Buying a Used Diesel Truck

[smcrea]

Hi,

Question:

If I'm buying a used diesel truck for towing our travel trailer then what should I look for when choosing the truck?

Any warning signs:

Is it a good idea to get a vehicle inspected and if so any recommendations. We live in San Diego but will look locally and up in the LA area.

With regards to Ford and Chevy/GM.. anything like DO not buy older than xyz?

It's my understanding that a Diesel will go on and on and on and 100K is just about run in. Is this true?

What tends to break first so we can check

Any Advise is welcome

Thanks!

[Redsky]

45Ricochet wrote:

wintersun wrote:

For towing the GM and Ford have been the best in terms of exhaust brake performance (corrected with 2013 and later Ram trucks) and transmission durability. So tell me exactly when Ford and GM offered a exhaust brake? Ram offered it in 2006, a Jacobs, who also offered it in OTR rigs although a totally different concept. Ford EB has been a joke and that is why they are changing it in 2015, finally.

I have used both Consumer Reports Now that there explains everything about your opinion. Ask the washer and toaster expert's their opinions. which does an annual survey of 100% of their members vehicles and industry repair shop numbers to evaluate different year and model trucks.

Engines are also only a piece of the equation. If the cooling system or AC or electricals or brakes or transmission are not reliable it also costs for the repairs and may entail a breakdown while towing which is the last thing you want.

Buy a diesel for the greater torque and the exhaust brake capability but don't but one for greater reliability. Pretty sure the Cummin's guy's will disagree with that statement. We have several member's still pulling strong with over 250K miles on the ticker. And don't compare the engines used in semi's to those put in pickups. Even the Cummins engines used in pickups are very different. Not really other than size, still a little slant six!

Sorry if my statements conflict with your prejudiced opinions. Consumer Reports surveys tens of thousands of truck owners each and every year and get information as to the repairs that were done during the prior year. Their reports mirror the complaints by owners on the forums as to the type and frequency of repairs and the kind of after market fixes that are sold to fix problems with OEM equipment. The same applies to the industry surveys of diesel repair shops that are done and of fleet operators that tally the type of repairs and cost of repairs by engine type and model year. But you do have to seek out the information and have an OPEN mind which is difficult if not impossible for some folks.

Cummins knows what they put in the different trucks and only a fool would think that they put the same engine in a $40,000 pickup truck as they do for a $130,000 Freightliner. It would be foolish to do so as it would be overkill. Why put the same engine into a pickup that is going to experience at most 200,000 miles over a 10 year period as for a semi that will be driven more than 100,000 miles each year and is expected to last for at least 400,00 miles. Use your head, it's never too late to start.

[Cummins12V98]

45Ricochet wrote:

bovellois wrote:

rhagfo wrote:
Ram the Cummins 5.9 is one of the most reliable diesels in a HD pickup. the early 12 valve had a issue with the Killer dowel pin, I would place a bet most have been fixed.

I wonder what percentage of 12v Cummins engines had the pin actually move out. I have not done mine and the vehicle has 200000 miles. Either is has fallen and done no damage, or it's in there solid, or it has started to move out. I am looking at opening it it to see what's what. I know somebody who just dealt last fall with a fallen dowel pin. Not a cheap repair.

Lots just dropped them, lots didn't :E
If I owned one I'd be checking since my luck isn't that great :R

I pulled into my Dad's driveway as I turned over 100K on my 98 12V and proceeded to do the KDP. Mine was sticking out about 1/8". Did my Dad's 94 12V also with 125K, his pin moved about the same.

[bovellois]

gkainz wrote:

I pinned mine at about 160k miles ... it had moved out maybe 1/16" in.

Thank you and 45ricochet. I plan on doing it myself this spring. Cheap insurance.

[macsplinter]

Gas engines break down to, just a lot less to repair. Try finding a garage that will work on your diesel when you are on the side of the road, (not easy or fun, been there, done that) unless you call a dealership $$$$$. Have had a dodge and have got a duramax. better keep you money in escrow for repairs.

[Highway_4x4]

The gas engine will do it but the diesel just does it so much better. The diesel is a luxury just like an RV. Actually, some day I plan on sizing down to <5000 pounds and getting a 1/2 ton. Simple and easy.

