2011, 06:30 AM

Duramax is supposed to be fabulous. The Ford V10 is a gas sucking beast. I always consider my exit strategy before dropping any significant cash. I think you will be better served with the diesel as it will hold value even though it is 2x the cost.

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

You want a diesel with those kinds of loads. Triton V10 will take rivers of gas carrying that much weight.

The diesel will hold its value better as well, and the 4x4 truck will be a little beefier overall.

I'd try to find a dodge that age, but I'm a bit biased....

kaisen · 10-17-2011, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

I have internet searched all weekend and found locally a 2001 GMC 1 ton dually 4x4 with 6.6 litre turbo diesel and Allison auto tranny. It has 132,000 miles and asking price at dealership is 12999.00. Truck appears to be nicely equiped. I really was not looking for a 4x4 but used you can only be so picky. It's an extended cab which is something I'm wanting. I did some internet searches on the truck and engine/tranny combo and for the most part everything seems quite positive. Some fuel injector issues ( $$$ ) and an occasional blown head gasket but them seem to be quite stout.
On the flip side also found a Ford 350 dually with Triton V10 and 5 speed manual. Only has 79,000 miles but is not an extended cab but they are only asking 6999.00 but the interior is quite spartan. I know the V10 will not be as good on fuel but the fuel is cheaper and the 6000.00 in price difference buys a fair amount of fuel.
I've never owned a diesel so you guys that own them help me out with a decision. Thanks

If you're hauling 2500-3000 pounds, you don't need a dually, as others here have pointed out. E load range tires are a little over 3000 pounds each in 245/75-16 size. So a little over 12,000 pounds by the tires.

A duallie will really help the top-heavy feeling of a full-sized camper, give it more stability (esp in crosswinds), and the safety of having an extra tire.

Diesel is more expensive, more complex, and generally more powerful. With only 3000 pounds of extra weight, neither a gas or diesel will 'feel' that load in the truck. The Ford V10 is an amazing motor and very stout. More horsepower, but a little less torque. Wider powerband. Figure 10mpg with the camper. A 2001 Duramax would get 14-16mpg. So the fuel payback will come pretty quick given the resale value of the diesel.

rfuerst911sc · 10-17-2011, 07:07 AM

Thanks guys you have given me more info to ponder. Anyone else care to chime in I'm really interested in guys in the real world using these trucks.

vash · vash's Garage

that triton V10 got 11mpg in my neighbor's truck. a 4x4 regular cab.

you put that camper on top..it bet it goes to 7-8. she got 7 pulling a horse trailer.

Rusty Heap · Rusty Heap's Garage

me:

1998 Dodge 3/4 ton long bed extended cab 4x4 with an awesome motor, the V10 gas. 6200 pounds curb weight.

Artic Fox 10' camper with full side slide out, 4500 pounds.

http://www.ddrvcenter.com/DealerFiles/ListingView.asp?ListingID=1447

the 3/4 ton truck has a 1 ton axle in the rear, Airbags in back, 4x Rancho 9 way click adjust dampening RS9000 shocks handle the side sway. BFG All Terrains are rated to carry the load when air'd up to 75 PSI.

Truck / Camper is almost 11,000 pounds. Then I also tow either a 3 horse slant trailer, or a 14 foot flat bed with ATV/QUADs or llamas as cargo.

I've scale out fully loaded with trailer at 15,500 pounds rolling down the road.

With the 8.0 liter 488 cu in V10, (300 hp 450 ft/lbs of torque) I've got plenty of acceleration, it's the stopping that is more the concern at freeway speeds.

THERE IS MORE TO LIFE THAN Gas Milage. I get around 11 mpg unloaded and 7 with camper and trailer. Big woopy do deal. Any V8 gas is only going to get 13-16 mpg, yes the diesels get better milage but diesel fuel costs more too. When I bought my truck new, the Cummings Diesel engine option was $6500 more. Doing the math, the better MPG paid off the engine cost at 100,000 miles. So the better fuel economy is all relative to engine and fuel costs.

Unloaded my truck can do 0-40 in 4 seconds = Priceless.......plus the rumble sound of the V10 verses a tug boat clatter clatter of the noisy diesel made me go gas. As I only use the camper a couple times a year, as a daily driver, no way would I want a dually as parking them can be a major big hassle......

HardDrive · 10-17-2011, 07:57 AM

My dad has had a Lance camper on the back of his Ford F350 diesel for 80K miles. Still pulls like a train.

Joeaksa · 10-17-2011, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by porsche4life

You want a diesel with those kinds of loads. Triton V10 will take rivers of gas carrying that much weight.

The diesel will hold its value better as well, and the 4x4 truck will be a little beefier overall.

I'd try to find a dodge that age, but I'm a bit biased....

You are also correct. A Cummins is really the way to go if you are towing or hauling something... but like the above I am biased.

Check out the fuel burn on the various trucks, then check out the Cummins. It will be almost double the mileage of the others, especially when hauling/towing.

dhrcr911s · dhrcr911s's Garage

I've been using my 2007 Tundra with the 5.7 V8 to camp with my Alaskan camper in the back. I put bags on the back and works great. Mileage went from 15 to 12 with camper on. Pulling the car trailer also it drops into the 10 range at normal (Montana) highway speeds.

mudman · 10-17-2011, 08:57 AM

Seems like most comments address power plant choices, I think the trans is just as big of a factor in your case. I love the Allison 1000 in GM trucks.

