lfrese wrote:
jdc1 wrote:
It will be VERY hard to find a diesel truck with under 150,000 miles for less than $10,000. You can find plenty of gassers for that, with under 100,000 miles. Campers on mini-trucks do not preform well. Too top heavy and not enough power.
What do you mean "mini-trucks" I am looking for a 3/4 to 1 ton truck.
Why are the diesels so expensive? I imagine they have just as many issues as the gassers and are more expensive to fix, no?
Under $10k Toys or Nissans, the biggest trucks you'll find are high miles old body style Tundras or high miles Titan. Both only suitable for a small truck camper. Depending on what model Capri you get, the small ones are totally suitable for a 1/2 ton, larger ones, not so much.
Diesels, yeah, under $10k and not a basket case = high miles. And for just toting a smaller TC around, 100% not necessary. Brand, model and drive train determines which are the "good ones" and which aren't.
Not being handy with vehicles is a decided disadvantage with older vehicles especially on the road, because even little things can sideline you if you don't know how or aren't prepared for otherwise "simple" repairs.
That said, there is a plethora of low or lower miles 90s to early 2000s gas pickups in every brand and size that are under $10k and would be very reliable transportation ("reliable" is dependent on how much you know and can fix though).
Quick Seattle CL search, examples. 90s Reg cab F350 460 V8 41k miles grampa truck, perfect cond, $7500. 97 Silverado 1500 ext cab 96k miles like new, $9900. 200 F250 V10, 137k miles great shape, $8500
Pick out the size of the truck you "want" to fit your camper needs, 1/2 ton or HD. Live with reg cab or ext cab, way cheaper than any crew cab models due to CC's popularity. And then find the right truck based on miles, service records and condition with less emphasis on brand.
Aside from general condition, transmission health is probably first on the list of important items assuming the truck is otherwise totally functional, IMO.
After that, get the truck and do all the maint and recommended repairs/services for the miles that you can't verify through existing records. (IE if it's 25 years old and has original radiator hoses, replace them and t stat and flush the coolant. And similar items)
Drive the truck for a while. Items or issues will pop up and you can get them taken care of on your terms.
Then go to Mexico!
The tough part, is people get rid of trucks because they are old, "unreliable" or pending repairs. One who can fix their own vehicles, this is an economical way to get a good vehicle. One who cant, every little thing is a big bill from the mechanic, compared to the cost of a usually simple part. If this wasn't the case there wouldn't be so many new cars sold! Presuming your on a tight budget based on your question, take this into consideration and force yourself to do all the things you can achieve on your own.
Example, bought an "old beater" commuter rig recently. Only 19 years old, 105k miles and honestly in very good condition. I've put about $500 into maint and repairs. However, if I paid someone to do it, it would have been a couple thousand in cost and I would call it an expensive lesson.
CO is an ok place for rust free vehicles, but the sun gets to vehicles that aren't garaged, if you find one that stayed out of the mountains. Honestly, the BEST place to look for old vehicles in good condition is the wet side of the mountains here in the PNW, OR and WA. Simply put a predominately cloudy, rainy, temperate climate is the healthiest place for vehicles to live to a ripe old age for a variety of reasons.
Hope this helps
2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5” turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold
