Perfect Mate for a FWC?

[Rockcrawler]

My wife and I have been discussing getting a FWC for our Dodge. Yesterday we went up and spoke w/ Tom at the Phoenix Sportsmen's Expo and it really got us talking about it. (Thanks again Tom for all your time and showing us the cool FWCs!)

So in the conversation with Alice on the way home, she brought up the point of if we are going to be getting this camper and using it for long trips etc. It would be nice for her to be able to drive the truck as well. So.... the 6spd manual may have to go. Which believe it or not, I'm okay with... why not... I get a new truck AND a new camper then! :wings:

My immediate considerations are a 3/4 ton Dodge Diesel w/ the automatic instead of the manual that I currently have or a Tundra with an Auto. Next question is shortbed or longbed if we're getting a new truck anyway. New or used is up for debate, but it needs to be reliable with low miles since it will be both the expedition vehicle as well as Alice's daily driver. It also needs to be able to handle hauling the FWC AND tow a trailer w/ the Jeep on it for those Moab trips etc.

So, with that background, my question to all of you. Knowing that we are looking for a fullsize truck to use w/ a FWC, what vehicle would you go with?

Thanks in advance for all your insight.

Kyle

[kcowyo]

Is teaching Alice to drive the 6 speed and keeping what you have, not an option?

If not, and you'll tow the Jeep too every now and again, get a new Cummins. A longbox will fit a bigger camper and perhaps be more stable when flat towing your CJ8.

The new Tundra could probably do it too but why not get a Cummins if that's an option? I'm pretty sure the right answer to any question like, "Should I get a Cummins or option B?", is to get the Cummins.

Glad to hear you're getting deeper in the hunt.

[Rockcrawler]

Is teaching Alice to drive the 6 speed and keeping what you have, not an option?

If not, and you'll tow the Jeep too every now and again, get a new Cummins. A longbox will fit a bigger camper and perhaps be more stable when flat towing your CJ8.

The new Tundra could probably do it too but why not get a Cummins if that's an option? I'm pretty sure the right answer to any question like, "Should I get a Cummins or option B?", is to get the Cummins.

Glad to hear you're getting deeper in the hunt.

No KC, Alice learning to drive a manual does not seem to be an option. The biggest vehicle she has ever driven is a minivan and currently drives a Camry so it is quite a leap for her to drive a much larger vehicle AND learn to drive a manual at the same time. We're going to go out this weekend to test drive some other fullsize trucks w/ automatics to see if she will be comfortable driving those. If not, it may be back to the drawing board. She drives significantly less miles than I do so she would be the primary driver of the truck and we would probably trade in/sell her Camry and the Dodge to get the new vehicle and I would continue to drive the Jetta TDI as my daily driver as I typically put on 2000 miles/month or more.

I'm definitely leaning towards the Cummins... I'm debating the capability of a long bed truck in the rough stuff too though. The shortbed quad cab is already quite big to take into some areas. If we decide to stay w/ a shortbed, then we could get the camper now, wait a bit on the truck and have a diesel Tundra as a viable option as well.

Anyone here using a quad cab longbed fullsize truck offroad? Am I being overly concerned about the breakover/departure angles?

[theMec]

longbed vs. short - how bad do you need to do offroad w/ a camper? Sometimes I wished I'd have a longer bed for more storage. Other times, I'm SO happy I have a short bed when I'm offroad - or maneuvering in a tight parking lot !!
I think overall a short bed is best for me but your needs are different because you're not me. :-)

I'm glad my wife likes driving standard trans. I got lucky on that one. Good luck.

[SSBAJ]

My dad has a long bed 3500 cummins. He puts the pop up in the back and pulls the mules when we go hunting. Its an automatic and I think its does everything we need , plenty of storage and power and not have to shift that big thing. We have even unloaded the pop up at camp so we could hunt out of the truck and the long bed dosnt seem to be THAT much of a henderance.

[psychohawk]

I'd just suggest considering fuel economy and comfort if your wife is driving the truck daily. For instance, my F250 is not very comfortable (unloaded) as a daily driver ... it bounces all over the place. And fuel mileage is only 16 at best.

I drive about 100 miles a day so I've been driving my wife's car (29 MPG) while my wife has been driving my truck (her commute is about 1 mile and that's going the long way). But right now, with diesel being $4/gallon and the ride miserable for her daily errands, she's a trooper for putting up with it.

Just something to consider ... oh, mine: 3/4 ton automatic, 6.0 diesel, short-bed w/extended cab.

