breeves2245
Advanced Member
Just joined this forum. Retirement is still three years away, but want to get some overall decisions made that will help me plan my needed savings to buy a truck/camper rig.
The camper is the easy part it seems. I'm a single Joe, no wife, no kids. So I'm looking at campers like the Hawk. The truck for me is the harder decision. Plan to buy used and to target cash needed in the future for a truck I need some basic parameters. What is best to decide first gas vs diesel, 2500 vs 3500, payload, etc.?
If payload the right place to start the decision tree and most pop ups I've looked at seem to weigh in the 900-1100 lb range (correct me if I'm wrong) then do I target a payload of 2,000lbs? I read you should double the camper weight for payload, but that may be a rule of thumb for couples and related cargo, not a solo traveler. At some point I may want to tow an aluminum boat for fishing trips and I estimate the tongue weight at 150lbs. I don't want to cut it close and be concerned about safety, but at the same time don't want to spend more on a truck than necessary.
If I have a payload target, then what is the next logical decision. I plan on touring mostly the west and don't think I will be interested in serious off road but certainly would prefer a rig that will go off road to get me away from the crowds. I have a 2002 Silverado with 195k miles with a GVWR of 6200. I'm guessing it weighs around 4,700 giving a payload of 1500. I was going to a CAT scale this week but after more research, I realized this truck is not worth considering. Currently have a commuter car for work, so it's my second vehicle for getting mulch, etc.
Any advice to get me started in the right direction on truck needs would be greatly appreciated.
The camper is the easy part it seems. I'm a single Joe, no wife, no kids. So I'm looking at campers like the Hawk. The truck for me is the harder decision. Plan to buy used and to target cash needed in the future for a truck I need some basic parameters. What is best to decide first gas vs diesel, 2500 vs 3500, payload, etc.?
If payload the right place to start the decision tree and most pop ups I've looked at seem to weigh in the 900-1100 lb range (correct me if I'm wrong) then do I target a payload of 2,000lbs? I read you should double the camper weight for payload, but that may be a rule of thumb for couples and related cargo, not a solo traveler. At some point I may want to tow an aluminum boat for fishing trips and I estimate the tongue weight at 150lbs. I don't want to cut it close and be concerned about safety, but at the same time don't want to spend more on a truck than necessary.
If I have a payload target, then what is the next logical decision. I plan on touring mostly the west and don't think I will be interested in serious off road but certainly would prefer a rig that will go off road to get me away from the crowds. I have a 2002 Silverado with 195k miles with a GVWR of 6200. I'm guessing it weighs around 4,700 giving a payload of 1500. I was going to a CAT scale this week but after more research, I realized this truck is not worth considering. Currently have a commuter car for work, so it's my second vehicle for getting mulch, etc.
Any advice to get me started in the right direction on truck needs would be greatly appreciated.