the end of our TC days?

[Freedom_49]

My wife and I are trying to make a really tough decision to sell our truck and camper. We have had so much trouble with our truck over 120,000 miles that it's very difficult to spend the 60 or 70K it would take to replace it. I keep all our service records and I have had that truck in for repairs - not including servicing - 27 times, including a head gasket after the warranty period. I have not had the courage to add up what that has cost us. We thought when we bought it that now is when we would be spending significant dollars to get the next 120,000 miles out if it.

Doing research on what we would replace it with is somewhat discouraging - it seems that's a good vehicle is almost the luck of the draw.

When we sit down and look at the financial pros and cons, it's a huge decision. If we sell them, the difference in our bank account at the end of the day by taking some money and not buying another truck is almost $100K. And that doesn't include the savings on insurance, storage, etc. There are a lot of fun experiences that $100K buys.

Almost as difficult is knowing what we would be giving up. My wife loves our camper and while she understands the "dilemma", she is pretty disappointed. We were getting ready for our annual Canadian Thanksgiving trip to Jasper when I discovered an oil leak that I think is the power steering pump but just didn't have it in me to make that 28th trip. We are winterizing the camper today and will unload for the winter tomorrow. It feels crappy to think we won't use it again.

Dunno where this will go. Probably no right decision - and definitely no easy one.

[Reddog1]

covered wagon, I was not referring to you. Actually, when we communicated, you did indicate you would contact Admin to correct your email address. I took you at your word, and assumed you would follow through.

I almost always respond to the emails I receive when someone sends me notice using the Notify Moderator button. I think informing the person of what action, if any, was taken it is the polite and reasonable thing to do. Sometimes there is no action taken, and I typically I state why.

I can spend quite a bit of time responding, just to find out their email address is incorrect. If the person that sends the Notify Moderator knows their email is incorrect, and does not correct it, I think it is showing disrespect. Part of the requirements to be a member of the Forum is in providing a valid email address. Refusing to do so is dishonest.

There are many reasons why an email address can be incorrect, and sometimes the person does not know. That is acceptable and understood. I do not understand why it is intentionally not corrected.

Wayne
Moderator

[covered_wagon]

Reddog1 wrote:

Freedom 49 wrote:

Reddog1 wrote:
Also consider if Profiles aren't accurate, good chance the post from the same person is not accurate. I think this is a thought worth pondering.

Wayne
Moderator

Are you implying something here Wayne?

No, just stating my observation. It is not uncommon for something to change in someones Profile, and they do not think about updating their Profile. Simply an over site, and correct it when it is pointed out. There are others, that for reasons not understood by me, that purposely have misinformation and refuse to correct it when it is pointed out.

He is referring to me to be exact because I deliberately gave a bad email address to my registration form. It was the only way it would accept the registration for changing my forum name since the correct address was already used. This does not mean I am a criminal. Far from it.

There is always PM's anyway Wayne.... don't get so upset bud, like you say, I can only do it by contacting administration and not thru
you.

Getting back to the truck Business.... One of my trucks is a 92 with over 400 k miles. It has not had any problems except brakes, one starter motor, one alternator. The fuel module rotted out from moisture in the diesel so I rebuilt that with some 4'' ABS fittings. The brakes became a problem because brake shops never ever changed the fluid, never really checked the calipers the way they should either.

It has developed that I stay away from dealers and now brake shops. Continue learning about aftermarket products making the vehicle more reliable than if I would buy new. There are a lot of OEM parts that are not worth the time to reinstall them.

There is a new economy of truck parts/ engineers developing better, more reliable aftermarket parts. One should take the time to read about them on well run truck owners forums long before they show up at the dealers service shop and drop off the keys.


I'm sorry, I could not get my post out of the quote border/ box.

[homefor2]

bobinyelm in right on with the 7.3 Fords. They are great engines and many owners love them. If you can find one in good shape that would be a good choice. The 5.9 Cummins is also a great engine.

I tracked down a fantastic truck, (signature) and it only had 43000 miles on it and was a one owner. If you have the time to look, and a lot of patience, you can find a gem.

[Reddog1]

Freedom 49 wrote:

Reddog1 wrote:
Also consider if Profiles aren't accurate, good chance the post from the same person is not accurate. I think this is a thought worth pondering.

Wayne
Moderator

Are you implying something here Wayne?

No, just stating my observation. It is not uncommon for something to change in someones Profile, and they do not think about updating their Profile. Simply an over site, and correct it when it is pointed out. There are others, that for reasons not understood by me, that purposely have misinformation and refuse to correct it when it is pointed out.

