Beginning search for new(used) TV
So... wife & I are looking to 'upsize' our RV from a 24' TT to a small 5th-wheel trailer. Problem is, our current tow vehicle - also my daily driver - a 2006 GMC Sierra 1500 ext cab 4x4 short bed w/ 5.3l V8, just ain't gonna cut it for anything bigger, not even the "1/2 ton towable" ultra-lite 5ers out there, not without violating every weight rating on it and probably either breaking something or causing a wreck - or both.
At this point, the field is pretty much wide open to about anything other than new or new-ish. Debating between a) something older, possibly gas, possibly 2wd, if its just going to be a tow vehicle, and get something a little more economical for a daily driver... or b) something a little newer, probably diesel 4wd, to do double duty.
Problem with a) is I already have a hobby, and don't want a new one as a grease monkey, and the mpg numbers I've seen are a little scary, even it is only for towing. Insurance/maintenance for a second vehicle vs. maintenance on a diesel, where *everything* is expensive (had a '97 F250 7.3l a long while back, great truck). Also not sure about longevity of a gas engine in a 3/4-1 ton TV vs. a diesel?
Problem with b) is... much of what I'm seeing in the price/age range of interest is populated by Fords with 6.0, 6.4l engines that I've heard enough bad about I'm a little leery. I know a lot of people who have them and have had no problems, or people with Dodge or Chevy/GMCs that have had issues, so I'm not under any illusion that any one brand would be trouble-free. I've heard it said that most of the Ford 6.0/6.4l engines that are still on the road have either been fixed i.e. 'bulletproofed' or probably aren't gonna be a problem. Thoughts on that?
At this point, the field is pretty much wide open to about anything other than new or new-ish. Debating between a) something older, possibly gas, possibly 2wd, if its just going to be a tow vehicle, and get something a little more economical for a daily driver... or b) something a little newer, probably diesel 4wd, to do double duty.
Problem with a) is I already have a hobby, and don't want a new one as a grease monkey, and the mpg numbers I've seen are a little scary, even it is only for towing. Insurance/maintenance for a second vehicle vs. maintenance on a diesel, where *everything* is expensive (had a '97 F250 7.3l a long while back, great truck). Also not sure about longevity of a gas engine in a 3/4-1 ton TV vs. a diesel?
Problem with b) is... much of what I'm seeing in the price/age range of interest is populated by Fords with 6.0, 6.4l engines that I've heard enough bad about I'm a little leery. I know a lot of people who have them and have had no problems, or people with Dodge or Chevy/GMCs that have had issues, so I'm not under any illusion that any one brand would be trouble-free. I've heard it said that most of the Ford 6.0/6.4l engines that are still on the road have either been fixed i.e. 'bulletproofed' or probably aren't gonna be a problem. Thoughts on that?
