We tow our brand new 2008 Puma 26RLSS which as a dry weight of 6300lb with a 2006 F150 SuperCrew 4x4. Now the truck does great in my opinion and I'm pretty much impressed with it, but on really steeper hills, I can feel the weight and the truck working almost too hard at times. So we kinda have in mind to trade up to a F250 PSD 4x4 for the reason of a more stable tow vehicle. Previously the F-150 was my everyday driver, and recently we got a Honda Civic for the commute to work, so the higher cost of diesel doesn't worry me because the new one would be a strictly tow vehicle. I'm just wondering if I should because my truck is a 2006, and I would take a major hit because of being upside down etc... On the flip side, I know car sales are hurting and I'm sure I could swing a deal somewhere. Shoot, one of my local Ford Dealers has 50 Ford SD's! My main question is should I or shouldn't I? If I'm going to be upside down I might as well be upside down on the truck I really want/need right? I might have to finance it for a longer period of time, and that's what's holding me back. I'm, also afraid to blow up the engine or transmission on my 150 on one of those steep hills. Please advice please. Thanks...
New Mexico
2008 Forest River Puma 26RLSS
2008 Dodge 2500 SLT Big Horn QC Cummins 4x4 6Spd Auto, Exhaust Brake.
Easy-Lift 1000 WD hitch.
2400IS Yamaha Generator
That's a lot of money to have in a TV just for towing. But on the other hand your wet weight is probably maxing out the F-150. I'd just live with it because I don't think you'll fry the engine in the F-150. But, if you have the money a new truck isn't an issue. I tow at 4500 to 5000 rpm on 7% grades a lot. Just get your rpm's up before attacking the incline.
2005 Xterra off road 4X4, 2007 26' Aluma-Lite, WD w/ friction sway, Prodigy, Yamaha EF2400, 400w inverter, front carrier w/ rod holders, Dish Network
Keep the truck change the gears to 4.56/4.88. You can run 3500 rpm all day in that truck without worry. If you really want a deal on a PSD I think you need to look at gently used truck that is three or more years old. And skip the 250 and get a srw 350.
2001 F150 SuperCrew 5.4 Lariat Offroad 4x4 Tow Package 4.10 Truetrac
2006 Keystone Springdale 249FWBHLS
12K SuperGlide, KGE3000Ti 2.3kw rated 2.6kw max
Frank's voltage booster, Prosine 1800 powered by 4 GC2 batteries
I was in a somewhat sinilar position as you. I had an '05 Durango with a HEMI pulling about 5000 lb TT. Did fine but not as well in the mountains. The Durango had only about 26k mi, and was a third vehicle. Since I started using it less and less, I decided to upgrade the TV, since, like you, mileage was not much of an issue. I could not afford to go new and get just what I wanted, so I had to take my time and search for used. Though I traded the Durango in on the Yukon XL back in March - just before gas really skyrocketed - I still took a bit of a hit on the Durango. However, I got the Yukon XL with all the needed equipment with only 20k mi for about $21,500, only about a $6000 difference. Hard to do, but like you said, now at least I have what I need. However, even if I had the money, I probably would have gone used also, because I don't think I would be comfortable dumping that much dough into a TV that's hardly used.
Maybe consider used?? Search for a low mileage 250 or similar. Try to find one that might be a couple/few years older, low-ish miles, well taken care of. There should be a lot of them out there now, just keep looking. If you can keep the difference down, it would be worth it, IMHO. If not, just do what others have said, keep yours and take your time. Hope this helps, and good luck!
Gas prices shouldn't be to big a worry if you get a PS, it won't be working as hard as the 150, you would probably make up for the difference in price w/ the PS. I would go bigger for the added downhill control, that's what concerns me.
I heard that GM is going to offer up to $7000 off or 0% for 72 months to get rid of their large trucks. I'm sure the others will have similar offers soon as well.
We just did the same thing, traded a decent truck for a newer model. Only 2K under water on it, but figured that with the good discounts and financing being offered, I might as well have a better vehicle with more power, better mpg now, since I have a feeling that in 3-5 years there will be fewer towing options available.
Thanks for the input guys. I'm just going to kick back and see what happens with the discounts. The reason I was looking new is because with a new truck they can discount it pretty aggresively in order to have the ability to absorb some of that negative equity. I'm not no 2k under water. If I was I would be driving a new PSD now. I'm willing to take the major hit. It's just that these darn car dealerships are so greedy, that they are not satisfied with a poor customer absorbing major negative equity, they still come back with payments that are like $200 higher than they should be(after you do the math). I hate when they do that. I mean I can't believe they are still trying to thieve a person given the poor sellability of a diesel truck right now. I guess they must not be doing that bad. I actually just got a call from a GM salesman I've worked with in the past announcing that 0% for 72 months. Let's see what happens. I'd rather have a Ford than GM. I just might consider a GMC, but I can't like the Chevy body. Plus I've had GM trucks in the recent past and they have issues with fuel pumps. I'll let you all know if I find a halfway decent deal.
Shop for your own loan, if you get one then go in like your paying cash. I did that with my truck, and the salemen where falling all over themselves to keep me from walking out with a vehicle.
Offline
