What we dislike about our 2024 Ram 3500

With six months of everyday life under our belts with our 2024 Ram 3500, we figured we had enough experience to give y’all the inside scoop on what we love about the truck and what we think could be better. Since we already covered the good stuff, it’s time to dive into the negative side of things.

Thankfully, most of our complaints are minor annoyances. In fact, we feel compelled to tell you that this is our favorite vehicle to date, and we’ve had a lot. So, keep that in mind as you read through the list of things we wish were different about our 2024 Ram 3500.

Things to know:

After six months of ownership, we have a pretty good picture of the pros and cons of our 2024 Ram 3500. Here, we’ll cover what we think could be better–from minor annoyances to complete head-scratchers.

Get it together, Ram!

While we’re mostly joking, there are a few things about our Ram 3500 Big Horn with the high-output Cummins and long bed that could be better. We tend to be pretty positive people, so consider this an educational exercise more than us moaning the blues.

The long bed is long (who knew?)

We think of the 8’ bed on our Ram as a double-edged sword. We love the look and functionality of the long bed, but it sure is a pain in the rear to park.

She may be long, but she sure is pretty.

Of course, we knew that the turning radius and sheer size of the truck would be frustrating at times, so this didn’t catch us off guard. Still, it’s worth mentioning because Rams have notoriously poor turning, and we’re now experiencing it first-hand.

The bigger the screen, the harder they fall

If we had a biscuit for every time someone mentioned the “Tesla screen” in our truck, we could open a diner. Seriously, it’s always one of the first things people notice when they see the truck.

Why did Ram choose a vertical orientation where half of the screen is sometimes useless? We may never know.

While the large screen looks nice and gives the big old Ram a more modern appearance, we would prefer a smaller, more traditional screen for a number of reasons.

• We prefer buttons and knobs (Ram did a good job of giving essentials like climate control buttons, but still).

• It is a touch laggy at times.

• The vertical orientation is silly when most vehicle screens are horizontal.

• Vital things like Android Auto and vehicle cameras are only available on half the screen. Talk about a wasted opportunity.

Halogen headlights

Call us crazy, but halogen headlights on a truck that cost this much is pretty unacceptable in 2024. It’s not that the headlights on the Ram are atrocious, they’re simply not as bright or as clean as modern LED headlights.

Past a certain price point–say, $27–LED headlights should be standard on a new vehicle. Our Ram is no exception, and it’s simply absurd that a manufacturer would upcharge several thousand dollars for such a staple.

Modern diesel problems

As our first diesel vehicle, the Ram 3500 is an absolute beast and a joy to drive. Despite loving nearly everything about the truck–especially the powertrain–we were hesitant to take the leap into the world of diesels.

Why? Because of all the regulations and complex emission systems that come with it.

The dreaded DEF fill.

You’ll find horror stories galore about emission systems killing trucks, shortening their lifespans, choking their efficiency, and otherwise ruining what could be a great vehicle. Honestly, we were (and remain) a bit shaken by these anecdotes.

We’re hoping to avoid any modern diesel problems, and in the long term, we hope to see some change in how regulations are created and enforced. Fingers crossed.

Interior annoyances

The rest of our list features some truly minor annoyances and one that is not-so-minor. Given that the interior is where we spend most of our time on the road (you know, when driving), even little things can be frustrating.

Let’s start with the relatively small complaint we have about the interior of our Ram.

• The back floor has a massive hump in the middle. This prevents you from fully utilizing it, and other manufacturers (like Ford) have much better solutions.

• The subwoofer steals a lot of valuable storage space. We didn’t want the premium audio package, but here we are–wishing we could reclaim that valuable underseat storage!

• The steering wheel only adjusts up and down–no telescoping. This makes it difficult to get into a comfortable driving position.

The interior of the Ram Big Horn is nicely appointed, but it does have some serious downfalls.

Like we said–not too bad, just slightly annoying. There is one interior feature that deserves more attention, however–the center console.

We loved the center console in the Ford Super Duty. It had ample storage, a simple design, and a clever feature that allowed you to expand the cup holder capacity from two to four. We had only praise for it.

The Ram console, on the other hand, tries to be too clever. Rather than your traditional box with a lid and separate exterior storage and cup holder area, Ram thought it was a good idea to implement a sliding tray that covers a cavernous void.

Does this give you loads of storage space? Yes, it does. Is it unintuitive, overly complex, and squeaky as all get out? You bet!

Give us a traditional center console design or a bench seat, and our biggest gripe about the Ram 3500 interior disappears. It’s really that bad.

We hope we didn’t come across as negative Nellies in this blog because we really, truly love our Ram. If you would like to see a more in-depth look at what we like and dislike about the truck, we encourage you to check out the video below and subscribe to our YouTube channel. It would be much appreciated!

In the meantime, you can follow our impending adventures by following us on Instagram and checking in on this blog every Wednesday. We would love to connect with and learn from you as we embrace life as full-time RVers.

Until next time,
- Riley + Hanna

What we love about our Ram 3500

We’ve had our truck for over six months now, and while we thought it would be paired with our dreamer camper at this point, we’re grateful to have had a nice, long time to grow accustomed to driving without it.

Like any new vehicle, it took some time to adjust to the driving experience, quirks, and joys of our 2024 Ram 3500. After half a year, however, we feel like we have a pretty strong grasp of its strengths and weaknesses, as well as the things we like and dislike about it.

There’s no doubt that some of these pros and cons come down to personal preference, so don’t take our word as gold. With that in mind, let’s dive into what we love about our Ram 3500 Big Horn.

Things to know:

We’ve had our 2024 Ram 3500 Big Horn for over six months, and there are a handful of things that we absolutely love about it. Here, we’ll share our opinion on the best features of Ram trucks.

The best features of our Ram 3500

Is Cummins the best diesel engine?

We can’t say for sure, but we know we absolutely love it. Our Ram came equipped with the high-output 6.7L Cummins diesel engine, which is good for 420 horsepower and 1,075 pound-feet of torque. Yeah, that’s a lot!

Our truck has no shortage of power, that’s for sure.

The power is noticeable, especially on grades and when passing at highway speeds. The turbo spools, you hear that trademark diesel whistle, and next thing you know, you’re off like a rocket ship. It is addictive, and we love how it gives us a little extra boost on the highway to drive defensively and get out of questionable situations before they devolve.

While we don’t have the camper yet, we know that’s when we’ll truly appreciate the power of the Cummins. We can’t wait to experience it under load!

What gas mileage does a Ram 3500 get?

When people see our big ol’ truck and hear about our plans to travel full-time, one of the first questions is, “What kind of gas mileage do you get?”

This is a loaded question because it is affected by a variety of factors ranging from elevation and load to tire type and pressure. So, we can only give you our findings so far with the caveat that they are likely to change once we have the camper.

As is, we average between 18.5 and 20 miles per gallon on the highway. With mixed driving, we are around 15 to 16 mpg.

You don’t buy a big truck for the gas mileage, but we’re happy with our Ram’s efficiency so far.

What factors should you be aware of when interpreting those numbers? Our truck is factory height, but is equipped with aggressive all-terrain tires that are slightly larger than 35”. Most of our driving has been mostly unloaded, and we are on the East Coast where highway speeds are around 70 miles per hour.

While we did decrease our gas mileage by around 10% when we opted for much more aggressive tires, we are very happy with our Ram 3500 fuel economy so far, especially after driving Jeeps for so long!

Vehicle storage galore

Forget, for a moment, the 8’ bed this behemoth of a truck is equipped with. The interior alone has enough storage to transport a one-bedroom apartment, and we’re hardly exaggerating.

The cabin of our Ram 3500 has a generous center console, upper and lower glove boxes, in-floor storage boxes, underseat storage, and even a fold-flat floor (which we bought used). While we do have some complaints (looking at you, center console), the sheer volume of storage available in the cab is shocking.

Not only does this give us ample opportunity to transport all of Chowder’s very necessary and not at all excessive belongings, but it also gives Riley the opportunity to do what he loves–organize our lives. When we’re fully nomadic, all of this organized storage will be truly invaluable.

Interior comfort and styling

While we’re on the topic of the interior, we love both the design and functionality the cabin of the Ram 3500 offers. From silly things like loving the column shifter to more practical features like the adjustable headrests, there is a lot to like inside the Ram.

A few of the highlights are:

• The seats are phenomenal. They’re exceptionally comfortable, and make long drives more than bearable.

• The adjustable headrests contribute to the overall comfort of the seats.

• The interior is spacious and doesn’t feel claustrophobic, even after hours on the road.

• The dash is nicely appointed, and we appreciate the analog dials.

• The auxiliary switches allow for easy wiring and control of accessories.

How does the Ram 3500 drive?

Looking at the Ram from the exterior, you would assume it is cumbersome and difficult to drive thanks to its size and long wheelbase. In some ways, you would be correct.

Smooth enough to enjoy a Baconator on the go.

In many respects, however, the 3500 is a joy to drive. On the highway, it simply glides, making the miles fly by without beating you up over the course of hours. The visibility from the driver’s seat is also superb thanks to the redesigned mirrors, large windows, and suite of cameras.

Contributing to our positive driving impressions–particularly on the highway–is the exhaust brake. This feature provides additional braking power, helps hold your speed on steep descents, and should be a game-changer once the truck is equipped with a camper. It’s one of the top highlights of the truck overall.

The best-looking HD truck

Here’s where things get really subjective. We strongly feel that Ram makes the best-looking trucks in the HD segment. There, we said it–let the debate commence.

