orange_jordy
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Acura MDX tow vehicle
In the fall we sold our truck with the intent of buying a new truck this spring. Since then I lost my job, I found a new job, but now our fincial circumstances do not allow us to buy a new vehicle. So the wife has a 2011 Acura MDX with the factory tow package, which I do believe is rated at 5000 lbs max. I know it won't tow our current rv, so we are considering trading it in on either a very small hard sided camper or a hybrid that land in the 3500 lb gvwr range. My question is anyone else out there towing a similar set up, how does it handle a trailer of any size that falls within its specs. We did look at a couple of Jayco Jay Feather SLX models on the weekend, but are unsure if we should take the plunge. I know all the marketing hype targeted at the suv/crossover/minivan crowd is tough to sort through so I thought I would ask for some real life experience.1.5KViews0likes5CommentsRe: Truck shopping 04-07 model years. Advice please.
Gasoline prices in our neck of the woods fluctuate constantly, today it jumped from $1.209 a liter to $1.259 a liter. Diesel has stayed around $1.189 since the beginning of summer. Living in Saskatchewan where our winters tend to be half the year and can get colder than -40, I am a bit concerned about the tendency for diesel engines to take longer to warm up, but I am planning to park it in my garage if it fits(my current truck does) The potential cost of repairs to any previously owned vehicle scares me a little, I put close to $10,000 in to fixing my current truck over the last two years. I thought it would be good after that, but it was back in the garage twice in the last month. All I can do is look at what is out there very carefully, have it checked by a mechanic, get a carfax if available, and hope I make a good decision.351Views0likes0CommentsRe: Truck shopping 04-07 model years. Advice please.
What types of transmissions are available with the various trucks? I know the 04/05 GM trucks had a 5 speed Allison with the Duramax and a six speed in 06/07 but what about the Vortec? Just a four speed auto? I also know Dodge had a six speed manual transmission available but not sure what years or what the automatic alternative was. Four speed or five with the Hemi? Some of the listings I am finding online just say automatic in the transmission column and nothing specific as to the type of automatic. Thanks again for all the advice so far.304Views0likes0CommentsRe: Truck shopping 04-07 model years. Advice please.
I'm back at work tomorrow for the first of seven straight days so I won't have time to really go drive anything for a while, but I have found a few trucks on autotrader.ca and some of the local dealer websites. Both Dodge and G.M. diesels in the 2004-2007 model years all seem to have 230000 to 300000km and are listed from low prices of around $15000 for high km low option models up to $35000 for some of the lower km upper trim levels. The gas engined trucks seem like they are lower km (125000 to 200000 km),mostly the lower end trims, and prices around $10000 to $20000. Looks like I have a lot to choose from.304Views0likes0CommentsRe: Truck shopping 04-07 model years. Advice please.
I am appreciative of the replies from everyone, I am starting to see a trend developing. I know I do not need a diesel for the trailer I currently have, but a part of me does want one, something about the torque is just very appealing to me. On the other hand I love the sound of a small block V8 revving and am not at all afraid of letting them sing to make their rated power. I have had a bad experience with my truck but by no means has it turned me off to owning a gas powered truck either. The truck I own did well with our current trailer until this summer, and the engine was never the limiting factor. I'm just done with worrying about the extra stuff I throw in the truck bed, or hauling with a full water tank when the park we are camping in has a water advisory, and my wife for the first time actually did complain about the engine constantly running at 3500 rpm on our last trip this summer. That was before the transmission went kaboom on the way home that same trip.283Views0likes0CommentsRe: Truck shopping 04-07 model years. Advice please.
My truck was purchased second hand four years ago. I drive it fairly gently, and I change oil every 5000 km and have it in the garage every six months for basic check ups and maintenance. I have never overloaded it or taken it off roading. It is basically a car except when I pull my camper. Since I have started having problems, I have replaced the rear end once , had the famous 5.4 spark plugs changed of which almost all broke, passenger side exhaust manifold cracked, transmission replaced last fall at 95000 km, and rebuilt the tranny again this past Monday. I try to take care of the truck k as best I can, and I feel I have been diligent I'm making sure I set up my weight distribution properly and don't overload my truck. I may have a lemon, or the previous owner beat the hell out of her, but we are done with wondering if she is gonna break every time we head out on a road trip. Never had an engine problem, but I only have 125000 km on the truck (65000 are mine) and I feel like the number of problems are disproportionate to the amount I use the truck.283Views0likes0CommentsRe: Horsepower is horsepower?
I have looked for information on the TRD supercharger for the Tundra, and it looks like it is only available on the pre-2010 5.7 Tundras. In 2010 the engine became a flex fuel compatible engine and for some reason they won't add the supercharger to them now.92Views0likes0CommentsTruck shopping 04-07 model years. Advice please.
I am just starting to shop for a truck to replace my current 2006 Ford F150 supercrew. The truck has been unreliable for the last two years and the wife would like me to get rid of it so she feels more secure when we go out camping next summer. The thing is for us (and probably most folks) money is tight and we can't afford a monthly payment on a new truck so we decided to look at the previously owned market. I have only done some online browsing and not actually gone to look at anything yet. Our camper is the same one we have had for years(Gulfstream Amerilite 24RS, 7400 lb gvwr) and it meets our needs for now and the future so we have no plans to upgrade at this time, however we have talked about getting a truck that is large enough to comfortably step up to a larger camper without having to upgrade the truck. From the bit of reading I have done, I am looking at trucks in the 2004 to 2007 model years and I am looking at 3/4 ton and 1 ton both gas and diesel. The wife will not let me look at another Ford so I guess I am looking for information on Dodge and GM trucks from those model years. I am not biased toward one brand over the other, I am just looking for the best truck for my money. I have never owned or driven a diesel truck before so I don't know much except that in the years I am considering people seem to like the 5.9 Cummins and the Duramax LBZ. I know the 5.7 Hemi and 6.0 Vortec are strong gasoline engines as well. I will be using the truck as a daily driver to work(25 km each way on the freeway)as well as towing the camper during the summer. We mostly do shorter trips ,under 1000 km round trip, but we have discussed doing a couple of trips that would take us up to 6000 km total. If I could get some pointers or pros and cons from people that have owned or operated trucks in these years, it would be greatly appreciated.7.6KViews0likes51Comments
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Prefer to camp in a travel trailer? You're not alone.Dec 15, 201444,028 Posts
