Suggestions for older pickup to tow 18k lbs 40'+ FW

[michelb]

Because of our growing family, we're looking at trading our 40' DP for more family friendly FW so I need to get a tow vehicle. The truck would pretty much just be used to pull the trailer and we'd drive it for in-city transportation when we're on vacation.

I'm not a truck guy and don't know much about them or what I should be looking at. I'd like to spend $5k-$10k (or less). Need to be able to sit 5 comfortably. I'd rather not get a DRW since I'd rather drive a SRW when we're not towing. Do I need 4x4 or is 4x2 okay? I'd like to get a diesel but would consider gasoline. With diesel, I'd like to get an exhaust brake.

My first thought is something like a 04-07 Dodge Ram 3500 Megacab (not sure if it's even in my budget) but I'm open to suggestions. Please don't make this into a brand X is better than brand Y. I'm really looking for something like "Brand X, model Y with this engine would fit your needs and budget ...".

Thanks

[C-Bears]

michelb wrote:
Thanks for the extra info.

I was budgeting about $35-$40k for the trailer (used) - New MSRP is around $80k but you can buy them for around $60k and the floorplan has been around for since 2010 so I think I can probably find one for $35k (I've seen 2012s for low 40s asking).

I've looked a bit online in my area and I think if I take my time, I might be able to find a truck in my budget. While many are more, it looks like there are 01-04 3500 duallies for under $10k but obviously the condition varies so ...

Thanks again

You may have to widen your search several hundred miles outside your home area. I have seen folks that sell both their TV and FW together when getting out of full timing. Once and awhile there are some great deals on larger units out there. If you can spend $50,000 - $60,000 for both you shouldn't have a problem, I think you are just spending too much on the FW.

[majorgator]

Go over to a Ford PSD truck forum and look at the sections that cover the OBS trucks ('94.5-'97). There, you'll find a plethora of people that are pulling the weight in question with those trucks. Most always, these people have invested a little bit of time/money to make the trucks do this effectively. This involves upgrading the transmission, engine injectors, intake, exhaust, intercooler, etc. Rarely do you see them changing the axles or suspension, with the minor exception of adding air bags. The 7.3L PSD's of this era had a typical tow rating of 12,500#'s with the 4:10 gearing. However, folks are showing that the truck is capable of far more than that. With a little patience, you can find a decent dually crew cab with 250K to 300K miles for $5K to $7K. You can do all the performance enhancements listed above for about $5K, but more than likely, you'll find that the previous owner has already done some of this.

As a disclaimer, you might also find the same thing on Chevy and/or Dodge forums, but since my big truck is a Ford, I don't spend time looking at the other guys.

NOTE: DO NOT buy a truck of this era with over 300K miles unless you know the owner or the truck has a very detailed history report. Once the odometers reach 399,999 they roll back to 300,000. If you buy one with over 300K miles, it could very well have 400K, 500K...not that these trucks can't handle that of course.

With the way things are going regarding tow ratings, if you wait a few years you might find that the Ford ecoBoost will be rated to haul that much...and have no doubt that some on this forum will tell you all about it :W

[mdamerell]

Just a thought. A 18,000# 5er will have a 3,600# plus pin (20-25%). Many of the older trucks had a max 11,500# (give or take) GVWR and the SRW was 9,900# max. My 2004 F350 is around 8,200# with us and stuff (CAT Scale) and with a 11,500# GVWR leaves 3,300# for my pin. The GCVWR is 20,000# for diesel and less for a gas engine.

The math just does not work for a F350/3500 on a pre 2005 model year.

For reference, at 10 years old the dealer still wanted $20,000 for my truck. I ended up writing a check for about $15,000.

An 2015 F350 DRW diesel is 14,000 GVWR and about 32,000# GCVWR
My 2004 F350 DRW diesel is 11,500 GVWR and 20,000# GCVWR

For a 18,000# trailer that is a world of difference.

You will have to search long and hard to keep to your budget.

[transamz9]

michelb wrote:
Thanks for the extra info.

I was budgeting about $35-$40k for the trailer (used) - New MSRP is around $80k but you can buy them for around $60k and the floorplan has been around for since 2010 so I think I can probably find one for $35k (I've seen 2012s for low 40s asking).

I've looked a bit online in my area and I think if I take my time, I might be able to find a truck in my budget. While many are more, it looks like there are 01-04 3500 duallies for under $10k but obviously the condition varies so ...

