How old is too old?

[cdar]

There always seems to be a question posted every so many days that asks "need a new/replacement TV, what about this..." The answers that the usual suspects provide are always pretty good IMO.

I'd like to ask he same question differently. I need a new/replacement TV and I'm on a strict budget which means older vehicle and/or higher mileage.

How old is too old and the same for mileage? This is a third vehicle that's only going to see weekend and towing duties. I'm fairly comfortable with a good older tv but then how do you know? Im not as much a gear head anymore so I don't know what trouble spots to look for for a particular brand. My next tv needs to be trustworthy enough to haul the family up and down the east coast (Maine - SC).

From my sig, and as best as I could estimate, I'm about 5500 loaded, based on past experiance, prior TT weights and the dry weight sticker on this new to me TT. Not sure of the TW, never got a chance to weigh before I retired my Explorer but at 13% I should be around 715#. This plus family and misc weights (1400-1500# total) could keep me in half ton payloads but I'm thinking the sturdier 3/4 t would be a better older TV.

Not looking for brand loyalty, just general input. Also notice I haven't mention truck or SUV. I'm open to all opinions.

[Lowsuv]

i have held fast to my position that an f150 or 1500 is not a TOW VEHICLE .
there are many who get all upset over this .
towing a big square box is the toughest service that any of these pickups / suv's will encounter .
towing an rv is done at the Maximum capabilities of an f150 / 1500 .
this reduces service life .
if you go to a tire shop and observe an f150/1500 with it's wheels off and then compare that to and f250/2500 you will see that the 3/4 ton has Four Large / Thick / Ventilated disk brakes that fill the entire wheel diameter . The 1/2 ton brakes are sometimes drums on the rears , which are worthless for RV usage .
i have a 2002 duramax hd 2500 purchased new .
the maintenance costs have been in line with a 1500 because i am able to get it serviced where the charges do not include the " diesel truck fee " that some chains want to charge . that requires some shopping is required .
i am still on my original brakes . the big brakes do not get worked in every day usage .
plus with the 5 speed allison transmission i frequently use a lower gear ascending with diesel compression .
i have not replaced the diesel injectors .
i have replaced the diesel fuel filter on the recommended schedule.
i have fully drained and replaced the tranny fluid and both filters .
i have fully drained and replaced the coolant .
i have replaced both batteries with Exide Edge AGM batteries .
i use michelin LT 265/75R16 load range E tires that i inflate to 50 psi for normal usage and 65 psi for towing/hauling .
i get about 60,000 miles by that upgrade, to one size larger tire .
i was in the habit of buying a brand new truck every 5 years since my first new car which was a 1972 Suburban big block 402 .
this diesel was ahead of it's time when introduced .
4 huge disk brakes , huge radiator, big driveline components , allison transmission , big rear axle , and at 520 foot pounds torque , well under the design limits of the block and transmission capabilities .
the later models feature 765 # torque from the same components .
so at 520 # the old components are not taxed , even at max usage.
i have many rv friends .
some powerstrokers and some cummins owners .
the life expectancy of all of these diesels is twice that of the equivalent half ton .
heavy duty used lightly = longevity .

[rhagfo]

Age or miles???
Well our 01 Ram 2500 with the Cummins 5.9, is still a strong towing machine! 260,00 mile well kept, I bought used as one owner at 234,000 mils almost three yeas ago.
I have kept up maintenance, and added a few items.
1. Replaced the stock lift pump with an better after market pump.
2. Installed gauges, Fuel pressure, EGT (Pryo), and boost.
3. Installed a DS Power Puck to "wake up the Cummins, (50 hp, 125 ft. lbs. of torque!
4. Installed a DD Valair clutch to hold the load.
5. Installed new MOOG ball joints to correct wander.
6. Installed a full set of Bilstein 5100 shocks to smooth the ride loaded.
7. Installed a Pacbrake exhaust brake to slow the load.
8. Have a set of Bosch RV275 injectors, to be installed soon.

Truck looked as good as new when we bought it, still does. This truck looks to easily go 500,000 miles pulling our 11K 5er.

To me this rig drives like a dream, more than enough power, everything works, and i plan on keeping it that way 2001 Ram STS Laramie with all options except alarm and auto transmission.

We just hookup and go, with normal inspections and maintenance strong and reliable.

Did I mention only one payment! this rig was paid for the day we bought it, and brought it home!

[smccollamjr]

wintersun wrote:
I would not look at it so much as age as the tow capacity of the truck when new and the type of use it has had over its miles of driving. Chevy for example switched to all wheel disc brakes in 1999 and a pre-1999 truck or SUV would be a lot less desireable regardless of the mileage. Some engines are a lot more reliable and same applies to transmissions. I would pass on a TV with a 4-speed transmission and want a newer vehicle with a 5 or 6 speed transmission.

Lots of used trucks, in particular DRW ones with a regular cab, that have been full time work trucks. These get abused a lot more by their drivers and maintenance is less likely to happen on a regular basis. With as much as 100% hard use these trucks are not a good choice for a TV regardless of what shows on the odometer.

Hose, belts, alternators, AC compressors, ball joints, rotors, shocks, radiators, springs, etc. can all be replaced and in some cases upgraded to keep a vehicle as good or better than new. What an older truck or SUV may lack is air bags for the driver and passengers or ABS. The airbags are important to me and I would not buy a vehicle that did not have them.

GM went back to drums in the rear, for a while any way. My dad's '04 1500 has 4 wheel disks. My '06 1500 have rear drums. Both drive trains and most options are identical.

[modern_family]

Age is in the mind. If you think she is too old, get a new one. I personally don't like to hold on to vehicles, no matter he great they run. I like new stuff, new technology and new design.

[Dyngbld]

I tow with my 95 Exploder all the time. It has well over 200K, likely 300K (odo broke several years ago at 189K). I will add that, I am ridiculously meticulous about maintenance. This one is showing it age, and the engine is not as strong as it used to be, but I use the heck out it. Not sure I would just drive it cross country with the camper, but if I needed to I would feel comfortable doing it.

"how old is too old" depends a lot on the owner of the TV. I have been in some 10 year old vehicles I would not drive to the local walmart, I have been in some 30 year old vehicles I would drive cross country in.

[cdar]

Thanks for all the words of advice. As it is, my budget just got whacked with a repair bill for my retired TV. Which as I think about it, cheaper than a new vehicle. And we like our Explorer as an all around grocery getter and have always maintained it, just cant really tow with it anymore. We'll keep searching, just frustrating when you want to hook up and go...and you can't.

[chorbelt]

BigToe wrote:
My next tow rig, after I wrangle, wring, or wreck every last drop of life out the two that I have, will be at least 50 years old when I start the retro restoration. I'm thinking about a Diamond T, or Mack... something curvy and nostalgic. Age is just a number.

Nice plan, I'd like to do the same. There's a 41/42 Mack rotting in the woods down the street for me, such a waste.

[BigToe]

My next tow rig, after I wrangle, wring, or wreck every last drop of life out the two that I have, will be at least 50 years old when I start the retro restoration. I'm thinking about a Diamond T, or Mack... something curvy and nostalgic. Age is just a number.

[greenenvy1]

I run a 2003 Ram 3500 hauling campers for a living. Seen many older trucks doing the same. Maintenance is key as said in posts above.

[ls1mike]

chorbelt wrote:

cdar wrote:


How old is too old and the same for mileage? This is a third vehicle that's only going to see weekend and towing duties. I'm fairly comfortable with a good older tv but then how do you know? Im not as much a gear head anymore so I don't know what trouble spots to look for for a particular brand. My next tv needs to be trustworthy enough to haul the family up and down the east coast (Maine - SC).

I don't think that there is anything inherently "too old". Here in the Puget Sound area of the NW, they don't use salt frequently in the winter, so body and frame rust/rot isn't a problem. Mileage can be more subjective, because it really is a******shoot on what maintenance was done. I've been lucky with visual inspections; ie if it looks beat on, it more than likely was. If it looks well taken care of, it probably was.

I've got the best tow vehicle for me. The 7.3 is well known to be reliable, with a couple of exceptions; turbo up-pipes and CPS (cam position sensor) being most common problems. The 5-speed holds up well once the dual-mass flywheel is replaced. Crew-cab long bed means the kids have room to bring as much stuff as they want. Best thing is that it's been paid for since 2000. I'm sure there are Dodge and Chevy guys out there who feel the same about their TV's.

Whatever brand or direction you choose to go, for a used vehicle, I'd definitely plan on budgeting some extra $$ for brakes, ball joints & steering bushings, flush all the fluids, replacing all the belts and driven accessories on the engine; power-steering pump, alternator. Don't forget that you might need a new hitch or trailer wiring/brake controller as well. Good luck with your search, for me that was half the fun!

