JaredWPhillips wrote: That's true. A F350/3500 would be ideal. I'd still suggest a used Diesel truck, but if you are set on gas, then look for a Chevy 3500 with the 6.0 V8 or the 8.1 V8. Mileage will suck with either one, but that's the price to pay for having a large gas motor instead of a diesel.
I'm not a Ford guy, but you would also be happy with a 1999-2003 F350 with the 7.3 Powerstroke Diesel, or a 2005-2007 Chevrolet 3500 with the Duramax.
This is the info I'm looking for...thanks! Anything else you want to throw at me feel free, LOL!
mooring product wrote: These posts should be locked..its just a big pissing match.
Go out and do your homework.
Nothing wrong with this discussion as long as people remember that opinions are just that; opinions. I don't get offended if someone disagrees with my opinion, I just want people to be polite. Everyone believes that their truck combo is the BEST, and opinions can be given based on experiences. This becomes a problem when posters start bashing each other's trucks or trucks from other manufactures based only on an opinion.
fla-gypsy wrote: On a used Ford I would not buy diesel, come to think of it I would not buy diesel new either but thats just me. A late model F-250/350 with a V-10 would be sweet.
fla-gypsy what years are you suggesting? My common sense tells me gas for our usage but I sure like the sound & power of diesel, LOL!
Depends on the years you are considering. If Gas I would be looking at 2005 and newer in a 6.8L V-10(3v version, discontinued after 2010) In a diesel you would want to go much older, pre 2003 with a 7.3L. The 6.0 PSD can have serious reliability issues and the newer diesels (2008 and up) are just unproven IMO and too costly. Disclaimer: I do not own a TC but I am a Ford SuperDuty owner. I am on my third one and I research my trucks.
* This post was
edited 05/17/12 01:49pm by fla-gypsy *
Boatycall wrote: One thing very key is your budget of course. Gas is a lot cheaper than diesel, but then you pay that back in fuel cost.
fla-gypsy wrote: On a used Ford I would not buy diesel, come to think of it I would not buy diesel new either but thats just me.
Why? I love my truck. It's 10+ years old, still looks and runs great. A diesel will outlive, outhaul, and get better MPG than a gas engine. If picking at the negatives on the Fords, the '04s are the most twitchy because it was the first year of the 6.0L diesel.
And Chevy didn't get into the diesel game until long after Ford and Dodge had a proven track record.
And now we start the gas vs. diesel wars again....
No problem with the pre 2003 7.3L diesel, but after that it was a mess for several years, not just the 03's and 04's. I am aware of 06's having the same issues and some of the 6.4L are not much better. Jury is still deliberating on the 6.7L diesel
mooring product wrote: These posts should be locked..its just a big pissing match.
Go out and do your homework.
He is doing his homework! This is not about gas vs diesel or Ford vs Chevy. It is about getting the best value in a truck that will work for him. Some of us are willing to give an informed opinion.
My mechanic like the GMs better in either gas or diesel.
If you are pulling a load, then I would go with a diesel. Gas has its own issue and you have to remember a diesel will not need to turn the revs of gas engine. This contributes to longevity.
The big problem with the GM in my opinion is its 26 gallon tank. I haven't a clue why GM did that.
Once you get a diesel outside the problem years they are all pretty good. The Cummins MIGHT be the best engine, but GM has the Allison transmission and the Dmax engine is not bad. Some people have wryly commented that the perfect truck would be a Ford body, Dodge Cummins engine, and the GM Allison transmission.
I have been happy with my 07 GMC Sierra 2500HD with 4WD. I almost bought a Dodge 2500 with the 5.9 engine with only 40K miles on it. That said the GMC has done very well for me and it is hard to go back and drive the Camry after riding in the battleship.
fla-gypsy wrote: On a used Ford I would not buy diesel, come to think of it I would not buy diesel new either but thats just me. A late model F-250/350 with a V-10 would be sweet.
fla-gypsy what years are you suggesting? My common sense tells me gas for our usage but I sure like the sound & power of diesel, LOL!
Depends on the years you are considering. If Gas I would be looking at 2005 and newer in a 6.8L V-10(3v version, discontinued after 2010) In a diesel you would want to go much older, pre 2003 with a 7.3L. The 6.0 PSD can have serious reliability issues and the newer diesels (2008 and up) are just unproven IMO and too costly. Disclaimer: I do not own a TC but I am a Ford SuperDuty owner. I am on my third one and I research my trucks.
I second this verbatim...in Super Duties look 2005 and up, if for no other reason than a vastly improved turning radius...I only add that, IMO, IF you were to find a 1-owner, never modded, dealer serviced only with all receipts, lived out West so no rust 6.0L Powerstroke Ford F350, it would be worth considering.
I admittedly lean Ford, but an 8.1L/Allison or 6.0L/6auto GM/Chevy truck would serve your purposes nicely too. Same with a Dmax/Ally if you do decide to go diesel.
Also agree than while a 250/2500 may work, why not get a 1-ton? Think of a 350/3500 as a slightly heavier-duty 250/2500 for very little more money.
BManning baking in Phoenix
2008 Ford Super Duty F250 XLT, 4x4, crew cab, 6.75' bed
5.4L V8 300hp/365ft-lb, 5sp Torqshift, 4.30 AAM gears
9400lb GVW 11200lb tow
2007 Volvo XC90 AWD V8
4.4L 311hp/325ft-lb, 6sp Aisin, loaded
6100lb GVW 5000lb tow
donn0128 wrote: Forget a 3/4 ton from anybody! Get a 1 ton SRW. That 1800 "dry" number will blossom to 24-2500 pounds in a hurry and there is no way a 3/4 ton can handle that much without a lot of work.
Seriously? So you're saying one of the lightest hard side TC's out there still needs to be on a One Ton truck? So how are all the rest of the folks here carrying a 4000# plus camper on their one ton? No sarcasm, just trying to understand the logic.
It is very simple. I had a second gen D/A 2500HD. Scaled ready to travel it was 7500 pounds. GVWR was 9200 pounds. That means in plane terms that I had 1700 pounds left before I exceeded the manufacturers GVWR. The Op's camper has a mystical dry weight of 1800 pounds. So if and that is a big IF he could actually get the camper and it actually weighed 1800 pounds he would be over the GVWR by 100 pounds before he added and water, propane, batteries, accessories, clothes or food. Adding those things plus who knows what else will make that 9200 GVWR 2500HD GM offering scale ready to camp at well over 10,000 pounds. Now, if you or he choose to ignore the manufacturers ratings, then by all means forget my comments as the rantings of a crazy old man who does not know anything. Also remember the RAWR dictated by the tires on second gen GM products is only 6080 pounds. And most of a campers weight will be placed over the rear axle. From what I have seen, Fords are not much better. Their loaded ready to travel weights are higher as are their GVWR numbers. So basically it is a wash with all the manufacturers.
Donn,Lorri,Max (The Rescued Lab)
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