BigRanchInSky
Advanced Member
Hello, I'm new and excited to join discussions. This site is gold, pure gold, especially for newbies like me, and I'm learning so much so quick, Thank you for all your input!
My story: After years of envy, my wife and I finally ordered a Hawk from Denny S/RM FWC and will pick it up near the end of March '19.
I have no truck and no truck experience. But I have to start somewhere.
Sorry to beat a dead horse, but which truck are you running and how do you feel about it's capabilities? What do experienced owners recommend?
We plan to go offload with this rig, so I want a 4x4 truck that can handle most light duty offroad use and occasionally be asked to some medium-level terrain navigation—but I'm not planning on any super serious maneuvering.
Here is what Denny @ FWC is telling me about weight, payload and truck choice:
This camper would be around 1300lbs dry, so you will be adding 26 gallons of water, 5 gallons of propane, 2 people, dogs, food, gear, beer, etc.. So yes, when all said and done, you will be about 2000lbs. I would look at any 3/4 ton pickup so RAM 2500, Ford F-250 or Chevy 2500. If your going to do a half ton truck, I would go with F-150 and order it with a heavy payload package.
Easy enough, but like most city slickers I really love the dependability of Totyotas, So I'm seriously considering a Toyota Tundra, but I I looked at the max payload and it's 1,600#. A couple of people here seem to be very happy with a Tundra, but they've all done modifications to the back suspension to make the rear stronger. Is loading an additional ~500# going to be a little risky? or lot risky? And will it wear out a ton quicker being overloaded? Am I taking a risk when it comes to insurance bc I'm re-tooling out of the stock rated payload?
I'm don't mind taking average, small risks, but is getting a Tundra and beefing it up with 2 additional springs per side going to be good for the long haul?
This truck will only be used with the camper, stored during the cold season.
Vehicle dependability over the long term is important to me.
A quiet ride on the long freeway stretches in the intermountain west is also important.
Let me say I'm very impressed with the Ford F250, a bit less with the Chevy 2500 and Ram 2500, but I've only driven them around the block at local dealers. I have only consumer reports as an objective measurement on dependability on the different brands, but for sedans Toyotas seem to always beat US carmakers. CR rates all the trucks pretty evenly.
I've searched for all the threads that have some key terms for weight, payload, etc. and they are pretty buried within the 167 posts herein, so I was hoping to get an updated set of answers is why I'm asking, yet again.
Thanks in advance for your patience and help!
My story: After years of envy, my wife and I finally ordered a Hawk from Denny S/RM FWC and will pick it up near the end of March '19.
I have no truck and no truck experience. But I have to start somewhere.
Sorry to beat a dead horse, but which truck are you running and how do you feel about it's capabilities? What do experienced owners recommend?
We plan to go offload with this rig, so I want a 4x4 truck that can handle most light duty offroad use and occasionally be asked to some medium-level terrain navigation—but I'm not planning on any super serious maneuvering.
Here is what Denny @ FWC is telling me about weight, payload and truck choice:
This camper would be around 1300lbs dry, so you will be adding 26 gallons of water, 5 gallons of propane, 2 people, dogs, food, gear, beer, etc.. So yes, when all said and done, you will be about 2000lbs. I would look at any 3/4 ton pickup so RAM 2500, Ford F-250 or Chevy 2500. If your going to do a half ton truck, I would go with F-150 and order it with a heavy payload package.
Easy enough, but like most city slickers I really love the dependability of Totyotas, So I'm seriously considering a Toyota Tundra, but I I looked at the max payload and it's 1,600#. A couple of people here seem to be very happy with a Tundra, but they've all done modifications to the back suspension to make the rear stronger. Is loading an additional ~500# going to be a little risky? or lot risky? And will it wear out a ton quicker being overloaded? Am I taking a risk when it comes to insurance bc I'm re-tooling out of the stock rated payload?
I'm don't mind taking average, small risks, but is getting a Tundra and beefing it up with 2 additional springs per side going to be good for the long haul?
This truck will only be used with the camper, stored during the cold season.
Vehicle dependability over the long term is important to me.
A quiet ride on the long freeway stretches in the intermountain west is also important.
Let me say I'm very impressed with the Ford F250, a bit less with the Chevy 2500 and Ram 2500, but I've only driven them around the block at local dealers. I have only consumer reports as an objective measurement on dependability on the different brands, but for sedans Toyotas seem to always beat US carmakers. CR rates all the trucks pretty evenly.
I've searched for all the threads that have some key terms for weight, payload, etc. and they are pretty buried within the 167 posts herein, so I was hoping to get an updated set of answers is why I'm asking, yet again.
Thanks in advance for your patience and help!