19 replies to this topic

[trailrider]

Thanks everyone for the thoughtful comments. My truck will be needing to tow an 18 ft boat from time to time. Possibly with the camper. I think I need a full size. I may get a Silverado extended cab.

 

Marshfly, is your truck stock? Do you have any pictures of your rig?

 

Thanks

 

Mike

[Riverrunner]

Go big or go home! 

 

If your towing full size is the best option.  I'm partial to an 8' bed for the larger fuel tank and the crew cab for interior room.  I've never had an issue taking my truck anywhere even in downtown metros area like Portland, Austin, or San Antonio.  Just have to walk further.  I'm also partial to 250/350 rigs for the running gear but that's just me.  Many of the "half tons" are better rigs than some of those "3/4 tons" of just a few years ago.  Good luck in you search. 

[rotti]

Towing a 18' boat and a loaded slide in camper?

 

My choice would be/was a 3/4 ton truck. It is simple matter of math. Add the trailer tongue weight, weight of passengers, water, propane, food, grill, etc, etc, etc. Compare that total to the payload rating of your chosen truck. Tacoma.....no way and for that matter most full size 1/2 ton trucks will be over loaded. My Hawk was 1,300 dry and I'm somewhere around a ton loaded and no trailer tongue weight.

 

As far as full size.....yeah much more room and I have no problem on trails.

You asked for a picture:

 

Edited by rotti, 11 August 2013 - 04:26 AM.

[trailrider]

Well step 1 is done! I bought a new 2013 Silverado extended 4wd with a 5.3L 3.42 gears. The incentives were too good to pass up. Plus my son works for GM.

 

Ideally we would like to find a 6.5' shell. It is lighter and we can do what we want with it. We are minimalist and don't need all the bells and whistles.

 

Mike

[Argonaut20]

Congratulations! Now to find the camper...

[ski3pin]

Congratulations! Now to find the camper...

 

x2

[billharr]

Congratulations! Now to find the camper...

x3  

 

Not sure of your location. If you can go to the 4WC Rally and check out the campers.  If you get a shell you will eventually do a build out to what you want. Lots of ways to go and you have a truck that can carry the extras. I changed my 2002 Hawk from a bench to a side dinette works great for me and the wife.  I really like the new front dinette for a better use of space.  After looking at the work required to change to a front dinette I might be $$ ahead to sell and buy new.

 

The hard part is finding what will work best for you, but that is 1/2 the fun. 

Edited by billharr, 22 August 2013 - 05:16 PM.

[trailrider]

Thanks for the reply. I am in St. Louis. I don't think I will make the rally. We just ordered our camper yesterday (ATC Ocelot). It will be a shell. We are getting the big passenger window, refrig cabinet (I am buying my own compressor refrig) and reinforcement for a 29" bed extension (I can do it myself). I think I will build a front dinette but we can wait on it. The extension would only be used if we want to sleep more people. If not we leave it at home. I am thinking of using an air mattress for the 29" extension.

 

Mike

[ski3pin]

trailrider, congrats on your new camper!

[flinchlock]

Thanks everyone for the thoughtful comments. My truck will be needing to tow an 18 ft boat from time to time. Possibly with the camper. I think I need a full size. I may get a Silverado extended cab.

 

I have never owned a boat or towed a boat... maybe this might help access to camper when towing your boat... http://www.harborfre...step-97685.html

 

Mike