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.

[trailgranny50]

Really feel for you as we're older and looked forward to traveling and not working full time in our retirement years. Not happening as we'd hoped but adjustments made and we're getting to go some. We also spent a bundle on our 2004 Chevy 3500 Duramax but with now 180,000 mikes on it no earth shattering out life altering trouble. Just tires, six when we wear out a set. The biggest expenses were all after warranty but addressed by independent mechanics who did work for half or less than estimate from dealer. Injectors,a given repair over time and not unexpected, some front end work and other expected wear and tear stuff. And now with ten years in service as a brick mason's work truck its finally hauling the truck camper it was designed for. Oh, it still is the Work truck between trips, and we are thankful every day it continues to function as needed. Don't know how long it will last or what our available financial options will be when it dies, and at some point it will, but we'll deal with that when it happens one way or another. Try not to let the uncertainty or what ifs get you down and take the joy in what you both seem to really enjoy doing. Sounds a little like it's kind of a personal issue with going forward. This is coming from the DW of a DH who is older and gets tired and discouraged more easily with indecision taking over for previous certainty. I think with many of us as we age being closer to our end brings many more and different,difficult, questions and issues to deal with than younger folks haven't faced yet. We all have to deal the best we can OURSELVES and not let others well intentioned advice have undue influence on our own circumstances, unless of course they are willing to foot the bill for fixes. Hoping for the best for you and yours and a more positive future.

[Bedlam]

Sometimes you get a vehicle regarded well and have many problems and other times you get a vehicle with a bad reputation that does real well. I hope find a way to continue enjoying life whether RVing stays in future or you go on to new interests.

[realter]

I know how you feel. My 2009 GMC 2500 has been very dependable. But I have had nothing but trouble with my camper. Since wife hates camping, I have just considered selling the whole rig and putting the money towards a comfortable car and staying in hotels or bed and breakfasts, for the few trips we actually go on.

[realter]

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

[deltabravo]

What year, make and model is the truck?

[idaho_camper]

Oh man, I hope this doesn't turn into a another gas vs. diesel debate...

To the OP: my condolences to you. Being stuck in that kind of situation is never fun. It's hard to weigh the pro's and con's, and NOT let emotion get into the equation. We LOVE our TC, and it would be hard to let it go -- even for something with a helluva lot more space (5-er or TT).

[Bigfootchevy]

Sorry to hear of your problems. There is nothing cheap about owning a truck camper.

Keep us posted on your decision.

Paul

[languiduck]

I don't think anyone else's experiences with their trucks is really relevant as he didn't ask for truck opinions. He had the experience he had with his and it is obviously causing a bit of anxiety.
I don't know how picky you are about things Freedom, everyone is different. But a couple of drops of oil on an old truck really isn't anything to fret over. If you have a big puddle, then sure I get it.
If the truck isn't giving you a warm and fuzzy, I really don't see how you arrived at the $100,000 mark as you can get a slightly used diesel 3/4 ton short bed, crew cab for $40,000 or so easy. Gassers and non-crew cabs are even cheaper.
I really don't want to throw fuel on the gas vs diesel comments, but people who spout off nonsense about diesels costing more to repair don't know what they are talking about. There are horror stories on both sides of the fence, and there's the majority that are common.

[ISBRAM]

Freedom sorry to hear of your truck woes. Our fleet of over 60 08’& 09’ 3500 Duramax’s have been great, transmission cooler lines and power steering hoses aside. I surely can’t say the same for our F-350 thru F-550 6.4 Powerstroke’s that seem to think that pistons and connecting rods are sacrificial parts.

When I ordered my New Ram back in 1999 I told my wife if this thing starts to give us problems under warranty were cutting our losses and trading it. Well 15 years later one injection pump and one torque converter is really the only problems I’ve had.
But I have to tell you that if I had to replace the Ram today, I might go with a gasser because of all the problems the emission controls have caused the diesels. This is coming from an ASE Certified Master Auto/ Master Heavy Truck Technician with over 35 years in the trade.

Best wishes and don’t let problems with an inanimate object like a truck crush your hopes and dreams.

[Area13]

FreeLanceing wrote:
I bought a truck with 188000 miles on it(2500HD gas). I rigged it up to carry my camper and drove it to alaska and back. I put some money into it but Ill bet I could sell it today for more than I have in it or at the least break even. It has 199k and change today. Next week I will load it up and head for SD. I don't even think about a break down. My good friend owns an small auto repair shop. He told me you can fix most gas engines for a few hundred, most diesel for a few thousand. I went with the gas. No regrets.

