Truck shopping

A lot of personal preference here, as it should be. If I were in your shoes, knowing your parameters, I would just keep a lookout for a used 350-3500 that is a good bargain. Engine, transmission, and accessories are all in the mix. Be prepared to go a few hundred miles from your place to make that bargain. So. Cal. is bargain country. A lot of distressed sellers there. My neighbor Ken found a 1995, V-10, Dodge 2-series, 4x4 single cab long bed with a deluxe shell and lumber rack for $3500. Oh, and 60K miles on the clock. He pulls a 4 horse trailer. What a great rig at a great price. He could not be more pleased. Jim my neighbor bought as 2001 Dodge Cummins for $7K about 6 years ago. It looks and sounds good with no woes and just turned 300K miles on the original engine. Another neighbor James, bought a brand new 2016 Ram 2-series 4 door long bed 4x4 with the Aisin trans and newest version of the Cummins. What is that? 950 pound feet of torque? He is ecstatic. Another neighbor Keith bought a 2008 Ford F-250 HD to haul his Lance 845 camper. He loves it. Our newest next-door neighbor Rob just bought a 2016 Chevy 2500 diesel pickup and he is overjoyed. We looked in the glove box to find out what size camper he should get to find out the weight max for a camper is 1500 pounds. Boo. What's up with that? Looking at the rear end (that gigantic AAM axle) I found he had no overload springs and wimpy tires. Otherwise, the frame, suspension, and drive train are the same as on much higher weight rated trucks. These are my closest neighbors that waited for the opportune time to jump in and buy a truck. They were open minded enough to get the best deal regardless of badge. jefe