[rhagfo]

Redsky wrote:
It is easy to spend anywhere from $4,000 to $8,000 on a single diesel repair job. For a travel trailer a truck with a gas engine and 4.10 gears are all that is needed. It will be cheaper to buy and cheaper to maintain and cheaper to repair and cheaper to fuel.

Check the Ford, RAM, and Chevy diesel forums to get an idea of the problems that can arise and the cost of the repairs. Talk to people at the local diesel repair shop about a head gasket repair or replacing the fuel rails or a compressor.

Any used heavy duty truck is quite likely to also need front end work with new tie-rods and ball joints before you take it out on the highway. They are supposed to get greased every 3,000 miles but doubt that one in ten get it.

Lots to go wrong with diesel pickups besides the "engine" and gas engines are a lot more reliable as they are a lot less complicated (no compressor or high pressure fuel system or exhaust brake).

Check around town and see what percentage of the gas stations pump diesel. I have to drive 20 miles round trip from my house to get to one that pumps diesel. With gas the distance would be 3 miles and I would have 3 stations from which to choose.

I am sure glad there are no repair bills on gas engines.Maybe I should buy two!

[Redsky]

It is easy to spend anywhere from $4,000 to $8,000 on a single diesel repair job. For a travel trailer a truck with a gas engine and 4.10 gears are all that is needed. It will be cheaper to buy and cheaper to maintain and cheaper to repair and cheaper to fuel.

Check the Ford, RAM, and Chevy diesel forums to get an idea of the problems that can arise and the cost of the repairs. Talk to people at the local diesel repair shop about a head gasket repair or replacing the fuel rails or a compressor.

Any used heavy duty truck is quite likely to also need front end work with new tie-rods and ball joints before you take it out on the highway. They are supposed to get greased every 3,000 miles but doubt that one in ten get it.

Lots to go wrong with diesel pickups besides the "engine" and gas engines are a lot more reliable as they are a lot less complicated (no compressor or high pressure fuel system or exhaust brake).

Check around town and see what percentage of the gas stations pump diesel. I have to drive 20 miles round trip from my house to get to one that pumps diesel. With gas the distance would be 3 miles and I would have 3 stations from which to choose.

[gkainz]

bovellois wrote:

rhagfo wrote:
Ram the Cummins 5.9 is one of the most reliable diesels in a HD pickup. the early 12 valve had a issue with the Killer dowel pin, I would place a bet most have been fixed.

I wonder what percentage of 12v Cummins engines had the pin actually move out. I have not done mine and the vehicle has 200000 miles. Either is has fallen and done no damage, or it's in there solid, or it has started to move out. I am looking at opening it it to see what's what. I know somebody who just dealt last fall with a fallen dowel pin. Not a cheap repair.

I pinned mine at about 160k miles ... it had moved out maybe 1/16" in.

[45Ricochet]

bovellois wrote:

rhagfo wrote:
Ram the Cummins 5.9 is one of the most reliable diesels in a HD pickup. the early 12 valve had a issue with the Killer dowel pin, I would place a bet most have been fixed.

I wonder what percentage of 12v Cummins engines had the pin actually move out. I have not done mine and the vehicle has 200000 miles. Either is has fallen and done no damage, or it's in there solid, or it has started to move out. I am looking at opening it it to see what's what. I know somebody who just dealt last fall with a fallen dowel pin. Not a cheap repair.

Lots just dropped them, lots didn't :E
If I owned one I'd be checking since my luck isn't that great :R

[FishOnOne]

ricatic wrote:

Turtle n Peeps wrote:

wintersun wrote:
All the diesel trucks had problems up until 2010 and the repairs are in the thousands of dollars. Getting a 2010 or later model year will be the safest way to go. An extended warranty is not a bad idea either with a diesel powered pickup truck.

For towing the GM and Ford have been the best in terms of exhaust brake performance (corrected with 2013 and later Ram trucks) and transmission durability.

There have been real world testing done by etrailer.com and by Road and Track (April 2012) that provide a good idea of the strengths and weaknesses of the different manufacturer's truck.

Lots of people will invariably state that they have X truck and it has been great but that is one person in a million trucks sold so their opinion is not reliable. I have used both Consumer Reports which does an annual survey of 100% of their members vehicles and industry repair shop numbers to evaluate different year and model trucks.

Engines are also only a piece of the equation. If the cooling system or AC or electricals or brakes or transmission are not reliable it also costs for the repairs and may entail a breakdown while towing which is the last thing you want.

