Hello all, I am new to the forum and I am looking for a 1 ton dually to pull a 5th. I am looking for a used truck, I will pay cash, no more than 20K. I like all 3 brands but have no experience in the diesel world. Ive heard the rumors about the Ford 6.0, but also i heard about bulletproofing them as well. Basically i'm open for all options and opinions. I would just love to stay around the 20K mark. I also would like something that I wont have to be worried about being stuck on the side of the road either.

Good luck with that. In today's market getting a used dually for 20 grand in good condition will probably be next to impossible in as much as new ones are upwards of 80 grand today.

Your looking for an old truck then. Or one that is a strippo. Heck my 07 Dodge dually 4x2 whosaled for 24,500. And I only had 42K miles on it

The Ford 6.0 has a bad rep but as you noted they can be fixed and there are a lot of 6.0 owners that never had any of the problems. That being said I'd still avoid them if you can find something else in your price range. Diesels hold their value, that's good if you own one, not so good for you. You will also find that duallys are rare beasts on the used market. You may have to search far away from where you live. I'm sure you are aware of the dangers of EBay when buying vehicles. If not be very very careful. You certainly want to take whatever you find into a diesel mechanic to look at before signing the paperwork. I'd be looking for an older Ram. Or and older Ford 7.3

Sure glad we have our 2006 dodge dually with 75k that is in mint condition. We would be hard pressed to give it up. Good luck on your search.

They are out there.. chevy ford you may need to go above 20k But stick with 2007 ram year and up with 6 speed or 5 speed auto and they are in the 20k range.. Look for 150k miles or less.Just my opinion..This has the cummins 6.7 6 speed manual thoughhttps://www.carsforsale.com/vehicle/details/46271996

Picking the right truck | Good Sam Community

38 Replies

thatboyt
Explorer
Nov 19, 2018
rhagfo wrote:
thatboyt wrote:
Hello all, I am new to the forum and I am looking for a 1 ton dually to pull a 5th. I am looking for a used truck, I will pay cash, no more than 20K. I like all 3 brands but have no experience in the diesel world. Ive heard the rumors about the Ford 6.0, but also i heard about bulletproofing them as well. Basically i'm open for all options and opinions. I would just love to stay around the 20K mark. I also would like something that I wont have to be worried about being stuck on the side of the road either.

Question to the OP, what are you looking at carrying/pulling with the used/new to you TV?

Gen 2 Rams top out at 11,500# GVWR.
Gen 3 Rams top out at 12,200# GVWR.
Gen 4 Rams up to 2012 top out at 12,300# GVWR
Gen 4 Rams after 2013 top out at 14,000# GVWR

Just food for thought.

I was looking at the 2018 Chaparral 373MBRB
rhagfo
Explorer III
Nov 19, 2018
thatboyt wrote:
Hello all, I am new to the forum and I am looking for a 1 ton dually to pull a 5th. I am looking for a used truck, I will pay cash, no more than 20K. I like all 3 brands but have no experience in the diesel world. Ive heard the rumors about the Ford 6.0, but also i heard about bulletproofing them as well. Basically i'm open for all options and opinions. I would just love to stay around the 20K mark. I also would like something that I wont have to be worried about being stuck on the side of the road either.

Question to the OP, what are you looking at carrying/pulling with the used/new to you TV?

Gen 2 Rams top out at 11,500# GVWR.
Gen 3 Rams top out at 12,200# GVWR.
Gen 4 Rams up to 2012 top out at 12,300# GVWR
Gen 4 Rams after 2013 top out at 14,000# GVWR

Just food for thought.
LanceRKeys
Explorer
Nov 19, 2018
Lots of good options out there. I would look for a 7.3 Ford or 5.9 Cummins, either with the manual trans. Let us know what you find and what you think of it.
Grit_dog
Navigator III
Nov 19, 2018
There’s a nice looking 05 Dmax cc 4wd 93k miles on seattle Craigslist right now. It’s red. Asking 22.5. Looks real clean. It’s what I’d be looking for in a 20k Diesel.
4x4ord
Explorer III
Nov 18, 2018
My first choice would be a 2015 F350. If I wanted to spend less money I'd look for a 2006 or 07 Chevy. If I wanted to spend less I'd go to an 04 Ram.
Grit_dog
Navigator III
Nov 18, 2018
rhagfo wrote:
ppine wrote:
I would avoid one that has pulled a lot. I prefer to find one without a fifth wheel hitch. There are lots of good trucks out there for 20k. Do not believe the naysayers.

