We bought a truck!
We bought a new truck for our switch to full-time travel!
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
Do we need a crew cab? What about a long bed? How much payload and towing do we need? We explore these questions and more as we choose a truck for full-time travel.
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!
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.
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.
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
Should we choose a gas or diesel truck for full-time travel? It's an age-old debate for a reason!
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
What is the best HD truck brand for full-time travel? Do you need a high trim level? We explore these important questions before buying our new one-ton truck.
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?
We’re in the market for a one-ton truck and need your help choosing!
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