Wayne

[bobinyelm]

I had a 7.3 liter Powerstroke 1-ton that went 140k with heavy towing and the only thing I really had to do was fluid changes, tires, and a couple sets of wiper blades. I only sold it because I wanted a 6spd manual transmission so I could choose the gear, rather than having to live with what the truck wanted as with my 4spd auto in the Ford. While on-the-road, I'd often compare notes with commercial haulers, and frankly I ran into MANY 7.3 liter F-350s with a half million miles with ZERO major repairs, and they were hauling 12k+ pound trailers day-in and day-out.

My current '03 Cummins only has 139k on it, but it's been very reliable as well. The fuel economy is almost unbelievable (40+% MORE than the new 6.7 liter Cummins produce, and 25% better than my Powerstroke). What's not to like? Most of the "Hot-Shot" operators here in the Texas oil fields favor the 5.9 liter CRD and have almost no problems with them.

I cannot speak for the Duramax (except rumors from unhappy haulers at fuel islands), but I can tell you I would not hesitate to buy a clean older 7.3 Powerstroke, or a 2003-2007 5.9 liter Cummins powered truck for a small fraction of the number you quoted for a new truck. Frankly, with Cats, EGR, DEF and the emissions systems found on the newer diesels, I wouldn't choose to buy one, and PREFER the older, more reliable engines I mention.

I LOVE the versatility of a truck camper, which allows me to use my truck for other purposes when the camper isn't on the back (I have a 5th wheel beside the T/C, and haul cargo trailers at other times).

I am sure with the service records you kept, there is a buyer out there who would probably pay a premium to get a well-maintained (too well-maintained $$ wise?) truck, leaving you the possibility (probability) of finding a low-mileage used truck that will be less of a financial burden.

[Freedom_49]

Reddog1 wrote:
Also consider if Profiles aren't accurate, good chance the post from the same person is not accurate. I think this is a thought worth pondering.

Wayne
Moderator

Are you implying something here Wayne?

[Reddog1]

trail-explorer wrote:

realter wrote:

deltabravo wrote:
What year, make and model is the truck?

As a senior member I'd think you'd know to click on his profile:S

Profiles aren't always accurate.

I do agree that "Profiles aren't always accurate." You might be surprised to know just how many are not accurate, including the registered email address given. Maybe there is something to this karma thing. Also consider if Profiles aren't accurate, good chance the post from the same person is not accurate. I think this is a thought worth pondering.

Wayne
Moderator

[sharkman]

I feel your pain Freedom, we are looking for a used truck, our silverado is getting old but it has never let us down, we have a 8' box in a 6' bed and we want to pull the boat with the TC in but I'm afraid something gonna break, we are going to look at an 05 Sierra 2500 diesel duramax long bed in the morning, I don't like to put a lot of money into camping, this thread needs a Pic in it, here is our pop up that we picked up for $500, the chains, belly bar, everything, even a full tank of propane, just slid it in and went camping.

[jefe_4x4]

If a choice is had, it is always better to be lucky than talented. You have just been unlucky. I have pondered (Ponder, RIP) what to do if faced with a lemon. We have had lemons and tried both ways to make it work:
1. drop kick the sucker, take your losses and move on. Life is too short to second guess that decision.
2. keep spoon feeding the woes with temporary fixes, which don't seem temporary at the time.
It is still a crapshoot when deciding what to do because the end is never in sight.
We have made #1 and #2 work for us. It's the decision on which way to go that becomes the problem.
What you want is the lowest amount of cash-echtomy. But there is a hidden charge which is the aggravation and depression that comes with constantly dealing with a lemon, hoping against hope that this is the last hill to climb. The general rule of thumb is that it is cheapest in the long run to keep fixing up the old crate and hope for a change in the weather. Where the triphammer swings the other way is your call.
Since you are still relatively young; your pain threshold is high; it might work to cut your losses and buy a scaled-down size camper loaded onto a used gasser. This way you are not paying the diesel surcharge but using tried-and-true V-8 or V-10 tech.
We bought a VW Dasher diesel wagon new in 1981. At first it was great, if underpowered. By the time it had 32K miles it was done....as far a Jeanie and I were concerned. You could not keep a starter in the thing. The entire electrical system went berzerk, among other things. It was off warranty and could not be driven. We had it towed to the dealer we bought it from and just left it on their doorstep with the keys in it and walked away. We lost big time on that one. In retrospect, I can see the aggravation release was the most important thing.
Our next car was an '83 Peugeot 505-S turbo diesel, 5 speed sedan. Whoda thunk that would go 200K miles and have so few woes? And be so comfortable and fuel efficient? Besides our Cummins, still the best car we have ever owned. Although, Jeanie's 2011 Grand Cherokee is creeping up on the Peugeot record.
jefe

[trail-explorer]

Butch50 wrote:
I take it you are not reading responses from other posters.