Just for additional data: I had a 2500HD 8' bed extended cab 4x4 with a Vortec 8.1 gas tied to the allison 1000. 14mpg empty and cruise control at 65mph, 12mpg overloaded/towing or driving like a maniac.

Don't forget not all 3/4 ton and 1ton trucks are created equal, even from the same product line, ie bigger brakes, hd trans cooler, suspension etc differ depending on the package or options for that truck. IMO these items are very important to consider in your situation both for longevity of the equipment, safety and comfort.

Joeaksa · 10-17-2011, 09:04 AM

Mudman brings up a good point.

Either get a manual gearbox or if you have to have an automatic, get a temp gauge on it. More auto boxes are killed by towing and high temps than by anything else...

kaisen · 10-17-2011, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

Thanks guys you have given me more info to ponder. Anyone else care to chime in I'm really interested in guys in the real world using these trucks.

Real world:

I've owned all three diesel trucks (Duramax, Cummins, Powerstroke)
I've owned almost all of the gas engines you'd consider, including the Ford V10, GM 6.0L, GM 7.4L 454 Vortec, GM 8.1L, Ford 7.5L/460 FI, Dodge 8.0L V10

The GM 6.0L is the smallest motor I'd consider for that load.... Ford's 5.4L and Dodge 5.7L aren't quite enough.

All three diesels are good. In a ten year old truck, the GM Allison transmission is the best, hands-down. Unless you get a manual transmission then I'd pick Cummins (but wouldn't touch one with an automatic).

Gas mileage in the Ford V10 is much better than you'd think. I just sold one with 233K miles on it. Got 15mpg empty on the freeway and about 10mpg with a 5000 pound trailer.

My parents currently have a 2007 GMC 'Classic' 3/4 Duramax (same as a 2006) and a 8ft Artic Fox. They can pull their small boat with the camper in and not feel the load. They get 14mpg with that set up at 70mph.

rfuerst911sc · 10-17-2011, 11:59 AM

Excellent feedback from everyone thank you. Just a thought, am I jumping to conclusions that a 3/4 ton truck will not work for my situation ? I am familiar with towing and do like to have a 15-20 % safety margin that's why I was thinking one ton.

speeder · 10-17-2011, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty Heap

THERE IS MORE TO LIFE THAN Gas Milage. I get around 11 mpg unloaded and 7 with camper and trailer. Big woopy do deal. Any V8 gas is only going to get 13-16 mpg, yes the diesels get better milage but diesel fuel costs more too. When I bought my truck new, the Cummings Diesel engine option was $6500 more. Doing the math, the better MPG paid off the engine cost at 100,000 miles. So the better fuel economy is all relative to engine and fuel costs.

Unloaded my truck can do 0-40 in 4 seconds = Priceless.......plus the rumble sound of the V10 verses a tug boat clatter clatter of the noisy diesel made me go gas. As I only use the camper a couple times a year, as a daily driver, no way would I want a dually as parking them can be a major big hassle......

Do you plan on driving the truck into a muddy lake after 8 years or so and then swimming out? That's the only way your math really works. You would fail 2nd grade because you forgot resale value. You would get back a significant portion of the $6500 on resale, maybe all of it. You cannot give away an old V-10 PU truck these days, they were mostly sold when gas was $1.00 a gallon and the economy was on fire. Diesels are prime merchandise, even with high miles. The resale value vs. gas trucks is truly stunning in some cases.

As to preferring gas over diesel for a towing rig, you're probably in the *one out of 500* guys who feels that way and there's your resale value. I've owned and driven both, (multiple times), and there is NOTHING that drives better than a modern diesel HD PU, IMO. I'd rather drive one cross-country empty than just about any car. They are very quiet and refined plus I love the way they sound. Just massive torque, (800 lbs./ft. on new Powerstroke stock from dealer), and all you hear is a faint whistle when accelerating or passing on the highway. You set the cruise @ 80 mph and the thing is like a giant sleeping dog whose snoring is powering you down the road. And the fuel gauge moves sloooooow. I personally think that gas HD trucks in their current technology are the biggest POSs sold to the public in recent years. You will NEVER see a gas engine on anything made for moving weight in this world, whether it's a train/ship/tractor/semi/what have you.

So there's a opposing opinion for you.

rfuerst911sc · 10-17-2011, 05:41 PM

Tonight I went to the dealer that has the GMC diesel dually and took it for a drive. I was really amazed how well this big truck drove. It was quiet, smooth and had loads of torque. Transmission shifted very well and the carfax shows routine maintenance was performed on a regular basis. All six tires in good shape. Spray in bedliner. Has an aux. transmission cooler and a transmission temp gauge in the dash. Body in very good shape but the drivers side rear fender cover has a crack about 3 inches long no big deal. I always " sleep " on any large purchase but I believe I may make the deal tomorrow. I don't believe I will find a better truck for the money that is in this type of condition. The interior is immaculate. I'll let you guys know what I decide.