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