Used Truck - Opinions Needed

rhagfo wrote:

otrfun wrote:

SeaTracy wrote:
Hello,

I spent the better part of the last 6 months looking at class As for my family. However, I finally have decided that I just don't trust a class A traveling with more than 2 people, especially one in a car seat. We've now switched to looking at 5th wheels or travel trailers (most likely 5th wheel).

We don't currently have a vehicle that could tow a FW and I've never owned a pickup. I'm looking at used trucks in the 15k - 25k price range. This looks to put me in the 2003 - 2005 model years.

Does anyone have thoughts on trucks during these model years? Any to stay away from? We're planning on a crew cab with a long bed. Any general concerns with buying 10+ year old car to tow? We live in the NW, so will have to deal with mountains, rain and snow if that matters.

Thanks!

--Tracy

Can you come up with a few thousand more? How about a new 3/4 ton truck with zero miles for $27.5k-$29k with a full 3/36 bumper-to-bumper, 5/100 powertrain warranty instead of a used $25k potential POS with no warranty?

MSRP for a bare bones 2015 Ram 2500 5.7 hemi 4x2 CC SB is approx. $34k (payload 2650/2650 lbs., tow 11,480/13480 lbs. with the 3.73/4.10 rear end).

MSRP for a bare bones 2015 Ram 2500 6.4 hemi 4x2 CC SB is approx. $36k (payload 3590/3590 lbs., tow 12920/15920 lbs. with the 3.73/4.10 rear end).

There are a number of dealers that would probably discount both of these trucks below $30k. They won't be pretty. They'll have vinyl seats, vinyl flooring, ugly wheels, and very little chrome, but they'll pull a 5th wheel. Might have to watch your numbers with the 5.7, but the 6.4 will easily pull your average 5th wheel.

Well we are not all utilitarian!

We found a great 2001 Ram SLT Laramie, almost fully loaded, no leather, no alarm, for a very good price. It moves our 32' 5er at 11,000# great, usually at the speed limit up 6% grades.

Life being what it is, sometimes time and luck can run out before you find a nice, used truck like yours.

Sometimes you have to settle for one of those "best choice at the time" scenarios. In this case (assuming the OP can cough up another $3k-$5k), choose a new, boring, "utilitarian" truck with zero miles and a bumper-to-bumper warranty--putting reliability first, vs. settling for a $25k 6-10 year old truck with a lotta options, lotta miles, and absolutely no warranty.

Since you are in the position to buy a truck based on your trailer choice, I would approach it that way. Find the tt or 5th wheel that you absolutely love,then match the truck to it. Buying the truck first may either limit your choices or be overkill for what you need. More is not always better.

I'm not familiar with Dodge or Chevy in those years but have seen lots of positives posts about Cummins and Duramax diesel motors. Ford definitely had problems with the 6.0 motors, but those can be resolved at a hefty price. On the other hand, there are obviously lots of 6.0 motors out there with no issues. I took a chance buying my signature TV but a couple of the mods had been done and I rationalized that at 146,000 miles when I bought it, it would be okay. Time will tell. Bottom line is you takes yer chances when you buy any used vehicle, and diesel motors do cost more to maintain. If you can find a Chevy with the big 8.xx motor or the Ford with a V10 (hard to find), that might be a good route to take. If you wait a year or two you may be able to find a post 2007 Ford with the better motor in your price range.

powderman426 wrote:

tbred wrote:
IF you can keep your loaded trailer weight below approx. 11,000 lbs. you can most likely find a very nice newer low mileage gas truck,not sure why everyone assumes you are needing a diesel.

My guess would be because he stated he would be pulling in the mountains.

A V-10 will do that without a problem!

rhagfo wrote:

tbred wrote:
IF you can keep your loaded trailer weight below approx. 11,000 lbs. you can most likely find a very nice newer low mileage gas truck,not sure why everyone assumes you are needing a diesel.

They would need to be looking at either a GM 8.1 or Ford or Ram V10. Those are all hard to come by and tend to also be pricy and not very fuel efficient.

You should be able to find a 2011-2012 Ford 6.2 v8 gasser for under $25K. I paid $28K for my 2012 a year ago, and it's a DRW Crew/Longbed. MPG has been decent for a DRW gasser: 9-11 MPG with heavy TC on, averaging a little over 10, and 14-15 empty, averaging about 14.5.

