Thanks for your input guys. I currently drive an '08 Chevy 1500, and up until a year ago I was convinced that I wanted a 3/4 ton gasser. Then I pulled my 20-ft camper on an antelope hunt and it was clearly working the truck too hard. That's what is leading me to think that a diesel would be the best option and since it won't be a daily driver it should last me a LONG time.
The 12v Cummins are very attractive for longevity, but with a kid in tow, I'm afraid we should at least have a quad-cab. Seems like those model years came in regular cab or extended cab, and with the wife and kid along, I think I'd regret that. If was just me, that would be a different story. Right now, I'm thinking a clean (not hot-rodded or monkeyed with) 04-09 Dodge, or an 04.5-07 Chevy, with an increasing preference to the Dodge.
How much does your camper weigh? I can’t see needing a 3/4 ton let alone a diesel for a 20’ travel trailer.
If I recall correctly, it's about 4400lbs dry. It's not a huge camper, but I can assure you that pulling it over mountain passes with a stiff wind was too much. I know a 5.3L 1/2 ton chevy isn't meant to be a towing machine, but it was dogging it, bad.
I'm sure a "heavy duty" gasser would do it, but for a truck that probably won't see more than 2-3k miles a year, why not buy an older low-mileage diesel? For $20k I could buy a much newer gasser with similar mileage, but from what I've read, it won't last nearly as long as a diesel. If that's true, it makes perfect (long-term) sense to just by an older diesel to begin with, no?
