Finding the truck, where to search?

[Zigpep]

Hello, we hopefully have decided on the model and year range of the truck we want to tow our fifth wheel. We are looking at Ford F-250 super duty diesel 2008 or newer. We would love to find one already set up to tow a fifth wheel but having a hard time. We have called RV dealers, looked on auto trader, Craigslist and rvt.com, and RV trader.com. No real luck. Wondered it there was a website out there that I am missing? We are currently in CA but don’t mind traveling for the right truck.
Thanks zigpep

[rhagfo]

Zigpep wrote:
We looked at the Chevy and dodge but to tow that much weight we need a dually which we really don’t want, unless we get a much newer one which we cannot afford. One poster mentioned the dodges are cheaper and that is not so on the sites we have looked at the dodges are very high in price and the Duramax diesels even more so,

Well if your budget is $25,000 then you best not buy a 2008 Ford 6.4 for $25,000. You will need to be prepared to put about $3,000 to $5,000 into bulletproofing or repairs.
I was a 40+ year Ford only owner, and went to a Cummins/Ram for a great TV.

[jkwilson]

Look at all the sources and be willing to drive a bit to get what you want. Also be willing to turn around and go home empty handed.

I've bought may last two used vehicles and a tractor more than 3 hours from home, and made a dealer lower his price on another when I showed him the one I was going to drive 6 hours to buy if he couldn't make me a deal on what he had. Much better selection when you broaden the area.

Patience is a virtue if you have the time. I've had good luck on Cars.com and autotrader.com. Not so much CL.

[ib516]

Ford makes great trucks, but the 6.4L diesel they used from 2008 to 2010 was way more troublesome and expensive to fix than it's worth. Look at newer Fords, or try a GM or Ram.

[Flashman]

Zigpep wrote:
We looked at the Chevy and dodge but to tow that much weight we need a dually which we really don’t want, unless we get a much newer one which we cannot afford. One poster mentioned the dodges are cheaper and that is not so on the sites we have looked at the dodges are very high in price and the Duramax diesels even more so,

The one ton rams and Chevys singles will tow as much as the Ford's singles. Ford over rated their numbers until they were forced to sign up to the new towing standards of towing couple of years ago.

[ksss]

"Buy once, cry once". If you want a Ford get the 6.7, if you want to cry get the Ford 6.4.

Otherwise look at GM and RAM. Your trying to buy a tow rig based off price, which I get, but the reason that the 6.0-6.4 powered Ford trucks are affordable is because their reputation for being a problem is well known and established. The Ram and GM trucks bring more money for a reason. It will likely cost less to buy the more expensive truck upfront than to buy the cheaper 6.4 in the long run. Remember when the day comes that you want out of the 6.4 it will be worth less and harder to get rid of. Their reputation is not going to improve. It is a known problem and will always be so.

[Zigpep]

We looked at the Chevy and dodge but to tow that much weight we need a dually which we really don’t want, unless we get a much newer one which we cannot afford. One poster mentioned the dodges are cheaper and that is not so on the sites we have looked at the dodges are very high in price and the Duramax diesels even more so,

[Colo_Native]

I sent you a PM

[Ron3rd]

Why rule out the GM Duramax and Ram Cummins diesels? Both good trucks

[the_bear_II]

www.racingjunk.com look for the tow vehicle section

[Flashman]

Lantley wrote:

donn0128 wrote:
Ford 6.0s and 6.4s were not very good. Had lots of problems and poor fuel economy especially the 6.4s. That is the biggest reason their prices are so cheap. Not sure why your insistant on Fords, when any of them will tow great. Dodges are probably the lowest cost, the I6 Cummins is a tried and proven work horse capable of 500K miles before overhaul.

I agree stating with the 2008 model year is a Fundamental mistake if buying a used diesel truck

2008 diesel Ford Truck is a mistake.

[Lantley]

donn0128 wrote:
Ford 6.0s and 6.4s were not very good. Had lots of problems and poor fuel economy especially the 6.4s. That is the biggest reason their prices are so cheap. Not sure why your insistant on Fords, when any of them will tow great. Dodges are probably the lowest cost, the I6 Cummins is a tried and proven work horse capable of 500K miles before overhaul.

I agree stating with the 2008 model year is a Fundamental mistake if buying a used diesel truck

[donn0128]

Ford 6.0s and 6.4s were not very good. Had lots of problems and poor fuel economy especially the 6.4s. That is the biggest reason their prices are so cheap. Not sure why your insistant on Fords, when any of them will tow great. Dodges are probably the lowest cost, the I6 Cummins is a tried and proven work horse capable of 500K miles before overhaul.

[Durb]

After I bought my truck I was on Craigslist looking for 5ers. There were many ads with people selling both truck and trailer or willing to sell individually. Some of the individual truck prices looked like really good deals and are obviously set up for towing. Food for thought.

[wowens79]

I've been looking and reading up on diesels, and I have ruled out the 6.4 and 6.0. If the newer 6.7's are out of the price range, I'd look at the GM, and Rams.