The exterior design of the Ram 3500 is aggressive and bold, with tall, strong shoulders, a looming grille, and a stance that appears ready to pounce. Factor in the new mirrors, and we think the styling is nearly perfect.

The Ram stylish is top-notch, if you ask us.

Shockingly, we even prefer the long bed. In the past, we thought they looked a little silly, but after experiencing the functionality of an 8’ bed and seeing the side profile of the 3500 every day, we’ve grown to adore it. Now, standard beds just don’t look quite right!

If it isn’t apparent by now, allow us to say it plainly–we LOVE our new Ram. While we do have a list of things we wish were different (tune in next week for that one), we are ecstatic about our choice and have no regrets so far. You can also check out the video below for a more in-depth look at everything we like (and dislike) about the truck.

With our camper nearing completion, the Ram will soon fulfill its purpose of being the foundation for our home on wheels. We can’t wait to see the finished product and share the results with you. It’s going to be epic!

Until then, feel free to drop your thoughts below, check out our adventures on Instagram and YouTube, and otherwise join us on this exciting journey of full-time travel we are about to embark on.

All our best,
- Riley + Hanna

Wheels and tires we trust on our full-time camper

We spent months finding the right truck to host our camper and act as our home. Ultimately, we think we found a great truck at a reasonable price (by 2020+ standards). Now, it’s time to equip it for the full-time adventure travel ahead.

When it comes to vehicle builds, we have quite a bit of experience. We’ve been outfitting overland-style vehicles for nearly a decade now, and we have developed a bit of a philosophy during that time.

Rule number one when building a vehicle for adventure travel is to start with the foundation–wheels and tires. So, that’s exactly what we did with our Ram 3500. Read on to see exactly what wheels and tires we opted for and our reasoning behind those decisions!

Things to know:

Wheels and tires are among the most important aspects of a vehicle build. They are your point of contact with the earth, making them integral to both performance and safety. That’s why we chose these wheels and tires for our full-time camper.

The best wheels and tires for an overland camper

Choosing wheels and tires for a camper

Before we reveal which wheels and tires we chose and why, we want to take a moment to dive into some of the important considerations when making this critical decision for your truck, camper, or overland rig.

Weight ratings

Wheels and tires can transform your truck’s appearance and performance.

Safety is paramount when selecting wheels and tires, and one of the key things to note when it comes to safety is the weight of your vehicle and the ratings assigned to your wheels and tires. Simply put, the weight rating of the wheels and tires should exceed the maximum weight of your vehicle.

If you are pushing the limits of your vehicle, you will want to do some research and calculations to determine how much weight you can safely carry and just how heavy your rig will be when fully loaded. This includes passengers, gear, water tanks, fuel, and so on.

With these numbers in mind, make sure that the wheel weight rating exceeds the poundage that will be placed on it at any given time. For example, if you plan to off-road your vehicle in situations where you might lift a tire, the other three wheels should have a combined weight rating that exceeds the weight of your rig!

The same principle applies to tires. When purchasing tires, you should be able to find information regarding the maximum load a tire can handle at maximum air pressure. Using the same logic as your wheel weight ratings, that maximum load should exceed the highest amount of weight that may be placed on that tire at any given time.

Tread type and your intended use

Being realistic about how you intend to use your vehicle should inform the type of wheels and tires you purchase. While there is something to be said for aesthetics, function should always trump looks in this decision-making process.

For those who plan to stick to highways and campgrounds, opting for a high-mileage tire that emphasizes longevity, fuel economy, quietness, and responsive steering is probably your best bet.

If you foresee yourself getting off-road, conquering rougher terrain, and encountering a variety of challenges, selecting tires with more aggressive tread and robust sidewalls is probably in your best interest. You may also benefit from larger tires on smaller wheels, as this increases traction, improves off-road comfort, and contributes to your ability to roll over mild obstacles with ease.

We love the aggressive tread design and sidewall of these Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T tires.

Nowadays, there are so many tire options that it can be overwhelming to sort through them all and find the right one for you. From street tires designed for hauling to hybrid tires that straddle the gap between mud-terrain and all-terrain, we’re truly spoiled for choice. So, do your research and select the tire that will serve you and your intended use best.

Wheels and tire sizing

In a world where bigger is almost always viewed as better, it can be tempting to opt for the biggest wheels and tires possible. After all, those campers on Instagram are rolling around on 42” military tires that look like they could conquer just about anything.

Unfortunately, there’s more to choosing a tire size than slapping the biggest and baddest option onto your rig. There are factors that limit the sizes you can realistically fit on your vehicle, as well as legitimate downsides to going too big.

Some factors to consider when tempted to buy bigger tires include:

• Clearance of suspension components. Larger tires almost always require a larger offset that pushes the tire out from the vehicle to avoid rubbing on suspension components, especially when turning.

• Suspension travel. If your tires are too big, you will undoubtedly experience rubbing (or worse) when making turns, absorbing bumps, or otherwise cycling your suspension.

• Additional wear and tear on your vehicle, including steering, suspension, and driveline components.

• Reduced fuel economy. Larger, more aggressive tires can cause your fuel economy to dip dramatically.

• Incorrect reading for your speedometer and odometer. Larger tires will require changes to your vehicle’s computer in order to accurately discern your speed and your distance covered.

• More rolling mass means worse acceleration, braking, and handling. In other words, it can be a safety hazard if you don’t compensate for these changes.

While there are other downsides of larger tires, the considerations above should be enough to give you pause and think seriously about the pros and cons of bigger sizes. Like most projects, changing one thing about your vehicle can cause a snowball effect, leading to a myriad of other things that need to be changed.

Our wheels and tires of choice for our HD truck and camper

The guide above is not comprehensive, nor was it intended to be. We just wanted to give you a little insight into our thought processes as we selected wheels and tires for our Ram 3500 and future camper.

That being said, let’s dive into the combo we chose, and what pushed us toward these particular wheels and tires.

If you ask us, these wheels and tires complement the Ram’s aggressive design perfectly.

Method Race Wheels 701-HD - Classic styling with great performance

The wheels we chose for this build are the Method Race Wheels 701-HD. Sized at 18x9 with an 18mm offset, these wheels are a gorgeous matte black color and what we think is a timeless design.

While the appearance of these wheels is top-notch (we’ve always loved the look of Method Wheels), it is the specifications that compelled us to purchase this particular model.

First, they are the HD model, meaning that they are designed specifically for heavy-duty applications. Numerically, this means that they have a weight rating of 4500 lbs per wheel while checking in at only 37.59 lbs a piece. That’s pretty darn impressive.

Secondly, they feature Method’s patented Bead Grip technology, which uses machined grooves and a large internal ridge to help secure the bead of the tire. In practice, this allows you to air down your tires with confidence, knowing that you aren’t going to blow your bead and lose all of the pressure from your tire.

While we may not push the limits of this truck like we did with our past Jeeps, we will be taking it off-road with a heavy camper on the back. The incredibly high weight rating and useful Bead Grip feature should allow us to conquer challenging conditions safely.

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. This is our third set of Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T tires for a reason!

Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T - Third time's the charm

For tires, we opted for the Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T in LT305/70R18 (just over 35” tall). This is our third set of Baja Boss A/T tires, and they have proven to be reliable, relatively quiet, durable, and high-performing regardless of climate or terrain.

In addition to the performance of these tires, we love the aggressive sidewall and the fact that they are made in the USA. With a load range of E and a maximum weight rating of 3,750 lbs at 65 psi, they will be plenty strong enough for our truck and camper.

While not light, the tires check in at a reasonable weight of 75 lbs, so we didn’t add much more rolling mass to the corners of the truck. The combined weight of the tires and wheels is around 113 lbs, making them quite manageable and easy to change in a pinch.

With a 50,000-mile treadwear warranty, the Baja Boss A/T have a long life for such an aggressive tire. They are also Severe Snow Service Rated, so we feel confident that we can handle any weather the winter throws at us.

For a more detailed look at our new wheels and tires, be sure to watch our YouTube video!

We have had our new wheels and tires on the truck for nearly three months now, and we are incredibly happy with them so far. While the camper is still in production, we have had opportunities to test the tires in multiple conditions, including slick Tennessee mud, light snow, highways, and so on.

As we put more miles on the combo–especially once the camper is completed–we will be sure to provide you with updates. In the meantime, be sure to check out our YouTube and Instagram, as well as our other blog posts. We would love to have you as a member of our little adventure community!

Feel free to drop a comment below sharing insight into your favorite wheels and tires, advice for full-time RVers, or just a friendly hello. We’d love to hear from you and get to know you!

- Riley + Hanna

PS. We’d like to shout out TrailBuilt Off-Road. While we don’t benefit from you shopping with them, we have a handful of friends who work there, and they have always treated us very well!

Our camper of choice for full-time travel

If you’ve been reading our blog, you know that we’ve put a ton of time, effort, and thought into selecting a truck and a camper to act as our nomadic home in 2025. With full-time travel approaching quickly, we’ve finally landed on the type of camper that we’ll call home in the coming year(s).

While we can’t give you a grand reveal quite yet–the camper isn’t actually in our possession–we do want to give you a preview of the style of camper we chose and some of the key features it will have. We hope you’re as excited as we are because we are HYPED.

Things to know:

We’re traveling full-time in 2025, and we finally picked a camper to facilitate our new nomadic lifestyle. Read on for a preview—we think you’ll love it as much as we do!

