Hi All,
I've been lurking for a bit...as I'm sure all 1st time posters do. Love the site and am looking forward to being more part of the community as my family and I get back into BLM style camping/exploring.
I currently own an F350 Crew Cab LWB (8' bed) 6.0L Diesel pickup. I bought it to move with, pulled a 10k lb 24' trailer about 2,000 miles last summer. Its been a great truck but I'm not sure its the right vehicle for my family. I'm debating switching to a Montero.
Goal: Explore Oregon on weekend excursions with focus on finding peaceful areas for camping. (Not necessarily super remote).
Family consists of: Me, Wife, 3 yr old, 2 yr old, 70lb dog.
Wife concerns:
F350 Benefits
F350 Issues
Montero Benefits
Montero Issues
I guess my main concern is long term reliability of truck and cost of repairs (blown head gasket, injectors) which is more likely given "dirty" driving conditions and potential intake of particulate and water into combustion cycle. Secondary concern is size (turning radius) and off road prowess.
Since truck is paid for Montero would free up some cash for potential repairs, upgrades, trailer build, however would lose cash in the process of trade-in/purchase. Can't seem to find monteros for less than 9k here in PNW - book out at 7500 retail.
I'm interested in hearing from people with a families that have gone through this. What worked for you? Is it even realistic to think I could camp in national park and BLM land with a family?
For those with big rigs, how do you handle turn around situations? Have you ever been stuck due to the sheer size of your vehicle? My truck has a turning circle of 58'. Last time I went out was for xmas trees, luckily had a decent width road and could turn around after 3-4 tries. Last truck I had was a Titan Extra cab pro-4x, much easier to drive around.
I've been lurking for a bit...as I'm sure all 1st time posters do. Love the site and am looking forward to being more part of the community as my family and I get back into BLM style camping/exploring.
I currently own an F350 Crew Cab LWB (8' bed) 6.0L Diesel pickup. I bought it to move with, pulled a 10k lb 24' trailer about 2,000 miles last summer. Its been a great truck but I'm not sure its the right vehicle for my family. I'm debating switching to a Montero.
Goal: Explore Oregon on weekend excursions with focus on finding peaceful areas for camping. (Not necessarily super remote).
Family consists of: Me, Wife, 3 yr old, 2 yr old, 70lb dog.
Wife concerns:
- Kids Safety, also becoming increasingly paranoid of animals/strangers. ----> Hardshell sleeping arrangement, teardrop, canopy on truck bed, in vehicle, potentially ok with popup tent
- Some comforts required - for instance our truck is Lariat trim, smooth ride. ---->Vehicle should not be base trim.
- Would like to use vehicle around town for things like, taking kids to dog park, large shopping trips.. ---->Third row if SUV, If truck, need canopy for dog and built ins for easier transport of good.
- Would like to use vehicle for family vacations (on-road such as annual Sunriver trip, Skiing, etc). ---->same as above. Have room for stuff, or pull small trailer. Decent fuel mileage, comfort over 3+hr trips
- Easier to maneuver and park. ---->Probably not looking at expedition EL's or Excursions if we are to make a switch. F350 LWB is massive.
- Something that will last a long time. Tired of buying vehicles. ---->reliability
F350 Benefits
- Plenty of room.
- 20 MPG freeway. 38 gal tank for good range.
- Lots of miles left.
- Payload capacity, Towing Capacity
- Versatility - can daily drive, haul on weekends, tow a house
F350 Issues
- Offroad capability of truck - long wheel base can lead to high centering, no lockers. $$ for mods?
- Size - fear of exploring roads but not being able to turn around. Especially roads on sides of hills where one side it drop off, other is ditch and then uphill.
- Heavy - 7500lbs without gear, sink in mud, sand , snow? Traction issues?
- Reliability - Truck does not have EGR delete or stud kit. 124k on stock injectors. Catastrophic failure imminent? Need external oil & coolant coolers?
- Cold weather starts - very rough starting at and around 40F. Carry generator to plug in truck in cold weather?
- Expense of modifying - canopy, EGR Delete, Studded, build out bed for gear/sleeping, $3,000+ ?
- Loud
Montero Benefits
- Inexpensive comparatively. Could purchase and have 8k for mods, trailer build, savings, etc.
- Third row - can carry two more people than truck, albeit not very comfortably.
- Proven platform for overland, 4x4 trails. (understood this does not mean rock crawling)
- Reliability - less expensive big failures compared to Super Duty.
- Quieter on trails
- RTR out of the box, assuming decent set of tires.
- Ease of driving, parking, good for wife, in town.
- Could probably garage whereas my truck does not fit length or height wise.
Montero Issues
- Sleeping arrangement - probably would have to pull some sort of trailer. Wife is 5'2", might be able to fit in car for sleeping but then where to put car seats? and build a platform?
- If pull trailer, then teardrop like Moby1? If pulling trailer+gear does Montero have the power over rough terrain?
- With above, have read some people find Montero is under powered loaded.
- Dog would ride inside...this is annoying at times because he gets really excited in country settings and starts whining. I hate this!
- Cannot go hunting and throw elk in back. Cannot haul, unless have utility trailer of some sort.
- Basically, would need trailer.
- Gas mileage, with roof rack, not likely to be anywhere near truck MPG. (Offset by typically higher Diesel cost)
I guess my main concern is long term reliability of truck and cost of repairs (blown head gasket, injectors) which is more likely given "dirty" driving conditions and potential intake of particulate and water into combustion cycle. Secondary concern is size (turning radius) and off road prowess.
Since truck is paid for Montero would free up some cash for potential repairs, upgrades, trailer build, however would lose cash in the process of trade-in/purchase. Can't seem to find monteros for less than 9k here in PNW - book out at 7500 retail.
I'm interested in hearing from people with a families that have gone through this. What worked for you? Is it even realistic to think I could camp in national park and BLM land with a family?
For those with big rigs, how do you handle turn around situations? Have you ever been stuck due to the sheer size of your vehicle? My truck has a turning circle of 58'. Last time I went out was for xmas trees, luckily had a decent width road and could turn around after 3-4 tries. Last truck I had was a Titan Extra cab pro-4x, much easier to drive around.