Truck shopping

[Ventura_Dogman]

I have a new Northstar Laredo SC (dry wt 2100) on an F150 with helper springs. While the F150 does a pretty darn good job with the load despite the specs (took it on a long trip to Utah and it did rather well), I am truck shopping. I will be looking at a 3/4 4x4 diesel (long road trips, mountain roads, light off road use). Right now I am considering the Chevy 2500.

I am facing the new vs used dilemma. I am not sure of inherent issues in the truck, if any, that I might inherit if I go used. Also, are there major maintenance costs at a major interval (say 100k) like replacing injectors, etc that might make the cost differential of going new shrink? Extended warranty worth it on one of these due to high cost of repair if something goes wrong?

Any other thoughts or suggestions, either on the diesel idea or the truck brand or anything else I should consider?

[monkey44]

We went from GM 2500 6.0 gas w/3:73 to a new GM 2500HD ExCab SB 6.0 gas w/4:10 and the six speed trans. We had very little trouble with the 3:73 on hills, and no trouble at all on hills with the new 6.0 w/4:10 ... we carry a Lance 845 at 3000 lbs dry, probably over 3500+ lbs wet.

Diesel has its moments, but for the money, unless you are planning on towing with the camper, and you said not, the extra cost for buying and maintaining a diesel don't make a lot of sense to me. You can buy a lot of gas for $8000. My truck gets 14/16 empty and around 10-12 on highway, depending on the grades. SO that's about 45/50K miles worth of gas free, sorta.

The 6.0 is a real workhorse, especially with the 4:10 ...

[rider997]

Ventura Dogman wrote:
I don't see me trading up to a bigger camper. It is me and a dog and I like to head to out of the way places on rough dirt roads, etc. This camper already weighs a little more than I would like, but it is comfortable and warm. The truck is strictly for the camper and road trips. I have a Honda Accord as a commuter until I can retire. This will be my retirement rig.

I just traded up from a Northstar popup (TC800) and I figure this will be it until I take the final dirt nap.

I spend a lot of time in the mountains on steep and curvy roads. I figured the torque of the diesel would come in handy for this? I have the F150 with the big V8 and it feels pretty underpowered climbing hills.

Realter, I just double checked and the base dry weight on the new Laredo SC is 2090 lb. per the Northstar website. I added a bumper, but will travel without the jacks, probably a net weight loss. The other options I added don't weigh much (longer windows, etc). It is fairly stock.

My GM gas (6.0L) 3500HD has no problem hauling 4500lbs of payload up a mountain at the speed limit. You'll start to notice the power drop of a naturally aspirated gas engine over 6,000 ft or so, so if you are traveling the high Sierra regularly, it might impact your decision. With a camper of only 2,000 lbs, though, I think the gas engine will perform fine. Keep in mind that the GM HD trucks will have a 4.10 rear end, giving them better apparent performance than most 1/2 ton trucks, even with about the same engine power.

[DWeikert]

If you want a diesel, get a diesel. I did and do not regret it. Might I suggest you spend some time on www.dieselplace.com to get a feel for the various versions of Duramax out there and experiences from those actually driving them. Mine is the 2008 LMM which has the diesel particulate filter but no urea treatment. Average 14mpg highway with the camper in my sig and climbs mountain passes without breaking a sweat. Not to mention goes down mountain passes barely touching the brakes. If your comfortable running an engine at the high RPM's a gasser will need on mountain roads, than a gas engine is certainly an option. I went with a diesel because overkill is underrated.

(edit)PS: Count me as another vote recommending you go right to 3500 if possible.

[Matho]

Your F150 may not of had the right gearing to pull the mountain roads. My Chevy 3500HD has the 4.10 gears with 375/70/18 BFG All Terrains and does great in the mountains. I went 1 size larger with the tires that saved money on the BFG All terrains. The OEM tires were 265/70/18 and cost $70+ per tire.
It has the 6.0 V8 and is very quiet but you should do your research on engines and decide. The 3500 was not much more but the diesel adds a lot more.
I did not purchase the extended warrenty to save money and it is a WT (work truck) no frills.
Got the Torklift Tie Downs and they bolted up solid but come close to the front jacks footings but not a problem.

[Grit_dog]

You can figure out the gas vs diesel debate for the cost of ownership, repairs etc from the hundreds of other threads on here and you already haul your camper alright with a half ton so nothing a gasser can't handle.
The question is if you want to have a truck that has a little more power than your current truck or one with twice the power or more.