Diesels like to be worked, worse case may need a trany rebuild, work that into the deal $$$ wise.

I'd plan on it if I was buying a Dodge with a 47-48re. If it is a well maintained Alli I wouldn't be as concerned.
FishOnOne
Nomad
Nov 18, 2018
thatboyt wrote:
Hello all, I am new to the forum and I am looking for a 1 ton dually to pull a 5th. I am looking for a used truck, I will pay cash, no more than 20K. I like all 3 brands but have no experience in the diesel world. Ive heard the rumors about the Ford 6.0, but also i heard about bulletproofing them as well. Basically i'm open for all options and opinions. I would just love to stay around the 20K mark. I also would like something that I wont have to be worried about being stuck on the side of the road either.

Finding a good used cheap diesel that's not at the end of life is very difficult. Finding a good used cheap diesel DRW is even more difficult.

My BIL purchased our non DPF DRW diesel in Arizona and purchased a plane ticket to purchase it and drove it back to Texas. It was the only one he could find at a reasonable price since all non DPF diesel trucks were commanding crazy prices.
rhagfo
Explorer III
Nov 18, 2018
thatboyt wrote:
I appreciate all the quick responses, i found a few trucks up to 35K... Also there is one about 20min. away I am going to go look at https://www.texastrucksales.org/2012_RAM_Ram%20Pickup%203500_Dickinson_TX_23962813.veh
If i'm not mistaken I think the 2012's were before the DEF which i think is a plus. And I see it has the HighOutput badge***Link Removed***

So we are looking at pre 2007 OR post 2013, the pre 2007 are non emission, but max GVWR 12,200#.
Then up to 2012 the Max GVWR is 12,300#, then in 2013 Ram actually put some real numbers to GVWR 14,000#!

Just food for thought.
rhagfo
Explorer III
Nov 18, 2018
JimHouchin wrote:
thatboyt wrote:
Hello all, I am new to the forum and I am looking for a 1 ton dually to pull a 5th. I am looking for a used truck, I will pay cash, no more than 20K. I like all 3 brands but have no experience in the diesel world. Ive heard the rumors about the Ford 6.0, but also i heard about bulletproofing them as well. Basically i'm open for all options and opinions. I would just love to stay around the 20K mark. I also would like something that I wont have to be worried about being stuck on the side of the road either.

...not to go down THAT road, but are you sure you need a dually? You can pull about 16,000lbs successfully with a SRW. (I even do it with a gas truck, **gulp!) There are A LOT more option in the SRW market for sure. Again you may NEED a dually... because you want a "real" 5th wheel. (And I know DRV STARTS at 14,000 GVW dry and just keeps going up!) Either way, Happy Hunting...

There is successfully and comfortably.
Many don't want the size of a DRW, well it is something most can learn to live with. DD drives a DRW and pulls a 30' four horse GN trailer, about the same as towing a 38' to 40' 5er, based on axle location.

I tow our near 13,000# 5er with an 2001 Ram 2500, and do very well, but looking at a newer 3500 DRW just for comfort.
rhagfo
Explorer III
Nov 18, 2018
ppine wrote:
I would avoid one that has pulled a lot. I prefer to find one without a fifth wheel hitch. There are lots of good trucks out there for 20k. Do not believe the naysayers.

Diesels like to be worked, worse case may need a trany rebuild, work that into the deal $$$ wise.

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Picking the right truck

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