Buy a diesel for the greater torque and the exhaust brake capability but don't but one for greater reliability. And don't compare the engines used in semi's to those put in pickups. Even the Cummins engines used in pickups are very different.

I don't think I have seen such misinformation in one post in a long time. :R Troy this guy is trying to take your title away from you. You need to step up your game. :B

:B:B:B:B:B...

I thought it...before I could type it...you posted it...especially telling when he claims Ford's exhaust brake was better than Ram's...where did that come from...not even in my best Blue KoolAid Days did I ever claim the exhaust brake was better than any ones...it was adequate at best when engaged at 50 mph or less...

...I expect the Blue KoolAid King will be along shortly...


Regards

Yep.. A lot of miss information out here.

[Me_Again]

dshizzel wrote:
Realizing that the OP asked about 3-4 year old trucks, I'll put in my .02 anyway. As seen in my sig, I had a 99 QC 2500 Cummins long bed. About 5 years in, maybe 40,000 miles, my fuel lifters had gone out, forcing my injectors to take up the slack and then they went out. Forgive me if my terminology is muddled as this was some years ago and I'm not a mechanic. This required about $3k of work to resolve. I am not handy with a wrench, so had to use a diesel repair shop.

The 2500 2wd with .410 gears did a credible job of pulling our 5'ers though mountain driving often required me to go to 3rd gear. When pulling the 27' Forest River, it wasn't bad, but the 31' Sunnybrook was a lot heavier and often I wished that I'd had more power. The 8' bed was roomy, and I used the room, mostly for stuff that I didn't have time or room for in the 5'er's storage.

I would imagine that, since the QC isn't available anymore in the RAM that a CC with 8' box would be quite a beast, but it is what it is.

Personally, I don't care about the storage lost by going with a 6' bed, but I would like to know what hitching/unhitching, and pulling differences, if any, are to be had with a 6' vs. 8'.

It is also my plan to buy a 2-3 year old TV in 2016 when I retire, so I'm deeply interested in this thread.

Thanks!

DShizzel

Look for at least a 2013 RAM with the Aisin transmission and DEF. Short or long bed is just a personal choose.

Chris

[dshizzel]

Realizing that the OP asked about 3-4 year old trucks, I'll put in my .02 anyway. As seen in my sig, I had a 99 QC 2500 Cummins long bed. About 5 years in, maybe 40,000 miles, my fuel lifters had gone out, forcing my injectors to take up the slack and then they went out. Forgive me if my terminology is muddled as this was some years ago and I'm not a mechanic. This required about $3k of work to resolve. I am not handy with a wrench, so had to use a diesel repair shop.

The 2500 2wd with .410 gears did a credible job of pulling our 5'ers though mountain driving often required me to go to 3rd gear. When pulling the 27' Forest River, it wasn't bad, but the 31' Sunnybrook was a lot heavier and often I wished that I'd had more power. The 8' bed was roomy, and I used the room, mostly for stuff that I didn't have time or room for in the 5'er's storage.

I would imagine that, since the QC isn't available anymore in the RAM that a CC with 8' box would be quite a beast, but it is what it is.

Personally, I don't care about the storage lost by going with a 6' bed, but I would like to know what hitching/unhitching, and pulling differences, if any, are to be had with a 6' vs. 8'.

It is also my plan to buy a 2-3 year old TV in 2016 when I retire, so I'm deeply interested in this thread.

Thanks!

DShizzel

[bovellois]

rhagfo wrote:
Ram the Cummins 5.9 is one of the most reliable diesels in a HD pickup. the early 12 valve had a issue with the Killer dowel pin, I would place a bet most have been fixed.

I wonder what percentage of 12v Cummins engines had the pin actually move out. I have not done mine and the vehicle has 200000 miles. Either is has fallen and done no damage, or it's in there solid, or it has started to move out. I am looking at opening it it to see what's what. I know somebody who just dealt last fall with a fallen dowel pin. Not a cheap repair.

[rhagfo]

Well not sure when I will be looking for another TV for sure it will be another Cummins! It will be a while before I am looking to replace my 01 Ram Cummins! When you have a 01 that can pull an 11,000# 5er easly with 269,000 miles on the clock, why trade!!!
I drive a diesel for power, tourque and the fact at about 270 hp and 520 lb ft of torque I can still
Pull hills at speed with 11,000# in tow.