The camper we chose for full-time travel

Our list of blogs we wrote to follow our decision-making process includes a lot of “Why we didn’t buy X.” While this process of elimination worked well for us, it did leave some of our friends and readers wondering what type of camper could possibly be left.

The answer? A flatbed camper.

What is a flatbed camper?

The bed on our Ram 3500 will soon go missing.

The concept of a flatbed camper echoes that of a slide-in truck camper. Both are intended to be mounted to the rear of the truck on a temporary or semi-permanent basis, allowing you to tote your home around with you wherever you go.

The primary difference is (you guessed it) that a flatbed camper requires a flatbed truck rather than your standard pickup bed. Flatbed campers are designed with a flat footprint that encompasses the entire surface area of the flatbed rather than being built to accommodate wheel wells and bedsides.

The benefits of flatbed campers

Flatbed campers are not as plentiful as slide-in campers, and there’s an obvious reason for that–consumer trucks come from the factory with boxed beds, making them by far the most common type of truck bed on the road. The demand for slide-in campers is simply much higher.

So, why go through the hassle of swapping to a flatbed and seeking out a flatbed camper manufacturer? The answer is simple–flatbed campers provide some notable advantages over their slide-in brethren, and those benefits appeal to us.

• More floor space. Because a flatbed camper uses the entirety of the flatbed footprint (rather than the space between the wheel wells), you have far more floor space to work with. This means a roomier interior that better facilitates moving around and navigating around your camping partners–a must for full-time living out of a truck camper.

• A more permanent solution than slide-in campers. While flatbed campers can technically be removed (just like slide-in options), they are typically designed to be semi-permanent. This makes them more of a cross between a removable camper and a true RV, and there are advantages to that, including plumbing into your vehicle’s electrical/fuel systems, using more secure mounting systems, and so on.

Why not buy a chassis-mounted camper?

If you choose to go the flatbed truck camper route, there is one primary alternative–a chassis-mounted camper that permanently mates to the frame of your truck. There are advantages of this style of camper, including one that is particularly compelling to us–a pass-through to the cab.

The option to use our truck for truck things is important to us.

In an ideal world, this is the route we would have gone. In many ways, it is preferable to us, but there were two key considerations that held us back from fully committing to a chassis-mounted camper–permanence and versatility.

• Permanence. We have plenty of experience with long-term travel, but we are still viewing this shift to full-time RVing as an experiment. It will last a minimum of a year, with the opportunity to stretch without limits. Because we aren’t committing to a longer period (3+ years), we wanted something semi-permanent that could be removed and sold separately from the truck, if necessary. This also gives us the option to change our camping setup should we desire.

• Versatility. A chassis-mounted camper is a camper through and through. By opting for a flatbed camper that can be removed, we can use the truck as a truck when needed. This grants us flexibility if we purchase a home or want to set up our camper as a home base for a prolonged period of time.

Our flatbed truck camper

Because flatbed campers are relatively rare, most options that are currently on the market fall into the custom or semi-custom categories. As a result, our search ended in choosing a pretty custom camper, and we’ve been working with the builder to achieve our end goal since making our decision.

We want to save the big reveal for when we actually pick up our camper (the excitement is building), but we’re happy to share a few of the main features with you here. Consider it a little preview of what’s to come!

• Open floor plan. We are prioritizing floor space and freedom of movement.

• Off-grid sustainability. We opted for plenty of power, water, and so on to stay off-grid for extended periods.

• Quality. We were willing to spend more for quality rather than opt for quantity and/or a lower price.

With our camper under construction and our 2025 travel itinerary in development, it’s safe to say that the coming months hold some significant changes and excitement for us. We can’t wait to share our adventure with you–from picking up our camper to visiting The Last Frontier. We hope you’ll follow along by reading our blog, checking us out on social media, and watching our YouTube videos!

Please feel free to drop a comment below. We love engaging with and learning from you!

- Riley + Hanna

Truck camper? Truck no!

The sun crests over the mountains to the east, illuminating a winding trail that leads down into this pristine valley. Four sides of craggy peaks surround a verdant meadow cut by a serene stream, and there we are, right in the middle of it.

We’re in our F-250 with a Scout Campers Kenai truck-bed camper. We absolutely love this setup. It’s rugged, nimble, and quite comfortable. It has taken us to some incredible locations, like the one I’ve described here.

So, the conclusion of this camper selection process seems pretty obvious–we’re getting another slide-in camper before we hit the road full-time, right?

Not so fast…

Things to know:

Buying a camper for full-time travel is a big decision. While we had a truck camper in the past (and LOVED it), we’re going a slightly different route this year.

We’re not buying a truck camper (well, kind of)

Our travel history points a strong finger toward a truck camper being the ideal camper for us. We’ve spent well over a year (I did the math) sleeping in rooftop tents and our minimalist Scout Camper. We have the experience, and we clearly have a preference.

Our Scout Camper took us on many adventures, including to the stunningly unique landscape of Craters of the Moon National Monument.

It may come as a surprise, then, that we are not getting another slide-in camper. Despite their many advantages, which I will happily dive into in a moment, there are a few deal-breaking compromises that deterred us from jumping head-first into a larger slide-in truck camper.

The benefits of slide-in truck campers

Let’s get one thing straight–we love truck campers. Sure, they have their shortcomings, but golly–there’s just something special about them. So, when we get to the reasons we’re not buying a slide-in camper, keep that in mind. We genuinely adore these mobile habitats.

What exactly do we love about them? I’m glad you asked. It’s a long and compelling list, and dadgum if it didn’t almost push us in that direction again.

• Mobility. Other than certain Class B RVs and vans, truck campers are likely the most mobile camper option out there. They don’t require that you tow anything, they can be quite compact. Throw in the wheelbase of a truck, and you have a pretty mobile package that allows you to navigate city streets and parking lots with relative ease.

• Capability. A slide-in camper is just about as capable as the truck it is on. If you have an extremely capable truck with a high degree of off-road ability, you’ll be able to take your camper practically anywhere. Just watch out for low branches!

• Removable. Setting up base camp or pausing travel for a while? Simply remove the camper, and you have a truck to use for all your daily driving needs. This is a tremendous benefit for those of us with only one vehicle, and while you may not remove it often when traveling, the option is worth noting.

• Upgrade the camper, the truck, or both. Unlike RVs, which are all-in-one units, truck campers allow you to separate the camper from the truck at any time, sell one or both, and upgrade as you see fit. So, if you outgrow your current camper or your truck has engine problems, you can easily change it up without selling the entire setup.

The argument against truck campers

If you’ve read the other blogs in this series, you can probably sense that we are most enthusiastic about truck campers. It’s fair, then, to question why we’re deciding against a slide-in truck camper.

The truth is, we came dadgum close to replicating our former truck camper build, just with something a bit bigger. When we got close to making that choice, there were a few key considerations that deterred us, ultimately steering us in a different direction.

As much as we loved our Scout Kenai, it did have some shortcomings.

Cramped interiors and minimal floor space

The greatest weakness of truck campers (in our humble opinion) is the fact that they sit between the wheel wells of a truck bed. This, along with the sides of the bed, severely limit floor space and interior room. While these compromises are fine for shorter trips (and the benefits arguably offset them entirely), they were a deal-breaker for us when considering full-time living.

The narrow walkway within the camper is reason enough to reconsider, especially if you have a rather sturdy pup that likes to stretch out as long as possible. So, blame this one on Chowder if you have to.

Difficult to use as a base camp

While you can technically remove most truck campers and use them as a base camp, the process is tedious and dangerous. Unless you are in a single location for quite some time, it’s unlikely that you will go through the hassle of removing and reloading the camper. This is not a huge concern of ours, but it is worth mentioning.

No pass-through to the cab

Because truck campers are not a single unit, there is no way to move from the camper to the truck without exiting. Again, this is not a tremendous negative to us, but it is a downside, especially if the weather is temperamental or, God forbid, you find yourself in a sketchy situation where safety is a concern.

There are better options (we think so, at least)

If you’re looking at our list of truck camper cons and thinking it looks awfully short and unconvincing, we agree with you. That’s why the camper we ended up buying is in the same family as a slide-in truck camper–call it a distant cousin.

Stay tuned for the final piece of this countdown to our new camper. We’re excited to share our new home with you and hope that you’ll follow along as we embrace the adventure of full-time travel in 2025.

In the meantime, please connect with us. We want nothing more than to grow our community, learn from those who have more experiences than us, and make some genuine connections along the way! Drop a comment below or follow us on your favorite social media platform. We’d love to have you join our little family.

Why we didn’t buy a travel trailer

Making the decision to become full-time nomads in 2025 was something Hanna and I took very seriously. While we have plenty of travel experience together, there’s a big difference between a few weeks or a couple of months and 365 days of life on the road. So, we wanted to make sure we chose the perfect (okay, there’s no such thing) camper for us.

We weighed a lot of factors during the decision-making process, and while travel trailers definitely have some compelling advantages over other RVs, we ultimately determined that it wasn’t the right route for us. If you find yourself in a similar situation, maybe our thoughts on travel trailers and why we ultimately didn’t buy one will be helpful to you!

Things to know:

Travel trailers offer a lot of advantages for full-time travels. From a built-in base camp to loads of living and storage space, the benefits are undeniable. So, why didn’t we choose to buy one?

Note: By the time you read this, we might already have a camper. Our intent is not to mislead you, we simply wrote these blogs well in advance!

