If you could start over.....

[BigDaddyRog]

Ok....gas prices have skyrocketed, and you guys driving diesel HAVE to be pissed.
So Im wondering...if you had the maical power to start all over again, what kind of camping set up(tow vehicle & camper) would you prefer to go with. What truck is most affordable yet still dependable to tow the camper you could most economically get by with. Would a V6 be strong enough to pull the camper you WISH you would have gotten had you known the price of gas was going to go up so drasticly?



I want to get started, but Ive researched so many trucks and there are so many different variables to consider...and I dont want to have to sell anything in 2 years because gas keeps rising.......so if you could start over, knowing what you know now....what would you realisticly own to get the most dependable enjoyment at the lowest cost?

 

[ftwildernessguy]

Hey Rog, don't fool yourself into thinking a V6 will get better mileage pulling than a V8. That mileage on a smaller engine pulling a good sized trailer will drop like a rock, while the 8 will not have to work nearly as hard to do the same job.

I really like my present combination, and it took a lot of trial and error over the years to come up with it. Jayco Kiwi 21c hybrid pulled with a Ford F150 supercab with a 5.4L V8. I'm keeping this TV for a while, too. Despite the fact that I am not a real Ford fan, I have no issues with this truck.

 

[Gatordad]

if it's your daily driver, that's one thing. Personally, I'd rather have a little more power than less. a v-6 truck is of no use to me. I'd get at least a v-8. while the price of diesel sucks right now, I don't know what to say.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

Hey Rog, don't fool yourself into thinking a V6 will get better mileage pulling than a V8.....

Thats definately one of the variables Im talking about. Im leaning towards an f150 as well.

 

[AuburnJen92]

I agree, with Diesel here at $4.19, I gasp every time I go by a place w/diesel. Considering how much it takes to fill up our RV, we just can't afford to "fill 'er up." We used to put in a $100 at a time and it would get us to WDW and back, however, that is no longer the case. I sure am glad that sucker has diesel in it now, 'cuz I can't afford to put more in it right now!

I don't think I would have changed a thing if I had to do it over again, except that I would have bought a used truck instead of leasing one. (We had a TT at the time and my mother's Navigator would not pull our 21' Kiwi) I did not enjoy the end result of us just turning in our truck. We did lease another one, but we are going to turn it in early (if allowed) and buy a used truck off their lot. That $350 "disposition fee" is a croc! I have to pay them $350 to take the truck! Yeah right.

 

[ffpm63]

I just traded my F-350 Dually and 39' Toyhauler for a class A. My wife and I desided it is just cheaper that way. I have a 60 mile one way trip to work (I'm a FF s it is only every third day) so I bought a diesel Jetta and get 40mpg. The Truck just sat unless we were going camping. The MH gets about the same milage as the truck and camper together payment were cheaper and oly paying insurance on one vehicle now. Also with the price of gas RV dealer are ready to give good prices. Look into a class A or C and get a small car for commuting.

 

[LarryJ]

Ok....gas prices have skyrocketed, and you guys driving diesel HAVE to be pissed.
So Im wondering...if you had the maical power to start all over again, what kind of camping set up(tow vehicle & camper) would you prefer to go with. What truck is most affordable yet still dependable to tow the camper you could most economically get by with. Would a V6 be strong enough to pull the camper you WISH you would have gotten had you known the price of gas was going to go up so drasticly?



I want to get started, but Ive researched so many trucks and there are so many different variables to consider...and I dont want to have to sell anything in 2 years because gas keeps rising.......so if you could start over, knowing what you know now....what would you realisticly own to get the most dependable enjoyment at the lowest cost?

I would have exactly the same thing as I have now. I get around 10.5 to 11.5 at almost 17K GCVW and my Van is not my daily driver, however in the 62K miles I have on it now over 33K have been actually pulling my TT.

If I had say a V10 I think I would be lucky to get 7 to 8 mpg and for sake of comparision let's say I get 8 with the V10 and 11 with the diesel and that gas is $4 and diesel is $5. For 1000 miles towing that's 125gal of gas = $500 and 91gal of diesel at $5=$455, works for me and the diesel is so much nicer towing and even at say 150,000 miles for each you'll get nothing for the V10 and the diesel is just barely broken in. Even if the V10 got 9mpg that's still $444 in gas.

