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+--- Thread: Truck discussion (/showthread.php?tid=6120)
Truck discussion - Dave - 06-27-2007
So, I'm aiming to buy a new(er) truck sometime in the near future and wanted to get feedback from you guys. Since I will probably be towing 2 cars, I'd kinda like to focus primarily on heavy duty 2500 or 3500 series trucks with diesels, such as the F-350 or Dodge and GM 3500, as well as the new Tundra and Titan (not sure if it could hack it). What are pros and cons for all of these. Also, a side discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of a duallie would be appreciated. I'm thinking something no older than '02 (and of course brand new for the Tundra).
In terms of the necessary trailer, I haven't decided on a 5th wheel or rear frame attachment, so if those are important factor them in.
Re: Truck discussion - .RJ - 06-27-2007
Dave Wrote:I'm thinking something no older than '02 (and of course brand new for the Tundra)
Who are you and where have you put Dave?
- WRXtranceformed - 06-27-2007
A friend of mine just bought a fully loaded 07 Tundra and it is fantastic. Very nice interior, plenty of power and towing ability.... he tows his boat with it. If I was buying a brand new truck, it would be between that and a Titan.
For raw towing power though, diesel is the way to go imo. I was talking to one of my brother's redneck friends about the different brands of diesel trucks, and he was telling me that each one has a certain weak spot (engine, tranny, etc.). I was pretty drunk so I don't remember exactly what he was telling me. I do seem to remember Allison Tranny = good and any Cummins engine = good
- .RJ - 06-27-2007
Seabass is selling his '06 Dodge Ram 3500 Diesel/6-speed (I think its a 3500) for around $30k... I'm pretty sure it would pull your house right off its foundation.
- PDenbigh - 06-27-2007
For towing two cars, you will have to get a diesel. Think, two cars at ~#2900 + the #2000 trailer and you get into towing over 4 tons right away. This is before all the gear, jacks, tools, extras, etc.
I'd suggest that you get an extended cab short bed if it's a multi-purpose machine, long bed if it's towing only.
If you are going to use the truck for anything besides towing, forgo the Dully option. It helps the ride when the truck is fully loaded and saves your ass on a bad rear tire blowout when heavily loaded. Otherwise it makes you 2'-4' wider in an already wide rig.
You saw how my small engine, non-towing package Ford truck hauled a car. Now imagine if it were one really built to do the job...
- Evan - 06-27-2007
dont even think about a gasser. I love my Titan, but even with 380 ft. lbs I wouldnt think of towing 2 cars with it.
My vote would be a Ford Superdoody PSD. Do some research, there are some engines that are preferred over others.
Another option is a Ford deisel van built on the superdoody frame. They are often much cheaper than the trucks and offer a ton of utility.
- Ryan T - 06-27-2007
Definantely go with a Diesel. Even if you could find a gas truck that could tow two cars without too much strain you'd get about 3mpg, diesel will still give you pretty decent fuel economy whether it's loaded down or not. I'm not sure about where you are, but diesel is cheaper than gas around here.
- ScottyB - 06-27-2007
i have no idea how valid this is, but it's really interesting none the less to see the comparison between ford's chassis and the tundra's:
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i'd vote deisel as well. it's also nice that they're such low maintainance engines.
- white_2kgt - 06-27-2007
7.0l Super Duty 350, the 350 isn't much more than the 250. That's going to put you back to 2001-2002ish. The 6.0L in the newer ones (03-07) sucked donkey balls (6.4L in the newest ones, 2008). If you are going w/ a 5th wheel then get dully, if you are going tag along the single will be fine.
Don't even think about a gas for towing 4tons or anything on a light duty frame, as you already know. I'd stay far and clear of the chebby's if you don't go F-series then get a Dodge Cummins.
- HAULN-SS - 06-27-2007
I'm with those guys - definately go with diesel. You looking for a manual or automatic? Allison transmission are good, and I hear good things about the Duramax 6.6 turbo diesels in the GMC/Chevy diesels and it has more power than the ford/dodge offerings
- HAULN-SS - 06-27-2007
white_2kgt Wrote:7.0l Super Duty 350, the 350 isn't much more than the 250. That's going to put you back to 2001-2002ish. The 6.0L in the newer ones (03-07) sucked donkey balls (6.4L in the newest ones, 2008). If you are going w/ a 5th wheel then get dully, if you are going tag along the single will be fine.
