the end of our TC days?
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 ...
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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 $$ wise?) truck, leaving you the possibility (probability) of finding a low-mileage used truck that will be less of a financial burden.
My current '03 Cummins only has 139k on it, but it's been very reliable as well. The fuel economy is almost unbelievable (40+% MORE than the new 6.7 liter Cummins produce, and 25% better than my Powerstroke). What's not to like? Most of the "Hot-Shot" operators here in the Texas oil fields favor the 5.9 liter CRD and have almost no problems with them.
I cannot speak for the Duramax (except rumors from unhappy haulers at fuel islands), but I can tell you I would not hesitate to buy a clean older 7.3 Powerstroke, or a 2003-2007 5.9 liter Cummins powered truck for a small fraction of the number you quoted for a new truck. Frankly, with Cats, EGR, DEF and the emissions systems found on the newer diesels, I wouldn't choose to buy one, and PREFER the older, more reliable engines I mention.
I LOVE the versatility of a truck camper, which allows me to use my truck for other purposes when the camper isn't on the back (I have a 5th wheel beside the T/C, and haul cargo trailers at other times).
I am sure with the service records you kept, there is a buyer out there who would probably pay a premium to get a well-maintained (too well-maintained $$ wise?) truck, leaving you the possibility (probability) of finding a low-mileage used truck that will be less of a financial burden.
