As the truck will rarely have more than us 2 in it, we do not see the rason to make it even longer with the 4 door was our thinking, and again the crewcab lowers the payload it can carry in comparison to the supercab. The differencce is nearly 15 inches longer, I forget the exact number is 14. ??? But still it all adds up. So what is the major benefits to the 4 door? Because if there is one, yes we would buy it. Sounds like the way to go is the 4.30 gearing, as it will be loaded 99% of the time. While the boat itself is insignificant in weight, the camper also pushes a lot of wind, so it acts as a reasonable load at highway speeds to push it through the air I notice.

The towiing hitch itself is well behind the truck, as it has to extend past the rear of the camper, so it acts on the truck like a heavier hitch weight than it really is. The hitch weight is really only about 300 lbs when we measured it, but it am guessing it will squat the truck down a little itself due to the length of the hitch bar. As a funny side note, the more fuel in the boat itself, the less the hitch weighs. Full of gas the hiitch weight is about 270, empty it is just under the 300 mark. Shows how far back the gas tank is in the boat, so it carries most of its fuel behind the trailers axle centerline.

 

resale is a big one, everyone wants the full crewcab option these days..

and once you get used to the size/room you'll wonder how anyone can make due with a supercab.

just cuz your not planning on using the backseat now, doesnt mean that might not change down the road a bit.

i've had all 3 sizes (reg cab/ SC/and now CC) there really is no going back.

 

For hauling a camper, I would recommend getting an F-350. The drivetrain, frame and brakes are the same, but for minimal cost you get quite a bit extra weight carrying capacity.

 

Exactly, thx for backing me up here, F350, CC is the only way to go...........

 

Don't know what is considered a "decent sized" 5th wheel but our close friends and neighbors' 5th wheel weighs in at just under 10,000 lbs. I've pulled it a fair distance with a our own F-250 as well as my buddies F-350 and I experienced virtually no difference in the manner which it handled and stopped that sized load. Now, power was another matter altogether since my buddies F-350 sports a diesel in the engine bay.

I'm sure that there is a weight at which the F-350 will make a noticeable difference in handling and stopping. My buddy drove our F-250 pulling his trailer and said the same thing.

 

True, and I pull the same size fiver with no problem on my F250. But pinweight on a 10k fiver is only 2,000-2,500#. A slide-in camper will weigh considerably more than that, not to mention the boat trailer extended tongue weight, plus the high center of gravity of the camper.

 

A fifth wheel is placed in the box in such a way as to balance a truck well also, a camper has a heavy front weight due to the large part hanging over the cab, but then is also very rear heavy, and we remove the tailgate, leave it in the garage, and the camper hangs off the back. This is a link to our camper, it is the 9'6" model, but ours is somewhat heavier than the base model, as it has every option in it, from A/C & generator, to hot water and large awning. We estimate ready to go with water, propane, dishes food, clothes it is about 3,200 lbs. Just under 300 lbs of hitch weight added, on a longer than standard hitch bar. The actual weight being towed varies somewhat dependant on the gear, fuel and such we have in the booat, but can be from 3,100 empty, to about 3,500 really loaded up, average will be 3,300 lbs is my guess.

 

I forgot the link sorry.

9-6 Q Classic SE Truck Camper

 

I take it you already own the camper. Have you run it across the scale on your existing truck? Then look up the as-built weight on your truck, and you'll know for sure what it weighs. As you know, it will always be much heavier than the brochure weight.

 

Yes we use the camper, purchased it a few months ago. Weighed the truck with us 2 in it, then again with the camper, it was fully loaded with water, propane and such, but only had enough food and clothing for a camping trip, not an extended holiday, which will weigh a bit more. Then it weighed 1,410 Kgs which is just over the 3,100 lbs mark. I figure we might sometimes add another 100 lbs with more clothes, food , and odds & ends.

 

Your right bpounds. We had an older slide in years ago and it's a load on the truck.

The F-350 would be the way to go.

 

Well now that we know the F350 isn't much less poowerful than the 250, it is the likely and logical choice.

 

I have a super cab and it works very well for 2 people and I prefer it over the crew cab. The shorter wheelbase of the super cab comes in handy also. Check out both super cabs and crew cabs at the dealer and see what you like better.

The F-350 comes with taller rear blocks but you can get the higher GVWR package on the F-250 which gives it close to F-350 capacity. If you want a decent jump in GVWR rating a payload capacity you have to go with a 350 dual wheel truck which in all honestly is more ideal for a tall profile slide in camper. The dually would do a better job IMO. May want to consider the camper package also. The 3.73 gears with the 6.2l will do what you want however I would go with with the 4.30s. Pulling at 60mph do not expect any worse mpg than with the 3.73s with the 4.30s. With the gas engine the 4.30s are a better option IMO although dealers will most likely stock 3.73 trucks.

If the truck sags with the camper in it you may want to look at some timbrens, an add-a-leaf or airbags to level it.

 

I am not a fan of a dually tired truck, and really have no desire to have a crewcab either. Our duffle bags and lifejackets will fit fine in the back oof a supercab, and it is shorter, and carries more weight. Likely it will be a F350 with camper package and 4.30 gears. I heard rumors to of an optional larger gas tank and electric rear diff locking, those to me sound like great choices to add on. For the rare time we take along an extra person or 2, they can easily fit in the back seat, I sat in one and had lots of room, and I am a tall man.

 

Sounds like yer mind is made up,

Show us some pics of yer new truck later