I've been looking at used HD Trucks from 1999-2005 and find that the prices are pretty crazy. I think it may be better to just buy a new truck for a little more $. For example, I've seen 2005 Ram 3500's diesel's for $37,000. I have been talking to a local Ford dealer and got him down to $37.5K on a left over 2012 F250 short bed, extended cab with camper package, 6.7, and it's NEW.There's one last option I'm considering, but haven't seen much evidence that it's possible or a popular option, and that's leasing. I plan to use the truck to first haul my trailer, but we want to switch to a truck camper eventually, so I need a HD truck -- preferrably 1-ton. I don't plan to use it as a daily driver.Is there anyone on here that has had any luck leasing for a reasonable price? I can probably get by with < 10,000 annual miles and since it seems residual values on these things are super high and the initial price is pretty low, the lease price should be low.

Hi,What I have found out (by working for a leasing company many years ago) is the leasing company is going to make a profit. So they charge the cost to buy the vehicle, the costs they need to pay for loan interest, and whatever other fees they deem required to complete the transaction.Leasing companies still own the vehicle, so they require the leasee to have fairly expensive insurance too, and also have a blanket policy on all the vehicles they own, just in case something happens. There was a case where the brakes failed on a truck, the leasing company was held partly responcible, because it owned the vehicle. So before signing for a lease, check on the cost to insure the vehicle.Another problem. Say you scratch the bumper, or dent the tailgate. If you own the vehicle, you can always sell it at a slight loss due to the damage. However if you are the leasee, you have to pay for that dented tailgate (or turn in to the insurance and risk the price being higher next few years) before turning in the vehicle.Another thought. The $37,000 for the used truck is only a "Asking Price", and normally they will also go down about 15% to 25% in that price, if they realize you are going to make a deal today.Fred.

Are you planning on buying a 5th wheel? If not I would not buy diesel. Very high cost over gas around $7000 more, more expensive fuel and upkeep. We bought a new 2012 Chevy 2500hd, 6.0 gas, 3.73 gears extended cab with a long bed in 2012. It is a work truck model but is a great truck. It is rated to pull 9700 lb trailer. If you get the 4.10 gears you can pull up to 14,700 lb 5th wheel. With rebates we got it for 28,000. I know diesels are great but unless you need that extra power I think gas engines will do fine. But everyone has their preferences. Good luck whatever you decide.

sky_free wrote:, so I need a HD truck -- preferrably 1-ton. True HD trucks are OTR semi tractors. Pickups, no matter what the "ton" rating, are LD.

I have heard leases called a "FLEACE"

If you look hard enough you can find great deals on trucks, especially leftovers. I picked up my 2012 Ram 2500 this past April. It was on the dealers lot since July 2012. It was pretty loaded 5.7 HEMI with a crew cab, long bed and 4.10 rear with a tow capacity of 13,400 pounds. Had a sticker of $46,905 and got it for $32,795 and dealer gave me $16,238 for my Ram 1500. Only had to finance a little over $16k and I own the truck.Like others have said, if you really don't need a diesel, why pay the extra dollars for the truck and maintenance costs down the road.

Is it possible to lease a HD truck? | Good Sam Community

wintersun
Explorer II
Sep 12, 2013
As a whole the people who buy new diesel pickups get taken for a ride and pay way too much for their trucks. It is almost a point of pride to talk about their $60,000 truck. As a result when it comes time to sell the truck they often still owe $35,000 to the bank and that amount becomes their bottom line for the sale.

I was looking for a 3-year old diesel pickup with less than 60,000 miles on the odometer in 2011 and all were selling for $35,000 to $45,000. I gave up on buying a used truck at a reasonable price and started looking for a good deal on a new diesel truck instead.

After a couple months of searching I found a brand new 2011 2500HD Duramax LT extended cab 4WD truck with the tow package, entertainment package, rear camera, and other goodies including GM tow mirrors, GM bed liner, GM chrome side steps, GM diamond plate aluminum tool box, and paid $41,700. It did take a lot of searching and the truck was at a Chevy dealer some 110 miles from my house, but it was worth the effort. I found a comparable 2011 3500HD for $46,000 but it had the crew cab which I did not want and for the $4,000 difference in price I could easily afford to spend $445 on a set of SuperSprings for the 2500HD.
Passin_Thru
Explorer
Sep 10, 2013
Leasing a pickup is like renting a farm, you're paying for someone elses farm.
1oldtruck
Explorer
Sep 10, 2013
Leasing usually doesn't pay off with the low interest rates these days. I have leased in the past but stopped about 10 years ago as lease rates went up and interest rates came down. Better off purchasing these days. As previously mentioned damage can also cost a fortune on a leased vehicle. I would look for a left over if possible. Good luck.
bmanning
Explorer
Sep 09, 2013
Consider Phoenix & surrounding areas as well; it rains about 15 days a year out here with maybe a 1/4" of snow every other winter so you can forget about rust issues.
pronstar
Explorer
Sep 09, 2013
Looking at used trucks in TX isn't a bad idea.

The Houston and Dallas metropolitan areas are #1 in the nation for truck sales.
These two areas sell more new trucks annually than the entire state of CA.
New vehicle sales = used vehicle inventory

CA loves to tax everything, I would make sure that the costs to register a non-resident vehicle in the sate don't offset the "deal" you get on the vehicle.

More info @ CA DMV website:
CA DMV out of state registration
TOOBOLD
Explorer
Sep 08, 2013
sky_free wrote:
I think looking for used in the TX area is my best option. I will have to "import" it into CA which is a pain, but it's probably worth it to get what I'm looking for.

You should look for trucks in the Central Valley. I think the dealers here sell more trucks than cars.
sky_free
Explorer
Sep 08, 2013
I think looking for used in the TX area is my best option. I will have to "import" it into CA which is a pain, but it's probably worth it to get what I'm looking for.
Gemstone
Explorer
Sep 08, 2013
"True HD trucks are OTR semi tractors. Pickups, no matter what the "ton" rating, are LD"...:B

Regards
Gemstone
mdamerell
Explorer
Sep 08, 2013
mbutts wrote:
I flew one-way to Dallas from Detroit & picked up a used truck there. The majority of used HD trucks I saw online were in Texas. Big selection, lots of used truck only dealers, and cheap airfare. Took me a day & half to drive back (about 1,200 miles) but well worth the trip.

X2, you need to get to were these trucks are more common placed. 3500/F350's diesel DRW ten years old are running around $16,000-20,000 depending upon options. For that kind of savings a plane ticket is worth your money.

Search other parts of the country like TX, OK and other western states where a truck like this is common. More trucks = better prices.

Good Luck.
bimbert84
Explorer
Sep 08, 2013
Back in January, I wanted to lease rather than buy for several reasons. All the dealers in the area said they would't lease a 3/4 ton because it wasn't cost-effective. I probably could've found an external company who would, but I didn't bother. I ended up choosing the 1/2 ton in my sig and it's been working out great.

-- Rob