Larry

 

[auntie]

I paid $3.66 for regular unleaded today..and premium was up to $3.89...that $4.00 is just a few short weeks away. We've been looking at some new pick ups as well. I've got to say the price of gas is kind of sucking the fun out of it. I have an Expedition currently and want a pick-up hoping to be able to tow our trailer more often than we currently do. We have a 27 foot tt,(Jayco Eagle) weighs in under 6000 lbs. We have been happy with the trailer size and we don't tow often just twice a year since we're seasonal in a camping resort.
We are leaning toward a Tundra at this point. I'd love to get a bigger trailer..but that would mean a bigger truck, and honestly it's usually just the two of us...I don't NEED a bigger trailer.(plus..it's paid for..nice no payment there) Gas prices being what they are, and where they're going..I'm happy to stick with a 5.7 or 5.4 ...as it's my everyday vehicle as well. No diesel..or heavy duty trucks..we just don't have a need for it, and can't justify the expense.

 

[AuburnJen92]

I would lean AWAY from a Tundra. We just turned ours in because we couldn't afford the way it sucked money out of the bank account. (we can almost go twice as long between fill ups with the tacoma now) We went to a smaller truck, but they are reliable. We didn't have a spec of trouble and only changed tires and oil. Tundras turn like a school bus! I have never seen a truck with a more horrible turning radius. When we turn this truck in in 2 years, we are going to buy American. I just can't stand it no mo'.

 

[LONE-STAR]

Ok Rog I have always had a 3/4 ton 4x4 or a 1 ton 4x4 since I could drive. As long as I can pay for fuel and still eat I wont get rid of my diesels. If your going to pull a trailer I say the bigger the truck the better. How ever I just sold my 5er and bought a 35' toy hauler TT. (not sure if doing this was the smart thing to do but why not ) If you are looking at buying a used truck I would get a dodge diesel with the 5.9 in it. In a 2 wheel drive you will average around 20 mpg unloaded. In my wifes 4x4 she is averaging 18 mpg. Plus the trucks run forever with little repairs plus oil change,fuel filters and air filters are all cheaper on a dodge then a Ford. So to answer your question.
Dodge diesel 35' toy hauler TT (It just big enough to haul 2 carts inside) But I do miss cheaper diesel.

 

[2goofycampers]

I'll most likely be long winded here ,but,,,,,1.camper or truck,try to get what you would like to have the first time,,because if your not happy with what you've got it'll cost you up grade'n. 2.IMHO don't get a truck that is sufficient,you should get a truck thats More than sufficient in towing power. We ruined a truck that was sufficient. 3.For years I fought gett'n a diesel, they were noisey, smelled bad and cost more than a gas truck. We bought a Dodge 2500 Diesel in 2006 and I wouldn't trade it for ANYTHING ! We have a 30 ft. Jayco TT,,we load the golf cart in the bed of truck,,four of us will load up to camp for a week and that diesel pulls the whole thing like it was nothing!! Our fuel mileage might be a few miles better than our gas mileage was ,,but now we pay more for diesel fuel. When we had a gas truck as long as we were on flat surface it ran fine but on large up grades or steep inclines it tended to bog down somewhat. Diesel won't do that. So heres the thing,,if your not satisfied with your choice of camper then you won't be happy camping.If your not COMPLETELY satisfied with the way your truck pulls your camper you won't be happy with your truck. Yes, diesel is high $$ but it absolutely does the job,,and for the job it needs to do I'm willing to pay the price. However,,for kick'n round town,I'm all for the cheapest way possible!....MHOOBY......Frank

 

[stacktester]

If I had it to do all over again I'd have kept my 21' Tailgator. It did the job and would almost be paid for too. It slept 4 pretty comfy and was perfect for trips to the fort or the forest to go 4 wheeling. I had a 22' Hobbi Toy Hauler for less than a year that I thought was going to be better and it wasn't so I traded it for a 31' Cougar 5'er Toy Hauler. It's a great camper and I like all it offers but what used to cost around $75 to haul to the fort is now $150.

Not really sure what to do next. This trailer is great for a week trip or longer but we do more weekends than weeks. I am seriously looking at the Starcraft 21SD Hybrid Hauler. After seeing some dis'ers pop ups and hybrids at the fort I like them a lot. This 21SD holds 2 four wheelers and 1 in the back of the truck since I'll be getting rid of the 5'er. You oughta see the sleeping room this thing has. The great thing is it weighs 3k empty. I'm thinking it could be put on a partial if I couldn't get a full hookup. It would be nice for my little short trips to the woods and double for a golf cart or 4 wheeler carrier.

 

[medic9016]

I drive 80 miles roundtrip to work every other day, no city driving all 4 lane roads. So for me even with with diesel prices at $4.15 it is still cost effective to have a diesel. I get about 3 miles to the gallon more than when I had a big V8. When I hook up the TT, I just suck it up and been happy I'm going camping. To answer the question of if I could start over, I would go with a bigger truck and bigger toy hauler.

 

[ditchdoc1017]

We are leaning toward a Tundra at this point. I'd love to get a bigger trailer..but that would mean a bigger truck, and honestly it's usually just the two of us...I don't NEED a bigger trailer.(plus..it's paid for..nice no payment there) Gas prices being what they are, and where they're going..I'm happy to stick with a 5.7 or 5.4 ...as it's my everyday vehicle as well. No diesel..or heavy duty trucks..we just don't have a need for it, and can't justify the expense.

I have a 07 MC Tundra 4x4 5.7 I get 17 hwy and 15 city. I pull a 30 ft TT about 8000 loaded and get 10. If you went with the none 4x4 you could even do better.I have 23000 with no problems. Oh it rides and drives better than any truck I have had ford, dodge , and chevy.

 

[Us3]

It's such a tough decision isn't it? With all of the variables that you mentioned, it makes it an even more difficult decision doesnt it??

Personally we love our setup and wouldn't change it. We *have* changed our set up as our family has grown. We had a 3/4 ton 4x4 Suburban with a 454 that was awesome. It pulled our 25 ft trailer with ease. We then upgraded the truck to another big block 8.1 liter, so dh gets 10.5 if we are pulling anything or not! We now have a 33 ft trailer, but it's on the light side as well. We have the 4 bunks in the back, so it's great for kids! Queen up front for us and couch and table to put down for guest. It's not super fancy, but it's nice, spacious, and not too heavy to pull. I'm glad we made this choice, because now we have another toy to haul in the back of the truck that adds almost 1200lbs...the cart. With gas prices so high, sometimes dh uses my 1/2 ton sub to commute to work. I work from home, so it works for us.

 

[auntie]

I would lean AWAY from a Tundra. We just turned ours in because we couldn't afford the way it sucked money out of the bank account. (we can almost go twice as long between fill ups with the tacoma now) We went to a smaller truck, but they are reliable. We didn't have a spec of trouble and only changed tires and oil. Tundras turn like a school bus! I have never seen a truck with a more horrible turning radius. When we turn this truck in in 2 years, we are going to buy American. I just can't stand it no mo'.

Hi Jen. I'm sorry to hear you didn't care for your Tundra. I'll have to see about the turning radius when we test drive..if we don't get one into our shop before that. Going from a full size truck like the Tundra to a smaller truck like the Tacoma, I'm sure there is a signifcant difference in the gas mileage. I've used a Dodge Dakota (simillar in size to the Tacoma) for a week or so. We do the collision repairs for Enterprise. I'd think one would have a pretty big savings in fuel going from any full size pick up to a mid or small sized truck. The one we used was a fine truck but I don't think we'd be looking to tow a 6000 lb travel trailer with a truck of it's size. We're thinking full size...but not diesel..as it's an everyday vehicle, and I can't justify spending money on a heavy duty truck.

 

[auntie]

I have a 07 MC Tundra 4x4 5.7 I get 17 hwy and 15 city. I pull a 30 ft TT about 8000 loaded and get 10. If you went with the none 4x4 you could even do better.I have 23000 with no problems. Oh it rides and drives better than any truck I have had ford, dodge , and chevy.