You gas guys are so insecure. I have put hundreds into MINOR repairs to my truck, none DIESEL related. Cracks me up. Why do GASSERS always talk about diesels in GENERAL being so expensive, motor racism!

My 7.3 is the most reliable, cheapest rig I have ever owned. Don't ask me about the lifters replaced in my F450 Gasser or the 6MPG. My Diesel gets 16MPG overall and 12-14 towing with more power than a fricken freight train.

Glad your gasser works for you, my diesel work VERY well for me.

[rockhillmanor]

Butch50 wrote:

rockhillmanor wrote:
Call and find out what a whole new engine costs for your truck. Jasper is a real good reliable company.

The engines are complete and come with a full warranty.

With what the price of a new truck is today I REFUSE to pay that kind of money. I put over the average allotted miles per year on my trucks so trading them in isn't an option. I use to buy new every year but the ridiculous price of them now I just can't see it with the miles I put on them.

If I like a truck I have and have put a ton of miles on it I just buy another engine. I know the chassis is ok because I took care of it. Can't say that if you replace your truck with someone else's used one.

I have had 4 Jasper engines put in my 2 cars and 2 trucks in my life time and don't regret it. You get a new go around AND with OUT the those huge new truck payments. I take that money saved and invest it! :B

I don't think that Jaspers sells Duramax engines.

Oh I Didn't see what truck had he had. Nothing in his sig.

Here is a "real" interesting article about GM not wanting to supply a complete new engine and who does have a complete crate engine to replace it.

Still think it's an option to ponder if you want to keep RV'ing and still have a nice chunk of change in the bank.

Duramax Crate Engine
http://www.dieselpowermag.com/tech/chevy/1211dp_banks_duramax_crate_engine/

[FreeLanceing]

I bought a truck with 188000 miles on it(2500HD gas). I rigged it up to carry my camper and drove it to alaska and back. I put some money into it but Ill bet I could sell it today for more than I have in it or at the least break even. It has 199k and change today. Next week I will load it up and head for SD. I don't even think about a break down. My good friend owns an small auto repair shop. He told me you can fix most gas engines for a few hundred, most diesel for a few thousand. I went with the gas. No regrets.

[Butch50]

rockhillmanor wrote:
Call and find out what a whole new engine costs for your truck. Jasper is a real good reliable company.

The engines are complete and come with a full warranty.

With what the price of a new truck is today I REFUSE to pay that kind of money. I put over the average allotted miles per year on my trucks so trading them in isn't an option. I use to buy new every year but the ridiculous price of them now I just can't see it with the miles I put on them.

If I like a truck I have and have put a ton of miles on it I just buy another engine. I know the chassis is ok because I took care of it. Can't say that if you replace your truck with someone else's used one.

I have had 4 Jasper engines put in my 2 cars and 2 trucks in my life time and don't regret it. You get a new go around AND with OUT the those huge new truck payments. I take that money saved and invest it! :B

I don't think that Jaspers sells Duramax engines.

To the OP is really sounds like you got a lemon there in that 2006. I don't know what to tell you as only you and your bride can make the decision what is right for you. No one else an tell you that.

[rockhillmanor]

Call and find out what a whole new engine costs for your truck. Jasper is a real good reliable company.

The engines are complete and come with a full warranty.

With what the price of a new truck is today I refuse to pay that kind of money. I put over the average allotted miles per year on my trucks so trading them in every year is not an option for me anymore.

I use to buy new every year but the ridiculous price of them now I just can't see it with the miles I put on them.

If I like a truck I have and have put a ton of miles on it I just buy another engine. I know the chassis is ok because I took care of it. Can't say that if you replace your truck with someone else's used one.

I have had 4 Jasper engines put in my 2 cars and 2 trucks in my life time and don't regret it. You get a new go around AND with OUT the those huge new truck payments. I take that money saved and invest it! :B

[HMS_Beagle]

I am surprised your truck has been that bad. I have only owned two ordered new full sized trucks, a 1994 Dodge HD2500 with V10, and my current 1999 Ford F350 7.3L. The Dodge needed two intake gaskets (covered by warrantee) and one knob for the heater fan control, not covered ($10). I sold it at about 65K miles because it was inadequate to carry the camper and bought the Ford. It currently has 87K miles. No warrantee repairs, one rear pinion seal ($80) and an alternator ($180). I have just replaced the headlights - still working but yellowing with age ($200).

They have been remarkably reliable.