Buy now, in six months, or next year.

[TaftCoach]

My TV is 7 years old and sitting at 140,000 miles. I really, really, want to get one more year out of it. But last summer we blew a hose in New Mexico and lost two days getting it fixed then a fuel pump power module burned up and we finished our vacation on the back of a tow truck so I'm nervous about another 8,000 mile summer odyssey.

I'm thinking about having the dealership or an independent shop go over it with a fine tooth comb, but I wonder if they would catch the odd ball stuff that might go wrong.

I'm probably going with another Ford F150 and with the 2021 selling so fast, there doesn't seem to be much in the way of discounts to be had so maybe picking up a 2020 now might make sense.

Thoughts? Ideas?

[curver900]

tough call.. prices IMO are too high... in a year things are going to look ALOT different... if you have maintained it well... then you should be fine... heck even the new ones have problems and can strand you too...

i would change all the fluids maybe get an oil analysis done.. i would even replace if you haven't all the shocks/struts, radiator hoses, belts, spark plugs, plug wires, etc... cost you maybe 2 or possibly 3 car payments...

I was in AK and was on 1 tow truck and limped it into two service centers with 70k miles on a 2014.. YMMV
Good luck with whatever you decide....

[Jagiven]

Hard to say! I have friends that once the warranty is getting close to being up, it is traded in for a new vehicle. I tend to hold on to vehicles for a long time. My kid is driving my 20 year old car, that was my daily commuter, until last year. My 2007 Dakota, has a few less miles than you, I would not hesitate about taking it on a 8000 mile trip (wish I had the vacation time). I know what maintenance it has, or has not had.

Things happen. Parents had to put their Suburban (low miles) on a flat bed, TT on the back hook. Ignition system failed, 98 miles from home (just within 100 mile tow coverage distance). Luckily they were on their way home. You just never know.

[TaftCoach]

Thank you. I replaced the shocks and struts about nine months ago. The tires have less than 20,000 miles on them. I wish I had a mechanic I really trusted to give me an evaluation.

In my twenties and thirties I don't think I held onto a car more than 4 years. Now I look at the price tag and think I like mine just fine.

[Randel J]

For what it's worth, we traded in our F150 SuperCrew, with 5.4L and 192,000+ miles, for a 2020 F150 SuperCrew with 3.5L turbo and 10 speed transmission. Our TT is a 2019 Jayco 264BHW and the new truck runs circles around anything my old truck could do.

My old truck was well maintained over the years but eventually old age just caught up with it. The DW and I would stress every time we went on a trip with the trailer just waiting for something else on the truck to break. Finally for peace of mind, we bit the bullet and spent the bucks on the new truck. Glad we did.

[JFlightRisk]

First TV was an '04 Tundra double cab, 4.7 L V8 that we towed two pop ups with. When we upgraded to another TT, I wanted a bigger motor for pulling the "barn door" that was behind us. The '04 had 150,000 miles on it, and nothing wrong with it at all. Had it for 9 years. Traded for a 2010 Tundra in 2013. Towed with it for 7 years, and ended up with over 133,000 miles on the odometer. My wonderful DW said I should have a newer truck after I retired. I'm not one to argue with her at all, so wanting to comply and make her happy, traded it for a 2016 F150 3.5 EB. I really love that truck, and it tows better than the 5.7 L Tundra did.

We were never afraid of a breakdown on a trip, but stuff does happen sometimes. I maintain all my vehicles as meticulously as I can, but anything is possible.

Since we bought it back in February 2020, the asking prices of comparable trucks has gone up about $4000. I feel lucky to have bought it when we did. Hopefully it'll be as dependable as the Toyota's were, only time will tell. Good luck on your decision, whatever it is.

[LuckyDuck]

It sounds like you take good care of your TV, like me. Still stuff happens. I’ve heard some horror stories about fairly new trucks breaking down and needing costly repairs as well. My TV is going on 22 years old with 113k miles. Like the original owner I bought it from, I’ve tried to be compulsive about maintenance. It does help to have a trusted mechanic and whenever he changes the oil, or before any trip, I’ll have him check and/or replace ANYTHING he thinks might be aging or likely to fail, within reason. It’s not foolproof, but it gives me peace of mind. When I get the itch to look at brand new trucks with all of the creature comforts, I reread threads about DEF issues or “death wobbles” and the itch goes away.

My opinion is worth what you paid for it, but with RVing so hot right now and new truck prices artificially high, I’d stick it out for a year. Or at least look at last year’s models. And find a good shop to give yours a once-over before you head out. Good luck!

[TCNashville]

Even used truck prices are through the roof. About 2 months ago, my selling dealer offered me $2000 more than I paid for my truck to trade it in.