I don't know why so many say the Ford with the V10 eng is thirsty. I have owned three and towing I got 7 to 9 towing a 34 ft TT and up to 15 1/2 on the Freeway not towing but loaded down in the truck. I think they were the best gas eng out there. I still have one with 69K on it and looks and drives like new. I have a friend who bought a new Ford 3/4 ton diesel 4 years ago and he gets 9 to 11 MPG
towing a Montana 36 ft 5th w

otrfun wrote:

SeaTracy wrote:
Hello,

I spent the better part of the last 6 months looking at class As for my family. However, I finally have decided that I just don't trust a class A traveling with more than 2 people, especially one in a car seat. We've now switched to looking at 5th wheels or travel trailers (most likely 5th wheel).

We don't currently have a vehicle that could tow a FW and I've never owned a pickup. I'm looking at used trucks in the 15k - 25k price range. This looks to put me in the 2003 - 2005 model years.

Does anyone have thoughts on trucks during these model years? Any to stay away from? We're planning on a crew cab with a long bed. Any general concerns with buying 10+ year old car to tow? We live in the NW, so will have to deal with mountains, rain and snow if that matters.

Thanks!

--Tracy

Can you come up with a few thousand more? How about a new 3/4 ton truck with zero miles for $27.5k-$29k with a full 3/36 bumper-to-bumper, 5/100 powertrain warranty instead of a used $25k potential POS with no warranty?

MSRP for a bare bones 2015 Ram 2500 5.7 hemi 4x2 CC SB is approx. $34k (payload 2650/2650 lbs., tow 11,480/13480 lbs. with the 3.73/4.10 rear end).

MSRP for a bare bones 2015 Ram 2500 6.4 hemi 4x2 CC SB is approx. $36k (payload 3590/3590 lbs., tow 12920/15920 lbs. with the 3.73/4.10 rear end).

There are a number of dealers that would probably discount both of these trucks below $30k. They won't be pretty. They'll have vinyl seats, vinyl flooring, ugly wheels, and very little chrome, but they'll pull a 5th wheel. Might have to watch your numbers with the 5.7, but the 6.4 will easily pull your average 5th wheel.

Well we are not all utilitarian!

We found a great 2001 Ram SLT Laramie, almost fully loaded, no leather, no alarm, for a very good price. It moves our 32' 5er at 11,000# great, usually at the speed limit up 6% grades.

Weldon wrote:
Just to repeat what has been mentioned, stay away from the 6.0 ford diesel. The upgrades are in the thousands not hundreds.

X2 BTDT
06 GM diesel or a Ram Cummins is your best choice. Lucky to find one though at that price!
Good Luck

SeaTracy wrote:
Hello,

I spent the better part of the last 6 months looking at class As for my family. However, I finally have decided that I just don't trust a class A traveling with more than 2 people, especially one in a car seat. We've now switched to looking at 5th wheels or travel trailers (most likely 5th wheel).

We don't currently have a vehicle that could tow a FW and I've never owned a pickup. I'm looking at used trucks in the 15k - 25k price range. This looks to put me in the 2003 - 2005 model years.

Does anyone have thoughts on trucks during these model years? Any to stay away from? We're planning on a crew cab with a long bed. Any general concerns with buying 10+ year old car to tow? We live in the NW, so will have to deal with mountains, rain and snow if that matters.

Thanks!

--Tracy

Can you come up with a few thousand more? How about a new 3/4 ton truck with zero miles for $27.5k-$29k with a full 3/36 bumper-to-bumper, 5/100 powertrain warranty instead of a used $25k potential POS with no warranty?

MSRP for a bare bones 2015 Ram 2500 5.7 hemi 4x2 CC SB is approx. $34k (payload 2650/2650 lbs., tow 11,480/13480 lbs. with the 3.73/4.10 rear end).

MSRP for a bare bones 2015 Ram 2500 6.4 hemi 4x2 CC SB is approx. $36k (payload 3590/3590 lbs., tow 12920/15920 lbs. with the 3.73/4.10 rear end).

There are a number of dealers that would probably discount both of these trucks below $30k. They won't be pretty. They'll have vinyl seats, vinyl flooring, ugly wheels, and very little chrome, but they'll pull a 5th wheel. Might have to watch your numbers with the 5.7, but the 6.4 will easily pull your average 5th wheel.

The truck he buys depends upon the 5th wheel he buys.

I've seen 5th wheels on Toyotas compact PUs and I've seen 5th wheels that overload a 3500 one ton trucks.