24 replies to this topic

[HIKEMT]

It may be a broad sweep to say "general consensus" but definitely discussion.
https://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/index.php?/topic/3320/

It's a good discussion at that, and kind of confirms what I'd thought; ideally I'd try out a shell on my f-150 (step-side) before moving on to the next truck. But...if I skip the shell and buy a "regular" truck now I'm leaning toward the F250.

[HIKEMT]

A Wave 3 catalytic could do the heating, very small and efficient.

Barko1 - it sounds like you run a Wave 3 in your camper. If so, do you have it hooked up to "regular" propane or do you use small bottles, and are you able to compare your propane usage with the standard furnaces? Do you miss the thermostat?

[Barko1]

I hooked it to a flexible line and park it right where the other furnace was. I actually pull it out a bit to run it then stick in back in its recess when traveling. I have only used it a few times, down to freezing but next week I'm heading out for a month and it should get a lot more use. I think a bottle would be a pain. I do miss the thermostat a bit, if it is warm at bedtime I don't turn it on but then at 3 am I do light it so in that sense it is not as convenient. I probably, in the few nights I have used it, kept it warmer in the camper because I can't just push the thermostat. As for efficiency it is only a guess. The Wave runs all the time but is much more efficient when running. The standard furnace sends tons of heat/btu's out the exhaust port and the Wave doesn't waste anything. Of course it weights next to nothing, very simple, and no noise at all. I imagine that the regular furnace has more capacity when the temps get really low but I don't think it'll be an issue. I've done some insulating and don't want it 70 degrees anyway. If you planned winter camping in environments that stay cold all day the Wave 6 might be better. I'll know more in a month.

[pods8]

Is there a general consensus with WTW members on 1/2 ton vs 3/4 or is that a new thread of its own?

If you find the right 3/4T with the options you want at the price you want I'd grab it. I roll a 1/2T and with the airbags I think it performs just fine in all regards except I'd like a bit more braking power but even that isn't horrible. However I wouldn't shun a 3/4T, the cost differential & inventory wasn't justifiable to me at the time I was looking.

[John D]

I like the looks of the little red F-150 step side (pictured above). The step side box precludes FWCs or ATCs because these campers are designed to fit fleet side beds and extend into the wider fleet side interior. Plenty of campers, other than FWC and ATC are made without this and will fit a step side. Shop around. (FWC and ATCs are specialized campers.)

I don't know what it with you guys wanting 3/4 ton trucks. I guess you like buying gas. A guy I know bought a used 3/4 ton at the same time I bought my used 1/2 ton. He complains about 12 miles per gallon. Well Duuuh? I can justify a 3/4 ton if I'm not planning to actually drive the truck. They all get perfect gas mileage sitting in the drive way.

In conclusion, I like the little step side half ton. I bet it gets pretty good gas mileage. I would put a custom shell on it and add a nice soft bed liner. Soft bed liners make sleeping in the truck a lot nicer. You might find the shell and soft bed liner used for next to nothing. Once, I did. I painted the used shell to match my truck and it looked custom. _John D

[Barko1]

I don't know what it with you guys wanting 3/4 ton trucks. I guess you like buying gas.

Can you say Diesel? I though you could

F150 max payload? Maybe 1800 if lucky (my 97 F150 is 1600+, weight of fuel, people, gear, camper, water, propane, etc = ?? easy to overload and frankly I don't want to regularly use a vehicle at or near its' max

[HIKEMT]

If you find the right 3/4T with the options you want at the price you want I'd grab it.

pods8 I found the truck I wanted about 3 hrs away but while I was convincing myself it sold. Used trucks might be a dime a dozen as some have said but finding the right combination isn't so simple, I've looked for hours in every direction. Going through the process helped solidify it for me though; buying the right used truck and used camper is clearly better economically. There's just a lot of uncertainty trying to locate everything used - and don't even get me started on the time-suck factor. There's a lot to be said for just placing the order and being done with it despite the cost differential.

[HIKEMT]

I like the looks of the little red F-150 step side (pictured above). The step side box precludes FWCs or ATCs because these campers are designed to fit fleet side beds and extend into the wider fleet side interior.

In conclusion, I like the little step side half ton. I bet it gets pretty good gas mileage. I would put a custom shell on it and add a nice soft bed liner. Soft bed liners make sleeping in the truck a lot nicer. You might find the shell and soft bed liner used for next to nothing. Once, I did. I painted the used shell to match my truck and it looked custom. _John D

That red F-150 pictured above is from FWC's website. According to Stan they make 'em for stepsides, but not many. That truck's similarity to ours was a factor in the interest in a stepside shell camper. We've been camping in a truck topper/shell (no custom paint job on ours) which is why we're ready for a little more elbow room.

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[HIKEMT]

Can you say Diesel? I though you could

F150 max payload? Maybe 1800 if lucky (my 97 F150 is 1600+, weight of fuel, people, gear, camper, water, propane, etc = ?? easy to overload and frankly I don't want to regularly use a vehicle at or near its' max

I've just never been a fan of the smell and noise of the diesel. I know they have gobs of torque but I don't haul a heavy trailer. I don't like the idea of operating near max capacity either so, despite the reduction in gas mileage, I've been looking at the V10 F-250 to replace my F-150 stepside.

By the way, from what I can tell, my 2000 1/2 ton truck's payload is rated 1,610 lbs standard to about 1,710 max. For what it's worth, according to Ford's RV and camper guide, a 2002 F-250 supercab short bed diesel is only rated at 1,699 lbs. If you like that, the supercab long bed is rated at 1,032 lbs; the diesel supercrew short bed is rated at 962 lbs max and the diesel supercrew long bed at 816 lbs max. The V-10 versions of the F-250 all rate about 700lbs more than the diesels.

Maybe us 1/2 ton guys don't have it so bad.

[Barko1]

I've just never been a fan of the smell and noise of the diesel. I know they have gobs of torque but I don't haul a heavy trailer. I don't like the idea of operating near max capacity either so, despite the reduction in gas mileage, I've been looking at the V10 F-250 to replace my F-150 stepside.

By the way, from what I can tell, my 2000 1/2 ton truck's payload is rated 1,610 lbs standard to about 1,710 max. For what it's worth, according to Ford's RV and camper guide, a 2002 F-250 supercab short bed diesel is only rated at 1,699 lbs. If you like that, the supercab long bed is rated at 1,032 lbs; the diesel supercrew short bed is rated at 962 lbs max and the diesel supercrew long bed at 816 lbs max. The V-10 versions of the F-250 all rate about 700lbs more than the diesels.

Maybe us 1/2 ton guys don't have it so bad.

Here are the GVWR and payload figures, at around 3000# that is twice the F150
The diesel short bed is 3000#, I don't know where your numbers come from but they are off base.
F-250 SRW (17" Tire & Wheel)
4x2
5.4LGas 8,800 3,000 9,000 3,100 9,200 3,100 9,200 3,000 9,400 3,100
6.8LGas 9,000 3,100 9,200 3,100 9,400 3,200 9,400 3,100 9,600 3,200
6.0LDsl 9,400 3,000 9,600 3,000 9,800 3,100 9,800 3,000 10,000 3,000
4x4
5.4LGas 9,000 2,800 9,200 2,800 9,400 2,800 9,400 2,700 9,600 2,800
6.8LGas 9,200 2,800 9,400 2,900 9,600 2,900 9,600 2,800 9,800 2,900
6.0LDsl 9,600 2,700 9,800 2,800 10,000 2,800 10,000 2,700 10,000 2,600