[Otterman]

Like others said, just go with a 1-ton truck. There is no difference in ride between a Chevy 2500 and 3500, but a big difference in payload. Even if you think you'll never need it, it's good to have more payload capability. There is little, if any, difference in price. It's worth it.

[Ventura_Dogman]

I don't see me trading up to a bigger camper. It is me and a dog and I like to head to out of the way places on rough dirt roads, etc. This camper already weighs a little more than I would like, but it is comfortable and warm. The truck is strictly for the camper and road trips. I have a Honda Accord as a commuter until I can retire. This will be my retirement rig.

I just traded up from a Northstar popup (TC800) and I figure this will be it until I take the final dirt nap.

I spend a lot of time in the mountains on steep and curvy roads. I figured the torque of the diesel would come in handy for this? I have the F150 with the big V8 and it feels pretty underpowered climbing hills.

Realter, I just double checked and the base dry weight on the new Laredo SC is 2090 lb. per the Northstar website. I added a bumper, but will travel without the jacks, probably a net weight loss. The other options I added don't weigh much (longer windows, etc). It is fairly stock.

[realter]

What did they leave off yours? My Northstar Laredo weighs close to ONE THOUSAND POUNDS MORE.

Buy a one ton truck, but first find a weigh to way your camper. Then buy a one ton truck anyway.

Nice campers. Good luck.

[GeoBoy]

Are you planning on moving up to a heavier TC or towing a 10K TT in the future? We have a 5K TC and my GMC gasser handles it just fine, average between 10 & 11 mpg.
I would definitely go straight to a 3500 series truck and yes stick with a GM truck.

[Daryl_B]

Like others have already said... skip the 3/4 ton and get a 1 ton (brand of your choice).
Within a year or two having a bigger truck you will most likely start looking at bigger campers.

[getpower1]

Nothing like having the passing power of a diesel. But I'm one of those guys. They are making huge strides in gasoline powered vehicles lately. I'm pretty sure there is a fuel economy war going on, even if it was meant to be a work truck.

Say what you want about not caring about fuel economy on vacation and all of that'. Personally, when I have to fill my tank it's very disappointing. I hate seeing 10 mpg average. I just feel like we have come further than that by now.

That been said, if you don't mind your truck going up a grade a couple of gears lower and your motor singing at 3500-4000, as well as a little poorer fuel mileage (and not much really), then you can save yourself an easy $8000 new. That's something to think about. Gas powered trucks are quieter, probably more reliable, and maintinence costs less and is easier to perform yourself. Gas vehicles have injectors too, and they can go out as well. But the chances of getting poor quality gasoline is far less than for diesel. It's just nasty stuff.

As far as new vs used, find what you like and test drive it all. I'd be surprised if a seller wouldn't let you hook up a trailer or throw some weight in the truck and test drive before you buy. Reliability with newer diesels I still feel may be an issue. Don't get me wrong, if I had the money id have a brand new ford or dodge diesel in the driveway tomorrow. But they still have a lot of extra emissions stuff that isn't proving reliable long term for the average consumer. What I mean by this is if your truck is a daily driver 13 miles one way, then it's probably not getting up to proper temperature.

Just things to think about. Again, impressive things coming out for gasoline. The newer motor in the Rams seems to be a good deal for a vacationing truck. And way cheaper of a truck out the door. Still more stations carrying gasoline than diesel.

Take your time in finding the right one.

[jimh406]

If you are thinking diesel or new, plan out what you will be doing in a few years. Otherwise, you'd probably be better off with gasoline and used. I prefer Fords, so I'm kind of biased on what brand to consider. 😉

[Bedlam]

Unless you plan tow over 5K lbs behind your truck while you carry the TC, I would suggest getting a gasoline powered engine. In the end, you need to buy a diesel if you need something requiring that capacity because there really is no cost saving once you pencil out acquisition and maintenance costs plus it takes away from your payload.

Now if you decide to tow an enclosed trailer (like I have) behind you, definitely shop for a diesel because the driving experience will be so much better and you can enjoy the journey as much as the destination.

[FireGuard]

Love my diesel, but for your application check out a Ram 2500 with the 6.4 Hemi.
More power than you'll ever need and can pick up a 4x4 CC for low to mid $30ks.

[d3500ram]

If buying new, then forego the 2500 and go right to a 3500 series. Not too much price difference but a lot more payload capabilities.