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Campers

eric strt6

Resident Curmudgeon
Sep 8, 2001
24,325
15,053
directly above the center of the earth
so after 4 years out in the elements my rear view camera was failing. I ordered a newer model camera from the same company Tadibrothers out of Los Angeles, They looked up my original purchase using my email and sold me the upgraded camera (full mil spec night vison 170* viewing angle) for $80 plus tax. Got it in two days. Still have to clean up the wiring (fucking birds nest) but the picture is great. no blind spots behing the rig while driving and I can see the hitch ball when hooking up the trailer.
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Adventurous

Starshine Bro
Mar 19, 2014
10,827
9,858
Crawlorado
A Power Wagon is on the list of vehicles for which I have an irrational urge, but not with a camper on top.
Same. Came real close to purchasing one once, but have seen very few of that vintage pop up since.

Modern power wagons have a low payload for a 2500 - otherwise we may have got one for our truck bed camper conveyance.
Ah yes, the Power Wagons, while masquerading as a 2500, are most definitely not. But that's the price you pay for suspension optimized to flex.
 

crashmtb

Chimp
Dec 14, 2020
40
41
I’d love this setup on my truck.

All the roof conversions I’ve found have soft sides, which is lame.
 

Toshi

butthole powerwashing evangelist
Oct 23, 2001
39,645
8,687
3 axle = Class B commercial lic. if that trailer is rated over 15,001 pounds you need a Class A Commercial lic. Normal drivers lic won't cut it. Fine for driving out of class can be as high as $7000
If it's registered as an RV it gets an exemption from the CDL rules in many states, iirc. FL does.
 

6thElement

Schrodinger's Immigrant
Jul 29, 2008
17,151
14,628
I'd love shitty reliability, 5mpg and a top speed of 45mph downhill with a tailwind.
 

Adventurous

Starshine Bro
Mar 19, 2014
10,827
9,858
Crawlorado
yours starting at $285,000... Dentist Models at $380,000



GFL to whomever buys that. I love the Tacoma, but its just not a robust enough platform for that kind of build. Might do fine if you stick to pavement (even then there's no way it'll be under payload with camper, people, gear and water), but good luck not grenading your axles trying to turn 35s. But hey, I guess I'd you can afford the camper, you can probably afford to tow a matching offroad trailer piled with spare 3rd members and clamshells.

Quit monkeying around trying to reinforce the chassis and just start with a 1 ton platform.

I'd love shitty reliability, 5mpg and a top speed of 45mph downhill with a tailwind.
Always entertaining reading stories of people who buy ex-military vehicles, then find themselves flabbergasted when it breaks down, they can't get parts, find a mechanic, and end up dropping $10K on repairs after sitting idle for 3 weeks.
 
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6thElement

Schrodinger's Immigrant
Jul 29, 2008
17,151
14,628
GFL to whomever buys that. I love the Tacoma, but its just not a robust enough platform for that kind of build. Might do fine if you stick to pavement (even then there's no way it'll be under payload with camper, people, gear and water), but good luck not grenading your axles trying to turn 35s. But hey, I guess I'd you can afford the camper, you can probably afford to tow a matching offroad trailer piled with spare 3rd members and clamshells.

Quit monkeying around trying to reinforce the chassis and just start with a 1 ton platform.
Exactly my thought on that taco build.
 

Toshi

butthole powerwashing evangelist
Oct 23, 2001
39,645
8,687
Quit monkeying around trying to reinforce the chassis and just start with a 1 ton platform.
Modern power wagons have a low payload for a 2500 - otherwise we may have got one for our truck bed camper conveyance.
That reminds me that I was going to look this up:

2018 Nissan Titan XD gas King Cab (extended cab, like @6thElement 's) 4x4 Pro-4X:

8,800 GVWR yielding 2,340 payload. 11,040 nominal towing although they only grant you 10% tongue weight on their hitch.

