Hello All!Shopping for a used / new-to-me truck for a TC and have a few questions. I do want a quad cab, 4x4, and SRW. I would love to go 3500/350 but confident that a 2500/350 HD would be OK with the campers I see mounted on them. Almost anything would be bigger than the TC I have now. :W Initially I might consider getting extended mounts and using what I have now.In the past I have read comments about certain years and engines to avoid or fixes to identify. No brand wars please. 1) What years and makes have been known to have issues? What if any fix should I be looking at?2) What would be considered high mileage of concern? For gas? For diesel? 3)Anything else I should be aware of?Thanks for helping me begin my search.;-)Rich

In regards to the 250/2500, 350/3500 debate, the first question would be what camper are you considering?My philosphy: get more truck than you think you need, then you won't need to upgrade again in the future, which equates to 350/3500 SRW (since you want an SRW)

My other philosphy is go to the local dealers and poke around at used trucks - drive a few (Ford, Dodge, GM) and get a feel for them, see how the interior lay out is, pick the design/body you like best then start some serious shopping.06-07 Classic GM, LBZ Duaramax, which has the 6 Speed with manual mode is a great truck. I'm unsure if that body style existed as a 3500 SRW though.I recently drove a 2013 dually Dodge (er... RAM) and it rode rougher than my GM Dually. I blame it on the solid axle front suspension of the RAM. No biggie if it's loaded, which would smooth out the ride some, but I drive my truck empty some and the Cadillac style ride of the GM IFS has spoiled me.

I have spent a fair amount of time looking into this issue. I plan to go diesel and have settled on some version of a Duramax. Ford diesels have too many issues, the Cummins diesel is great but rests in a Chrysler truck. If I was going gas, it would be Ford or Chevy, essentially even. I have not driven it yet, but everyone tells me that the 3500 rides the same as the 2500. Everyone also tells me to err toward more truck, ie prefer 1 ton to 3/4.

Hello again,If given the choice and in the right situation, I would most likely elect to go with the 3500/350. They seem far and few between in the used market, especially quad cab unless I go with a DRW which I do not want for several reasons. Although I do not have a camper picked for this new truck, my current camper is 990 lbs. which is even good for my Dakota. Going larger my only interest would be a bath and ability to head to the beach. I am not taken by the 'brand market'. I just wish to be educated with the used market and there is so much variance, not only brand, but within brand itself. I have read over the years that some engines and years are prone to more issues than others. Would prefer to not inherit any known concerns. I have seen a few diesels, but they seem to have higher mileage. I know they last longer, but where does it become high on mileage?Thanks again!;-)Rich

As far as used trucks go alot depends on maintenance and general upkeep of the truck. Brand name aside my preferred truck would be a F350 CC Centurion dually with the 7.3 diesel turbo 85' to 91' "those trucks were IMO the best looking and the engine could not be beat when properly maintained.

Looking for a used truck for a TC - What to look out for?

17 Replies

silversand
Explorer
Oct 06, 2013
Hi Rich:

The most succinct advice I could give you on your search for a used truck, would be:

-find the best mechanic possible to thoroughly inspect any prospective Dodge, Ford or Chevy full-sized truck, and get him to list everything he discovers (electronic code print-out; any chassis deterioration issues; transmission/engine/transfer case leaks; wheel bearing condition; dash component integrity; etc). And, if your inspection mechanic is really good (ie. a past/present Ford/Dodge/GM trained mechanic), he will list all the components to watch out for for any particular year/model/engine type.

Caveat: every manufacturer's year/model have known issues that are far to numerous to detail. Example: I could tell you about the 11 critical issues you should know about if you were absolutely set on buying a 2004.5 Chevy Silverado 2500HD 4x4 extended cab, Vortec 6 gas engine, with the 2004 tow and plow package (!) in excruciating detail. However, little good it will do you if you were dead set on a 2008 Silverado of precisely the same build (a completely dfferent list of short-comings with that year model).

*we are just back from New Haven, CT; had a wonderful time ;)

S-
skipbee
Explorer
Oct 06, 2013
We have very successfully utilized the F-350 described in our profile. We adapted a SRW because duallys are banned on the beach at Assateague Island, MD.
With 19.5" wheels and tires for long distance use, along with a set of 16" Nitto Dune Grapplers for beach use, we have travelled extensively from the Florida Keys to Alaska. See our You Tube video.
okan-star
Explorer
Oct 05, 2013
The cummins is great but it rest in a....