A travel trailer wasn’t right for us - here’s why

For those of you who love travel trailers or don’t have the same priorities as us, keep in mind that this is our story. We actually love the idea of travel trailers and came awfully close to buying a few different models. At the end of the day, our opinions are heavily influenced by our lifestyle and preferences, so filter everything we say through your own experience!

Our history of go-anywhere travel has heavily influenced our camper search.

What we like about travel trailers

This blog may be about why we aren’t buying a travel trailer, but I think it’s important to acknowledge their strengths and admit that we were almost convinced to buy one. They have some real benefits, and they are a great choice for a lot of people. In fact, I’m sure that we would have been perfectly happy if we had decided to get one!

• Loads of living space, making it phenomenal for full-timers, remote workers, and those seeking a homey environment.

• Practically endless brands, models, sizes, floorplans, and features to choose from, allowing you to find a unit that is perfect for you and your family.

• Endless potential for customization, both internally and externally. You can add solar panels, renovate the interior, and otherwise outfit your travel trailer to suit your needs.

• Plenty of support for DIY projects, problem solving, and warranty work thanks to their popularity and widely-accepted use.

• Easy to use as a base camp because you can set up your “home” and have your tow vehicle free to go exploring.

I’m sure there are many other reasons to consider a travel trailer, making them even more compelling for a large portion of the population that is interested in part-time or full-time travel. That said, we determined that it wasn’t the right route for us, and this is why.

We don’t want to tow a trailer (I know, I know…)

We know that many fellow travelers have no issue towing their campers. From tiny teardrop campers to massive fifth-wheels, many adventurers tow their homes behind them with no issue. We deeply admire those people (hats off to you if you’re one of them), but while we have a bit of experience towing trailers, it’s not something that either of us enjoys.

This didn’t immediately rule out travel trailers for us because there are legitimate advantages to them that almost convinced us that it would be worth the sacrifice (more on that later). At the end of the day, though, we didn’t want to be tethered to a trailer and deal with the stress that often accompanies it. Not wanting to tow something around the country was factor number one in deterring us from purchasing a travel trailer.

We like to get off the beaten path

Our travel history consists largely of venturing farther into the backcountry than most RVs and campers can go. We’ve used Jeeps, rooftop tents, and overland-style truck campers to push ourselves into off-grid situations and try to escape the crowds. We love a good campground now and then, but we definitely prefer the boondocking in nature style of travel.

One of our favorite off-grid campsites that we frequently return to.

There are a handful of travel trailers designed to facilitate backcountry camping. Some are built with off-road suspension, feature high-quality fit and finish, and use durable build materials. Unfortunately, those campers tend to be very expensive. At the end of the day, you’re still pulling a trailer down a potentially dangerous road with limited pull-offs and turnarounds. That sounds like a recipe for disaster to us, and it wasn’t a risk we wanted to take.

The price (and quality) vary wildly

One of the most compelling aspects of travel trailers is that you can find something in your budget. Whether you have $10k or $150k, there is a camper out there for you. This is a huge advantage over RVs and other campers. It’s also something that made us hesitant.

Price and quality do not always go hand-in-hand. Sometimes, you can score an amazing product at a budget-friendly price, but those instances are few and far between. When it comes to travel trailers, it was extremely tempting for us to opt for a more budget-friendly camper, then allocate the savings toward other things.

The more campers we toured and the more research we did, however, the more we were unsure. Very few (if any) of the travel trailers on dealer lots inspired confidence. Most felt like they would suffer from quality issues if we dragged them down a rocky road. The higher quality options put some of those concerns to rest, but at much higher prices. All of this left a feeling of uncertainty in our guts that we just couldn’t shake.

Something stinks (it’s the black tank)

There are some advantages to traditional camper bathrooms that utilize a black tank. The residential feel of the bathroom is nice, the need to empty it only on occasion is arguably an advantage, and it’s the most common approach to when ya gotta go on the road. That said, we’ve never been interested in a black tank.

As people who like to go camping in the great outdoors, we don’t love the idea of being beckoned back to civilization by the need to dump our black tank. Sure, we’ll have freshwater and greywater tanks, but those aren’t quite as dire as a black tank. You can limit greywater use and refill your fresh water just about anywhere.

If you look closely, you can probably spot our bathroom tent. No shame!

The added maintenance is also not glamorous or appealing. We realize it’s not a big deal, but we would much rather use an alternative method–such as a dry-flush toilet–than mess with a black tank. Personal preference? Yep! A factor in our camper purchase? You betcha!

Home sweet home

While the plan is to travel full-time, we don’t know what the future holds. If we settle down and buy a house, it might be difficult to store a travel trailer on the property. These campers can be long, and without a suitable place to store them, you’re left paying for a spot in a storage yard. It may not be terribly expensive, but it is still an additional line on the balance sheet that we would rather avoid if the situation arises.

When we are traveling, we are confident that we will want to venture to more remote locations. If we want to go to some of our favorite spots located off of trails, what are we supposed to do with the camper–pay for a spot at a campground while we go sleep in a tent for a night or two? It creates logistical problems for us when we want to embrace the more exploratory side of adventure.

Don’t buy a travel trailer (if you’re us)

There are so many reasons to opt for a travel trailer as a full-time traveler or part-time camper. Many of the benefits of travel trailers really spoke to us. Because it will be our home for at least a year, a camper with adequate space to live, work, and relax is extremely important. The ability to leave the camper behind and take the truck into town or on a day trip is also really appealing. Even the financial side of the equation makes a compelling argument.

At the end of the day, though, we determined that a travel trailer just wasn’t right for us. It’s not because they aren’t great–they truly are, and many people are more than happy using them–but our lifestyle and priorities steered us in a different direction. We can’t wait to share with you exactly what camper we bought.

We’re hitting the road full-time in 2025, and we’d love for you to come along for the ride. Whether you follow our antics on social media, catch up with us on YouTube, or connect with us in the comments, we’re so glad you’re here. We can’t wait to share our journey with you and to continue growing and learning from this amazing community of fellow travelers!

- Riley + Hanna

Class C RVs - A passing grade, but not for us

In our hunt for the ideal full-time travel camper, we have considered darn near every possibility shy of a covered wagon. Along the way, Class C RVs crossed our minds, and I have to say, we were quite tempted by a handful of them.

At the end of the day (spoiler alert), we decided against the Class C route, but that doesn’t mean they’re without merit. In fact, we could very much see ourselves in a Class C at some point in our lives–especially a 4x4 converted option from U-Joint Offroad!

Things to know:

Class C RVs are a fantastic option for couples in our position, but we ultimately decided against purchasing one for our full-time travels.

Note: By the time you read this, we might already have a camper. Our intent is not to mislead you, we simply wrote these blogs well in advance!

Why we didn’t buy a Class C RV

We know several people, including some full-time travelers, who love their Class C RVs. To be honest, we get it–they have some compelling benefits that make them ideal for a lot of adventurers. In the name of full transparency, we almost reached out to a private seller regarding a 4x4 converted Class C but decided against it at the last moment.

In other words, we really like this class of RV. It just wasn’t quite right for us at the moment.

We bought a big old truck instead of an RV.

The benefits of Class C RVs

No one likes a negative Nelly (who is Nelly, anyway?), so we like to kick off these “why we didn’t buy X” blogs with the good stuff–what we like about a particular camper. Thankfully, it isn’t hard to find things to like about Class C RVs. They have a lot going for them, and they’re just about the perfect fit for some folks.

• Self-contained. There’s no need to exit the living area to get to the driver’s seat, and that is a definite benefit when the weather is sour, or safety is a concern. There’s also just something appealing about an all-in-one RV unit.

• Options, options, options. Several manufacturers produce Class C RVs, and most of them make multiple models. When choosing a chassis, engine, length, floorplan, and so on, you really are spoiled for choice.

• Ample living space and a dedicated bathroom. As full-time workers, we will spend a lot of time in our camper. While we’re no strangers to small spaces and making do with a minimalist setup, more living space sounds like a huge benefit to us. Throw in an actual bathroom with walls and a door, and you have a pretty solid case for selecting a Class C!

Class C-ya-later - What stopped us from getting a Class C RV

For all the amazing attributes of Class C RVs, there are a few key characteristics holding them back–for our lifestyle, at least. If we close our eyes and envision life in a Class C, we could picture a happy and fulfilling adventure, but there are a few sticking points that would prevent us from doing some things we love.

We opted against a Class C RV for many of the same reasons we chose a small slide-in camper two years ago.

Can’t C you off-road

The interior space of a Class C is a benefit, but the exterior size is not. As people who want to get off the beaten path and explore forest roads and rougher terrain, the sheer mass of a Class C RV is a detriment. They also tend to be built for asphalt, sporting dinky tires and lackluster suspension.

That leaves us with two options for exploring the way we enjoy. Option A is to tow a secondary vehicle and utilize it for off-road adventures. Option B is to invest in a 4x4 conversion from a company like U-Joint Offroad to make the RV more capable. Both options are expensive and add complexity to the situation, especially when there are off-the-shelf alternatives.

We were driving downtown

Hopefully, you sang the line above to the tune of Copeland’s “Walking Downtown.” If not, I’ll forgive you; it’s an obscure reference.

Because Class C RVs are a single unit, what you see is what you get. You can’t set up camp and then take your truck into town. If you take a break from traveling, you are stuck using your Class C as your primary vehicle–yikes!

No more two-door Jeep life for us.

The solution to this is, of course, to tow a daily driver vehicle. Unfortunately, this adds length, complexity, and expense. We do not plan to have a secondary vehicle when we travel, so we would be accepting our Class C as our only option–that’s a tough pill to swallow.