Thanks again

Recheck my last post on page one. I added a link.;)

[DaveF-250SD]

Michelb,

An 18,000 lb. + fifth wheel absolutely mandates a dually, and only in recent years have they even been rated to safely tow that much weight. I think at the bare minimum you will be looking to at least triple your budget of what you want to spend on a truck. Good luck in your search, and let us know how it turns out for you.

[michelb]

Thanks for the extra info.

I was budgeting about $35-$40k for the trailer (used) - New MSRP is around $80k but you can buy them for around $60k and the floorplan has been around for since 2010 so I think I can probably find one for $35k (I've seen 2012s for low 40s asking).

I've looked a bit online in my area and I think if I take my time, I might be able to find a truck in my budget. While many are more, it looks like there are 01-04 3500 duallies for under $10k but obviously the condition varies so ...

Thanks again

[rhagfo]

Sorry to say for your price range it can't be done. My 2001 Ram with 278,000 would likely still get me around $12,000 and is well over GVWR carring our 11,000# 5er! 3500 Dually for sure and likely in the $30,000 range.

The popup is an idea, but then no Dingy!

[transamz9]

I wouldn't be scared to put 18,000 behind this and go. This would be a really good buy no matter what.;)

I guess it would help to add the link.:S


[url]http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=40383&endYear=2015&modelCode1=F350&showcaseOwnerId=67968&startYear=1981&makeCode1=FORD&engineCodes=10CLDR&engineCode=10CLDR&searchRadius=0&maxPrice=14000&mmt=[FORD[F350[]][]]&listingId=380747684&Log=0

[valhalla360]

As others have said, that's a lot of trailer and only the biggest heaviest duty 1 ton duallies comes close. Reality is you are probably looking at Medium Duty trucks for that size.

Now, if you are willing to go 10-12yrs old, yes, you can find 1 ton duallies in your price range. We just picked up a 3/4 ton a little over a year ago for $6k (4door 4wd, good condition) and there were 1 tons available for similar prices, so at $10k you could move up to a diesel.

You don't need 4wd. In fact, it will reduce your max tow ratings.

You may want to go checkout some 5th wheels, I suspect, you will find that something in the 35' range gives you more space than your current rig even though it's numerically smaller.

By the way, if you are shooting for under $10k for the truck, how much do you think a 40' 5th wheel will cost?

[jrp]

neither your $10k budget nor your preference for SRW are going to get you close to a truck capable of pulling an 18,000 lb rig and 5 passengers.
double you budget and then you can choose between a used 1 ton dually or an HDT. the HDT gives you more power, more braking, more comfort, for a lower price; and turns tighter than a 1 ton dually.

[michelb]

Thanks for the reality check. I had no idea that a used truck would be so much (I was sure a 10-12 yr old truck with 250k miles would be easy to find in our budget). Also had no idea I needed so much truck.

2003silverado wrote:
...
Out of curiosity why do you feel a truck/fifth wheel combo would be more family friendly than the motor home with a toad? Seems like the comfort of a motor home while going down the road would be more family friendly than being crammed in a truck for long periods of time.

I agree that on the road, the class A is much nicer but once we're parked / setup, the class A just doesn't have the sleeping / living capacity that we'd like (we'd really like to have 6 dedicated sleeping spots (i.e. not sofas in living room))

schlep1967 wrote:
What 5th wheel are you figuring on? I'm guessing it has to be a toy hauler. You can get a 2015 open range 3X 427 BHS (the 3x is well insulated and the BHS stands for bunkhouse it has the capacity to sleep 😎 whith a max weight of just over 16K.

...

That's actually the model we're looking at (or something similar if it exists). There seems to be a bit of a range in the GVWRs I've seen for it (as low at 14k on the new 2015s (now only 2 axles) and as high as 17.5k on the older ones (was 3 axles before) but I just thought I'd give myself a buffer so went with 18k towing.

In any case, thanks again for the all the info. I'll have to re-assess our budget and see if it's something we want to do (I don't really if I want to spend more than $10k on a truck that we'll probably only drive 9 weeks / year).

[Terryallan]

Cheapest way, more sleeping capacity. Get a popup to pull behind the Motor home. Good to go.

[ib516]

Smaller trailer or more money for the truck to pull it.

[the_bear_II]

For your family's safety, you want way more capacity truck than one that is at maximum capacity. It's the stopping that becomes dangerous when near max capacity. Steep downhill grades will fade brakes quickly.

A MDT or HDT would be the way to go but you'll need at least $20K to pick up a well kept older one.

[carringb]

Definitely need an F450 for that weight. It's only the very newest 350s/3500s that can even come close.

Aftermarket beds are available for the cab-chassis that looks just like stock, or even have built-in storage but mirror the stock bed profile.