What's the advantage of a half-ton for a pop-up?

[JJ1]

I see that many pop-up slide-ins are designed for half-ton trucks...but when I do the math, the wet weight of the camper hovers around the payload capacity of most pickups, and adding gear and passengers puts the payload at or above rated capacity. Suspension mods like airbags, helper springs, or sway bars help, but add to the cost and may void warranties (although I suspect the warranty thing isn't actually an issue very often).

Getting the higher payload ratings in a half-ton usually requires longer wheelbase models, which become similar to the 3/4-ton wheelbases, so it seems that maneuverability is a wash. After adding mods on the half-ton, prices are similar to 3/4 tons. Dealers claim the MPGs are pretty similar as well, although I'm skeptical. Please educate me if I'm wrong on any of this...I don't have much experience here.

And yet, I see lots of folks happily enjoying their campers on half-ton trucks...which tells me I'm missing something. (Or that this just isn't a big deal.) But the ones who have 3/4 ton trucks usually say they wouldn't go lower.

So...if I'm buying a truck soon to use as a daily driver (without the camper) and to haul the camper on trips several times a year, is there any advantage to getting a half-ton rather than a 3/4 ton?

Thanks in advance for your input!

 

[Espresso]

The only advantage I see is not having to drive a 3/4 ton truck when the camper isn't mounted. A 3/4 ton isn't simply a 1/2 ton with an extra leaf spring. If I were buying a truck specifically for a camper, I wouldn't consider a 1/2 ton. But if 95% of the time it is driven without the camper, a 1/2 ton is less expensive, gets better gas mileage, and generally has a more comfortable ride. I realize these are general statements and are open to debate.

I think much of this comes down to how you plan to use the rig. I already had a 1/2 ton SB when I brought the Grandby and buying a new truck for the camper wasn't in the financial plan. However, I have found it doesn't do well off road. I installed airbags to help support the load and the whole setup is okay on paved or smooth dirt roads, but even washboard roads make for a pretty harsh off road experience.

My experience tells me:

• 3/4 ton minimum for a Grandby or Cougar.
• 1/2 ton could be okay for a Hawk or Panther (especially a shell), but you must manage the weight. If you plan to do a lot of dirt, I would opt for a 3/4 ton if I was starting from scratch.
• The truck bed must match the camper, i.e. long bed for the Grandby or Cougar. The center of gravity is way too far back when mounted on a SB. (again, my setup works on the paved road, but I've never had to make an emergency maneuver. I'm not sure how the center of gravity would impact braking and swerving) Also, using a hitch extender significantly reduces what you can tow.

I believe others will have very different opinions because WTW'ers take some pretty cool off-road trips in their 1/2 ton trucks.

 

[jha6av8r]

Your thought process is correct. If you have a 1/2 truck, like it, and are okay adding suspension mods, then I'd say go for it. However, if you're getting a truck, then skip the 1/2 tons and go right to the 3/4 or above. There are 1/2 tons with a payload package available.

I had a Titan crew cab and wanted to use it. But after going through all the calculations and considering a safety factor for my family decided to sell it and b a truck with more payload capacity.

I don't like running something a max capacity as a matter of habit, but that's a personal preference.

 

[billharr]

I am willing to bet most of us with 1/2 tons had the truck before the camper. My Hawk works fine on my Tundra, but had to add air bags and sway bar. If I was buying a truck for the camper it would be a 3/4 ton. Everything Espresso said it true there is a lot of difference than springs between the a 1/2 and and 3/4 ton truck.

 

[huskyrunnr]

I ran a 1/2 ton Ford with a small gutted Alaskan popup, 1200 lbs dry, since 2001. I Added Hellwig helper springs and E rated tires, and it worked OK. Burned out the clutch prematurely. Two weeks ago, after going to two different scales, three times, camper off, camper on, checking GVWR ... my frustration reached the point where I woke up, went out and bought a used F350 V-10. Aside from not really feeling the camper on it, the thing that surprised me most was how much less fatigued I am driving it. I wish I had done this years ago. However, I'll not be using the 350 as a daily driver. If I had to do that, I'd probably stick with the F150. I was looking for a 3/4 ton, but there were no deals even close to the deal I got on the 350.

 

[Cayuse]

I have a Grandby on a Tundra but it is one of those situations where I had the truck first. I have added airbags and when the tires came due I put E rated tires on. I'm happy with the ride and handling and it will serve me well for a few more years.

