With a loaded (people & stuff) Crew Cab F250, the pin weight of a medium-sized 5th wheel can easily exceed the truck's GVWR. These trucks are a lot heavier than people think- including myself at one time. Figure the truck weighs in at 7000 lbs and you can only have 1800#s of pin-weight. That's about a 9000lb trailer... not much of a 5th-wheel for a family of four. And, it leaves no growth margin.

If you stick to the bumper-pull trailers, you don't have to worry as much about exceeding the GVWR (8800#) as you do about the GCWR (20,000#). With two growing kids, I'd want as much room as possible.

When we bought our trailer, I had to talk my wife into the 5'er instead of a tent trailer. She thought the size and hook-up was going to be a PITA. Now, every time we go "camping", she comments on how glad she is that we got the trailer instead of tent on wheels. I think she's just spoiled with tv, vcr, dvd, microwave, shower, potty, hot/cold water, queen bed, stove, fridge, etc.

 

Nomo:
I get what you mean on GVWR. A friend has a "large" truck camper 11+ft(?) Lance - but then they have a F350 PSD Dually. It is nice to have all the luxuries of home (VCR, TV,microwave, etc) - but we would have to pay to store a fifth wheel or a travel trailer. A truck camper is very conveniant - but our current truck is not big enough for a large one. And the more I think about it a truck camper might be better for 2 people than 4 in the long run. The Coleman Westlake tent trailer is probably the way we will go - it sleeps 9 - plenty of interior space - has indoor/outdoor hot/cold showers, bathroom, air conditioner, heater, small fridge, two stoves, trunk, power lift system, roof rack for bikes, boat - lifetime warranties on the roof, floor and tent material - is easy for us to stow in the back yard - and I gotta say...y'know there is something about camping with a TV that just doesn't seem right!!

Thanks again everyone - lots of good suggestions - opinions.
Gotta love this site.

 

BD;
One other issue to think about is mobility once you get to your destination. You can't remove a slide in camper once you get to your campsite because of safety issues. Therefore you are stuck with your camper on your truck. If you want to drive somewhere to go fishing, shopping etc, you have to pack up again before you go. We have used both types of campers ( slide-in and trailer ) for hunting/fishing trips and having your truck free to use is a real bonus of a trailer. Good luck with your decision. GlennMc.