[ALJO]

When there is chaos in the world, there's is a short of supplies, and demand will be high and costly. Hang on to what you have......

[Jay2504]

TaftCoach, I am not a Ford guy at all. But isn’t the engine in your truck in the same family as Ford Police cars? Even if it’s not, it should go to close to 200K miles. Change all fluids, including power steering, especially the transmission and transfer case. Front and rear diff also if it’s a 4wd. If the battery is fairly new, then you should be ok for a year or two, easy. Jay

[TaftCoach]

Originally Posted by Jay2504

TaftCoach, I am not a Ford guy at all. But isn’t the engine in your truck in the same family as Ford Police cars? Even if it’s not, it should go to close to 200K miles. Change all fluids, including power steering, especially the transmission and transfer case. Front and rear diff also if it’s a 4wd. If the battery is fairly new, then you should be ok for a year or two, easy. Jay

I went with the 5.0 V8 which I've been really happy with.

[JFlightRisk]

All I have to do to stifle the new truck itch, is look at the sticker prices. Works every time!

[85vf500rr]

FWIW, I have the same truck, but a 2012 model with 163,000 miles. No hesitation about long journeys. I plan on going at least 250K miles before considering another tow vehicle. The truck still runs as well as it did when I got it 133,000 miles and 6 years ago. Just stay on top of the basic maintenance and it should treat you well. The only recurring issue I have had is a quick connect hose fitting on the front of the engine that seems to have about a 70K mile life span. I've replaced that twice since I've had the truck, but the faint smell of coolant alerted me to the problem before it was a PROBLEM. I understand how that could cause a ton of grief on the road though. I say stick with it as long as you can and save for the next truck so the price tag doesn't hurt as much.

[alwalk63]

Originally Posted by TaftCoach

My TV is 7 years old and sitting at 140,000 miles. I really, really, want to get one more year out of it. But last summer we blew a hose in New Mexico and lost two days getting it fixed then a fuel pump power module burned up and we finished our vacation on the back of a tow truck so I'm nervous about another 8,000 mile summer odyssey.



I'm thinking about having the dealership or an independent shop go over it with a fine tooth comb, but I wonder if they would catch the odd ball stuff that might go wrong.



I'm probably going with another Ford F150 and with the 2021 selling so fast, there doesn't seem to be much in the way of discounts to be had so maybe picking up a 2020 now might make sense.



Thoughts? Ideas?

Right now used vehicle values are insanely high compared to a few years ago. More than offsetting the deals on the new ones. Both my son and I are in the industry and have bought this year because of it.

Regarding your trade, to often we see people in your position holding off and regretting it because of the unexpected repair that pops up that probably wouldn't have been caught with a visual inspection.


Several milestones that affect resale. 100,000 and 150,000 both see decent drops in value.

I would probably do it now.

[bansai]

I'll run a truck until I no longer have faith in it. Other than getting the oil analysis done - I definitely second that suggestion - I'd say just trust your gut on this one, you know your truck better than anyone and if it's time to put it out to pasture, do so and never look back.

[JDug66]

I hate to say it but fuel prices are going to be on the rise again. Historically higher fuel prices create a glut of (new and pre-owned) truck and SUV type vehicles. All the newbies that purchased that TV to pull their TT were ok with 14 mpg at $2.09 a gal, but $4.25 a gal? I think there will be many pre-owned TV and TT come this fall.

[Velz]

"I'm thinking about having the dealership or an independent shop go over it with a fine tooth comb, but I wonder if they would catch the odd ball stuff that might go wrong."


Good luck finding a mechanic that'll actually diagnose like in the old days. These days it seems to be "When it breaks we'll fix it."

[nynethead]

I kept my 2006 Chevy 2500hd for 14 years with 175000 miles and then I just couldn’t trust it. Ordered a 2020 in March and it got delivered middle of October just in time for last camping trip of the season. I thought I got.a great price and the truck has been great thou has only 2500 miles Plan on keeping this one for at least 10 years or more

[craigav]

Keeping politics out of this, the reason for (potentially) upcoming higher fuel prices is simply supply and demand, if the domestic supply increases the prices stay where they are or drop lower (keeping in mind that demand also plays into the picture). If the domestic supply remains steady or decreases then the prices will go up as long as the current demand remains steady or increases. So regardless of politics, more domestic supply vs less supply keeps the prices in check.

~CA

[JDug66]

Originally Posted by Velz

"I hate to say it but fuel prices are going to be on the rise again. New DC administration will see to that."


Why do you say that? Is there some historical indication that will be the case?

No. History is currently being made.