Newbie looking for TV recommendations

[g-rod]

This isn't strictly an RV-related query, but looking around this seemed like the best site for advice so I'm hoping you can help.

We have somehow gotten away without having a TV for years now, but we're at the point where it's time to buy, and we need some recommendations. Our hobby is not RVs (not yet - we do have a Honorbuilt truck camper from the 60s, but it needs a complete redo), but classic cars. We bought a house last year, are building a shop/pole barn this year, and need to move our cars (projects) home, finally. They're stored, as we like to say, "in a three-county area," but those are all short tows and one-time tows, so that isn't the real issue.

We'll be towing a 7000 lb GTWR car trailer which might be loaded close to that (5-6000 at least), up to maybe 6-10 times a year, tows usually 300 -1000 miles, but could be longer now and then. Also we'll tow a 17' boat and trailer, 2500-3000 lb, roughly the same number of tows, but usually less than 100 miles. We're pretty much looking for a dedicated TV, which occasional other use to keep things lubricated. Plus plowing our driveway, probably.

We're looking used. Very used. We do our own work on our cars, and also our daily drivers, so we're not worried about that. We're not going to crack open a diesel engine anytime soon, but short of that we're OK for the most part. No kids, but we would like an extended cab or crew cab, just so there's more room to toss extra stuff in (there's always extra stuff on these tows 🙂 ). We have been using my FIL's old F150, but it's at the point where it can barely tow the trailer - without anything on it.

Here's the best part: our target price is $3-5k. We don't mind buying a piece of s--- cosmetically as long as it keeps running (we're kind of used to that from our winter cars). We don't mind the maintenance. I see a lot of Ford 7.3s in this price range, which appeals to me for the towing ability and also for the longevity. I'm a little leery of buying a gas truck at 150-200k, but everyone says diesels are just getting started then. Two friends who tow a lot more than we will (one has a dismantling shop, one tows a race car every weekend during the summer) say a Dodge with a diesel, but you don't see them a lot at this price point.

So what do you think? Diesel? Not? Brand? Engine? Other specs? Please spend more money, you fool? Maybe not even a pickup? We're wide open right now, we'd like to make a good choice *before* we buy. Sorry for the length of this, and thanks in advance for your help.

[tgreening]

g-rod wrote:
Here are a couple we've found, could I get some opinions on them? Both are upstate NY trucks, so who knows what the rust situation is, but they don't look terrible from 15 feet. We haven't seen them in person yet.

First, a 1998 Chevy 3500 4x4 dually extended cab, 454 engine, 88k miles, asking $5k, KBB is $6,640 fair to $7,390 very good:



Second, a 2002 Ford F250 SD 4x4 super crew cab, V10 engine, Lariat trim, 110k miles, includes 8 foot Western quick mount plow, asking $6,500, KBB is $8,883 fair to $9,908 very good, not including plow:

I had a '94 Chebbie w/the 454 and that thing was an absolute pig. Don't know how much they may have changed in 4 yrs, but mine was a dog and drank gas like I had my own refinery.

I had an '01 Ford w/ the V10, and I would hop all over that '02 before I went for the 454. Powerful, reliable, and best of all it comes wrapped in a Ford. 🙂

[g-rod]

Here are a couple we've found, could I get some opinions on them? Both are upstate NY trucks, so who knows what the rust situation is, but they don't look terrible from 15 feet. We haven't seen them in person yet.

First, a 1998 Chevy 3500 4x4 dually extended cab, 454 engine, 88k miles, asking $5k, KBB is $6,640 fair to $7,390 very good:



Second, a 2002 Ford F250 SD 4x4 super crew cab, V10 engine, Lariat trim, 110k miles, includes 8 foot Western quick mount plow, asking $6,500, KBB is $8,883 fair to $9,908 very good, not including plow:

[Still_Searchin_]

I sold a 1989 chevy Silverado 5.7L gas engine 3/4 ton for that price ($3k) and it easily pulled my older 5,000# trailer, but I upgraded to the 6L chevy below when we bought the 7500# trailer (below). As you know, maintenance on gassers is cheaper than on diesels, and they don't smell.

[g-rod]

Yeah, makes sense. Thanks for the advice. I'll let you all know how things go, and if you have any other info or thoughts let me know.

In a vaguely related tidbit, when I was growing up my parents bought a Chevy Chevette diesel. I learned to drive in that car. Good times. 🙂 Don't see those around much anymore. Wonder why...well, not really.

[hoopers]

If you can find a 7.3 in your price range, go for it. As an owner of older cars, you probably know it is not the engine that will nickle and dime you, but other components (tranny, seals, pumps, belts, suspension, etc).

I had a 96 7.3, and it was a great tow vehicle...the weights you are talking about would be no problem.

I would also consider an older cummins with a manual tranny, if you can find one.

[Tvov]

I don't know about "stay away", but if you are thinking about saving money then I would say a gas engine has more benefit for limited towing. Diesels shine on the highway towing big trailers for a lot of miles -- better fuel mileage than gasoline engine, more power (usually more torque, "grunt", power), just nicer overall for towing. But the fuel mileage advantage is lost for around town driving, and in the Northeast diesel can cost well over 10 cents more a gallon than gasoline. Also in cold Northeast winters, if you want to run an older diesel in the winter you need to consider plugging in an engine block heater or at a minimum allowing it plenty of time to warm up.

If you can find a diesel in good condition for your price, then get it. Otherwise, certainly don't discount gas engines.

[g-rod]

Thanks for the thoughts. Should I stay away from a diesel at this price point? As I said, I do see 7.3 powerstrokes here and there. Would there be any benefit given the limited amount of towing we're planning?

Would we get a much nicer or more capable truck if we bumped up a couple thousand? A different generation of engines or trannys? We could go higher, we just want to get the most bang for our buck, and don't want to invest a lot into something that's going to be sitting around most of the time.

[deleted-2]

APT wrote:
You are a prime candidate for a big block gas engine. With that budget, you are into the 90's with Ford's 460, GM's 454, or Dodge's V10.

When reading thru the OP last night the above is exactly what I was thinking.

Goes without saying a big block is gonna kill any savings on the truck at the pump.
Plus the automatic transmissions 10-12 years ago were less than reliable.
(Former owner of a 92 Ford 460 with the junk E4OD)

[Tvov]

A truck in that age and price range with a snowplow already attached will probably have some serious rust/rot issues, either obvious or hidden. Inspect carefully!

Just keep your eyes and ears open, you never know what you might run in to. I remember one guy mentioning that he would contact the local fire department to see if they were selling an old "brush truck", as those are usually kept up well. Also, members of the fire department usually seemed to spend their Sundays washing the fire engine, then their own trucks! So their personal trucks were many times in excellent condition, if they were thinking of selling.

Good luck!

[APT]

You are a prime candidate for a big block gas engine. With that budget, you are into the 90's with Ford's 460, GM's 474, or Dodge's V10.