Tell me about tow behind campers

[thefirstndsecond]

Currently have f150 6.5 bed super crew, v6 eco boot 3.7

Looking to get a truck next year might go with f250 etc

What campers are good for the f150? I had heard for NJ the f150 is ok but as soon as you hit mountains, it kills the trans and the engine struggles. Hence might go with f250 etc

What are something to look for when searching?

Looking to sleep 4 to 6 and needs to have shower.

[Greg]

Its all about how the truck is spec'd out, you have to look at the sticker in the door jamb and go from there. The more luxury you have the less towing you can do.

[Haskell_Hunter]

Way too much to take into consideration.

Consider getting a fifth-wheel hitch.  You will have better options for larger trailers.

If you are going to tow this camper all the time, get a diesel instead of gas.  You will burn through more gas than diesel when you are hauling. It might save you money in the future.

How much do you want to spend on the camper?  $40K?  $20K?  This will really drive your decision-making.  More space and amenities with more money.

 

[electricstart]

All depends on the GVW of truck and The weight of trailer . I would stay under . If your going big go for a diesel truck . No comparison with gas truck . V6 will struggle and burn gas. Again depends on weight your pulling. 

[Nomad]

With the truck you have now get a small travel trailer that sleeps 6. Most of them will have  couches that pull out and tables that convert to beds.  It will have a shower. I had a travel trailer for many years then went to a 5th wheel.  If I had to get another  would be a travel trailer.  Nice having the bed clear for stuff. If you are pulling constantly then a 5th wheel might be worth it.  All depends on your tastes. I would go small and light. Good luck and have fun.

Edited May 16, 2022 by Nomad

[Bucndoe]

I have a 30 foot Jayco and pull it with an F150 with the 5.0 Coyote 8 cylinder motor. Not a problem. V6’s ain’t built for towing no matter what anyone tells you and neither are Toyota trucks. This is our fourth trailer

[gypsy]

rear gear ratio of 3:73 or 4:10 good for towing, 3:23 too much strain on engine/trans

[thefirstndsecond]

thanks for a good starting point. 

 

5th wheel is out of the question but it did point me to what i thought. 

F250 etc or dodge 2500 diesel

This is not something i am doing right away just dipping the toe to check and see ideas

 

From the looks of what I have seen:

 

F250 diesel

tow behind - about 40,000 to 50,000

Now to discuss with the fam, the ultimate goal - which if I am right will bring things back down to - f250 and 25000 lol

 

[electric10162]

I do a fair amount of towing. My last three trucks have been F350 diesels. If you are towing any long distance or heavier weights, a full size diesel is a great choice. Not only can you pull more, it's safer, more comfortable, and less wear than a lesser vehicle. No matter what you tow with, invest in weight distributing hitches for all of your trailers.

[Farmshine]

You can tow a 25-30' foot camper with a f150/tundra with proper set up.  Your mpg will be terrible and it will tax your engine/trans.  Its indisputable that diesel trucks are better for towing than gas.  A 3/4 or 1 ton diesel pickup will tow anything you could ever throw at it.  The torque on new electric trucks is intriguing but I suspect your range will be quite limited. 

[mattg1500]

I had a 2014 F150 crew cab 6.5' bed 5.0 w/ leveling kit and 35s. We bought a 2016 Salem 26tbud and power wise it was fine. The issue was payload. With the hitchweight of the trailer, weight of the distribution hitch, family of 5 and 2 dogs we were over payload. Anytime I went over 60 it would start to walk the truck especially on rt80 through the poconos. Upgraded to a gasser 250 and have no regrets. We even upgraded trailers since then to a 38' and no problems at all and well within all my numbers. This is a touchy subject because people get very butt hurt when you question their trucks ability, but the guys in the 1/2 ton trucks pulling 35' TTs with their ass 3" from the road I avoid on the highway. If you plan to buy a HD truck then do that first. It will open up so many more options. If your sticking with 1/2 ton then dont listen to salesman and do your homework. Hit the CAT scales and know what your true numbers are. Your family's safety isnt worth it keep your ego in check. I didnt and it forced me into a new truck right away

[NorthJerseyMike]

I spent a lot of time figuring out which camper I wanted.  I have a Dodge Ram 1500 hemi.

It's just my wife and I, two teens, and two dogs.  We did 42 nights last year in our Rockport Geo Pro 20BHS.  I wanted a light weight camper (3500 lbs), spacious, ability to go off grid for extended periods of time, (camper has solar, inverter, large water storage tank, and I modified my with litheum batteries), all terrain tires, and build with azdel composite walls.  Stay away from cheap plywood campers! 

https://forestriverinc.com/rvs/travel-trailers/rockwood-geo-pro/G20BHS/5139

 

Edited May 17, 2022 by NorthJerseyMike

[BCsaw]

Way too much to take into consideration.
Consider getting a fifth-wheel hitch.  You will have better options for larger trailers.
If you are going to tow this camper all the time, get a diesel instead of gas.  You will burn through more gas than diesel when you are hauling. It might save you money in the future.
How much do you want to spend on the camper?  $40K?  $20K?  This will really drive your decision-making.  More space and amenities with more money.
 

Just borrow Haskells truck!
That thing is nice!

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

[Bucndoe]

On 5/16/2022 at 1:38 PM, Haskell_Hunter said:

Way too much to take into consideration.

Consider getting a fifth-wheel hitch.  You will have better options for larger trailers.

If you are going to tow this camper all the time, get a diesel instead of gas.  You will burn through more gas than diesel when you are hauling. It might save you money in the future.

How much do you want to spend on the camper?  $40K?  $20K?  This will really drive your decision-making.  More space and amenities with more money.

 

Two things to consider with gas vs diesel. First the higher cost of the diesel engine, second the higher price of diesel fuel. It would take a long time to make up the added cost of a diesel engine over time. It's a lot of math for a dope like me but it definitely will take a long time to recoup if ever

[Haskell_Hunter]

8 minutes ago, Bucndoe said:

Two things to consider with gas vs diesel. First the higher cost of the diesel engine, second the higher price of diesel fuel. It would take a long time to make up the added cost of a diesel engine over time. It's a lot of math for a dope like me but it definitely will take a long time to recoup if ever

I don't haul enough to justify the $9K for the motor and the extras.  Plus the higher maintenance and fuel cost.  But if I were hauling a lot more, I would have gotten the diesel.