Don't even think about a gas for towing 4tons or anything on a light duty frame, as you already know. I'd stay far and clear of the chebby's if you don't go F-series then get a Dodge Cummins.
I'd say stay away from chevy too, if he were looking for anything older than 2001..but lately their stuff's not bad
- BLINGMW - 06-27-2007
I really have nothing further to contribute than what Chad just said. That pretty much echos what I learned while working for Geno's Garage. The Dodge has a better motor and the Ford has a better pretty much everything else. This, of course, is arguable. But you can't go wrong with either IMHO, the '00-'02 were excellent years for both trucks. If you do go newer than that, the Dodge actually got better in '03 with the same motor but a much updated fuel system. Unlike the Ford which got the crap 6.0L.
I hope you're not motivated only by me making fun of your current truck! It is actually bad ass. :wink:
Anyway, no question on the diesel though, even if that means your budget gets you a slightly older truck. You can have 11 billion ftlbs of torque with simple software modifications, AND they don't make bad daily drivers because you're getting 20+ MPG when unloaded. The snail is like, as big as your head.
hock: Personally I'd go with the Dodge, they were less crowded in the engine bay, and on the '03 6spd I drove around a couple times, I had much fun rowing my own gears, telling 800+ ftlbs of torque and 50 PSI what to do. :thumbup:
- stevegula - 06-27-2007
I've been told the Ford Navistar diesels aren't particular sound or weren't during the late 90s early this decade.
I've been looking at late 90s GM/Chevy diesels to replace my Dakota. Pretty sound as far as I know of.
PS - My brother also threw out this suggestion - Ford Excursion diesel (6.0L not the bigger one) or Suburban diesel. Assuming you don't go with 5th wheel and don't need a bed.
- white_2kgt - 06-27-2007
stevegula Wrote:I've been told the Ford Navistar diesels aren't particular sound or weren't during the late 90s early this decade.
The 6L was a piece of shit. The 7.3l was the cats ass and the new 6.4L isn't off to such a hot start but it looks promising and I think once the bugs are worked out it will be fine. I just need to get a F550 w/ the Cummins option.
stevegula Wrote:I've been looking at late 90s GM/Chevy diesels to replace my Dakota. Pretty sound as far as I know of.
The GM engines are decent but god, the rest of the truck looks like a high school art project gone wrong. The fit/finish inside them is just so awful, I couldn't see myself sitting inside one for an extended trip w/o vomiting allover it.
Have you seen the inside of the new Superdutys? So hot!
- BLINGMW - 06-27-2007
white_2kgt Wrote:I just need to get a F550 w/ the Cummins option.
Probably most common comment I heard from our customers. Their idea of a perfect truck would be a Ford w/ Cummins. Any mention of this on forums and such as possibly being a reality would make them all go nuts. :lol:
- HAULN-SS - 06-27-2007
New trucks have come a long way. My parents have a LTZ 1500HD silverado and they pretty much drive it everywhere, it's that comfortable even with the extra suspension goodness
- Ryan T - 06-27-2007
The powerstroke I rode in had very good pull, but I never got the chance to ride in it with a trailer. All the towing I've done or ridden with in a diesel has been in a cummins and it's been a very impressive engine. The fit and finish of the Dodge is sorta iffy but that engine will never let you down. Pulled just fine with 8000lbs.
edit: g-less.
- BLINGMW - 06-27-2007
fixed, nothing to see here. :lol:
- white_2kgt - 06-27-2007
BLINGMW Wrote:white_2kgt Wrote:I just need to get a F550 w/ the Cummins option.
Probably most common comment I heard from our customers. Their idea of a perfect truck would be a Ford w/ Cummins. Any mention of this on forums and such as possibly being a reality would make them all go nuts. :lol:
You can get just about any engine you want in the F550 and up. You are only locked into the Navistar's on 250-450.
- BLINGMW - 06-27-2007
I was actually not aware of that! But the 550 is like, a REAL BIG truck.