2019 Ram Power Wagon crew cab 4x4:

GVWR 8,565, payload of 1,660! Wow, that is pretty sorry. 10,620 trailer weight.

then again, avoiding the Power Wagon model yields more reasonable numbers:

2019 Ram 2500 Limited crew cab short box 4x4:

GVWR 10,000 even, 2,795 lbs payload, 13,970 lbs towing.
 

6thElement

Schrodinger's Immigrant
Jul 29, 2008
17,151
14,628
That reminds me that I was going to look this up:

2018 Nissan Titan XD gas King Cab (extended cab, like @6thElement 's) 4x4 Pro-4X:

8,800 GVWR yielding 2,340 payload. 11,040 nominal towing although they only grant you 10% tongue weight on their hitch.

2019 Ram Power Wagon crew cab 4x4:

GVWR 8,565, payload of 1,660! Wow, that is pretty sorry. 10,620 trailer weight.

then again, avoiding the Power Wagon model yields more reasonable numbers:

2019 Ram 2500 Limited crew cab short box 4x4:

GVWR 10,000 even, 2,795 lbs payload, 13,970 lbs towing.
Yep, terrible payload on the RAM.

Our camper is 1250ish dry weight I think, so we're well under the max when loaded up.
Our truck has a goose hitch mount if desired , probably better for your towing than the rear hitch.
 

eric strt6

Resident Curmudgeon
Sep 8, 2001
24,325
15,053
directly above the center of the earth
the Power Wagon and the RAM 1500 and 2500 all have coil spring rear suspension for that cowboy Cadillac ride. absolutely horrible handling if they have a load in the box. Only the RAM 3500 has rear leaf springs to carry heavy loads.

Taco's are better off with the Tepu tent set up or a minimal pop up camper at most
 

crashmtb

Chimp
Dec 14, 2020
40
41
That reminds me that I was going to look this up:

2018 Nissan Titan XD gas King Cab (extended cab, like @6thElement 's) 4x4 Pro-4X:

8,800 GVWR yielding 2,340 payload. 11,040 nominal towing although they only grant you 10% tongue weight on their hitch.

2019 Ram Power Wagon crew cab 4x4:

GVWR 8,565, payload of 1,660! Wow, that is pretty sorry. 10,620 trailer weight.

then again, avoiding the Power Wagon model yields more reasonable numbers:

2019 Ram 2500 Limited crew cab short box 4x4:

GVWR 10,000 even, 2,795 lbs payload, 13,970 lbs towing.
Power wagon has soft suspension for off road use, thus low payload.
 

Toshi

butthole powerwashing evangelist
Oct 23, 2001
39,645
8,687
Power wagon has soft suspension for off road use, thus low payload.
I get that. But they also chose to base it off the 3/4 ton platform, ostensibly to preserve utility. They could have done 1/2 ton like the Raptor (or now the TRX).
 

Toshi

butthole powerwashing evangelist
Oct 23, 2001
39,645
8,687
just for shits and giggles The load capacity of My 4x4 F350 crew cab Diesel dually long bed is 5000 pounds per the Ford Specs
and on the flip side of the nominally HD equation, a Ram 2500 Cummins Mega Cab 4x4 in Limited trim will get you all of 1,640 lbs payload, and not even the excuse of the Power Wagon's suspension...
 

maxyedor

<b>TOOL PRO</b>
Oct 20, 2005
5,496
3,141
In the bathroom, fighting a battle
I get that. But they also chose to base it off the 3/4 ton platform, ostensibly to preserve utility. They could have done 1/2 ton like the Raptor (or now the TRX).
Solid front axle on the 2500, the ability to fit 35s easily, a much burlier rear axle, plus the beefier chassis. There’s not a significant difference in physical size between the 2500 and 1500, so why not start with the thing that’s closer to what you want to built right from the start?

Unless payload is absolutely critical, the Power Wagon is pretty rad. Have quite a few friends with them, and they’re surprisingly good on and off-road. On the short list of things that may replace my Taco for sure.