Time to upgrade!

brained · 12-13-2017, 02:29 PM

After two years + in our 24fbs it's time for more space.

Stopped into a close Kent WA dealership and fell in love with a 38flws. Working out the details now.

PlayersZ28 · 12-13-2017, 04:21 PM

What's the plan for a tow vehicle?

brained · 12-13-2017, 05:02 PM

I think the Diesel Jeep may be out classed here.
We're starting the hunt for a well loved F450. 2008 or so.

SouthCo · 12-13-2017, 08:38 PM

Yep gonna need a bigger tow vehicle. Congrats...

Magnolia Tom · 12-13-2017, 09:27 PM

Congrats! Do your research on the 6.4 powerstroke. I’d get a 350 with the 6.7 instead. Look at 2012 and newer

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PlayersZ28 · 12-14-2017, 05:37 AM

If you're buying used an F350 will be easier to find than an F450. The 450 gets a tighter turning radius (F350 wide track does too). As mentioned 12+ won't have the head issue, later than that and you get a better turbo. If you're looking for a 6.4 Ford then do some research and ask questions on the ford-trucks.com forums.

If you are looking at GM then different years have different issues too. From my experience the Fords I see are more likely to have the 5th setup than the GM's.

brained · 01-02-2018, 12:20 PM

The budget/usage ratio is the driver for looking at 08 or newer. Otherwise it'd be straight to a new Dodge Cummins.

Locally the F450 seems to be plentiful, both in pickup and chassis cab versions. More research is definitely in order.

The Jayco dealership is just a few miles away and will deliver, so the tow vehicle purchase will probably get pushed out till fall.

curver900 · 01-02-2018, 03:19 PM

Ford 6.0 diesel .. no
ford 6.4 diesel 08-09 no, 2010 yes with the caveat that the particulate filter is replaced already (usually around 90k-110k) cost is ~3k.... be careful of deleted ones run hard...

Open up the fuel filter drain. It must turn smoothly, yellow handle not broken and fuel must flow out easily!
If not, run, don't walk from it... The drain is on the frame rail drivers side...this is a notoriously missed maintenance item and will tell you if it was taken care of or not... unmaintained ones have gunk in them no fuel flows when open if it can be opened. if it can't or there is gunk in it the odds are it didn't have the fuel filters changed at 10k like they should... and/or drained every month... I didn't drain mine every month, but I did mine every 3 months or so... more in the fall....

if you happen to find one that you think is well maintained and you are serious make the dealer pull the fuel filters (rail and motor) while you are right there watching... they should come out with no water no gunk and they should be relatively clean... if there is any gum type deposits just say thanks... use a flashlight on the filter on the motor and look for glints of metal...

front end wobble was an issue as well... make sure to take it for a drive and hit a pot hole or two to see if it stays stable...

2011 fords no
2012 after mid year yes and on are generally trouble free

or just go buy that Dodge ;o)

spoon059 · 01-02-2018, 06:03 PM

Congrats on the new rig! Good luck with a new truck. Budget aside, I would hesitate to get a 6.4 Ford. Too many issues if you are making payments and are out of warranty. I would suggest you consider adding another year to your loan and getting a newer truck. In my area, a low option 2008 6.4 with 2wd is in the $21K range. A similar truck in a 2011 is $26K. For $5,000 you get a substantially better engine, less miles, more power, better fuel economy and more peace of mind.

There are plenty of Ford 6.4 owners that are satisfied with there trucks... but I would be sick to my stomach making payments on a truck with known engine issues, out of warranty.

brained · 01-20-2018, 10:27 PM

So the dealer we started working with wanted to charge $500 for putting the vent covers on. This to me is a big red flag.

Any dealer recommendations in the PNW?

Tunce the traveler · 01-21-2018, 04:23 AM

The Seattle RV show is just 3weeks away maybe you should put together a better price there. Check the price from Blade RV (in Mt. Vernon ) they'll be at the show.

T&M_Texas · 01-21-2018, 04:41 AM

Brained we used the quote from rvdirect.com to bargain with when we bought our 2018 NP 377RLBH. It was their emailed quote not what is listed on their site We searched and finally found a somewhat local dealer that was a little higher but made it worth while not to drive to pick it up from rvdirect. Maybe that will help.

brained · 01-21-2018, 08:11 PM

Thanks for the tip on getting an e-mailed quote. Missed the Tacoma RV show due to an emergency out of town trip but will definitely make the Seattle one. Visited a dealer in Tri-Cities and that went much better. Bonus, they are opening in Fife in a month so delivery and service could be fairly local.

We shall see.

jd99336 · 01-22-2018, 10:28 PM

We are a bit further away....Pasco WA, but Broadmoor RV was very good on price. i simply said, this is what I want and I am willing to look elsewhere, so give me a price I can't refuse. Of course I didn't get any "extra's" but a good $10-12000 under the closest price I could get elsewhere with the first offer. I always go in with "what is my buy it now price" in my head and they beat that number by $3K so I was happy (until I got the sales tax bill).

My kids went in a month later, told them I was the "dad", and got a bang up price on their trailer too.

I am not as happy with their service department as it takes forever to get an appointment, but the work is usually done right (warranty expires next month...rats).