I've heard and read alot of similar reports. Glad to hear your happy with your choice. and you're towing a heavier and longer trailer than we have. That's why we figure if we stick with the unit we've got..we should be fine. Your gas mileage is better than what we are currently getting in the Expedition..which is older..but still.

 

[Escape Artist]

Besides the cost of the TV and trailer, remember that if you don't store your RV at your own place or a friend's property, there's storage cost for the RV. And if your TV doesn't hold all your critters (what we kindly call our 2-legged and 4-legged cargo), you'll need to take 2 vehicles to the Fort. Those don't seem like big costs, but they do get annoying over time.

We live on an itty-bitty lot, and appreciate parking our popup inside our garage. And my minivan isn't "cool" by anyone's standards, but it does the job with our current combination of dogs and kids that aren't going to fit in a pickup and have everyone come back out alive, 1000 miles later.

But...I still have RV envy over those wonderful bunkhouse trailers! You're smart to want to get the right thing the 1st time around. I was sure we bought the right thing where we lived before, but then we moved to a new state and our camping style radically changed. I wouldn't have made the same buying decision here, but sometime ya just can't anticipate what's coming down the road at you.

Happy shopping and dreaming! I saw a Prevost parked at the Lowe's this afternoon...ah, maybe in another life! (Hmmm..."Yo, Ho, Yo, Ho, The Prevost Life for Me!")

Sue in Texas
...with a Fleetwood Westlake popup pulled by a Honda Odyssey. It's little, but it's cheap and it works for us, and at this point in our lives, "cheap" is still an important feature...

 

[ditchdoc1017]

The one thing about the Tundra I have yet to not have enough power. Oh also the 5.7 is getting better mpg than the 4.7.

 

[mamaloya]

Rog,

My advice would be to start by picking out the camper that you want, even if you don't buy it right away. That will let you know what size vehicle you will need.

I love the layout of my camper, but the quality of the brand is not that great. I am tweaking it little by little and will have it how I want it soon. I have a Kodiak Skamper 26QS. It has a GVWR of 6000. It has a kids' room with 2 sets of bunk beds and a nice size closet (for a camper) between them. There is storage underneath both bottom bunks that is accessible from outside. Our bed slides out the back. It is similar to a hybrid, except our bed is not in tenting. It is solid walls. I do miss the canvas of our hybrid though. I tow with a Chevy Express 1500 van with a V8 6.?L with the factory tow package. It has a tow capacity of 6600 or 7400, can't remember.

With all of your girls and a grandson, you may look into a bunkhouse. If you are going to get a big truck, then go all out. If you are concerned about gas mileage when not towing, get a lightweight or expandable so you can tow with a 3/4 ton truck like a Chevy 2500.

I wish we had gone with a 2500 van, but they don't make the 7 passenger "luxury" van with that engine. It only comes in 1500. We looked for a long time.

BTW, I get almost 15mpg when not towing and 10mpg when towing, unless dh is driving, then it is more like 8-9, don't ask me why.

The Pontchartrain Center in Kenner has an RV show every spring, but it may have been in March, if not, check it out. There are a couple of RV dealerships in Hammond, but I think the better deals are in Mississippi. Bring your whole krewe with you when you look at them so you can see how it feels with all of you in it. Have them each see where they would sleep, then sit down around the table and sofa and "hang out". Ask the wife to pretend to cook a meal in the kitchen and see how it feels. Help yourself to a "cold one" in the fridge and "grab a bag of chips" from the pantry. Do you like it? You can then develop a checklist of what you like and don't like. For me, we liked the sofa to be across from the dinette and I wanted the kitchen to be straddling the aisle rather than all on one wall. With all girls, it might work w/o bunkbeds, but my kids don't like to share beds. I also wanted something so that I did not have to take down and set up the dinette everyday.

Also, don't let the promise of a free awning and a/c sway you, every rv we have looked at has had that "thrown in", but it somehow always shows up on the invoice. You can also look at used ones, but I would not go more than a year old.

OK, I am done rambling, just MHO, take it or leave it.