That being said the next truck will probably be at least a 3/4 ton and ideally will have a service body that the Grandby will fit onto.

 

[Espresso]

I really like the idea of the service bed on the truck. Storage space has been a problem on some of my trips and this would be a nice solution. I like the idea of stowing the folding chairs, leveling blocks, lantern, etc. external to the camper where they are actually used. However, the heavier the total package becomes, the less it becomes "four wheel" capable. And when I start pushing $70k for a popup camper, I start to consider other options.

 

[Ramblinman]

I have a Grandby on a Tundra but it is one of those situations where I had the truck first. I have added airbags and when the tires came due I put E rated tires on. I'm happy with the ride and handling and it will serve me well for a few more years.

That being said the next truck will probably be at least a 3/4 ton and ideally will have a service body that the Grandby will fit onto.

X 2 - 1998 Chev 1/2 Ton - works fine with the E rated tires and Air Bags. I drive slow and take my time so I can stop quickly in Case of emergency - its a great truck. Will consider a F350 when time to replace this truck. I will upgrade to 3/4 ton for sure. I am usually at least 1000 lbs over weight with people,dogs, fresh water and fuel.

 

[ntsqd]

I didn't consider a 1/2t when I was looking for a truck to put a camper in for two reasons, brakes and I wanted a diesel engine. I occasionally drive the rig to work, but it is not a work truck. The camper has been lifted off the bed, but never actually left the bed exactly once since we bought it and that was to install the rubber bed mat (highly encouraged BTW).

Unladen the ride of a 1/2t will be better since they're lighter sprung, but the 3/4t's have the bigger brakes appropriate for their GVWR. If a 1/2t will work for your other needs then I'd suggest looking for the "Heavy 1/2T" that nearly every mfg offers or has offered in the past. My previous boss had one of these in a late model Chevy and didn't even know it. 3/4t running gear (8 lug etc.) on 1/2t springs. I didn't realize it until I spotted the "1500" badges and noticed the 8 lug wheels. Finding one 4wd may or may not be a trick, no idea.

 

[takesiteasy]

We have a Tacoma and a shell camper with the stock suspension and are happy. We live in the city and visit our kids in cities and didn't want to drive (and try to park) a big truck in the city. We manage our gear to stay within (or very close to) the weight limits and have had no issues. I have considered adding new rear springs and might do that in the future but it is not urgent, the truck drives and handles fine.

 

[Mr. Vertical]

Also a 1/2 ton owner, had truck before camper (Grandby) , The GVWR on mine is 7700, truck is about 5400 lbs can carry more then some 3/4 ton, good tire & brakes, have the ride rites, not that they were needed, works great for my needs! If I ever won the powerball or the wife worked full time, I would pass on a 3/4 ton & step up to a F550 with an Earthroamer
http://earthroamer.com/

 

[JJ1]

Thanks everyone for your input...I'm still interested in more!

If I ever win Powerball I'll probably spring for an Earthroamer, too!

 

[iowahiker]

Sorry to be repetitious but we like our rig and so try to "sell" it. If you only need seating for one or two people then the Ford F-150 regular cab long bed with the payload package works great for us. The payload is 2800 pounds with the tailgate off and it handles our Granby easily without sag or modifications. The 3/4 ton Ford F-250 regular cab was the same price as our F-150 with the payload package but we do get better fuel economy, 19-20 mpg empty/15-16 mpg with the camper (5.0 liter V-8 4x4). We expect to save $10,000 in gasoline over the life of the truck compared to the F-250. Also, the F-150 has more cargo space in the regular cab than the F-250 behind the seats. The Ford F-150 has a 36 gallon gas tank which we love, irritated Toyota decided to redesign the Tundra for luxury and not function (26 gallon tank ). The F-250 is a better choice if you pull a trailer and have a camper on the truck. The 5.0 liter F-150 regular cab 4x4 long bed with the payload package has great brakes and plenty of power and the turbo V-6 is an option if you want fewer downshifts (turbo spool up instead). The payload package has E rated LT tires, stronger springs front and back, heavy duty shocks, stiffer frame, and a larger rear axle. The ride when empty is jittery with stiff springs and a light rear but it rides very nice with the camper on. We consider the F-150 extended cab long bed with the payload package too long for the remote trailheads we visit. We enjoy the living space for two people the Granby provides and the Hawk and smaller camper owners who have looked inside have all said "wow" but we gave up the cab space (hitch hikers always give us a frown). I will pass on an Earthroamer, too tall for reaching trailheads and camping in low pine trees (at less than 8 feet tall we slip below a lot of branches).

