Hey all I am thinking of trading my Grand Caravan in for a Ram 1500 long box with the crew cab orgo with the 2500 or 3500but would like to know what to go for.

We want something good for camping and want to pick up a camper for the truck we also have a 15.6' fiberglass boat to pull behind it. I waswondering if someone out there has a set up like this and what they have ( gas or diesel ) I don't know if we would get a used one or go with a new truck so eather way used or new idea's would be helpfull.

Corsair

 

I vote for a RAM 3500 turbo diesel crew cab 4x4 long box - new or used does not matter.

A 4x4 will get your boat out of the water when you meet that really messed up boat ramp.

The 3500 willcarry the load of the camper, water, food, gear, people and boat better than a 2500.

Aturbo diesel really hauls a loadplus theprice of fuel has gone down. My brotherruns a F350 6.7L turbo diesel pulling a22' pontoon boatbehind a 5th wheel like it was not even behind the truck. He is a good driver because that kind of a load would freak me out.

I run a 03 RAM 2500 HEMI with a popup camper in Colorado which is fine for me.

 

you need to look at the load you are planning on carrying and get a little more truck than you need.

if you find a truck you like let us know. . .the diesel secion guys can tell you by model year some of the issues that are present.

 

Hey Dave And Drew thank you,

Dave do you notice any big drop in milege with your camper on? We were looking at the pop up campers and also a camper that is about 2200 lb. I forgot to put 4x4 in the first post and am a little leary about buying a used 4x4 for the point of not knowing what the previous ownrer took it in. We would have to get a crew cab for the reson that we have a Great Dane and he would take up the back seatsand we don't go campping without him.

 

2-3 mpg drop with camper on. Btw, it helpstonot look at the overhead mpg display. []Just enjoy the fact your going 75 mph with a camper on your truck.

Really think about gettingthe 1 ton turbo diesel, you'll be happier in the end!!The 3/4 ton diesel truckpayload is reduced by 600 lbs because of the weight of the motor. Plus your looking at a 2200 lb camper. Check out the paper in the glove box about campers.

Yea, my 4x4 is used, the previous guy hit something really hard on the front differential. I got a good deal on the truck so I did not care much about it.

The quad cab backseat folds up so there should be room for the Great Dane.

Anyway, have fun.




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For a 2200lb camper a hemi 1500 will pull it fine. If you are going to pull it often, then get a 2500 diesel 4x4. With the setup you have listed there would be no need for a 3500. The ride will also be better in a 2500. My next truck will be a 3500 singlebecause I am looking into getting a ~12,000lb 5th wheel and that truck is "rated" for that load. The cummins engine will haul it in a 2500, just the overload leaf spring on the 3500 allows for a little more weight.

 

Thanks again guys

My computer is going to be going into the shop soon so I might not reply for a bit

Dave that looks to be a short box camper on your truck, how is it for room inside? It looks to be harder to find a used full size box with the crew cabs then the short box.

 

My short bed camper has a King size bed and is 6'10" tall inside. The cab over bed has a 2' extension that slides out over the fridge for sleeping. The Phoenix guy custom built the camper for me with the Little Cheif layout because I am 6'7" with6'10 and 6'9" brothers.

www.phoenixcampers.com

 

jeez man...hows the weather up there [sm=icon_rofl.gif]

 

lol, have not heard that in a while.