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.

[JoeChiOhki]

bobinyelm wrote:
Bingo!

I know the OP asked to let this die, but as a hypothetical matter, I agree with virtually everything you've said.

But without people willing to lose tens of thousands in depreciation, there would be no used cars for the rest of us to buy.

Unfortunately, someone needs to feed the ducks.

Yup, however, not everyone needs to take the hit, I leave it up to those people with deep pockets :). To date, I have yet to own a new anything when it comes to vehicles.

Our fifth wheel was seven years old when I bought it (Our current home), the pickup truck fourteen, the pickup camper was thirty-two. My daily driver is thirty, however, I don't own it, its a family fleet vehicle, which was bought new in 1984, back when our Dollars were worth alot more than they are now. I currently am borrowing it till the next work contract when I have enough time to scrape together enough cash to buy another commuter out of the fleet auctions.

[bobinyelm]

Less Stuff wrote:
I know suggesting selling the truck/camper is extreme.

But soaking in the hotels hot tub after spending the day walking around the Henry Ford in Dearborn was wonderful.

Just saying there are other ways to travel. Our Washington to Maine and back trip has sure been fun. Getting over 30 mpg with cheap gas is just great after my diesel truck experience.

Spending tonight in Hannibal, Mo. Waiting for a river boat ride tomorrow.

The part I personally hate about motel-camping is that you either have to plan well ahead (reservations), so you will always be earlier than you planned (wishing you could have made more miles), or later (and tired). You can just "wing-it" and take your chances on accommodations, but sometimes that sucks.

Motels take time in the morning to pack and check out, and in the afternoon check-in and unpacking.

Then there's the cost of a decent room these days for the enroute portion. I can do an easy 600mi in my truck and Big Foot at 18mpg (33gal x $3.80/gal = $126) and free overnight at WalMart (I'm good with that, and they are always along my route) vs. 600 mi in my car at 26mpg (23 gal X $3.25 = $75), so advantage car for $51, but the motel w/ tax probably costs $75 minimum, plus meals (I can eat in my T/C for a fraction, plus I can stop anywhere I want for rests, snacks, meals.

Sure, it's different, and most wives prefer motels and nice restaurants. I get that.

Like most here, I like my OWN bed at night, stopping whenever I please, knowing I have my home on my back, but either way works. It's just that car/motel trips (at least in the West where you can stop/overnight where you want) are not cheaper.

But now we're far afield from what the OP was talking about, not that anyone could do anything for him anyway. I think he pretty much had his mind made up, as he didn't respond to ANY of the concrete suggestions made here. Maybe he felt better just getting his own story off his chest.

Maybe anyone not mechanically minded, or willing to explore various possibilities for his mechanicals should just expect an inexpensive experience (i.e., getting "soaked" a bit).

Bob

[restlessways]

To be fair, I've upgraded my 47RE transmission with an aftermarket torque converter and valve body, but all the clutch packs and everything else are still stock. This is unnecessary of course if equipped with the manual transmission. I've had a few first gen 12 valves which are great engines but the trucks leave a bit to be desired, and also a 2012 with the 6.7 Cummins, but the 2nd gen 1997 is the best ever made, in my humble opinion. Those 2nd gen 24 valves aren't bad either, but I'm not a fan of the VP44 injection pump. I just wanted the OP to know that there is an option out there if someone wants a bullet proof truck to haul a camper.

[jefe_4x4]

Restless,
I will agree that the 12v Cummins is a legendary engine. Some actually call the '94-98.5 the holy grail of truck engines they're so reliable. I contemplated getting one before I selected a new 2001 24v Cummins. The reason was the drivetrain. I'm still waiting for something major to go wrong besides the legendary Dodge body hardware.
The 1st gen Cummins in a Dodge had very weak transmissions, both manual and auto. They were just not up for the job, especially for ANY up-tuning.
Secondly, the axles, especially the rear Dana 70 was no match for ANY up-tuning of the engine.
Thirdly, the stock 160 H.P. ain't going to get it.
The one overriding great feature of the 1st gen Cummins is the fact that it's all analog, no computerized ignition or pcm. What that means is when the great Solar Flair hits the planet and stops all electronic machines of any kind, the 1st gen will still be going, on and on. That's a comfort.
jefe

[restlessways]

First off, I am sorry to hear of your woes. I will share my humble opinion having owned many different pickup trucks, most of the heavy duty diesel variety, and a Lance 1030 camper. If you are truly interested in continuing to use the camper but are tired of expensive truck repairs, my recommendation would be to find a gently used 1995-1998 Dodge Ram dually 4x4 club cab with the Cummins turbo diesel. I happen to own one myself (I've had 4 Cummins powered Rams), and you will not find a more reliable, inexpensive performer out there because it simply does not exist. This vintage Ram came with a P7100 injection pump which never breaks down and provides for exceptional fuel mileage, and the detuned engine can be run at full throttle all day, every day and never get tired. What's more, they can cheaply be modified to safely provide easily double the factory power without sacrificing durability (though mileage will drop a bit). These particular trucks have been known to routinely provide over a million miles of service. The trade-off is they are short on creature comforts as compared to the newer trucks, but you can add an aftermarket NAV system, and improve some other aspects to your own tastes.