We are lucky in our area. My previous tow rig up to about 2 years ago was an 89 GMC 1 ton, no rust, all rubber was still good and it ran well.
I traded up to an 02 3/4 ton Chevy. Looks new, runs new, 32,000 miles

I don't think anything it too old per say as long as it has been loved.

[chorbelt]

cdar wrote:


How old is too old and the same for mileage? This is a third vehicle that's only going to see weekend and towing duties. I'm fairly comfortable with a good older tv but then how do you know? Im not as much a gear head anymore so I don't know what trouble spots to look for for a particular brand. My next tv needs to be trustworthy enough to haul the family up and down the east coast (Maine - SC).

I don't think that there is anything inherently "too old". Here in the Puget Sound area of the NW, they don't use salt frequently in the winter, so body and frame rust/rot isn't a problem. Mileage can be more subjective, because it really is a******shoot on what maintenance was done. I've been lucky with visual inspections; ie if it looks beat on, it more than likely was. If it looks well taken care of, it probably was.

I've got the best tow vehicle for me. The 7.3 is well known to be reliable, with a couple of exceptions; turbo up-pipes and CPS (cam position sensor) being most common problems. The 5-speed holds up well once the dual-mass flywheel is replaced. Crew-cab long bed means the kids have room to bring as much stuff as they want. Best thing is that it's been paid for since 2000. I'm sure there are Dodge and Chevy guys out there who feel the same about their TV's.

Whatever brand or direction you choose to go, for a used vehicle, I'd definitely plan on budgeting some extra $$ for brakes, ball joints & steering bushings, flush all the fluids, replacing all the belts and driven accessories on the engine; power-steering pump, alternator. Don't forget that you might need a new hitch or trailer wiring/brake controller as well. Good luck with your search, for me that was half the fun!

[ceaser_22000]

Still towing with my 2002 GMC Sierra 5.3 liter Z71 half ton with 4.10 rear end still going strong at 186,000 miles and I pull roughly a 6500lb trailer. had the motor twisting just last weekend on a steep grade at 4200 RPM with no issue I think maintanence is the key to longjevity.

[wintersun]

I would not look at it so much as age as the tow capacity of the truck when new and the type of use it has had over its miles of driving. Chevy for example switched to all wheel disc brakes in 1999 and a pre-1999 truck or SUV would be a lot less desireable regardless of the mileage. Some engines are a lot more reliable and same applies to transmissions. I would pass on a TV with a 4-speed transmission and want a newer vehicle with a 5 or 6 speed transmission.

Lots of used trucks, in particular DRW ones with a regular cab, that have been full time work trucks. These get abused a lot more by their drivers and maintenance is less likely to happen on a regular basis. With as much as 100% hard use these trucks are not a good choice for a TV regardless of what shows on the odometer.

Hose, belts, alternators, AC compressors, ball joints, rotors, shocks, radiators, springs, etc. can all be replaced and in some cases upgraded to keep a vehicle as good or better than new. What an older truck or SUV may lack is air bags for the driver and passengers or ABS. The airbags are important to me and I would not buy a vehicle that did not have them.

[BenK]

Assume exact same model, year, options, GVWR, diff ratio, etc, etc

Then it depends on:

• Driving style
• Maintenance schedule and how religious they followed it
• Materials used
• What they towed in reference to the TV 'true' ratings
• Terrain

On that maintenance, I mean stuff like flushing the automatic ATF (for
my Sub, that is 16 quarts) every other year. Power steering fluid
every other year. Flushing the whole brake system every front brake
pad change. Greasing all zerks at etc engine oil change, which I change
on a 3K-5K schedule and use Mobil 1 synthetic and PureOne filter. Flush
the diff fluid when I do the tranny fluid (dino for the tranny and
synthetic for the diff). Flush the radiator every other year with
American Green...all 15 quarts of it

I even take a spray can of primer/finish paint whenever underneath
to spot anything that looks off.

Read folks advising to over load with the 'sure you can', 'have been
doing so for decades/thousands of miles with no issues', etc

Those I would not touch if I knew they overloaded...as the OP aludes
to with his comment of ".... I'm thinking the sturdier 3/4 t would
be a better older TV..."

Some advise to use XYZ oil and filter because they change their oil
every 20,000 miles. I'd not touch that one

Some advise you can tow heavy running 75 MPH. I'd not touch that one

There are some two year old TV's that I'd not touch because they were
driven over loaded and very fast. They are 'old' to me. Then compare
that to the exact same TV that was towing a hybrid. Which one has
had the design margins consumed? Which one still has lots of design
margin?

and a big ETC...