Need Truck Reccomendation

[radio1960]

I know this is like asking which college has the best FB team but here is my situation:
My Ford 1993 F350 has reached the point of not being dependable. I'm wanting to buy a late model truck 2008 or newer. The truck will be used to carry the TC and on occasion pull a popup or small lite weight TT when the kids want to camp with us.

Brand is less important than dependability. I can go gas or diesel. Will probably go with DRW to have options for larger TC in the future. Currently have a NS Larado.

I would like some options based on your TV experiences.

Thanks in advance

Radio

[radio1960]

Thanks everyone for all your input. My DW and I have been looking at some larger TC and TT trying to decide what set up will fit our needs in the future.
Are leaning toward a larger TC and use the add a room option some have or a separate screen room. Really like the larger Northstar and the Northern Lite models. Happen to see a Northern Lite yesterday outside our local Radio Shack. Looked really nice and I believe it was on a SRW TV.
Also have been spending time on AutoTrader.com looking at available stock of trucks both SRW and DRW.
Want to make the best decision possible given the $$ we will be spending.

Thanks again.

Radio

[2BLAZERS]

raztec wrote:
Diesel engines last longer and get much better gas mileage and have better resale value.

Do you have a spreadsheet to prove this?

When you pay an extra $8K for the motor, the engines require more expensive oil changes, spendy fuel filter changes and the repairs can be very expensive too, the mileage savings and ''better'' resale value really don't work out for to many people. Not to mention diesel for the last 8 years has been more expensive than gas except maybe 3 fill ups for me. Really good luck with this math.

I know a lot of guys that have gas motors with 200K and 300K. I know a lot of guys with diesel motors that do too but for the cost of a new gas motor you cannot replace even some of the fueling parts on a diesel motor.

You either NEED diesel to haul a load or you WANT diesel. Seen way to many math arguments fail.

P.S. I am on my third diesel truck because I have a heavy truck camper and also pull an 8K pound enclosed trailer with toys at the same time.

[raztec]

Diesel engines last longer and get much better gas mileage and have better resale value.

[Bedlam]

brholt wrote:

diver110 wrote:
Have you driven in the mountains? I have the same question, but hear that mountain driving (for me rockies), which I do some of, is where gas lags and diesel shines.

Hasn't been a problem for me and I've been into the mountains of Idaho and Montana since I made the post below:

Review of Ford 6.2L with 5,000 lb camper

Do you tow anything behind your TC? I was curious what your GCW was when you took that trip since I am usually around 19K lbs GCW on any trip longer than three days.

[wintersun]

Gas engine and low gears. Ford provides the most options packages for hauling and towing. GM trucks have the IFS which makes for a little bit softer ride and tighter turning radius. With DRW I would be getting a 2011 or later GM or a 2013 or later Ram to get their stronger and stiffer frames.

People focus on the engines but most of the money I have spent on repairs has been for suspension components, transmissions, radiators, AC, heater, brake rotors, electronics, and other parts where there is a great deal of difference in reliability depending upon the manufacturer and the model year. Individual user's experience has value but I prefer to review the repairs surveys of the types of repairs by make by model year that are available and then decide if the problem areas are minor or major for a particular make and year.

[brholt]

diver110 wrote:

nycsteve wrote:
Im very happy with the Ford 6.2 gas engine that came out in 2010 with a model year 2011. Milage is very good for a gasser, almost 15mpg highway empty, and 10-12 with a fairly heavy camper. Power is very good.Having switched from a late model diesel. I find maintaince is much cheaper and given the .40 cent differance in diesel and regular, diesel no longer has economy on its side. Diesel still has the power advantage but the 6.2 ,while not having as much pull, is more than adequite for the job of hauling a TC. Theres my 2 cents.
On edit. I have a 4.3 rear which makes a differance hauling the TC. I cant give an opinion on a 6.2 with a 3.73 but I suspect it doesnt have the same umph as my configuration.

Have you driven in the mountains? I have the same question, but hear that mountain driving (for me rockies), which I do some of, is where gas lags and diesel shines.

