rystjohn
Advanced Member
So I've been asking for help on Expedition Portal regarding my truck's GVWR and the weight of my (potential) camper and would like to hear some opinions from a different crew.
Here's the skinny:
I own a 2000 F150 Lariat 4x4 w/95k, towing pkg, etc & 6.5' bed. The GVWR is 6500lbs. The truck weighed in at a CAT scale at a hefty 5700lbs with full tank, myself, lady & dog. We have ~800lbs to load.
I'm looking to buy a FWC Hawk, which with everything on it looks as though it's between 800-1000 pounds. Obviously as soon as I fill the water tank and put any gear in the camper, I'm overloaded. But this is also the lightest camper that I can find.
I wouldn't be so terribly concerned if this was a weekend thing, but if we buy this camper we will be full-timing out of it for a year at least. That's the plan. So the weight will always be on there and we're going to be doing a lot of traveling.
I've heard lots of support to keep my truck, but the FWC, and just put beefier leaf springs on there, and a few recommend air bags.
However when I research, most people say a F250 (or similar ¾ ton truck) would be better.
I'm on an extremely right budget (basically can only afford the camper right now) and I'm also on somewhat of a timeframe (the FWC I hope to buy is only available to me until the end of that month. Afterwards the price goes up and it's on the open market.)
So what do you recommend. Use all my money, buy the FWC and put springs on the truck I have?
Or do I let the offer on this FWC pass and sell my f150, hopefully use the money to buy a larger truck and therefore have my options expand on what camper I can buy....but also obviously risk my truck not selling or not getting enough, etc.
Help?!
Here's the skinny:
I own a 2000 F150 Lariat 4x4 w/95k, towing pkg, etc & 6.5' bed. The GVWR is 6500lbs. The truck weighed in at a CAT scale at a hefty 5700lbs with full tank, myself, lady & dog. We have ~800lbs to load.
I'm looking to buy a FWC Hawk, which with everything on it looks as though it's between 800-1000 pounds. Obviously as soon as I fill the water tank and put any gear in the camper, I'm overloaded. But this is also the lightest camper that I can find.
I wouldn't be so terribly concerned if this was a weekend thing, but if we buy this camper we will be full-timing out of it for a year at least. That's the plan. So the weight will always be on there and we're going to be doing a lot of traveling.
I've heard lots of support to keep my truck, but the FWC, and just put beefier leaf springs on there, and a few recommend air bags.
However when I research, most people say a F250 (or similar ¾ ton truck) would be better.
I'm on an extremely right budget (basically can only afford the camper right now) and I'm also on somewhat of a timeframe (the FWC I hope to buy is only available to me until the end of that month. Afterwards the price goes up and it's on the open market.)
So what do you recommend. Use all my money, buy the FWC and put springs on the truck I have?
Or do I let the offer on this FWC pass and sell my f150, hopefully use the money to buy a larger truck and therefore have my options expand on what camper I can buy....but also obviously risk my truck not selling or not getting enough, etc.
Help?!