Please help! I'm a long time reader, but infrequent poster. I just like to come here and absorb helpful information as I have little to share at this point. We need a new truck soon and I'm in a decision pickle.
Our needs: probably won't be toting a camper, but will very likely have a basic topper (shell) for secure storage of gear. We will be pulling a 17' Casita that will be our home, roughly 3k with a tongue of 250-300 lbs. Stuff that will go in the bed: camping gear, out-of-season clothes, some basic tools, occasionally 25 gallons of fresh, canoe up top (on shell), a few odds and ends. When I calculate a rough number, I come to around 1500 lbs of payload including all the gear, tongue weight, and weight of passengers in truck.
So, the number we have come to is right at Power Wagon payload (or within spitting distance). Don't really know if we have a pop-up camper in the long-term future, but it's not in the plan for now. I really want to get a Power Wagon, but I am the smallest bit anxious about being so close to payload on that truck. I'm the kind of guy that does 68 in a 70, for reference I like keeping things within spec, but my heart lusts for the PW like no other truck. I sure would love to hear some other perspectives on this dilemma.
Right now, we live in a Class A and pull a Subaru, but have been itching to downsize to get more off the beaten path. The Casita will do nicely with a few modifications. Also, I'm leaning toward the 6.4 Hemi over the 6.7 CTD because we would like the freedom to travel south of the border, where ULSD availability can be scarce. I've had the 6.7 before and it was a very nice powertrain, but I think I would be plenty happy with the 6.4 Hemi given how little we will be taxing the motor and chassis, and though the MPGs will be less favorable, I won't have that uncomfortable feeling of wondering of the complex emission equipment will throw a CEL for some reason or another. Oh, and I understand the PW is only available with the 6.4, I am just including the above in case others suggest I go looking at the non-PW 2500 with one of those drivetrains.
Thank you fellow campers!
Adam
Our needs: probably won't be toting a camper, but will very likely have a basic topper (shell) for secure storage of gear. We will be pulling a 17' Casita that will be our home, roughly 3k with a tongue of 250-300 lbs. Stuff that will go in the bed: camping gear, out-of-season clothes, some basic tools, occasionally 25 gallons of fresh, canoe up top (on shell), a few odds and ends. When I calculate a rough number, I come to around 1500 lbs of payload including all the gear, tongue weight, and weight of passengers in truck.
So, the number we have come to is right at Power Wagon payload (or within spitting distance). Don't really know if we have a pop-up camper in the long-term future, but it's not in the plan for now. I really want to get a Power Wagon, but I am the smallest bit anxious about being so close to payload on that truck. I'm the kind of guy that does 68 in a 70, for reference I like keeping things within spec, but my heart lusts for the PW like no other truck. I sure would love to hear some other perspectives on this dilemma.
Right now, we live in a Class A and pull a Subaru, but have been itching to downsize to get more off the beaten path. The Casita will do nicely with a few modifications. Also, I'm leaning toward the 6.4 Hemi over the 6.7 CTD because we would like the freedom to travel south of the border, where ULSD availability can be scarce. I've had the 6.7 before and it was a very nice powertrain, but I think I would be plenty happy with the 6.4 Hemi given how little we will be taxing the motor and chassis, and though the MPGs will be less favorable, I won't have that uncomfortable feeling of wondering of the complex emission equipment will throw a CEL for some reason or another. Oh, and I understand the PW is only available with the 6.4, I am just including the above in case others suggest I go looking at the non-PW 2500 with one of those drivetrains.
Thank you fellow campers!
Adam