Solving for X

All of these Class B/Class C conversations are beginning to feel like algebra. For every camper we rule out, we get closer to solving for X–that mystery RV that’s just right for us. That’s the hope, anyway.

While we won’t be purchasing a Class C RV, we are closing in on the perfect camper for our full-time travels starting in 2025. What we’ve learned throughout this process is that every option includes a bit of compromise, and we think we’ve pinpointed which compromises we’re okay with. That said, we’re still young and impressionable.

So, drop your guidance below. Whether you’ve been a weekend warrior for a decade or a full-timer for a month, we want to hear your stories, insights, and opinions. Give us your horror stories, highlights, and must-know tips. We’re here to learn, and there’s no better teacher than you–our tight-knit community of adventurers!

No van life for us - Why we aren't buying a Class B RV

Hanna and I are many things. Young-ish, super hip, a tiny bit grungy, and well on our way to Instagram stardom. Okay, so maybe only one of those things is true (we’ll let you guess which), but we still seem like ideal candidates for #vanlife.

Truthfully, Class B RVs–including vans–are appealing. They are nimble, self-contained, easy to drive, get decent fuel economy, and the list goes on. So, why did we decide against becoming full-blown van lifers? I’ll tell you one thing: it wasn’t because of those “One Less Sprinter” bumper stickers (even though they are hilarious).

Things to know:

While vans are great for full-time travel, we decided against one for our full-time lifestyle. Here, we’ll discuss the pros and cons as we breakdown exactly why we didn’t buy a van.

Note: By the time you read this, we might already have a camper. Our intent is not to mislead you, we simply wrote these blogs well in advance!

The pros and cons of van life

Before we do a deep dive into our not-at-all-scientific approach to removing Class B RVs from the running, we have to come clean–Hanna actually owned and partially converted a van a few years ago. She did all the work herself, and it had loads of potential. When the pandemic hit and prices skyrocketed, she made the difficult decision to sell it and turn a tidy profit.

Hanna posing proudly with her empty Transit Van.

So, we have a tiny bit of van life experience, but not enough to be considered experts (or anything close to it). The majority of this list was based on the here and now–the evolution of our needs and our newfound direction.

Why vans are great

There’s a lot to love about Class B RVs and van conversions. Over the last several months, we’ve flirted with buying one to facilitate our adventurous life–we like them that much! From the easy driving experience to the I’m-on-an-adventure aesthetic, we have to admit that van life is pretty compelling.

As we listed out our top van life pros and cons, there were a handful of benefits that really stood out. Your list may look a little different, but we think these adVANtages really make vans special!

• They’re a single unit, meaning that you can go from sleeping to driving without ever leaving the RV. This is great for a number of reasons, including situations where safety or weather is a concern. It also gives the entire unit a roomier feeling (in our experience, anyway), thanks to the large windshield and open cockpit.

• They get better gas mileage than most (if not all) alternatives. They tend to be compact, aerodynamic, and more efficient. Some people report getting upwards of 20 mpg in certain vans, which goes a long way toward your range on a tank and definitely helps the budget!

• They can be customized. Whether you’re a DIY magician, an RV lot shopper, or someone who wants to order a custom van through a builder, the possibilities are practically endless. This helps you get what you want within your budget. That’s a lot of flexibility!

• Vans are compact, nimble, and have decent aftermarket support for things like suspension and bumpers. All of this means that they are better equipped than most of their RV counterparts to explore off the beaten path, push farther into the backcountry, and facilitate an off-grid camping experience.

Why van life isn’t for us

If that list of van life advantages (yes, I made the same pun. I’ll do it again, too) seems compelling, we’re right there with you. There’s a lot to love about vans, and we would definitely consider going the Class B RV route in the future. Right now, though, there are a few factors that pushed us in another direction.

Hanna in her partially-converted camper van. Photo Credit: Tori of Come to Bliss.

Vans are expensive

To be fair, nearly every RV route has the potential to get expensive. Due to the rising popularity of vans and the proliferation of high-end builders, vans tend to be excessively expensive–at least in our eyes. The bang for your buck just isn’t there, unless you heavily weight quality (which is fair).

When we went through our budgeting process, we compared the vans we liked against other options we could have for the same amount of money. That comparison really raised some eyebrows. For what many of the leading van builders are charging, we could have a pretty incredible truck-based camper, a gorgeous Class C RV, or a host of other really nice rigs. Alternatively, we could save a bit of money by choosing a less expensive camper and put the rest of the budget toward travel!

Let’s talk about bathrooms (‘cause why not?)

Campers and bathrooms are always a bit of a touchy subject. From black tanks to plastic bags, everyone has a different opinion of which is best, but I think we all agree on one thing–there is no perfect solution.

When it comes to Hanna and me, we value a private and semi-comfortable bathroom. I have some digestive issues (messed up pipes, we like to call them), so we have been on a multi-year quest to find the bathroom setup that works best for us when we’re on the road. What we’ve learned is we need to prioritize comfort and normalcy even if it means sacrificing a tiny bit of that wild, let’s-take-the-gnarly-trail spirit we tend to have.

All that is to say, vans often struggle to provide a legitimate bathroom for full-timers. Due to size constraints, they might have a little closet of a wet bath, but most rely on curtains or a turlet (if you’ve seen Impractical Jokers, you get this reference) in the open. We’re no longer about that life.

Hanna cruises past an outdoor store in her van.

A van is a van

My curse (one of many) is that I tend to overanalyze things to death. I think of contingency after contingency, nuance after nuance, and so on. Sometimes, I suffer from analysis paralysis, which drives Hanna banana-nut crazy. So, when choosing a camper, I couldn’t get the nagging questions of “what if” out of my head.

What if we want to leave the camper somewhere and drive into town? What if we stop traveling for a while and only have one car? What if we need to sell the camper, but the camper IS our vehicle?

These thoughts led to a semi-decisive conclusion–we needed something that could either separate from the camper, or we needed a camper that could tow a car.

Why we’re not doing van life

Despite a lengthy list of reasons to choose van life, it just isn’t for us (right now). I think we’ll always flirt with that lifestyle–maybe we’ll even embrace it one day–but we’re going in a different direction this time. With our emphasis on off-road capability, the ability to leave the camper behind, and outfitting our rig with a bathroom that works for us, the deck was stacked against van life. Most of them are just a touch too compact for what we want.

The big reveal (and I mean BIG) is coming soon. With full-time travel on the horizon, we have been working hard behind the scenes to ensure our camper will be ready to be our home by 2025. We hope you’ll stick around, continue checking out the blog, and follow along as we explore this beautiful country.

We also would love to learn from you! If you have camper, truck, or travel experience, please connect with us. From life-changing tips to something as simple as what plates won’t break as we rattle about on forest roads, every little insight helps!

- Riley + Hanna

We bought a truck!

It’s been a long time coming.

If you’ve been following along, you know we’ve been exploring the various considerations that go into making a major purchase–in this case, a one-ton truck platform for the camper that we’ll be living out of starting in 2025. If you haven’t read those ramblings yet, be sure to check them out as they document our journey to this moment–the big reveal.

We’ve picked and purchased our future home, and we have to say, it might be our favorite rig so far (and we’ve had way too many).

Introducing our 2024 Ram 3500 Big Horn.

Our 2024 Ram 3500 Big Horn.

Things to know:

We’ve finally landed on a truck for our full-time travels, and it sure is a doozy. It had to check some pretty specific boxes to fit the needs we foresee, but we feel confident that we found the perfect truck that works for us and landed (almost) within our budget.

Why we bought a RAM

It’s sure to be a controversial decision–the truck brand tribalism seems to be as strong as ever–but we bought a Ram. Here, we’ll detail the specifications of our new truck, as well as why we made the decision we did.

A detailed look at our new Ram

First things first, let’s lay out the specifics of the Ram we purchased. This foundation will provide context so we can dive into our thought processes as we made this massive decision for our new full-time RV lifestyle.

The Basics

Our Ram is a 2024 Ram 3500 with the Big Horn package. It is a crew cab with a long bed and single rear wheel–a shockingly rare combination, it seems (more long bed Rams come with dual rear wheels).

It is equipped with a high-output 6.7L Cummins diesel engine, 6-speed Aisin transmission, and (of course) a 4x4 transfer case.

The Packages

Outside of the Big Horn package (which is essentially a glorified Tradesman), our truck features a handful of upgrades and equipment packages. We didn’t have much interest in adding a bunch of features to our truck (more on that later), so we were more than happy with the additional options on this one.

On top of the Big Horn package and high-output engine, our truck came equipped with:

• Billet Silver Metallic paint

• Cloth bucket seats

• Towing Technology Group

• Night Edition package

• Level 1 Equipment Group

• Auxiliary Switches

• Clearance Lamps

• Side Steps

• 50-Gallon Fuel Tank

• Alpine Sound System

• Trailer Surround-View Camera System

The Ram may be huge, but it is still a capable rig.

Our thoughts on our Ram’s features

To be totally transparent, we were not looking for anything more than a base model. Our budget was the biggest factor in our search for a truck, and we would have been content with a bare-bones truck that fit our functional needs.

With that in mind, we have some initial thoughts on the options our truck came equipped with–including things we’re glad it has, wish it didn’t have, and might have opted for given the chance.

Features we love

Despite not personally selecting the options our Ram was equipped with, it does have a handful of packages that we’re grateful for. We didn’t seek them out, but given that the truck has them, we are happy to have them!

