Forum Discussion

Noles17's avatar
Noles17
Explorer
Apr 02, 2017

Truck Advice

Evening all,

I am looking for a little truck advice. I currently have a travel trailer and am looking at upgrading to a 5th wheel by the end of the year. My current truck, Ram 2500 with 5.7, won't pull the fiver so obviously I am going to upgrade there as well.

The 5th wheel we are looking at weighs around 15.5K lbs. I understand that I need a 1 ton, or its just the better option, but I do not want this size truck as my daily driver anymore. I am considering getting something to have as a utility truck and just to pull the 5th wheel. Any recommendations for under 20K? I am seeing a good bit of options in a F350, around 2004 or 2005 model years, with under 100K miles.

What are your thoughts?

30 Replies

Show More
  • waltbennett's avatar
    waltbennett
    Explorer
    Apr 03, 2017
    md_procouple wrote:
    We have had our 2006 F-350 for 4 yrs, (dreaded 6.0, as one person stated) and never encountered a problem. We pull our Montana without any problems. Good Luck and Happy Camping !!


    X2, same year & model. It only had 28k miles on it when I bought it in 2013 after a whole lot of research. First thing I did was get the cooling system power flushed and added a coolant filter. We've put 30k miles on it, crossed the US twice, and only had minor problems.
  • garyp4951's avatar
    garyp4951
    Explorer III
    Apr 03, 2017
    100k miles on a diesel is nothing, so I wouldn't worry about that being a deal breaker.
  • bucky's avatar
    bucky
    Explorer II
    Apr 03, 2017
    Early Rams in 07 were still the 5.9 Cummins. The newer emission laws kicked in with vehicles produced on or after 1/1/2007.
    There are a few reasons so many Fords diesels are for sale with the 6.0. The first is that they outsold the GM and Dodge diesels in those years 2 to 1 combined. The second is that they are ticking time bombs. Those that never had a problem are few and far between, and when they do look out $$$$$$.
    Sorry Ford guys, I really wanted one but the evidence is over whelming.
  • Noles17's avatar
    Noles17
    Explorer
    Apr 03, 2017
    Thanks for the advice so far.

    Yes, the plan was to definitely get the duely. Just wanted to make sure that as along as I found one with under 100K miles that I wasn't completely crazy
  • padre1944's avatar
    padre1944
    Explorer
    Apr 03, 2017
    Some of various forums will advise a huge truck - usually more than needed. You can't go wrong that way, but read the specs including weights on your rig and prospective trucks and make your decision based on that.
  • md_procouple's avatar
    md_procouple
    Explorer
    Apr 03, 2017
    We have had our 2006 F-350 for 4 yrs, (dreaded 6.0, as one person stated) and never encountered a problem. We pull our Montana without any problems. Good Luck and Happy Camping !!
  • rhagfo's avatar
    rhagfo
    Explorer III
    Apr 02, 2017
    Just saw a 2008 Ram 3500 DRW nearby for an asking price of $31,995, with 94,000 miles, about 11,700 miles a year. If it was a 2007, likely the asking price would be the same.
    In the year range you are looking likely more likely 125,000 to 200,000, if maintained even 175,000 isn't too bad.
  • laknox's avatar
    laknox
    Nomad
    Apr 02, 2017
    corvettekent wrote:
    Emissions started in 2007 on diesels so any of the Chevy, Ford or Dodge diesels before that would be good. Get a duely.


    Or an early '07 GMC with LBZ Duramax.

    Lyle
  • corvettekent's avatar
    corvettekent
    Explorer
    Apr 02, 2017
    Emissions started in 2007 on diesels so any of the Chevy, Ford or Dodge diesels before that would be good. Get a duely.
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    Apr 02, 2017
    2004 05 Ford diesels will be the dreaded 6.0. That is the reason there so cheap. The motor is basically junk. What you will need for a 15K fiver in an older truck will be a dually. Nothing less is going to comfortably handle that much fiver.

About Fifth Wheel Group

19,033 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 23, 2026