Late model truck for hauling a 5th wheel.

Oh Six and a half LBZ.

My personal preference is an LBZ Duramax, but you know how hard one is to find that's 1) NOT a dually and 2) a short bed? Were my '02 in a bit better condition, I've seriously thought about buying an LBZ from a wreck an swapping it out. Biggest issue is that I'd have to install a TapShift of some sort, or change the steering column, due to the 6 speed Allie vs the 5 speed I have.

Lyle

spud1957 wrote:
My Gad man!! Do realize what this question will cause on this forum. Apparently you don't visit this site too often.

Ram owners will say Ram.

GM owners will say GM.

Ford owners will say Ford.

Late model to me is 2017+. Pick any. They are all great trucks. They all have there issues. Non no better than the other.

S

Well said !! (Except the last two sentences).

To the OP: Suggest you visit *any* of the diesel pickup forums for each brand (there are several for each).

Check the sections for the model and configuration you are considering. (Engines & trannys).
See what *problems* owners are having - how solved, repair costs, etc.
You won't find brand bashing - as the forum/s are for the same brand.

*****************************************************

The can't agree with - last two sentences in your post:

Late model to me means "DEF" required. Pre 2006 is my preference.

Unfortunately the 6.0 Ford engines have a (deserved) bad reputation -
due to the "fixits" the factory would allow. Using after market (and after warranty) parts did way better than the factory!

My BIL is a retired GM employee - so, of course he has a (2003) Chevy diesel pickup. His major "after warranty" repair was injectors.
When he looked under the hood of my Dodge '05 CTD - first thing he said was, "You can actually SEE the engine!"

If I was buying new (or "late model") now - it would most likely be a gas burner - or if I was towing heavy, an HDT (way less $ than a new pickup).

Roll on!

:C

Cummins12V98 wrote:

I did TNINK I wanted a Lartamie until I sat in the seats after setting in my Folks new LongHorn at Dave Smiths. I left with a LongHorn, now I have another.

I went to the dealer to test drive a Laramie and ended up taking home a Longhorn after DW wandered around the lot and sat in one. I don't recall a massive difference in seat comfort, but according to her there is a significant difference. We both liked the Longhorn better, as an overall package, enough to justify the price increase. We're talking 2019, so earlier models may be a bit different.

As for the op's question, they need to define what they consider "late model" and a budget. There are too many variables to narrow down a suggestion when we could be talking anywhere between 2009 and 2019, $20K and $100K.

That would be my answer as well, As far as the 2001-2004 Dmax Injectors most of them have been repaired by owner or replaced on GM's 10 year Warranty by now other than that the LB7's are one heck of a motor as I have had two of them along with my Fantastic 07 LBZ DMAX/Allison (in most peoples opinion the best DMAX made:B
)

KD4UPL wrote:
Define late model. If you're going newer than 2011 they are all pretty good. Prior to 2011 avoid the Ford diesels. If you're going way back avoid the Duramax from 2001 to 2004.5 the injectors were problematic. If you're going for a late '90s to mid 2000's Dodge avoid the automatics.
In my personal experience GM trucks have proven themselves extremely reliable. I don't buy them because I like the name, I buy them because they give good service in my business over and over again.

TxGearhead wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
"I have a 12,500 GVW 5th wheel and the pin weight is 3500+-."

OVER 28% pin! Or are you actually over 12,500#?

Yep. We load heavy. Rarely take a 2-3 day trip. Usually
2-3 weeks. Plus the washer/dryer in the front closet. Plus the wifes 28 pair of shoes, 3 grills, charcoal, propane, lots of tools, spare hub, etc etc.
It adds up. That's why I got rid of the Ford F350 crew cab, srw, 4x4, diesel, long bed, Lariat. It had a 3267# payload. I was well over that.
I was bumping against the GVW.

Maybe you should add a heavy-duty cargo box on the back end and put some of that stuff back there! :B

Lyle

Cummins12V98 wrote:
"I have a 12,500 GVW 5th wheel and the pin weight is 3500+-."

OVER 28% pin! Or are you actually over 12,500#?

Yep. We load heavy. Rarely take a 2-3 day trip. Usually
2-3 weeks. Plus the washer/dryer in the front closet. Plus the wifes 28 pair of shoes, 3 grills, charcoal, propane, lots of tools, spare hub, etc etc.
It adds up. That's why I got rid of the Ford F350 crew cab, srw, 4x4, diesel, long bed, Lariat. It had a 3267# payload. I was well over that.
I was bumping against the GVW.

Cummins12V98 wrote:

LanceRKeys wrote:
I also think that the seats and mirrors are more important than the badge on the front of the truck. After the new wears off, they all do about the same thing, but a comfortable seat on a 10-12 hour day sure makes a difference.

YUP

I wish I felt the same about the leather seats in my Laramie , identical seat to your picture, different synthetic material on the bottom, and back seating position , but shape ,construction etc the same. If we were to pull the covers off the back ,and seat bottom we would probably find nothing different , they would be padded the same. I would have to sit in a Longhorn to see, but the seats as far as I can see are identical .

There is certainly different takes on what is better ,but I would take the cloth seats in my previous 99 Superduty over these seats in the 2014 Ram, and definitely the mirrors .

LanceRKeys wrote:
Yeah, my trailer is about 11,500 ready to camp and on the big passes I have to slow down and down shift. Everywhere else I just set the cruise on 70 and go. 7.3/6speed/3.73. It did take a lot of looking to find a crew cab with a standard transmission. I don’t think it is the best combination out there, but it is one of the best. If money were no issue, I would have a newer 6.7/automatic.

7.3 is still sought out, they are a good motor, but unfortunately the power is not there. I would probably still have it if I would have stayed around 10K, it did okay at that weight . The newer 6.7 Ram and Ford are nice trucks, but those older 7.3 Superduties were too.

LanceRKeys wrote:
I also think that the seats and mirrors are more important than the badge on the front of the truck. After the new wears off, they all do about the same thing, but a comfortable seat on a 10-12 hour day sure makes a difference.

YUP