• Towing Technology Group. This package includes some very useful features. We personally love the Surround-View Camera System (great for tight spaces and parking), as well as the Blind-Spot Detection. Both of these features make navigating this massive machine just a little less stressful.

• Night Edition. Call us shallow, but we are glad our truck doesn’t have any chrome on it. The Night Edition package is practically useless (and there’s no way we’d choose it for over $4,000), but the painted bumpers and blacked-out trim are aesthetically pleasing.

• Level 1 Equipment Group. While we could do without most of the things included in this package, we do appreciate the power mirrors. Manually adjusting all four mirrors–including telescoping and folding them–gets old real quick, and this package eliminates that annoyance.

• Auxiliary Switches. Easy wiring and control of accessories? Sign us up!

• 50-Gallon Fuel Tank. 1,000-mile unloaded range. Do we need to say more?

Features we could do without

This section is going to be a little lengthy, so we won’t go into as much detail as we did in the one above. Just because a feature makes this list doesn’t mean it’s inherently bad or not worth the money; it just means that we don’t need it and wouldn’t pay for it if we optioned our truck from the factory.

• Night Edition. Do we like how it looks? Absolutely. Would we pay the premium for it if we were given the option? Absolutely not.

• 12-Inch Display. Does it look nifty? Yep, but we prefer a smaller screen with more physical buttons, dials, and knobs.

• Level 1 Equipment Group. Outside of those handy power mirrors, the majority of the features included in this package are not worth it to us.

• Alpine Sound System. This system sounds wonderful, but it is $600 and eliminates a substantial amount of storage space beneath the rear seat.

• Trailer Surround-View Camera System. This package is intended for those who tow often and want a (you guessed it) surround view of their trailer. At $1,000, it is just excessive–especially when you can find them online for less than half of that price.

• Premium Cloth Bucket Seats. Having a center console is nice, but we would have been happy with a bench seat.

Feature we wished we had

While we aren’t too picky, we would have liked it if a couple of additional features were included–especially with the ridiculous prices of trucks these days.

• An inverter. Okay, Ram–seriously?? What modern truck doesn’t have an inverter?

• LED headlights. If a truck costs more than about $5, it should come standard with LED headlights.

• Remote start. We know, we know–this particular feature is a bit “extra,” as the kids say. Still, it would be nice to let the diesel warm up before hopping into the cab.

• Heated seats. This is a Hanna specialty. She loves heated seats, and though we’ve rarely had them, she always appreciates it when we do.

It sure is a beautiful truck.

Why we chose Ram

Ultimately, we chose Ram because we preferred it to the other options after a few test drives and the price made sense. We got a great deal (as far as cars go these days) at about 25% off MSRP. Heck, Riley flew down to Florida just to snag it.

We will go into more detail in the future, including why we chose Ram over Ford. For now, we just wanted to introduce our new rig and move on to talking about campers. After all, that’s the next big purchase–we need a camper to pair with the truck!

If you have experience with full-time RV travel, diesel trucks, or simply want to share your insights and opinions, please drop a comment below. We’d love to hear from you and engage with our little travel community!

We can’t wait to share our journey with you. From selecting a truck and a camper to adjusting to life on the road, we’ll be documenting every aspect of our experience with full-time travel. We hope you’ll follow along!

- Riley + Hanna

Choosing a truck for full-time travel - Sizes and capacities

The bigger the truck, the better, right? This is America, after all!

All jokes aside, the size and capacities of our future home-on-wheels matter quite a bit. From cab size and bed length to towing and payload capabilities, the potential configurations are many, especially if you factor in the differences between the major manufacturers.

Some of these factors–namely the towing and payload ratings–are primarily dictated by how you intend to use the truck. Others–like interior space–are more up to personal preference.

In this post, we dive into our thoughts on truck sizes and capacities as we try to determine the perfect fit for our full-time travel starting in 2025.

Things to know:

With full-time travel on the horizon, we need to choose a truck that can help us thrive on the road. The capacities and size of the truck are integral parts of our decision-making process, as they determine what the vehicle is capable of and how well it can perform the jobs we ask it to do.

Note: By the time you read this, we might already have a truck. Our intent is not to mislead you, we simply wrote these blogs well in advance!

Picking a truck for full-time travel

If you are familiar with our history, you know that we have owned exactly one full-size truck–a Ford F-250 Tremor with the 7.3-liter “Godzilla” engine.

A fair question to ask is, “Why didn’t you just keep that truck?”

There are a few answers to that question, and they seem worth mentioning before diving into this facet of our decision-making process.

Our F-250 was a phenomenal truck, and we definitely miss it!

1. We didn’t plan to take the leap into full-time travel. We anticipated settling down this year and slowly building back up to part-time travel. We sold the Ford believing that our path was set, but it changed.

2. Even if we had kept the Ford, we might have needed to swap it for something else. More on that later in this blog and in blogs to come.

3. Because we thought we no longer needed the Ford, we wanted to sell it while the market was still relatively hot. We didn’t want to be stuck with an auto loan we no longer needed.

With that out of the way, let’s dive into our thoughts about truck sizes, capacities, and capabilities as we prepare to purchase a three-quarter or one-ton truck!

Interior space and overall length - comfort versus convenience

Because we like to venture off the beaten path, explore dirt roads, and occasionally tackle tough terrain, a smaller truck has some distinct advantages. The shorter the wheelbase, the better the turning radius (as a general rule), which is ideal for off-road adventures.

On the other hand, we know we will be traveling with all of our belongings and our pup, Chowder. Interior space is incredibly important for both storage and comfort. Unfortunately, larger cabs mean longer wheelbases–you see the dilemma.

Chowder is more than a little spoiled.

There are some ways to compromise. You can opt for an extended cab, which has half-doors and less space in the rear, choose the shortest possible bed length, or some combination of these options.

Given our circumstances and priorities, we decided that a crew cab was the right size for us (despite Riley’s dream of one day owning a single-cab truck). That left us with the bed size to determine the overall length of our truck.

Bed length - do you really need a long bed?

The major manufacturers offer two bed lengths on their HD trucks–standard and long. Standard tends to be around 6.5’ to 6.75’ depending on the brand, while long beds are 8’ or longer.

Many people can get away with a standard bed, especially if they are towing a trailer of reasonable weight. There are even plenty of truck campers that fit a standard bed and offer quite a bit of living space.

Keep in mind, though, that a longer bed equals a longer truck, which translates to more stability. If you are towing something extremely long and heavy, a longer truck has the advantage.

The same goes for larger truck campers–if you want to safely haul a big truck bed camper, you should probably opt for a long bed truck. They also tend to be more useful for work if you intend to use your truck outside of recreation.

Navigating tight trails in a big truck can be quite challenging, but the reward is worth it!

The downsides? Well, a long bed makes a truck much harder to turn and maneuver in tight spaces. From the trail to the parking lot, that extra length sneaks up on you and makes daily life a little more difficult and stressful.

Ultimately, we’re leaning toward a long bed because of the direction we think we’re going with our camper setup. If we were going a different route with the camper, we’d probably stick with a standard bed for the convenience.

Payload and towing capacity - just because you can…

…doesn’t mean you should. While we’re as red-blooded, stick-it-to-the-man as they come, we tend to abide by the payload and towing ratings of our vehicles. So, as we hunt for the perfect truck for our upcoming lifestyle shift, we want to make sure we’re buying one that can handle whatever challenges we throw at it.

If you’re buying a pull-behind or fifth-wheel, you’ll want to pay attention to both your payload and towing capacities.

The towing bit is obvious–you want to be safely under the limit your truck is rated for. The payload part of the equation is often overlooked–after all, you’re towing the camper, not loading it into the bed. However, a portion of the weight of your trailer is transferred to the truck, detracting from your payload. Called the hitch or pin weight, you need to account for this when loading up your truck (or in our case, purchasing one).

For truck bed campers, payload is the primary concern. Your truck is only rated to carry so much weight, and while you can compensate with things like airbags and helper springs, staying within factory limits is a good idea. This means factoring in you, your passengers (dogs included), gear, camper, and so on!

We’ve pushed the payload capacities of our Jeeps, and you can feel the effects.

These numbers can be affected by everything from the engine powering your truck to the trim level you choose. We are opting for a one-ton truck and low trim level to maximize our ratings.

What size truck do you need?

With all these things in mind, we feel relatively confident that the truck we’re searching for is a crew cab with a long bed and single rear wheel configuration. We fully recognize that this will hinder us off-road, but we want to ensure that we are just about maximizing the capabilities of our new truck without going overboard (buying a dually, for example).

What do you think–are we on the right track? Would you opt for a different configuration? Leave a comment below to share your thoughts, opinions, and pieces of advice–we’d love to learn from you and take your feedback into consideration as we make this huge decision.

Full-time travel is rapidly approaching, and we can’t wait to share every step of the journey with you. From choosing a truck and picking a camper to actually hitting the road and adjusting to our new lifestyle, we hope you’ll follow along and join our thriving little community of adventurers!

- Riley + Hanna

Choosing a truck for full-time travel - Gas vs diesel

One of the biggest decisions you’ll face when choosing a truck for hard work–like handling a camper full-time–is whether to opt for a gas engine or a diesel engine. It’s a hotly debated topic, and we fully understand why. Both sides have pros and cons, advantages and disadvantages, and compelling traits that could sway the average buyer in either direction.

