honest advice on a truck for towing 10000lbs
I am looking to get a sandstorm toy hauler travel trailer. I am wanting some advice on the tow vehicle. I am neutral when it comes to brand. The trailer will be 10k or less gvwr. I have the follow...
Forum Discussion
You do not need a diesel truck to tow 10,000 lbs. or for that matter a 3/4 ton truck though I would advise doing so to get the stronger frame and hitch. Diesel is important for towing 12,000 lbs. or more where you need the extra torque it provides and the better grade control with the exhaust brake (though the capabilities of the exhaust brakes with diesels varies widely with GM and Ram being excellent and Ford not so good and more restrictive on its use - always on with tow haul mode).
Do focus on finding a truck with 4.10 gears or at worst 3.73 gears. Trucks with 3.73 gears have 25% more tow capacity than 3.55 and 4.10 gears provide a similar gain over 3.73 gears.
A diesel truck sells new for $9,000 more than the same truck with the gas engine and this is reflected in the prices for used trucks. Diesel trucks are twice as expensive to maintain and the cost to repair them is unbelievable. A new set of injectors will cost $4,000 to $8,000. Blow a head gasket and you can easily find yourself with a $8,000 repair bill. Then there are the problems with finding diesel on the highway and even at gas stations in town, problems with biodiesel and gelling in the winter, poor fuel economy when making trips of less than 30 minutes duration, problems with finding a good repair shop and much more reliance on the dealer for parts and repairs and maintenance.
The best source for information on used trucks by make and model year and with repair history by type of repair (cooling system, engine, transmission, electronics, body, etc.) is online at Consumer Reports. The information is derived from an annual survey they do of all their members and all their cars and trucks so they get accurate information as to frequency of repair. Often a model will be unreliable for a period of years and then the key areas are fixed and the reliability of the following years is much improved. Good to know before you start shopping.
Do focus on finding a truck with 4.10 gears or at worst 3.73 gears. Trucks with 3.73 gears have 25% more tow capacity than 3.55 and 4.10 gears provide a similar gain over 3.73 gears.
A diesel truck sells new for $9,000 more than the same truck with the gas engine and this is reflected in the prices for used trucks. Diesel trucks are twice as expensive to maintain and the cost to repair them is unbelievable. A new set of injectors will cost $4,000 to $8,000. Blow a head gasket and you can easily find yourself with a $8,000 repair bill. Then there are the problems with finding diesel on the highway and even at gas stations in town, problems with biodiesel and gelling in the winter, poor fuel economy when making trips of less than 30 minutes duration, problems with finding a good repair shop and much more reliance on the dealer for parts and repairs and maintenance.
The best source for information on used trucks by make and model year and with repair history by type of repair (cooling system, engine, transmission, electronics, body, etc.) is online at Consumer Reports. The information is derived from an annual survey they do of all their members and all their cars and trucks so they get accurate information as to frequency of repair. Often a model will be unreliable for a period of years and then the key areas are fixed and the reliability of the following years is much improved. Good to know before you start shopping.