 

[JJ1]

Thanks for the detailed post, iowahiker. We travel with a small dog and cat so we'll need some kind of space in the cab. 2800 is a lot of payload, though...especially on a "half" ton! Maybe the right heavy half would still be worth considering if it came along.

 

[jha6av8r]

To give you some contrast to iowahiker's F-150, I get the same gas mileage empty and loaded and with the Duramax probably have twice the torque with the engine almost always running in the heart of the torque curve. For space, I have a crew cab and Grandby (8' floor) in a standard bed (6.5') with the tailgate down. Payload is 4,200 lbs and loaded use about 2,000 lbs of it. We travel with 2 adults, 6 year old, and two 20 lb dogs.

 

[JJ1]

And what's the average gas mileage on yours?

I'm kinda waffling on a crew cab or extended cab. I want to minimize the wheelbase for better maneuverability, and on some makes there's a pretty good difference in wheelbase between those two options, even with the standard bed. Not sure it'll make a huge difference, but every little bit helps for offroading and exploring...especially on the east coast.

 

[iowahiker]

jj1, The 2015 Ford F-150 with an aluminum cab is an interesting truck. Internet chatter has the 2015 F-150 frame as the same as the 2014 and so the 300-400 pound lighter cab could increase payload. The most interesting truck would be a 2015 F-150 extended cab/standard box with the payload package and an aluminum cab and a Hawk. A Granby would require a longer truck with a larger cab.

 

[jha6av8r]

And what's the average gas mileage on yours?

I'm kinda waffling on a crew cab or extended cab. I want to minimize the wheelbase for better maneuverability, and on some makes there's a pretty good difference in wheelbase between those two options, even with the standard bed. Not sure it'll make a huge difference, but every little bit helps for offroading and exploring...especially on the east coast.

I chose the standard bed to keep my wheelbase as short as possible. I average right around 15.5 mpg. Measure it every trip with the longest so far being 3,500 miles. If you don't need the back seat the extended cab would probably work, storage and a place for the animals.

 

[slus]

I've spent many years in overloaded V6 Toyotas. They did the job without much complaint, pedal down in the slow lane all up and down the sierras, reliable, and usually got 14 or so MPG or so running through the mountains. I can't say it was awful, but when it came time for a camper, I wanted a "dedicated" camping rig. I searched out a nice older F350 with the 7.3 PSD, a manual transmission, and 4x4, and searched and searched for a used Hawk to go with it. Let me tell you, that big truck has been such a blessing. For probably a quarter of the price of a capable newer half ton pickup that could be used for everything, I have a rig that can go anywhere it fits, has more than enough power and brakes to never break a sweat, and gets a solid 15MPG with the camper on. It sits in the driveway most of the time and will last basically forever at the 4-5k I put on it a year, as I still overload my Tacoma and use it for 90% of my around town stuff. If you can swing it, dedicated 3/4 or 1 ton gets my vote.

 

[Marshfly]

jj1, The 2015 Ford F-150 with an aluminum cab is an interesting truck. Internet chatter has the 2015 F-150 frame as the same as the 2014 and so the 300-400 pound lighter cab could increase payload. The most interesting truck would be a 2015 F-150 extended cab/standard box with the payload package and an aluminum cab and a Hawk. A Granby would require a longer truck with a larger cab.

Why? Hard side camper up to 9' long are rated for short beds. I had an 8' ATC on my 5'8" bed ford Supercrew and now have an 8'11" lance on my 6'4" bed Ram 3500. Both stock height suspensions.

If you're thinking rough roads, the ford with the ATC made it up and over Stoney and Cinnamon Passes in Colorado with my wife and kid loaded down with no problem and I'm positive the ram with the lance would do the same if the overhanging branches on the east side of Stoney weren't an issue.

Btw Stoney is rated 5 (same as Engineer) and Cinnamon is rated 4. These trucks will do a lot more than most people think if you know how to drive. Popup on a half ton crew needs bags and a rear sway bar in my experience. A reg cab may not need anything due to much lower weight.