We were on a trip once pulling a horse trailer. The tranny blew on the Ford Ranch Wagon. The only used wagon dad could afford at the local Ford Dealer was a Mercury Marquis Station Wagon. Talk about a 'gun boat'. I think that thing would have qualified as a Cruise Liner.

They need to bring back...………

 

We sold our 2006 BMW 530xi wagon (an “E61” with a six-speed manual!) and our 2000 F250 when we decided to buy our 2017 F350. My avatar is a picture of the 530’s gearshift and is intended to be a link to our truck’s six-speed automatic transmission.

Ours was silver-gray, but this red one looks rather nice





We rented an Peugeot 508 wagon in Europe a few years ago:




Mercedes Benz still imports a lovely wagon into the US:

https://www.mbusa.com/en/vehicles/class/e-class/wagon

Enjoy!
Jim / crewzer

 

I'm starting to feel a little peaked. I don't think it's Coronavirus or cabin fever. I think it's sticker shock from checking out prices on new campers.....
It wouldn't be too difficult to spend more on the camper than on a new truck would it? Shifting gears to the used market.
Hang in there, fellas.
Ken

 

I'm fan of used, however, it can be a bear finding what you want in good condition. Good ones go fast, so be ready to buy if you find what you want. When we sold our Hallmark, there was a line waiting to buy. It was on the market in less than 24 hours. Give RV Trader a look see to get an idea. Also remember that MSRP is not what you pay, especially in these stressful times.

Steve

 

Thanks, Steve. I have looked, briefly, on RV Trader a while back. It seems the pickings are pretty slim here in the Midwest compared with any of the mountain states. I don't have any deadline. I do need 3 beds though. Two doubles and a single. They are fairly common. It'll happen, later or sooner.....
Ken

 

Certainly more plentiful in the Western states. If you have to travel just to see though, it can be a handicap. A couple of times when we were on the way to see something it went down the driveway before we got there. How something is maintained is so important, as you know. Truck campers can lead a very hard life. We also found even when buying new some dealerships were not professional. Several failed to return emails and some simply use stock pictures rather than pics of their actual stock so along with several thousand dollars difference in price for the same model between dealerships, it takes some shopping. It is good you have time.

 

Agreed! I told my wife, "On the steering wheel would have been a nice idea!" Thumb control? One left, one right? Nah, that would be too logical!!!

 

Another option is to look for a used Camp Lite camper. They seem like a pretty well made camper and my Ford version has extruded alluminum floors etc so no issues with rot. There are options such as this one that have a slide for some additional interior space.

https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/201....4S-5011649377

 

Thanks for the input,Tony. Pretty decent looking camper. I have been looking online a little lately. Kids have to start E-learning tomorrow. I am not the most computer savvy guy. Kids are not happy, I'm not happy. It will be an interesting month. Governor will let us know later about rest of school year. ( I hope they can go back).
Sorry about the whining.....
Ken

 

Looking back over this discussion, let me suggest you consider a 2020 F350 CCLB 4x4 7.3 4.30 with LT275/70R18E AT tires. Ford upped the GVWR and payload specs for certain MY2020 longbed configurations, and this one will provide an 11,900 lbs. GVWR and, in base trim, a total payload spec of 4730 lbs.

Assuming typical factory options including the camper package, the as-built payload spec should come in at ~4450 lbs. Payload includes wet camper, stuff, people, after-market accessories, trailer tongue weight, sandwiches, everything.

These improved specs may give you a bit of breathing room on camper selection and weight.

HTH,
Jim / crewzer

 

Jim is onto something there - my 2015 F-350 had a GVWR of 11,100 and it carried my 3900lb Eagle Cap short bed with a front basket loaded with firewood and a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee in tow, many times, comfortably. What Jim is suggesting is a lot more truck, I only had a 6.2l and the 7.3 is going to be a beast... should be a great package!!!

 

I'm glad I found this website. It's good to have experienced "graybeards" giving advice. You guys have already made most of the mistakes possible and are decent enough to try to prevent me from making too many more. I do appreciate your efforts, fellas. Thanks.....
Ken

 

I would concur with you guys. You can see my setup in my signature and I specifically went for the highest payload I could get in the truck configuration I wanted since my truck is also my daily driver. Ending up with 4226 lbs of payload, I was very happy with that and it matches my camper perfectly.

 

My wife and I weren’t sure about a truck camper or a trailer, but were leaning toward the TC so we could tow a boat. Started looking used, to try something out without spending much. Ended up finding a nice used Lance TC close by. We’ve been very happy with it. When it’s time to upgrade, we’ll probably keep it and buy a trailer. It’s nice to have options. The TC is great for day trips to local parks and such, but it would be nice to have more storage on longer trips.

 

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sdBpLTlSqe1WqOEZFzonhKyjbIMiCRrVG6SibTlZ03yutJqukK h1nlh5Ks9xO1WWWdWKdlVZZYbuXS6AoXGknNx7gMlFQssZBX6V M7Fm1qRfY5StVakrFMo0mbxRyoWuwUhciJC5KUF7enaqJL2/wAEkwA2JkApBIFIBAiUgU4GpK6gaErmSdCCckCuoSUY3ppQRkp iFKUJagiLEN1TZpigrupqF9FW011BlVqT2OD2GHNMgjaPWS09G dIqbAMTTiSGFhe1hOfVOD2uYD8OWqYT3VVtWj2PzbjtGB8FvHO 4s3HbM6RaZNd96TDQQJzJdmY1ZDCTEaySTgZro6ugWz7zucJM0 QG5KXLdSYsFlnKmbZit0WLcibZNyy1piNsetWWWRarLKpm2dF0 zGWXcrVKyq82ipG01FVWUFOKSlaxSQghDUQCMnckqhru5Onjz9 YJw2dnqECuokyUY/wDiAXMPxJIp4JIDDUi1JpRhERgpxxSScEU6adyIBCIQKExCIpi 0oGnUhKe6nhAEJQiKaEDEJi1GEkEZCGFOQmDUEIalcUpanA+SC EU04p7lN69BM0ygj6tINUoanHrJBDdThqkAxToATOCOPX9kEes EDAhKE4anLUDD1xRTrSjd9UOKqCaUTkBd6PrFFJ2evNAYG7zSQ g+pSQLl64J0IUgaoBhOCkU5CKGJhOQiLdyYlAoTuTAopQIhMGo oTEIGLEJCkJ5JoQAWoS1SlmCAtQD4pijARRs1oIj3pwfmiLU11 AJ9fRO0/wBkixMQgc4+vXoJAesUIzQtcgM4J4ICT9XdrQ60COxLEFPPnzQ ga1QZKZo9ctW9ID0PqlGxEK7Kc8ExYY3FPrnj/wCIEB6zhNCTu8TCU+skCkbElKH8fBJUM3JEzIpJLIZL+ySSKYn FFCSSB3ZIKeXekkoo9vNAw4BMkqRIk3UnSQIITkeHzSSUDN1pD XwKSSoNww5HzQHVy+aZJAqmGSZ2Z4JJIBCF2pJJALj2jxQk4jk mSRB1P6fmpNSSSoQzPrZ9U1PNJJEFUz5nzRHNvBJJCmb9VGfkk kgcJ0klof/Z[/img] I'm not sure what the GVWR is on a front wheel drive 1975 Ford Courier, but I'm pretty sure you'd be o/w on the rear axle unless you just threw pup tent in the back.