truck/truck camper

[lmcasa44]

Signed up today for this site! VW will have to buy back my diesel Jetta sometime (I hope) by the end of this year. also, my lease is up on my apartment the end of December 2016....I work seasonally and have winters off to roam. Which is the biggest reason I purchased the diesel Jetta :life goes on) and there's a reason for everything. I have soloed traveled for a few years. I am possibly interested in buying a friends' 2011 North star freedom which she will sell at end of season. She is undecided if she wants to sell her 1/2 ton pickup with it as a combo deal. She says a 3/4 ton might be better. Here's my question then- is a Chevy better than a Ford better than a Toyota..etc? I will purchase a truck, it will have to be a short bed because of this camper
any and all suggestions will be appreciated. And,,, Thank You! 
p.s. her son in law is a mechanic and set up air/heat and put the airbags on her truck, sounds like her truck might? work if she does package deal
Excited for my next life adventure!
 Linda :heart:

 

[highdesertranger]

oh boy here we go Chevy vs Ford. just kidding. if it was me I would want at least a 3/4 ton and 4x4. oh yeah welcome. highdesertranger

 

[cyndi]

Welcome to the CRVL forums, Imacasa44! Everybody has a favorite make of vehicle. More important is the weight of the camper and what the truck is capable of. In most cases you want to get the biggest engine you can afford. But you certainly want to make sure whatever you decide it will be big enough to haul that camper around. Don't listen to what any salesman tells you. Look in the manuals.

To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips & Tricks" post lists some helpful information to get you started. We look forward to hearing more from you.

 

[Every Road Leads Home]

I like Northstar campers, they seem like they are a good quality unit. However, if you're planning on doing any sort of driving with it, i'd def get a 3/4 Ton. You'll be over your max allowed weight on a 1/2 ton as soon as you load the camper, then add in gas, clothes, food, water, yourself and it's way over. Airbags help the ride, but they don't legally change the weight you are allowed to carry, actually technically, it lowers it whatever the airbags weigh.

Chevy Vs Ford is a no win question, you'll get an equal amount of answers for both. Get the right truck for you.....meaning fits the camper, your budget, you're comfortable driving and comfortable in, etc.

 

[poncho62]

Dry weight on them is 1770 lbs......definitely needs a 3/4 ton

 

[rvpopeye]

Welcome aboard the CRVL forums Imacasa !
Forget the question "will this truck haul it ?" and use the question "will this truck stop it ?" Think braking not going.
Picture in your mind a long steep downhill piece of road with a T at the bottom. You need to stop and go right or left. If you can't stop you go over a 1000' cliff.
Now , how big a truck do you want ???

 

[highdesertranger]

popeye that is so true. IT IS MORE IMPORTANT TO STOP THEN IT IS TO GO. any thing can go even without an engine, just get it to the top of a pass and coast. but if you can't stop safely you are in deep doo doo. highdesertranger

 

[Gary68]

yep,popeye is spot on,when towing brakes first then balance,a 3/4 ton not only has bigger axles and springs then a 1/2 but bigger brakes also

 

[DannyB1954]

A half ton would be good for a camper shell. Anything more and you would be getting pretty close to overloading it with camper and gear.

 

[wagoneer]

Yah if you can get at least a 3/4 ton 8 ft. bed you have a running chance of getting a slide-in that would be comfy