When to get rid of tow veichle

When a vehicle is used as a daily driver or just locally, then comparing repair costs vs monthly payments on a new vehicle makes good sense. But I take a different view on tow vehicles, what 'cost' do you put on break downs while towing? Yes, brand new tow vehicles can break down on the highway also. But with a TV out of warranty the issue is just more complicated. And since we are talking about RVs, if the owner feels even the slightest bit uncomfortable about towing, THAT is the reason to get rid of it. RVing is not about the most cost effective action, but about what is the most satisfying actions. Even with my volunteer activities, I could save a boat load of money by doing work locally and not RVing at all. Anyway, each of us have to answer the question individually.

minnow wrote:
As an owner of an '04 2500HD, I've dealt with many of the same repair issues as detailed here. I also can't decide when enough is enough. My truck is used mainly for towing our fiver and not a lot the rest of the time. With the 8.1 engine and 8 mpg, it's not a vehicle you tend to want to drive to get ice cream. Hence it's on vacation when we re towing is when we have the problems. So it gets very tedious and nerve racking every time we go on vacation knowing that something is probably going to break. Nothing so far has been catastrophic, other than the brake lines bursting. But that was luckily in my driveway. Shudder to think if I was towing what the outcome of that would of been... Replaced rear half of transfer case due to Pump rub - yep; rotted brake, transmission,gas lines replaced - yep; Oxygen sensor replaced - yep; manifold bolts replaced - yep; too many rusted rotars and brake pads to count - yep; blower blend door acutator(twice)- yep; both front hubs replaced - yep. All on a truck with less than 70,000 miles. I wish I knew when enough is enough. I think I'm getting close.

Some of these problems may be attributed to lack of use. Rusted rotors, for example just don't happen on vehicles driven on a regular basis. There's no excuse for some of these problems. Typical GM, and I own one. I fel your pain and frustration, but just wanted to point out that some of the will occur on any vehicle.

As an owner of an '04 2500HD, I've dealt with many of the same repair issues as detailed here. I also can't decide when enough is enough. My truck is used mainly for towing our fiver and not a lot the rest of the time. With the 8.1 engine and 8 mpg, it's not a vehicle you tend to want to drive to get ice cream. Hence it's on vacation when we re towing is when we have the problems. So it gets very tedious and nerve racking every time we go on vacation knowing that something is probably going to break. Nothing so far has been catastrophic, other than the brake lines bursting. But that was luckily in my driveway. Shudder to think if I was towing what the outcome of that would of been... Replaced rear half of transfer case due to Pump rub - yep; rotted brake, transmission,gas lines replaced - yep; Oxygen sensor replaced - yep; manifold bolts replaced - yep; too many rusted rotars and brake pads to count - yep; blower blend door acutator(twice)- yep; both front hubs replaced - yep. All on a truck with less than 70,000 miles. I wish I knew when enough is enough. I think I'm getting close.

Man, those problems are SO GM! Stepped motors, actuators, manifold bolts. These are fairly easy repairs that should only happen once in the lifetime of the truck. Definitely not major, except for possibly the transfer case. I'd stick with it for now, but start saving. Often it seems that when it rains it pours, and the repairs come left and right. You might go another year without a repair and save a ton of cash. But if it continues to give you problems then you have some extra cash put aside. You've already lost the biggest percentage of depreciation, and a vehicle is probably the worst investment you can find.

I tend to be a buy and hold kind of guy. My last F-250 had 13 years and 175k miles on it. My current 150 is an '07 with 113K, and I've put some money into in the last year over and above general maintenance. I don't really start getting antsy until the body work starts to rust out. Then I don't see the point anymore. Mechanical stuff? Meh...I can do most of it and the rest still hasn't covered the cost of the extended warranty, so I figure I'm ahead by now. Once the wife's Exlporer is paid off in three years I'll probably get itchy again. In the mean time, my daughter is heading to college and my son drives next year, so my desires will have to wait a while. A good maintenance program does pay off, but they can be hard on the wallet. Once the confidence factor starts hitting home, I'm looking to upgrade.

What really hurts is when you have to put money into a vehicle because you haven't decided which one you're buying. You'll never get it back out when you sell or trade in but you have to keep driving it. I had to put $1200 into my former truck to keep it on the road, then traded it about two months after. Ouch!

There's more to the equation than what your future repair bills will be. Consider all your estimated costs to replace worn parts vs payments with warrantee and value at the end of 5 years and I bet the new or newer truck comes out on top. Top dollar is being offered for 250/2500 and 350/3500 trucks to private buyers. It took me one week to sell my 2005 (200K miles)for nearly 50% what I paid for my 2014. Of course if you are not able to do most repairs yourself the balance is even more one sided. Those repair bills really dig into the pocket 1200 miles from home with no warrantee.

Dog Folks wrote:
I have always used the rule with both large fleets and my personal cars: When it cost more in repairs than new truck monthly payments, out it goes. Until then I keep it and repair it.

This is the answer that I would go with. My '04 has 175,??? Miles and so far it's a keeper.

H2oSprt wrote:

schlep1967 wrote:
The trick is, once you pay off the vehicle you keep making vehicle payments to yourself. Put that money in an account every month. It does not need to be the full amount of a real payment but at least 50% or more of one would really help. Now when the vehicle you own needs something repaired you have the cash on hand to take care of it. If it didn't need anything for a few years and you are ready for something new(er) you have a darn good down payment. Of course this account could also fall under the emergency fund every financial guru will tell you to have.

I do this, so I have the cash. Still hurts a little :)

I did the same a few vehicles ago. Now I am in the position that I pay myself until I can afford a replacement for cash. I have not had to replace a vehicle due to reliability and have only had to replace one due to different needs/wants. Some vehicles need unscheduled repairs and others need nothing but scheduled maintenance. Having a reserve to handle these unexpected expenses averts a lot of stress (economic and emotional) allowing me to put my energy into more fun things.

Give it one more year.
You fix something fine but if the same issue needs attention again and again then it's time for a trade.

My truck began having problems about every 5 trips... some were small but when the A-arm pivot point broke just as I was getting ready to hook up the 5th wheel for a trip, it scared me to the point where I began looking for a replacement truck. All I could see in my mind was heading down the freeway at 55MPH towing a 15000lb 5th wheel and the A-Arm lets go. That would be one wild ride...

It did take another year of searching to find my dream truck. Luckily I had a windfall so the hit on the budget wasn't too bad.