Community Forums

ie2special · 02-03-2014, 07:03 AM

Should I get the biggest hauling truck now or get something smaller now then upgrade.

We have a bunch of ideas and the most recent is to get a small trailer/5th wheel for a few weekends a month then in a 3-5 years upgrade to a full time unit.

Should we get the dually now or wait until later? We typically keep cars 2 years.

We wanted to full time in summer 2015 but we are concerned about a possible move to Hawaii and a unit just sitting there for 3 years while we are gone that we are stuck paying on.

jesilvas · 02-03-2014, 09:10 AM

Really up to you at this point and what you want/can do.
I don't like stepping up and going right to the end result personally. Just be sure and have enough truck for your trailer you will get. Or get the trailer then get the truck.

Cumminsfan · 02-03-2014, 10:11 AM

I would get what you need for todays needs and wait and see what you may want latter down the road. If you've never done the RV thing then what you like today won't be what you will like in 3-5 yrs. We thought we knew what we wanted in a TT 4 years ago is not what we have now. We now have a 5'er. Most people say buy your 3rd RV 1st.
On the truck topic I would get the biggest one you can afford i.e. 350/3500 DRW.
Both Ford and GM are coming out with new models in the HD line. You will have to wait longer to get the new Ford.
Ram has their newest models out now and are really impressive. Especially the 3500 DRW with the 850lb tq and Aisin tranny.
If it were me I would get the truck of my dreams and get a smaller 5'er. No use owing a big honking 5'er and have 3-5 yrs on it before you want to full time. I would want to save those years for my full time years. Less wear n tear. I would find a slightly used one, maybe 1-2 yrs old. That way when you trade/sell in 3-5 yrs you won't lose much. PLus you'll get a feeling for what you really want in a 5'er.

pitcrew18 · 02-03-2014, 06:18 PM

i agree with Cumminsfan on the truck we made the mistake of buying a 35 ft fiver to start and within 2 years we upsized to 41 feet. Well as you can guess the 3/4 ton truck was not enough so we also purchased a 1 to dually. If your truck is big enough you never have to worry about getting a bigger camper and if full timeing may be in your future go with the 1 ton.

tuffr2 · 02-03-2014, 08:33 PM

I would focus on how to get set up in Hawaii and forget about the Truck and trailer. Hawaii is way cooler place than any RV Park.

If Hawaii falls thru buy a used 5th wheel and the most truck you can afford.

All 2011 and newer trucks are great towing machines. The thing you need to watch though is how much weight they can carry. Can they carry the pin weight of the trailer plus tools, grill, cooler, people, dogs, canopy, kayaks, bikes, etc. etc.