Tow Truck discussion

[gordinho80]

I'm in the market for a different truck. I currently have a 2001 F150 Super Crew with a lot of miles, 223k. I'd like something newer, but I'm not against older provided its a better vehicle.

I've got my eye on 2 totally different trucks right now. 2006 Ram 2500 Mega Cab with the 5.7 Hemi and a 1999 Ford F250 Super Crew with the 7.3 diesel. The Ram has 83k miles and the F250 has 140k. I like the idea of a diesel, but the Ram is much newer with less miles. Both trucks appear to be in really good shape. Based on KBB values, though, the Ram's asking price appears to be a much better buy.

What are everyone else's thoughts? This would be my daily driver, but I do not commute for work, so I'm really only looking at doing 200~ miles a week regularly.

[SidecarFlip]

ppine wrote:
I have a 2002 Ford 7.3 and it is going up in value. It is the best vehicle I have ever had. 140 k miles is nothing.

A 7.3, so long as it's not chipped up and the injection timing advanced will last 250K or more with regular maintenance and then at 250, all it will need is a bearing roll in. The engines are basically forever.

Not powerhouses but then it's the torque not the horses that is important to me.

The older they get, the more sought after they become, especially with all the pollution stuff on the new ones. My 97 has no pollution controls. Gets good mileage (15-20 depending on what I'm towing) and like a good savings account, keeps increasing in value.

The RAM will do nothing but loose value btw.

[ppine]

I have a 2002 Ford 7.3 and it is going up in value. It is the best vehicle I have ever had. 140 k miles is nothing.

[SidecarFlip]

Looks to me like the Ford has a new bed. Not all bad but Ford's tend to rust in the wheel arches. I'd take the 7.3 hands down (I have one) and the E4 is a good box so long as you maintain it, like anything else. The Mopar's box had issues back then. Overall quality will be higher with the Ford and the Pre-Tier 4 7.3 is always climbing in value. My truck today is worth more than half what I paid for it and increases every year.

I would not buy a 7.3 with a manual box. Had one as well. Fine if you want to play truck dricer, not so good as a consumer oriented transmission.

[trail-explorer]

That Ford is just a "crew" cab. The term "super crew" was a name Ford applied to half-ton models.

The 7.3 is old school by today's standard, but is reliable, but I'd go for the Dodge. 7.3s are noisy in the truck cab.

[Vintage465]

My thoughts:

Dodge is going to have more creature comforts and it might have a little more solo driving zip and be more comfy.

I don't think there is any question that the Ford w/the 7.3 is a better tow engine. Those are great engines. I don't think they are the greatest engine ever, but they are quite venerable. If it were paired with a manual transmission it would be a nearly indestructible and that would cement the deal for me. If it were paired with 4 speed automatic with 140,000 miles.................well, I'd be budgeting for a rebuilt transmission prior to me putting much load on that tranny.

[Durb]

They aren't making pre-emission diesels any longer so that truck may be more sought after in the future and represent a better value proposition. I'm guessing a test drive in each would make the decision for you real quick.

[gordinho80]

vs

[gordinho80]

Clean CarFax on both. Ram originated in Maine, F250 is from PA. I know the 7.3 is a great motor, my brother in law has a 2000 F350 with the 7.3 and loves it. I know it would tow my Coachmen just fine. No experience with the Hemi, but I assume that would have no issues towing the camper either. 7.3 might yield better mileage. But the Ram is a little newer.

I'm torn!

[afidel]

DutchmenSport wrote:
You live in New Jersey. Check the frames for excessive rust from winter road salt. That should be the FIRST thing to consider coming from a snow state.

Also check if it's been in an area with floods, LOTS of Houston flood cars in the used market right now, often having gone through a state where they can wash the flood salvage from the title. Carfax might not be that useful but they will tell you where the car or truck has been registered.

[gordinho80]

When we do travel, it would be my wife and I along with our now 2 year old. So having a full backseat is a plus. Smaller bed is fine, as I'm used to the 5.5ft bed on the Super Crew currently.

[donn0128]

The mega cab would by my choice. However there are two things against it. Well three actually Low capacity, short bed and the gas motor. Megas have great capacity and are quite comfortable, but that comfort comes at a price.

[DutchmenSport]

You live in New Jersey. Check the frames for excessive rust from winter road salt. That should be the FIRST thing to consider coming from a snow state.