We grappled with this dilemma for a long while as we tried to determine which truck to buy for our full-time travel needs. As the foundation of any RVer’s or overlander’s rig, the truck needs to check several boxes–from tow rating to reliability. With so many options on the market and arguably no “perfect” solution, much of this decision comes down to preference, willingness to compromise, and a touch of hopefulness.

Our previous HD truck was a gas Ford F-250.

Things to know:

We’re going on the road full-time in 2025, so we need a truck to facilitate our new lifestyle. Among the many factors influencing our decision, the age-old debate of gas vs diesel is at the forefront.

Note: By the time you read this, we might already have a truck. Our intent is not to mislead you, we simply wrote these blogs well in advance!

Choosing a gas or diesel truck

As our experience with building Jeeps for off-roading and overland travel grew, so did our intentionality. Instead of opting for modifications that looked cool or tires that were absurdly oversized (just because we could), we started to make decisions based on realistic use-case scenarios, what we had learned from building previous Jeeps, and what made sense rather than getting carried away.

While the full-size, heavy-duty truck platform is relatively new to us–especially for full-time travel–those same principles applied to our approach for this build. I’m sure we’ll make some mistakes and adjustments along the way, but the goal is to be intentional and build the truck to facilitate our lifestyle and travel. It doesn’t need to be over the top; it just needs to fit the factors we’re basing our purchase on.

Cost of diesel versus gas

As badly as we’re hoping to follow a rainbow to a bucket of gold, it hasn’t happened yet. So, we’re operating on a decent but far-from-endless budget, making cost an incredibly influential factor in our truck-buying decision. There are a few ways in which the cost debate between gas and diesel trucks plays out, and we tried to consider it from all angles.

Fuel prices fluctuate, so we were determined not to let this particular consideration play too large a role in our decision. That said, gas prices are substantially lower than diesel in some areas of the country, and that can make a difference in your wallet (even if the diesel gets better fuel economy).

Price was a factor in our last truck purchase - we opted to save money upfront by getting a gas engine.

The real price difference between the two options comes in other forms. The upfront cost, for example, is substantially more when you opt for a diesel engine. Most manufacturers in the HD segment charge between $8,000 and $10,000 more for a diesel engine than they do for their gas models. That’s a huge chunk of change that takes years to potentially recoup in the form of resale value or vehicle lifetime (diesel has a reputation for longevity, though there is a debate now that the EPA has neutered them).

Additionally, maintaining and repairing diesel trucks is notoriously more expensive. From routine oil changes to replacing components as they wear out, you pay a price to enjoy the advantages diesel trucks boast.

If all of that sounds like gas has a slight cost advantage these days, you’re spot on. However, the fuel efficiency, longevity, and resale value of diesel engines can offset a lot of that difference if you don’t run into any substantial maintenance and repair bills.

Slight edge to gas

Diesel vs gas - engine complexity

Gas engines, especially simplified options like Ford’s 7.3L Godzilla, tend to be simpler than their diesel counterparts. If you want proof, just pop the hood on gas and diesel models and compare them. The gas engine looks quite tame and manageable comparatively.

In theory, this translates to easier maintenance and repairs, especially if you plan to do any of the work yourself. Given our intention to travel full-time, this does not factor heavily into our decision. While I am perfectly capable of doing routine maintenance and repairs–and actually enjoy doing some of these projects myself–it is unlikely that we will have the time, workspace, and tools to perform such tasks when on the road. As such, we will undoubtedly rely on professionals should the necessity ever arise.

Draw

The driving experience of gas and diesel trucks

Through the years (and our shopping process), we have driven quite a few gas and diesel trucks. While it is impossible to get an accurate feel for how they will handle a load without replicating such a scenario, the driving experience between the two fuel options is noticeably different. If you’re going to be living out of your truck and camper, that experience takes a little more precedence than it might otherwise.

Our 7.3L Godzilla F-250 was a blast to drive off-road.

While the gas engines we’ve experienced felt more nimble and easy to maneuver–a definite advantage in tight city streets and when off-road–the diesel models made up for their heavy-footedness with undeniable low-end torque and impressive passing ability.

We have enough experiential knowledge with adding weight to vehicles to know that low-end power matters a lot. This is especially true when driving some of the steep mountain passes out West. Diesel definitely wins here, and since we won’t be tackling as many off-road trails as we have in the past, we feel inclined to give diesel the end here.

Edge to diesel

Is Gas or Diesel Better?

We wish it was as clear-cut as one fuel type being superior to the other–that would make this process much easier for us–but in the modern age of trucks, it’s hard to say with certainty that one has a distinct edge. At the end of the day, it depends on your needs, preferences, and how you intend to use the truck. Thankfully, we’re spoiled for choice, and I hope that continues for decades to come despite politically motivated wars against this fuel type or that combustion engine.

What do you think? Is gas better than diesel in 2024? Or do the inherent advantages of diesel engines still make them the better choice?

We’re hitting the road full-time in 2025, and we’d love for you to come along for the ride. In the meantime, please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions, and hard-earned knowledge. We value your input and experience in making these and other travel-related decisions!

- Riley + Hanna

Choosing a truck for full-time travel - Brands and trim levels

Brand rivalries are loads of fun to observe (and jokingly participate in), but at the end of the day, we’re not terribly brand loyal. Sure, we’ve had a handful of Jeeps and a couple of Fords, but that’s not because we detest other manufacturers–we’ve simply always purchased the vehicles that appealed to us for one reason or another.

Our latest Jeep - a bare-bones two-door Wrangler (hand-crank windows, anyone?!)

As we began our hunt for the ideal truck for our impending full-time travel, we did so with (relatively) open minds. We have limited experience with heavy-duty trucks (and zero experience with one-ton trucks), so we wanted to be thorough and allow our research and test drives–not any preconceived bias–to shape our path forward.

Things to know:

We’re hitting the road full-time in 2025, and we need to choose a truck to facilitate that adventure. Part of the purchasing process is determining which truck brand and trim level we want to call our home!

Note: By the time you read this, we might already have a truck. Our intent is not to mislead you, we simply wrote these blogs well in advance!

What is the Best Truck for Full-Time Travel?

There are many factors to consider when choosing what vehicle to buy. Throw in the wrinkle of living in said vehicle, and the decision suddenly feels even more potent–you want to make sure you get it right the first time.

Among those many factors are two relatively personal considerations–brand and trim level.

Choosing a Truck Brand for RV Travel

While it seems that brand loyalty is a big deal to a lot of people, especially in the world of trucks, we have never been overly concerned with this brand versus that brand. Based on our vehicle history, we’ve clearly gravitated toward certain brands (Jeep and Ford), but it was always because the vehicles appealed to us, not because we had a sense of loyalty toward those brands.

Our Ford F-250 treated us very well.

When we started looking at heavy-duty trucks, we decided to drive one from each of the big three manufacturers–Ford, Ram, and GM. So, we did exactly that, test driving a Ford Super Duty, Ram 3500, and GMC Sierra HD (we did not drive a Chevy since the platform shares so much overlap with the GMC).

In addition to test driving a handful of trucks, we (and by we, I mean Riley) spent hours researching, reading forums, and watching videos about the trucks on our list. Ultimately, we narrowed our shopping list down to two brands–Ford and Ram.

Below, we’ve laid out some of the pros that compelled us to list Ford and Ram as our top two truck brands for full-time travel. Why did we leave the GMC and Chevy off our list? While there were a few other contributors to this decision, the primary factor was based on personal preference–we have always liked solid front axle vehicles, and the GM trucks come with independent front suspension (IFS).

• Off-road capability. Thanks to the solid front axle, the Ford and Ram trucks have a more traditional off-road-worthy design. You can eke a bit more off-road performance out of these trucks than an IFS alternative, especially at the HD level. Note: we are aware of GMC’s amazing partnership with American Expedition Vehicles and the off-road goodies now available from the factory on their HD trucks. However, those models are far outside of our price range.

• Aftermarket modification and support. It seems most aftermarket manufacturers are focused on bringing parts and accessories to the Ram and Ford platforms, giving us more options to modify our truck to our preferences and needs.

• Aesthetics. While we don’t mind the looks of the GMC trucks (especially those AEV varieties), we gravitate toward Ford and Ram from a purely visual perspective.

• Experience. We have hands-on experience with both brands (or brands adjacent to them), giving us a degree of comfort and familiarity. The interior of a Ram echoes that of a Jeep, and we’ve had (and loved) a Super Duty before.

• Observation. While we see our fair share of GMC and Chevy trucks on the road, we noticed a lot more Fords and Rams pulling trailers and working in commercial settings. While anecdotal, this definitely affected our perception of those two brands.

Truck Trims - A Luxury Land Yacht?

If you’ve ever played around with the “truck builder” configurators on manufacturers’ websites, you know that the number of options and level of customization available is astounding. In some ways, this is great–it gives you an opportunity to tailor your truck to your specifications. On the other hand, it can be overwhelming, and prices sure do add up quickly.

Because we got a late start to the truck buying party, we don’t have the luxury of ordering a custom truck to our exact preferences. Instead, we used these online tools to explore the various trim levels available from Ram and Ford, make a list of must-haves and that-would-be-nices, and see how different options might influence the final price.

As a reader of this blog, there’s a good chance you know how ridiculous truck prices have gotten and how excessive many of the trim levels are these days. While it’s amazing that you can get massaging seats and luxury finishes in an HD pickup truck, we have no need or interest in such a bougie rig.

Chowder, our certified comfort expert, loved the posh interior of the F-250 Lariat.

