Decison Time - RV-Dreams Community Forum

bzffr8 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Decison Time

Mallo · RV-Dreams Family Member

bzffr8 wrote:

Hi all

Well it's time to pull the trigger and buy our new home. We have narrowed it down between the Cameo 36 cksls and the Select Suites 36 Tk3. We will also be purchasing a new Ford F450 or 550 either a left over 2010 or the redesigned 2011. A lot of analysis yet to come on that. I would like to know from people what their opinions are on if the we would need four wheel drive or not.

I do not see us in a lot of snow but I could see us in places like quartzite. Would the four wheel drive be an advantage? Most of our time would be spent in campgrounds with occasional boon docking so would we be better off with fuel economy and payload increase. Opinions please.

Thanks

Dave

-- Edited by bzffr8 on Monday 22nd of February 2010 05:25:03 AM

Your not going to throw either of your fiver choices out of bed for eating crackers. Both of those are solid choices I like the Cameo's a bit better but that's just stylistic not the basics.

On the truck side I've never owned a 4wd anything so I can't miss what I don't have. When I worked for the FS though we had the only DRW non 4wd in the district. We got back down every fire road and every logging road that there was with out 4wd so I'm pretty OK without it.

On the truck side the F550 isn't really a choice I would go with. Your talking about a MDT built on a beefed up light truck frame at the F550 line I'd go one up and get the F650 which will have a stronger transmission tighter turning radius and a couple of other features that make is a much better option then an F550.

Mallo

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

I think the 450 is more than adequate for either of these trailers and many people are using a 350 without problem.

4 wheel drive is really a question of lifestyle and your desire for a safety margin. We opted for 4WD and have only needed it a couple of times in 4 years. Our lifestyle is much as you project yours to be, and if I were doing it over, we would not get it.

As Howard has said, the savings every month more than outweigh the inconvenience and potential occasional cost in getting someone to pull you out of a problem.

Good luck,

BillA · RV-Dreams Family Member

I used to own a diesel SRW 2 wheel drive CC LB. As long as I stayed on hard surface roads there was no problem. Never had a problem with it as long as there was a load on the drive axle. However; if you ventured onto grassy areas even level grassy areas under the right conditions the truck it was helpless. With no load over the drive axle and the extra weight of the diesel engine on the front axle all it took to become "stuck" on level ground was slightly soft ground where the front tires would sink in slightly (and I do mean slightly - only 1/2" to 1" is all that is required) and a heavy dew or a little rain on the grass under the drive axle. Since I found myself in those conditions several times on unimproved property I own, I vowed to never own another diesel without 4 wheel drive. Yes there is a higher purchase cost, slightly less fuel economy, and slightly higher curb weight resulting in slightly lower towing capacity, but for me it is worth it to have the confidence the truck will be able handle most reasonable situations I will find myself in. JMO.

Rancher7 · RV-Dreams Community Member

A lot depends on what else you use your tow vehicle for. I've had a 4x4 since 1974 and wouldn't be without one. For one thing, it's my only vehicle and I use it to explore places I wouldn't take my trailer and as BillA commented, there are times surface areas can get slick or slippery or muddy and it sure is nice having more options.

If you plan to stay on paved roads and in RV parks, you should be fine with a 2x.

Rancher

bzffr8 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks for the feedback. It makes sense to have 4x4 if nothing else for the piece of mind,
I just got the specs for the new 2011 GM 3500 duramax. It has an available exhaust brake and it is now rated to tow 20,000 lbs for fifth wheel applications. The Ford F450 could handle a bigger rig but since GM has increased capacity on the 3500 I will probably go that route since I retired from GM and really need to continue to support them ( as long as they have a product that will handle my needs).

Thanks Dave

igotjam · RV-Dreams Family Member

Lived in the Canadian Rockies (and adjoining foothills) for 50 years. Had many 4wd vehicles and used them well (mostly in winter). We have been fulltiming for 3 years with a 2wd and its been fine. For the extra cost my feeling is you do not need the 4wd unless you travel a lot in snow. Its true wet grass can be a problem but we've not been stuck yet.
As far as the trailer, I'd take the Cameo over the select but that's my opinion. We currently have a DRV product.
The bottom line is that you need to do whats right for you. Other opinions are worth listening to but everyone will have a different one.