gschindel
Alberta
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Joined: 05/25/2005
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Hi
I am trying to figure out if I can afford to get a diesel truck to go with a possible future 5th wheel. I need to sell our durango and travel trailer due to a fire - another story! and am looking to see if a truck and 5th wheel would be an option.
I know this question likely doesn't have an easy answer but how many miles or KM (I'm in Alberta) would you say a diesel could go and still have very good reliability - trouble free - no big $ for maintenance? If I was looking at gas - all that I have know - I would want something with under 50 Km - but I know diesels are another kettle of fish.
Related to my search what kind of gas milage could I expect from a 3/4 diesel versus a big v8 gas?
I'm hoping to spend around $50,000 can for truck and trailer - but if I can't get anything with enough reliability - we do a lot of driving the kids to hockey in the winter - I will look at other options. - the trailer needs to be decent also - as our Jayco just gave us a scare with a hot water heather fire it needs to be new enough to be "safe".
If anyone has any advice of what brand to look for or stay away from in certain years it would be much appreciated. I am not partial to any particular flavor - 4x4 and crew cab would be a must though.
Thanks much.
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rob85546
Hot arizona
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Joined: 03/14/2006
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Get a 06/07 LBZ duramax...
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AYRTIME
Innerkip Ontario Canada
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Joined: 04/09/2004
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Ontario here. 185k kms on our '03 2500HD XLT Extended Cab Short Box DMAX. Original injectors. Added 2 micron CAT fuel filter. Brakes and alternator were only issues.
Love the DMAX.
Good luck with your research and choice.
2003 GMC 2500 HD D/A 4X4 EC SB
94 Chateau 5'er, 26ft
Life is a roller coaster. I was a first time rider - once!
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gmc6000
North Dakota
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Joined: 08/18/2004
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This is really a loaded question. The short annswer is, it depends on how well it was taken care of by the previous owner. I have seen Dodge diesels go hundreds of thousands of mile, but usually the rest of the truck is junk before the engine gives up. Here is a Duramax with over 750,000 miles Duramax
It also depends on the price. I myself would not buy anything with over 200,000 miles unless it was really cheap and in near perfect condition.
2011 GMC Denali HD Duramax
2013 KZ Inferno 3710T
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crickeydog
Marietta, Ga.
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Joined: 01/29/2004
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rob85546 wrote:Get a 06/07 LBZ duramax...
X2. I expect 500K+ miles out of ours. They're all gonna break so just pick the truck you like best. However, IMHO: find a good well maintained used 06-07Classic LBZ Chevy/GMC 1 ton crew cab DRW. It'll be the last truck you buy.
Happy camping!!! See y'all down the road!!!
USAF RETIRED. "EITHER LEAD, FOLLOW, OR GET OUTTA THE WAY"!
PULL DOGS:
2006 GMC 3500 CC DRW D/A LBZ 4X4 SLT "THE SILVER FOX" PRIMARY
2000 DODGE 3500 QUAD CAB DRW CTD LARAMIE "THE ROAD TRAIN LOCOMOTIVE" BACK-UP
2004 HOLIDAY RAMBLER PRES. 30 SCD 5'ER
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Likes to tow
Huntington WV
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Joined: 01/13/2006
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I would say a DMax or Cummins would be the way to go. Some model years of DMAX had overheating issues, better research that first before you buy. I've read many posts of Cummins with over 300k miles and still running strong. Be careful not to buy any diesel that has been chipped or aftermarket programers attached as this can cause EGT temps to run high and cause transmission issues. The diesel trucks manufactured after about 02 or so do not need any modification to be real pull dogs. They are really fun to tow with but repairs can be an issue. Injectors and the pumps are not cheap!! Be aware also that any Ford with a 6.0 is very questionable. Ford has struggled with their trucks since the 7.3 went away in 02. The engine that replaced the 6.0 after 06 had some issues with accessablity to the engine for some maintenance proceedures and the cab had to be removed from the chasis!! I'm sure this is not a cheap proceedure.
I would think any stock Cummins or DMAX with under 200k can be obtained at a good price and leave you some money for repairs. New diesels are now pushing past $50k. Do an Internet search in a driveable distance from your location. Many good trucks are out there.
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karlba
crockett,tx
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if ford go back to an 02 or earlier and get the 7.3l, that is a work horse of a a truck, there are 6 of them in my local area with over 1,000,000 each from what the guy at oil change place tells me. (prob oil field hot shot drivers) from 02 I wouldnt buy anything til the new 6.7l clean diesel. I own both a 1999 and a 2011 had an 06 and got rid of it at about 85k miles as it had fueling issues starting.
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Engineer9860
Eagle Scout dad
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Joined: 08/10/2003
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rob85546 wrote:Get a 06/07 LBZ duramax...
This.
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4x4ord
Canada
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Joined: 12/23/2010
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crickeydog wrote:rob85546 wrote:Get a 06/07 LBZ duramax...
X2. I expect 500K+ miles out of ours. They're all gonna break so just pick the truck you like best. However, IMHO: find a good well maintained used 06-07Classic LBZ Chevy/GMC 1 ton crew cab DRW. It'll be the last truck you buy.
Happy camping!!! See y'all down the road!!!
I too would recommend you get a 2006 or 2007 GMC Duramax. The 3500 SRW would be my first choice although a 3/4 ton can be equipped with air bags and be at least as capable as the 1 ton. Technically in BC you should be under your GVWR while towing a trailer and air bags don't change that rating. Quite often Injectors need replacing on diesels after a couple hundred thousand km and changing them is almost as expensive as replacing an entire gasoline engine so buying a diesel might not save you any money but they sure are nice to pull with.
2011 F350 SRW short box 4x4 CC 6.7 PS King Ranch
B&W TurnoverBall and Companion
2003 Citation Supreme 34 RLTS
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gschindel
Alberta
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Joined: 05/25/2005
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Thanks much for all the advice. Narrowing it to the two "good" choices will help a lot. I'll start looking and see what I can find. - and will likely be asking for your specific opinions if I come across anything that looks promising.
Thanks again
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