In fact, our previous F-250 was a Lariat, and it was too fancy for us. Some of the features were neat, but we definitely didn’t need them. So, this time around, we would be focusing on lower trim levels–Tradesman and Big Horn for Ram and XL and XLT for Ford.

Here are a few of the features we wanted. Some are what we’d call necessities, while others are more wishlist items.

• Four-wheel drive is an absolute must.

• A decent screen for the backup camera.

• 360-degree cameras would be nice. We had them on the F-250, and they were convenient with the camper.

• A big enough back seat for Chowder.

• Power mirrors would be a huge bonus.

• We don’t want “advanced safety features,” as they may not play nice with modifications.

• Large fuel tank.

That’s about it! If that seems like a pretty simple list, it’s because it is. However, when you throw in other prerequisites–like cab size, bed size, and engine preference–you’d be surprised how few matching trucks are available.

Come One, Come All

Whether we buy a Ford or a Ram or lose our minds and import a Unimog, lovers of all brands are welcome here. Please share your experiences with the different truck brands, leave some recommendations about trim options that are full-time must-haves, and otherwise help us out as we narrow down our list of potential trucks to purchase.

While we have a bit of a reputation for swapping vehicles every two years (a trait Riley inherited from his grandfather), we’re hoping that this truck is reliable and sticks around for a long while. Only time will tell, but that’s the intent!

Tune in next time for the next bit of brainstorming as we continue through our truck-buying thought process. We hope you’ll join us on our journey as we convert into full-time travelers and help us out along the way as we inevitably hit bumps in the road.

In the meantime, don’t be shy–feel free to leave a comment below, send us a message, or otherwise join our little community!

- Riley + Hanna

What truck should we buy?

Over the past five years, Hanna and I have had a lot of vehicles. Hanna likes to tease me about it, and while I am willing to acknowledge I might have an issue, I’d also argue that it’s a common one–we boys like cars!

We’ve had summer romances with Jeep Wranglers and Gladiators, a brief fling with a Ford Transit Van, and a situationship with a Ford F-250 Tremor. Time and again, we fall in love with a vehicle, only to shift our goals and make a change. Now, we’re doing it again.

Hanna takes in the Badlands in South Dakota.

You’ll notice that all of the vehicles I mentioned serve a purpose–they facilitate a lifestyle of adventure and travel. Hanna and I love getting outside, exploring, and traveling as much as possible. We’re beyond blessed that our jobs allow us to work remotely, meaning we can travel with almost unlimited freedom (so long as we can access the internet).

Things to know:

In 2025, we’re hitting the road full-time. We’ve flirted with this idea for years, and we’re finally giving in and giving it a fair shake. So, while we love our little two-door Jeep Wrangler, it’s time to buy a big old truck.

Note: By the time you read this, we might already have a truck. Our intent is not to mislead you, we simply wrote these blogs well in advance!

What to look for when truck shopping

Let me make this disclaimer very clear–I am not a vehicle expert. I have my share of experience buying, using, modifying, and maintaining our vehicles, but I am far from a mechanic. The intent of this blog is not to act as a truck buyer’s guide. Instead, it’s an exploration of our thought process as we try to choose the right truck for our travel plans.

Truck capacities - how much can you tow?

The first consideration for us was the capability of the truck. Because we will be using it to haul a camper around, there were certain non-negotiables when it came to the work capacity of the truck. A Tacoma wouldn’t cut it, and neither would an F-150. That leaves us with what GM would call an “HD” truck–a three-quarter or one-ton model.

Often, a three-quarter (250/2500) is more than adequate for camping. If you are towing a travel trailer or hauling a moderately-sized slide-in camper, a 250 will likely do. Once you step it up to the big leagues of fifth wheel campers and larger truck campers, you’ll want to invest in a 350 (or bigger).

Camping with friends near Silverton, CO.

Without giving away too much–we don’t want to reveal what camper we’re getting until it’s official–we are opting for a one-ton truck. We would rather have more truck than we might need, so we’re going for maximum towing and payload without crossing that threshold into 450+ territory.

Truck size - because the dog needs a backseat kingdom

After determining the class of truck you need, it’s time to sort through the various cab and bed combinations. Some manufacturers have more than others, but the basic options look something like this:

Bed Length

• Regular (6.5’ or 6.75’)

• Long (8’)

Cab Size

• Standard (No backseats)

• Extended (Half doors in rear)

• Crew (Full-size back doors)

For our uses, we knew we would need a long bed. The cab size debate was not so clear-cut. While we knew a standard cab was too small, the difference between an extended cab and a crew cab was minimal enough to spark a little controversy. The decision came down to a simple question–is it better to shorten the overall length of the truck to improve maneuverability in town and on trails, or is it better to have extra interior space for storage?

We are leaning toward a crew cab for the additional storage. With approximately 12” difference between the two, the increase in overall truck length seems pretty minimal, pushing us toward enjoying the extra interior space. We’d love to hear your thoughts on this in the comments below!

Trim levels - cowboys and kings

Truck trims have gotten a bit out of control as of late. Where it used to be base models and higher trims with some modern amenities, it’s now a luxury apartment versus a penthouse. No matter what you choose, you are going to have a comfortable and well-equipped truck (whether you like it or not).

Our last Ford was a Lariat, and it was more posh than we’d ever need. This time, we’re opting for the lowest possible trim, both to save money and to eliminate as many unnecessary additions as possible. Is it nice to have certain creature comforts (Hanna would argue heated seats are a necessity)? Absolutely. But do we need a 12” screen and leather seats? We definitely do not.

We loved our Tremor, but the Lariat trim package was unnecessary.

This category is very much a “to each their own” factor. We would rather have a little extra jingle in our pocket, even if it means missing out on the latest and great tech.

Gas or diesel - the immortal question

I mentioned at the beginning of this blog that I’m no truck expert, and this is where I feel the most out of my depth. We have plenty of experience with gas engines, including Ford’s impressive 7.3L Godzilla. On the flip side, we have zero experience with diesel engines. So, everything we’re factoring into our decision here is based on research and anecdotes.

Gas engines are popular, easy to get, and arguably easier to maintain. What they lack in efficiency, they make up for in cheaper repairs, lower gas prices (at the moment, at least), and simplicity–no DEF or other emissions nonsense here. They also tend to be much lighter, which can translate to better off-road ability.

Diesel engines are known for being incredibly powerful, more fuel efficient, and practically apocalypse-proof. Conversely, repairs on modern diesels are said to be expensive thanks to the complexity of their design. Throw in the horror stories people have about emissions equipment, and we feel a twinge of hesitancy when considering this route.

We’d love your insights on this particular topic. Would you choose a gas engine or a diesel? My heart says diesel, but there is more than a little uncertainty mixed in with that feeling.

Which truck brand is the best?

This particular piece of the truck buying puzzle can be a little controversial. There are strong proponents of each major brand, and understandably so. Every brand has its strengths, and I think that quality and durability is largely the same between every truck maker these days. That said, we have refined our search to two companies–Ford and Ram.

I would tell you that we’re clinging to the unforgivable offense of government bailouts, but the truth is much less dramatic–we have always preferred solid front axles. Independent front suspension (IFS) on a one-ton truck just doesn’t compute to me. Call me old-fashioned if you’d like.

We have always preferred solid axle vehicles.

So, we’re left with the Ford F-350 and the Ram 3500. Both are good-looking trucks that can be configured just about however you want them. The F-350 is available with the only gas engine we’d consider (the 7.3L), while both platforms are available with proven diesel powertrains–the 6.7L Powerstroke from Ford and the 6.7L Cummins from Ram.

Overall, I think we prefer the Ford. That said, we are not opposed to the Ram. This is another area where we just don’t have the experience and expertise to determine a clear winner. If you have experience with either platform (or better, both), please share it below. Your advice would go a long way toward helping us make the right decision!

Should we buy a new or used truck?

Traditional wisdom has always advised against buying a new vehicle. There’s a saying about your new car losing half its value as soon as you drive off the dealer lot, and while the pandemic did alter that briefly, it still holds true (in most situations). At the same time, there are some benefits to purchasing a new truck.

The pros of a new truck

• Better financing

• Clean slate for proper maintenance

• Factory warranty

• More control (maintenance, mods, use scenarios, etc.)

The pros of a used truck

• Lower purchase price

• Less depreciation

• Reduced insurance costs

At the end of the day, this decision largely comes down to your budget and your priorities. Our budget is not unlimited, so we will definitely be leaning toward a used truck, but the benefits of a new truck–especially the opportunity to meticulously care for it from day one–are worth considering.

What truck is right for us?

Based on the thoughts laid out above, Hanna and I have a decent idea of the truck we’re looking for. That said, there are still a lot of details to sort out, so the actual truck we purchase could look different than the one this blog seems to picture.

If we were to simplify our buying criteria–which is uniquely ours, not universal–it would look a little like this.

• Ford F-350 or a Ram 3500

• Crew cab with a long bed

• Base model (or close to it) - XL or XLT (Ford) or Tradesman (Ram)

• 6.7L Powerstroke or 6.7L Cummins diesel engine

• Lightly used

What do you think? Are we on the right track for living full-time on the road and going to some pretty remote locations? Is there anything you would do differently?

Please drop your suggestions, recommendations, and personal experiences below. We’d love to hear what you have to say as we make this important (and expensive) decision!

We also encourage you to follow our journey as we prep for and embark on the adventure of a lifetime. We can’t wait to share our journey with you, grow our community, and make connections with like-minded folks who love trucks, travel, and the outdoors.

- Riley + Hanna