Truck Camper News

SURVEY RESULTS: 2014 Dream Truck Survey

756 Truck Camper Magazine readers responded to the Truck Camper Magazine Dream Truck Survey and the results are very telling.  Here are the trucks we have, and the trucks of our dreams for 2014.

Dream-Truck-Survey-Results

The second Truck Camper Magazine Dream Truck Survey results are in and we have some truly fascinating results.  First, the overall winner is clear; a Ford F-350, Diesel, Crew Cab, Long Bed, Automatic, Four-Wheel Drive, Dually Single Rear Wheel.  Congratulations Ford for winning our Dream Truck Survey for the second time!

Wait a minute!  Did we just report that the 2014 dream truck is a single rear wheel?  Yes, we did.  Yes, we are shocked.  And that’s not the only surprise.

Here are the results of the 2014 Truck Camper Magazine Dream Truck Survey:

The survey results are listed in the order the survey questions were asked with current and dream trucks side-by-side for comparison.  The percentages within each question are ordered top to bottom in the order of their popularity, again for side-by-side comparison.

Thank you to all of the readers who participated in the survey.

1. CURRENT VS. DREAM TRUCK – MAKE

Once again Ford was the number one brand, but they slipped from 47.31% in 2011 to 37.68% for 2014 while their competitors gained traction.  For example, the combination of Chevrolet and GMC (essentially identical trucks) moved from 28.46% in 2011 to 30.5% in 2014.  Look out Ford!

CURRENT TRUCKDREAM TRUCK
Ford – 36.6%Ford – 37.68%
Dodge – 22.81%Dodge – 24.23%
Chevrolet – 18.83%Chevrolet – 16.78%
GMC – 10.48%GMC – 13.72%
Toyota – 4.38%Other – Fuso, Unimog, Jeep – 4.39%
Other – Fuso, Unimog, Jeep – 1.06%Toyota – 2.93%
Nissan – .93%Nissan – .27%
None – I do not own a truck – 4.91%None – I do not own a truck – 6.06%

 

2. CURRENT VS. DREAM TRUCK – MODEL

The big trend in models is big.  While we saw a dip in 1-ton trucks from 52.69% in 2011 to 49.34% in 2014, F-450/F-550/4500 went from 24.23% in 2011 to 29.12% in 2014.  Every smaller truck category went down, a signal that truck camper owners want bigger trucks.  No kidding, right?

CURRENT TRUCKDREAM TRUCK
1-Ton: F-350/3500 – 38.43%1-Ton: F-350/3500 – 49.34%
3/4 Ton: F-250/2500 – 33.24%F-450/F-550/4500, etc. – 29.12%
Half-Ton: F-150/1500 – 15.29%3/4 Ton: F-250/2500 – 15.56%
Mini: Ranger/Tacoma, etc. – 4.52%Half-Ton: F-150/1500 – 4.39%
F-450/F-550/4500, etc. – 3.46%Mini: Ranger/Tacoma, etc. – 1.6%
None – I do not own a truck – 5.05%None – I do not own a truck – 6.06%

 

3. CURRENT VS. DREAM TRUCK – FUEL TYPE

Fuel type is another no-brainer.  Clearly Truck Camper Magazine readers want diesel trucks.  In 2011, 78.99% wanted diesel.  For 2014, 77.27% want diesel trucks.  Yes, that number is down a smidge, but it’s still no contest.  Diesel rules.

CURRENT TRUCKDREAM TRUCK
Diesel – 55.56%Diesel – 77.27%
Gas – 39.49%Gas – 22.73%
None – I do not own a truck – 4.95%None – I do not own a truck – 6.36%

 

4. CURRENT VS. DREAM TRUCK – CAB TYPE

Another less than shocking result is the cab type.  Once again crew cab is the choice with a 66.32% response in 2011, and a 70.17% response for 2014.  We too love our four doors, even though they add weight, and push the center of gravity back.  Everything has its cost.

CURRENT TRUCKDREAM TRUCK
Crew Cab: Four Doors – 54.95%Crew Cab: Four Doors – 70.17%
Extended Cab: Half Doors – 31.68%Extended Cab: Half-Doors – 26.23%
Regular Cab – 8.16%Regular Cab – 3.6%
None – I do not own a truck – 5.21%None – I do not own a truck – 6.36%

 

5. CURRENT VS. DREAM TRUCK – BED TYPE

Stop the press!  Long beds have actually fallen out of favor a bit.  In 2011, 62.33% wanted a long bed as their dream truck bed.  For 2014, that percentage has moved down to 56.31%.  Short beds have moved up from 17.59% in 2011, to 23.24% (short and super short combined) in 2014.

CURRENT TRUCKDREAM TRUCK
Long Bed – 56.12%Long Bed – 56.31%
Short Bed – 32.98%Short Bed – 22.58%
Super Short Bed – 3.99%Custom Storage Bed – 15.54%
Custom Storage Bed – 1.06%Flat-Bed – 5.35%
Flat-Bed – .93%Super Short Bed – .66%
None – I do not own a truck – 4.92%None – I do not own a truck – 6.26%

 

6. CURRENT VS. DREAM TRUCK – TRANSMISSION TYPE

Let’s keep this simple; basically everyone wants an automatic transmission.  In 2011, 82.49% wanted an automatic.  In 2014, 86.96% want an automatic.  Personally, we prefer manuals for our cars, and automatics for our trucks.

CURRENT TRUCKDREAM TRUCK
Automatic Transmission – 83.9%Automatic Transmission – 86.96%
Manual Transmission – 11.23%Manual Transmission – 13.04%
None – I do not own a truck – 4.87%None – I do not own a truck – 6.4%

 

7. CURRENT VS. DREAM TRUCK – DRIVELINE TYPE

If there’s one piece of data that seems rock solid and indisputable in this survey, it’s this; truck campers want four-wheel drive.  In 2011, 92.12% said they prefer four-wheel drive.  In 2014, 92.15% want four-wheel drive.  Enough said.

CURRENT TRUCKDREAM TRUCK
Four-Wheel Drive: 4×4 – 79.78%Four-Wheel Drive: 4×4 – 92.15%
Two-Wheel Drive: 4×2 – 15.23%Two-Wheel Drive: 4×2 – 7.85%
None – I do not own a truck – 4.99%None – I do not own a truck – 5.94%

 

8. CURRENT VS. DREAM TRUCK – REAR WHEEL CONFIGURATION

Here, ladies and gentlemen, is the real shocker in this survey.  The preference of dual rear wheel trucks to single rear wheel trucks has flipped.  In 2011, 51.15% wanted a dually, and 48.85% wanted single rear wheels.  In 2012, 52.25% want single rear wheels, and 47.75% want a dually.  We’re not sure how this lines up with the other preferences, but it’s something we’re going to study.

CURRENT TRUCKDREAM TRUCK
Single Rear Wheel: SRW – 68.23%Single Rear Wheel: SRW – 52.25%
Dual Rear Wheel: DRW – 27.08%Dual Rear Wheel: DRW – 47.75%
None – I do not want a truck – 4.69%

Thanks to everyone who participated in the 2014 Dream Truck Survey.  As always, it’s fascinating to see what you have, and what you want.  It’s also important information for the industry and educates our content decisions moving forward.

If you’re researching a truck purchase for a truck camper rig, please start by reading our Newbie Corner.  Specifically, read “Matching A Truck and Camper“, “The Payload Match Challenge: Part 1“, and “The Payload Match Challenge: Part 2“.

 

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