collaborative post | If you’re planning to go camping this summer, you’re not alone. Millions of Americans live for the beginning of camping season each year and end up feeling lost and empty once the weather gets too cold to truly enjoy the great outdoors. Of course, for some people, camping season doesn’t end at all. For them, no matter what type of weather they’re up against, it’s never a bad time to set up camp. All they need is a fully furnished camper or a portable heater and a good campfire to keep the chill out of their bones.
Photo by Colby Ray on Unsplash
No matter how often you go camping or how willing you are to brave bad weather, you need the right equipment to help make your outdoor adventures possible. Though several items could be considered camping essentials, a good pickup truck certainly tops the list. It’ll get you where you want to go while giving you enough cargo space and towing capacity to take along everything you need to enjoy the trip.
Discovering the Best Used Pickup Trucks for Camping and Traveling
If you’re in the market for a truck, you’ve probably already discovered that there are countless makes and models to choose from. Each one boasts its own strong suits, and most of them have a few drawbacks to consider as well. With the following options, though, the good definitely outweighs the bad. First off, let’s take a look at some of the best used trucks for sale for camping and road trips.
Chevrolet Silverado
When it comes to workhorses, you really can’t go wrong with a Chevy Silverado. This lineup was first officially released back in 1998, and it has been a crowd favorite ever since. Silverados are known for their interior space, power, hauling and towing capacity, and durability. They’ve outperformed competitors time and time again. These trucks were built for the road and designed with versatility in mind, so they’re more than capable of towing a camper, hauling a bed full of gear, and even going off-road if the situation fits.
Almost any year model Silverado will serve you well with the possible exception of the 2012s and 2013s. Chevrolet got quite a few complaints about those, but its models from most other years are still getting rave reviews. If you’re planning to take a lot of road trips, though, you may want to choose one that’s ten years old or less. You’ll probably be putting a great deal of miles on it. That means one with fewer miles and less wear and tear upfront will most likely last longer for you.
Ford F-Series
Another great choice would be something in Ford’s F-Series lineup. Ford launched this line about 75 years ago, and it’s still in high demand. In fact, the demand for these trucks has been steadily rising. It has been not only Ford’s best-selling pickup for almost 50 years running but also America’s. F-Series pickups are famous for their dependability, performance, and versatility. People love them as work trucks, runabouts, family vehicles, and road trip facilitators alike.
As is the case with the Silverado, these trucks have plenty of pulling and hauling power. They’re also perfectly capable of taking you off-road if that’s where you want to go. That being said, if you’ll be routinely venturing off the beaten path or camping somewhere besides a designated campground, you may want to choose a four-wheel-drive model.
Think about the size of your family and camper too. Although F-Series trucks generally have about the same space for passengers, the F-350 will give you more cargo space and towing capacity than the 250 or 150. Again, previous mileage and wear matter here, especially if you’ll be traveling a lot and going long distances.
Ram Trucks
Formerly known as Dodge Rams, these trucks also top the list for road trips and camping excursions. They’re notoriously rugged, and they’re famous for their performance, durability, interior comfort, and technological features. They can easily handle off-roading just as well as they can deal with back roads, highways, and interstates. Whether you’re driving across the field behind your house or venturing into Canada or Mexico for a camping trip or adventure, a Ram will stay the course.
Some of the pickup trucks in Ram’s lineup are the 1500, 2500, and 3500. Their engines come in gas and diesel versions, and they range from modest but capable 3.6-liter V6s to ramped-up 6.7-liter Cummins turbo diesels. Which one would be best for you depends on how much you want to tow and haul. For camping enthusiasts who tow large RVs or travel trailers across long distances, many Ram 2500 and 3500 diesel owners enhance their trucks with performance tuners that increase towing power and fuel economy, making cross-country adventures more affordable and reducing the strain of pulling heavy campers through mountain passes. Keep in mind that the older the truck, the fewer modern advancements it’ll have. If you’re looking for fairly recent driver-assist features, Bluetooth connectivity, and the like, you’ll need to look at 2004s or newer.
Looking at New Trucks for Your Adventures
Ram, Ford, and Chevrolet have models on the market for this year as well. Certain other automakers are catching up, though. Several manufacturers have entered the race for 2024, and their trucks have features you may not find with an older used model. If you’d prefer to buy a brand-new truck for your upcoming camping trips and family vacations, take a look at a couple of the most highly touted.
Toyota Tacoma
Toyota Tacomas have been on the American automotive market since 2005, and the 2024 model has been named Kelley Blue Book’s Midsize Truck Best Buy of the Year. From the beginning, Tacomas gained attention for their power, reliability, and hardiness. They excel when it comes to off-roading, and they can certainly hold their own in terms of towing and hauling capability. A Tacoma, or almost any Toyota truck for that matter, is sure to last through years of adventures. Some Tacomas of the past have held out for more than 400,000 miles.
Jeep Gladiator
Jeep made its first truck, the Willys, back in 1947. Today, one of its most highly sought-after pickups is the Gladiator. It’s a midsize model with full-size capabilities, and per the norm for Jeep, it’s made for off-roading. It’s also great for camping; in fact, it has a removable roof and doors for those who want to feel closer to the great outdoors. Several trim levels, packages, and other options are available if you want a more customized Gladiator. There are even versions designed especially for trails or deserts.
Finding the Perfect Pickup Truck for Your Outings
Numerous pickup trucks are perfectly capable of handling camping trips, cross-country drives, and off-roading. Those listed here are some of the most popular and the most highly rated. As you’re considering your options, think about the types of trips you want to take, how much weight you’ll be hauling and towing, and how much space you need for gear and passengers. Let those factors help you decide which pickup will take you on your upcoming adventures.