No offence but the Ford bodys are great but in alot of them rest a 8 cyl 6 liter motor

Maybe its you the women load up in the GM for

You cant beat a big 6 cyl diesel IMHO
diver110
Explorer
Oct 05, 2013
JumboJet wrote:
diver110 wrote:
the Cummins diesel is great but rests in a Chrysler truck.

I see comments like this all the time. Having ridden in and driven all the Big 3 for more than just a few hundred miles, there is nothing superior about a GM or Ford body and interior.

The one thing that I do see that is superior for Ford and GM is the price tag.

Actually, I was talking about the reliability of the rest of the truck. Lots of Dodge lovers out there though.
diver110
Explorer
Oct 05, 2013
Led 67 wrote:
As far as used trucks go alot depends on maintenance and general upkeep of the truck. Brand name aside my preferred truck would be a F350 CC Centurion dually with the 7.3 diesel turbo 85' to 91' "those trucks were IMO the best looking and the engine could not be beat when properly maintained.

Truly a great truck, but seriously loud. Didn't some years have transmission issues?
RCMAN46
Explorer
Oct 05, 2013
JumboJet wrote:
diver110 wrote:
the Cummins diesel is great but rests in a Chrysler truck.

I see comments like this all the time. Having ridden in and driven all the Big 3 for more than just a few hundred miles, there is nothing superior about a GM or Ford body and interior.

The one thing that I do see that is superior for Ford and GM is the price tag.

When ever we go somewhere with the trucks unloaded the women almost always load up in my Chevy so they do not have to ride in the Dodge.
Sorry but the ride comfort of a GM is superior to the dodge.
jefe_4x4
Explorer
Oct 05, 2013
Rich,
1. Do not be confused by Make preferences. Sniff around for the best 'deal' on a SRW one-ton. If you are really getting a Large TC, by all means head in the direction of a duallie. Too many of my friends have pushed the envelope of what a SRW capacity can be and are now, and have regretted it.
2. Convince a long-time, TC wielding friend to look at different TC's with you. Have a wide circle of geographic area that you will even look at a TC, say 500 to 1000 miles. Remember that a TC really breaks down into 'systems', like electrical, plumbing, fit and finish, layout, built-in comfort, and size. Does the water pump make a lot of noise? Not good. Do any of the tanks leak? Is it air tight? Does it leak rainwater? Does the roof have a dip in it?
Develop an idea of what you cannot do without.
3. My personal conviction, since we don't suffer from claustrophobia, is to aim at the smallest hardside that will work for you. You just learn to take less stuff along. But, only you can decide where the line is.
The bottom line is, you want to make good decisions the first time out, which is, dare I say, an art form. Me? No art here, I just got lucky the first time out. I knew nothing. Some say that is still the case.
regards, as always, jefe
RichandLiz
Explorer
Oct 05, 2013
Thanks! I am aware of tires. I run LT e-rated on my Dakota and the TC fell within the P-rated capacity. Upgraded when needed new. Notice the difference with TC or load of firewood in back. $$ for truck is there. $$ for new TC not yet. One step at a time and no big rush. Took close to 2 years to find the TC to fit the truck I had and have had it about 6 years. I completely understand the get the TC first and then look for the right truck to carry, but coming from a 1/2 ton TC I think I am comfortable keeping it in check. Definitely not interested in an altered show truck.

Thanks again and I will keep monitoring for advice and experience. There is lots on this site.
JumboJet
Explorer
Oct 05, 2013
diver110 wrote:
the Cummins diesel is great but rests in a Chrysler truck.

I see comments like this all the time. Having ridden in and driven all the Big 3 for more than just a few hundred miles, there is nothing superior about a GM or Ford body and interior.

The one thing that I do see that is superior for Ford and GM is the price tag.
SALTYDOG5435S-T
Explorer
Oct 05, 2013
I just bought me a new-to-me truck. 2002 F350, 7.3 diesel, SWR, crew cab, long bed. It has 260k miles.

I have spent the last couple of months looking at used trucks. I talked to the mechanic I use on all of my vehicles. His advice on diesel was a Dodge or a ford with the 7.3. Gas he liked GMs. According to him, a diesel is good for 500k miles. Gas, the less miles the better.

This is the advice I used when looking. It helped me eliminate a lot of trucks.

I used Autotrader.com and any other web site I could find to look.

Take your time, get your money together, and then hopefully like me a sweet deal will present it's self and you can jump on it.

Good luck and happy hunting.