Hasn't been a problem for me and I've been into the mountains of Idaho and Montana since I made the post below:

Review of Ford 6.2L with 5,000 lb camper

[Bedlam]

Horsepower loss due to altitude is calculated by elevation x 0.03 x horsepower at sea level. It's easy to have 15-20% less power available for a normally aspirated engine in the Rockies.

http://www.examiner.com/article/elevation-and-the-combustion-engine

[diver110]

nycsteve wrote:
Im very happy with the Ford 6.2 gas engine that came out in 2010 with a model year 2011. Milage is very good for a gasser, almost 15mpg highway empty, and 10-12 with a fairly heavy camper. Power is very good.Having switched from a late model diesel. I find maintaince is much cheaper and given the .40 cent differance in diesel and regular, diesel no longer has economy on its side. Diesel still has the power advantage but the 6.2 ,while not having as much pull, is more than adequite for the job of hauling a TC. Theres my 2 cents.
On edit. I have a 4.3 rear which makes a differance hauling the TC. I cant give an opinion on a 6.2 with a 3.73 but I suspect it doesnt have the same umph as my configuration.

Have you driven in the mountains? I have the same question, but hear that mountain driving (for me rockies), which I do some of, is where gas lags and diesel shines.

[nycsteve]

Im very happy with the Ford 6.2 gas engine that came out in 2010 with a model year 2011. Milage is very good for a gasser, almost 15mpg highway empty, and 10-12 with a fairly heavy camper. Power is very good.Having switched from a late model diesel. I find maintaince is much cheaper and given the .40 cent differance in diesel and regular, diesel no longer has economy on its side. Diesel still has the power advantage but the 6.2 ,while not having as much pull, is more than adequite for the job of hauling a TC. Theres my 2 cents.
On edit. I have a 4.3 rear which makes a differance hauling the TC. I cant give an opinion on a 6.2 with a 3.73 but I suspect it doesnt have the same umph as my configuration.

[joeshmoe]

They all have problems at some point or another. That said, if you can get a hold of a low mileage 05-07 Chevy with a Duramax/Allison tranny combo, you will have a very reliable setup for many years.

I wouldn't recommend a Ford 6.0 or 6.4 Powerstroke UNLESS you are willing to make your own repairs, and believe me, you will be making repairs and are prepared to spend some money to make it right if the previous owner did not.

Dodge, I can't speak to except that a Cummins is hard to beat. unfortunately, the trucks have tranny and tie rod problems quite often. If I have the chance to transplant a Cummins into my F350, I will. But, engine swaps aren't something your average TCer wants to do unless he's a motor head.

Gas engines makes selection a lot easier, at least for me. The newer Ford 6.2 is proving to be an outstanding engine. If you can find a V10, that'd be good, but expect to get about 11 MPG unloaded, and about 7 loaded.

I can't recommend a GM or Dodge in a gas configuration. That's just me.

[Sheriffdoug]

I have had all three,2002 Ford 250 4x4 srw, 2011 Chevrolet 2500hd 4x4 SRW & now 2012 Dodge Ram 3500 4x4 DRW, all diesels. All three are great trucks, but my current Dodge Ram is more solid and just that little better, well appointed, than the others.
Please go with DRW, get diesel, 4x4 and for towing a rear differential ratio of 4.1.
There are many things to consider. Take your time. Get vehicle with under 80,000 miles and check what it did and has it had regular servicing. Get engine, transmission, diff, brakes and cooling system thoroughly inspected by mechanic you can trust. Has vehicle had an accident?
What is the condition of body work, truck bed, mirrors & glass.
Good luck!

[12V_Cummins]

I wouldn't recommend a dually for the laredo. Laredo is 7' wide and you are gonna need swing outs plus a few inches of extenders to clear fenders.

[trail-explorer]

With a GM diesel truck, there's only one gear ratio available: 3.73

If you want a GM gas truck, then go with 4:10 gears. Gasser = 6.0L in a GM truck for more recent trucks. There used to be an 8.1L but it was discontinued and I don't know what year that happened.

[Bedlam]

With a TC loaded and trailer in tow that is under 4000 lbs, any healthy gasoline engine should be able to do the job without straining. If you think you will be towing heavier or plan to spend some time in the higher elevations of the Rockies, get a turbo diesel.

The newer you go with your truck, the higher the GVWR for the same model. For example: My 2005 Ford was a step up from the previous years due to a redesign and is rated at 9800 lbs GVW and 23,000 lbs GCW.