A Tradesman for off pavement travel/dispersed camping.

  • HTML tutorial

Billiebob

Rank V
Launch Member

Member III

2,835
earth
First Name
Bill
Last Name
William
Member #

18893

The Warn bumper is actually the cheapest bumper out there.
An excellant choice too. I wonder if the factory PowerWagon winch could be fitted.

With an 8' box and a thirsty Hemi, I'd want to fit a slip tank or after market fuel tank for extra gas.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Broke and MidOH

Downs

Rank V
Launch Member

Member III

2,827
Hunt County Texas
First Name
Joshua
Last Name
Downs
Member #

20468

Ham/GMRS Callsign
KK6RBI / WQYH678
Service Branch
USMC 03-16, FIRE/EMS
Love the Tradesman trucks. If I was going to get a new truck it would be one of those. Simple bare bones, vinyl floors. My dad had a single cab dually, with the diesel. Great truck.
 

DevilDodge

Rank IV

Advocate I

1,135
Altoona, Pennsylvania, USA
First Name
David
Last Name
Spencer
We just got back from a travel trailer trip.20200720_202509.jpg
My son and I are reserved for a motorized campsite this Saturday.

He has camped his entire life with the travel trailer and campgrounds.

This will be his first full wilderness experience and in a tent.

He is super excited.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Broke

DevilDodge

Rank IV

Advocate I

1,135
Altoona, Pennsylvania, USA
First Name
David
Last Name
Spencer
I still have not done any mods. Still waiting for my current tires to wear out.

I am hoping to get tires soon...but definitely before winter.

I really can not think of any mods I need to do.

That said I was gettin the itch to get a newer truck. But, I honestly like This truck too much.

I am planning the bumpers and auxiliary lighting first.

I have been kicking around a HAM radio or atleast a CB.

Not sure about a rack...and also not sure how far I want to go with storage and a sleeping area.

This weekend will let me think about some things.

Can not wait to get out.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Broke

DevilDodge

Rank IV

Advocate I

1,135
Altoona, Pennsylvania, USA
First Name
David
Last Name
Spencer

Finished packing the truck. Got the first aid box. Mt. Pie maker. Firewood and fire tool bag. Chairs and table. Two- 5 gallon water jugs. Recovery gear and tools. The tent and a bix with all the campsite stuff and a 5 gallon bucket toilet. A day cooler and the larger cooler.
 

Attachments

  • Like
Reactions: Broke

DevilDodge

Rank IV

Advocate I

1,135
Altoona, Pennsylvania, USA
First Name
David
Last Name
Spencer
So, the Tradesman took us on our first camping trip in the forest.

As luck would have it...my decision on when to get tires was made for me.
20200801_191949.jpg
Got to teach the kids how to change a tire in the wilderness though.

Also, after driving over a large rock when pulling off the road to let others pass, I get to replace a front wheel bearing. It has been giving hints of it going bad. 140k on it so it is due.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Broke

DevilDodge

Rank IV

Advocate I

1,135
Altoona, Pennsylvania, USA
First Name
David
Last Name
Spencer
Changed out the wheel bearing and swapped the wheels and tires from our 3rd Gen HeftyDuty

Ready to go camping again...but have some homeowner stuff to do this weekend.
20200811_104528.jpg20200811_111234.jpg20200811_113958_HDR.jpg
 

DevilDodge

Rank IV

Advocate I

1,135
Altoona, Pennsylvania, USA
First Name
David
Last Name
Spencer
We haven't done much off pavement travel and no dispersed camping since October. Getting the itch to get out...hopefully over the Holiday weekend we get get some gravel, dirt, mud and snow under the tires in a forest.

The truck has been working flawlessly. Hauled some firewood and a load of remodeling junk to the dump.

Still haven't started any mods. The truck works perfectly for our current use that I do not know how much I need to mod. Still have plans for 35 inch tires, more offroad type bumpers and a winch. Also want to get the auxiliary buttons installed and wire up the lights I have.

20201216_102524_HDR.jpg20201031_152345.jpg
 

whododat

Rank II

Enthusiast III

473
TN
First Name
Jorge
Last Name
Jim
Looking good, always like simplicity with the big trucks.
I wish something like that would fit in my garage. Might be looking to get back into a crew cab within the next couple of years.
 
  • Love
Reactions: DevilDodge

tjZ06

Rank V
Launch Member

Advocate I

2,268
Las Vegas/Palo Alto
First Name
mynameisntallowed
Last Name
Adams
Member #

20043

Seems like a great platform for an Overlander. Tons of space, both for clean storage (cab) and in the bed. Sure, there will be times wheelbase will give you issues (break-over and tighter turns) but for Overlanding I think it'll work out well. Obviously plenty of folks are doing it with the AEV Prospector XL rigs that are the same platform, just slightly shorter (they don't run the 8' bed, IIRC).

-TJ
Funny I clicked into this thread to comment something like "great platform" and thought to check if I had earlier, and sure enough I had! The funny thing is since then I moved back to a full size for Overlanding myself: Going back to a Full Size for my Overlanding

Anyway, I'm sure the new tires are a nice change!

-TJ
 
  • Love
Reactions: DevilDodge