With patience, you will most certainly be able to find a one-owner truck in the 80,000-120,000 mile range from $14k-$18k. That may seem like a lot for a truck which is pushing 20 years, but when you compare it to the $65,000 sticker on a brand new dually diesel 4x4 from the big 3, it looks like a bargain, especially given the fact it will likely outlast all of them combined. There is literally nothing to the old truck. Just change the fuel filter at 15,000, the oil at 5,000-7,500, and drive it. You will have to replace tires and brakes, and change fluids, perhaps replace the odd u-joint or bearing, but you can just pile the miles on and never even think about something breaking. They are truly amazing, and yet so simple that any diesel shop can easily work on them. No expensive emissions systems to worry about, or high pressure fuel system issues.

[Bedlam]

Less Stuff wrote:
Spending tonight in Hannibal, Mo. Waiting for a river boat ride tomorrow.

We have been there too...with our toy hauler in tow.

Different lifestyles make people happy. We do many different kinds of traveling and I know which one makes me happiest. Even when we took our last cruise, I wished that the ship could have had our toys in tow so we could have used them at our ports of call...

[Less_Stuff]

I know suggesting selling the truck/camper is extreme.

But soaking in the hotels hot tub after spending the day walking around the Henry Ford in Dearborn was wonderful.

Just saying there are other ways to travel. Our Washington to Maine and back trip has sure been fun. Getting over 30 mpg with cheap gas is just great after my diesel truck experience.

Spending tonight in Hannibal, Mo. Waiting for a river boat ride tomorrow.

[bobinyelm]

Bingo!

I know the OP asked to let this die, but as a hypothetical matter, I agree with virtually everything you've said.

But without people willing to lose tens of thousands in depreciation, there would be no used cars for the rest of us to buy.

Unfortunately, someone needs to feed the ducks.

[JoeChiOhki]

Freedom 49 wrote:
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.

Buy an older less expensive truck to replace it, if needed, find one in the states and import it, especially if it comes at a cost savings. Something out of a fleet auction, perhaps. The first mistake many people make is immediately going for new, and taking the depreciation hit.

[languiduck]

Less Stuff wrote:
Another option, sell the money pit like we did.
We are near the end of a 6 week cross country coast to coast trip.
What fun staying in motels and getting over 30 mpg.
Never looking back.
No bed bugs ether.

I've seen comments like these on the Prius forum.

[billtex]

Less Stuff wrote:
Another option, sell the money pit like we did.
We are near the end of a 6 week cross country coast to coast trip.
What fun staying in motels and getting over 30 mpg.
Never looking back.
No bed bugs ether.

ooohhhh...Debbie Downer....wah, wah, wah...

[covered_wagon]

Less Stuff wrote:
Another option, sell the money pit like we did.
We are near the end of a 6 week cross country coast to coast trip.
What fun staying in motels and getting over 30 mpg.
Never looking back.
No bed bugs ether.

Yes, it seems like a nice change. However, me got a bad stomach bug from eating in strange restaraunts. And I absolutely detest filthy bathrooms that your stuck using and have no soap, or that kind that barely cleans. It's to gross going without an rv and a nice clean bathroom.

IMHO, I'll take the 14 miles to the gallon, plus I have an excuse to drive at a bit slower pace and enjoy it more. I do not live by a clock.

[Less_Stuff]

Another option, sell the money pit like we did.
We are near the end of a 6 week cross country coast to coast trip.
What fun staying in motels and getting over 30 mpg.
Never looking back.
No bed bugs ether.

[deltabravo]

In the US, at least from people who post on the diesel truck forums (Duramax specific forums) the 06 and 07 classics (with the LBZ RPO code engine) are highly sought after, Multiple dealers have told me this as well. They are the last pre-emissions Duramax, the horse power went up that year, and they have the 6 speed Allison, which also give you manual shift mode.

I had a hard time finding one when I decided I wanted on earlier this year.
It gets far better fuel economy empty than my 2009 (LMM) Duramax will ever get.
(Yes, I own Duramax trucks)

But, there does come a time when the frustration (and expense) of ownership outweighs the benefits it gives you.