Not once prior did the member ever say what year, make or model his/her truck was, which is probably why someone asked, see my above post too.

[trail-explorer]

realter wrote:

deltabravo wrote:
What year, make and model is the truck?

As a senior member I'd think you'd know to click on his profile:S

Profiles aren't always accurate.

[wjkdan]

tough decision but being 71 understand your worries about breakdowns.
we decided couple years ago to try other options but still enjoy truck camper. we have gone to some nice state parks and rented cabins and really enjoyed them. cook outdoors-have fire ring-plenty of hiking trails-and when adding cost into about same as truck camper but without the up keep. Just got back from Nova Scotia and nre brunswick area without truck camper for three weeks. really missed tc.
Oh well as long as you got your health and each other I'm sure you will enjoy your new adventures--Have fun

[Freedom_49]

MN Ben wrote:
But maybe this will be the LAST repair you will need to do. Oh wait, you probably said that many repairs ago.

Some great comments here - thanks for taking the time to do so. I laughed loudly when I saw MN Ben's. How true!

My wife and I have excellent lives and the best part of them is the simplicity of the things we love - getting outside, being active, having great friends, living with dogs. There will be times in the future when life will make decisions for us that will add complexity, and I don't want to sound like I am whining about a "first world" problem, which the TC decision is.

Owning our truck and camper is the least simple (and most irritating!) part of our lucky lives, and maybe not owning THIS truck is the decision we will come to. That's part of it for sure. And don't think we haven't thought long and hard about what we would be giving up. It's very possible that we could be some of those "I'm back" people if we end up selling.

I am still summarizing all the service records but I do believe the majority of the problems with this truck have been diesel related and repeatedly have been leaking coolant and transmission lines. I think that the head gasket problem existed long before it was diagnosed (conveniently that happened just a few thousand miles after warranty); how many times can a mechanic enter "FOUND EVIDENCE OF COOLANT LEAK; REPLACED ..." before a shop manager or a service rep stops to think about why? That rant aside, given the initial cost of the engine and transmission, I would probably buy gas next time, although I do love driving a diesel. In our case it's a luxury item.

We have lost faith in the vehicle getting us from A to B; in winter we put a canopy on it and travel long distances in the mountains and out of cell phone range. It could be a serious problem late in the afternoon on a cold day in January if the truck didn't get us home. We're fortunate enough to have a Toyota Tacoma as our other winter vehicle so we'll start using it.

We live in a booming economy here in Alberta and there is no market for used vehicles with 120,000 miles on them. Dealers are not interested in trading and leaving the doors unlocked with the keys in it has only resulted in lost change from the coin tray. 🙂

[jmtandem]

Call me contrarywise but if you like truck camping then get another truck. Not all are in the shop all the time. My Ram has 130,000 miles on it and has visited the shop for one (relatively minor) item in all those miles. If you are looking for an excuse (not a reason) to get out of truck camping then the truck is as good as any excuse to quit. We only live once and your assessment of the costs of a truck are slightly flawed in that you will get some of the new cost back when you sell it if you look at it as life cycle costing. You will get some trade-in value against the new truck as well from your existing truck. And if you look at life cycle costing of the price of the new truck equated against the enjoyment you will receive the numbers might not be that bad. Or stay out of TCing for a year and see how much you and your better half miss it. Then decide.

Generally speaking when people start looking at the costs of anything including RVing then they are usually ready to vacate it. Rving doesn't pencil out favorably and it didn't when you first got into it as well back then. But, back then you wanted the TC and those experiences that go with it so the costs were doable. But, today those same costs are becomming the hindrance to continuation and for you to mention insurance and storage costs tends to make me think that you are finding the costs to exceed the enjoyment and value of having the TC.

[Butch50]

deltabravo wrote:
What year, make and model is the truck?

I take it you are not reading responses from other posters. In my response I stated a 2006 and a Duramax. Now I would think that should tell you that it is either a Chevy or a GMC and most likely either a 2500 or a 3500 model. I clicked on his profile to get this information.