Good luck,
Carl

[slooowr6]

3/4 ton at least Crew cab or extra cab. One of the issue I've is no having enough place to put stuff so I end up using the back seat of my truck as storage space. If you can find a used 3/4 ton with utility bed and setup like this it'll be really nice and functional http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12766.

If your wife will agree to use a utility truck as a DD. :)

[lowenbrau]

All I really have to add to the conversation is that Dodge is now putting the sweet Aisan six speed auto behind the big Cummins. I'd argue that it is the best pickup transmission you can get. Unfortunately I'm pretty sure you have to buy the 6.7 motor to get it and that opens its own can-o-worms.

[theMec]

3/4 ton vs 1 ton:
If I knew then what I know now, I'd have bought the 3500 dodge. With the dodge, the only difference between the 3500 and the slightly cheaper 2500 is a different overload spring setup and cab clearance lights. It rides exactly the same until you use the overload springs. Others will have to chime in for the Ford/ GM trucks.

About the utility bed, most of them are very heavy. I've seen a fiberglass one somewhere but it's expensive.

[Rockcrawler]

I love the idea of the utility bed, but I think that would make what is more than likely going to already be a tough sale, nearly impossible. Now if there was the stock looking style utility bed for the Dodge like I've seen for the SuperDuty trucks, that might work...

Fuel economy is decent with our Dodge now. I average about 19 mpg, but I'm sure I would lose some of that w/ an auto and I know I would lose it going to the new 6.7 liter engine. I'm hearing people saying 13-15 mpg avg on the new trucks! Disgusting! Thank you EPA!!! Oh wait, that's a rant for another day. I'm all for protecting the environment, but I really wonder what good we are doing when we decrease fuel economy at the same time by 25%.

[kcowyo]

I love the idea of the utility bed, but I think that would make what is more than likely going to already be a tough sale, nearly impossible. Now if there was the stock looking style utility bed for the Dodge like I've seen for the SuperDuty trucks, that might work...

FWIW, I recall a discussion about using standard utility beds with a FWC and according to FWC reps, the beds must be custom made to accomodate a FWC. Something about the FWC double step design not working with the utility beds.

Now that, would be opening a whole new can o' worms.

There is a thread on WTW regarding utility beds and an FWC (http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/showthread.php?t=950). Stan had some good info and input on the matter.

:beer:

[slooowr6]

I understand. :ylsmoke:
The other day I saw a Chevy 1500 with utility bed that looks exactly like normal truck bed. The best way I can describe it is like having a normal truck bed but the side has compartments built in the profile of the side is exactly like the OEM bed side. I wish I took a pic that day. I can't find any info on what the manufacture is.

[slooowr6]

FWIW, I recall a discussion about using standard utility beds with a FWC and according to FWC reps, the beds must be custom made to accomodate a FWC. Something about the mounting system not working with the FWC.

Now that, would be opening a whole new can o' worms.

There is a thread on WTW regarding utility beds and an FWC (http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/showthread.php?t=950). Stan had some good info and input on the matter.

:beer:

Here is a site with detail info on putting it on Dodge Ram.
http://dodgeram.org/ki4cy/diamond/diamond.htm

[Rockcrawler]

Of course, if I went w/ a utility bed, I could go w/ a ram 4500 and the detuned engine for better reliability and economy. I'd also have a higher gvwr for adding on all those expedition goodies! Choices... choices...

I can see it... by the end of the day... Hey honey, check out your new car... meet Casa Azul! :sport_box

[slooowr6]

I can see it... by the end of the day... Hey honey, check out your new car... meet Casa Azul! :sport_box

Be afraid be very afraid.... :littlefriend: <- (angry wife)

[kcowyo]

The other day I saw a Chevy 1500 with utility bed that looks exactly like normal truck bed. The best way I can describe it is like having a normal truck bed but the side has compartments built in the profile of the side is exactly like the OEM bed side.

I think I know what you're talking about. Our local GM dealership offered those around '04 - '05. They were made by a company called Royal Truck Body, (http://www.royaltruckbody.com/) and that model was called the "Sport Body."

I have a few pics of one of them saved deep, deep, deep in my pic files. Do these look like what you're describing?

http://s170537965.onlinehome.us/KcoWyo/gallery2/d/3504-1/Royal+Truck+Sport+Body.jpg


http://s170537965.onlinehome.us/KcoWyo/gallery2/d/3507-1/Royal+Truck++Sport++Body+2.jpg


http://s170537965.onlinehome.us/KcoWyo/gallery2/d/3498-1/Royal+Truck+Sport+Body+3.jpg


http://s170537965.onlinehome.us/KcoWyo/gallery2/d/3501-1/Royal+Truck+Sport+Body+4.jpg


According to my local dealership's fleet manager, Royal Truck Body is not making them anymore so he can't get them. Word is their plant burned down and they lost all of their tooling to make the Sport Body beds.

They were a really unique concept. Cool points for allowing use of a tailgate too, unlike most utility beds. Perhaps it was one of those Royal Truck Body units you saw or perhaps someone has picked up the idea and started manufacturing them again...?
.

[slooowr6]

KC, YES that's the one!!!! It's a shame they don't make it anymore. That's the best looking utility bed I see.

[goodtimes]

Be afraid be very afraid.... :littlefriend: <- (angry wife)

I have seen the wife in question become annoyed (F*#% THE OLD LADY!!!!!!). I don't want to see the wife in question make the transition from annoyed to angry.

[Rockcrawler]

Brian,

You're going to he77 for that one! Only if she sees it though!

Those truck beds were the ones I was talking about earlier as well... that would be a perfect fit, but I've never seen them for a Dodge. I can only imagine the costs for a 1 off like that.

[Four Wheel Tom]

Rockcrawler... I enjoyed spending time with you in Phoenix, and really appreciate the research you're putting into this project.

If Alice will be using this for a daily driver... keep in mind that a 3/4 ton can be a rough ride with nothing in the box. The camper will smooth out the ride, though, if that's an option for leaving it on all the time. We use 3/4 ton Dodges with the Cummins and they haul a truck and trailer load of campers VERY adequately... but the new ones have lousy mileage and are very sensitive to breathing through a dirty air filter. Beware...

thanks

Tom

[lowenbrau]

I think I know what you're talking about. Our local GM dealership offered those around '04 - '05. They were made by a company called Royal Truck Body, (http://www.royaltruckbody.com/) and that model was called the "Sport Body."


I don't know if it was Royal or not but I saw a really nice service body on an outfitters truck and he told me that he bought 4 of them at a closeout because Ford had sued the maker for copy right infringement and shut them down.

[kcowyo]

What has Ford ever put out that resembled a utility bed I wonder?

[deserteagle56]

To correct some misinformation presented in one of the above postings...The Aisin 6-speed automatic is offered ONLY in the 4500-5500 series Dodges. If you get the standard pickup (2500-3500 series) you still get a 6-speed auto - but it is not the Aisin.

Rockcrawler, I'm one of the ones that tries to use a long bed quad cab Cummins Ram off-road. Here's some of the issues I've come across: Breakover angle with stock tires and no lift is definitely a problem. I've hit the transfer case guard pretty hard a couple times going over berms I thought for sure I would clear. Second is the lack of a locking differential for the AAM axles under the Ram - advantage Ford on that one. Get yourself crossed up crossing a washout with no weight on one front and one rear wheel and you're in trouble. Lastly, that Cummins is mighty heavy - heavier than the Powerstroke or the Duramax - so you have to be very cautious in soft terrain. That said, I'd still choose the Dodge (because of the Cummins) over the Ford or GM.

[Funrover]

That truck bed is awsome, to bad they don't do that anymore!

[Rockcrawler]

Thanks for all the input guys... for now we've decided to stick w/ the truck we have... for a couple of more years anyway. We got a good deal on a nice used Hawk FWC in Phoenix so we went up and checked it out and bought it today! Here are some pics... I'll share some more details later.

Kyle

[goodtimes]

How long did it take you to back it into the garage? And how many times did you get out to see if you were about to get up close and personal with the door?

I'm over at Marisa's, I'll talk to her about what we discussed the other night.

:wavey:

[Rockcrawler]

Only a few times... Alice was watching for me. The roof vent clears by about a half inch. :victory:

[highlandercj-7]

Get her in the Cummins 6 SPD and get her driving it now! Diesels are the easiest to teach someone to drive a MT with the govenor and the torque of the Cummins it will not stall. I know the feeling about the wife and MT's mine is the same way. I told her when I get my Diesel she will learn on it. I should have pushed her on the Chevy I had it drove so easy too, but I didn't wanna push her and now she says I should have lol... Go figure you can never win!

As for all the comments on the ride quality of a 3/4 or 1 ton. If you own a Jeep they are gonna be like a Cadilac. Dad's Doge 1 ton dually 4wd Cummins rides nice, the Chevy we had in the same configuration rode like a Caddy, it was way smooth. Only problem it had was it didn't have a Cummins. :mad: It would have been the perfect truck if it did..