Help Choosing New TV

[sprale]

About a third of the way through our PNW loop, I realize I need to start looking at diesels. The Rover will pull 8,000#, but it's not happy about it. It got slightly hit in Southern California, doesn't like uphill grades above 6%, not downhills above 7%. In flat to moderate terrain, it does well and gets about 10mpg.

I'm thinking about an F250/350 now. Any advice on models to look for? We need four doors with the kids. 4WD is not a necessity since we will keep the Rover and trade out the second car. Any years/features/options to look for or avoid?

[Denise]

(Sprale... this was moved to it's own thread)

I'm guessing you will get a lot of advice on this one. Another avenue for you could also be the forums devoted to the make model truck you are interested in (ie:Ford 250 Forum; Chevrolet & GMC 2500HD/3500 Light Trucks Forum; etc etc)

[clubhouse]

Just went though this myself, I wasn't prepared to spend $55k on a TV that will park most of the time so I was looking exclusively at used. With lots of help from the fine folks here, plus lots a reading on the diesel forums I decided to stay away from the Ford 6.0 and 6.4 PSD...although I determined that they could be great they required an extra level of attention that I didn't want to content with or you could spend ~$4k in aftermarket products and tuning to "bullet proof it".

I then looked a lot at the Cummings Turbo Diesels, they seemed very solid in my research, but the crewcab has a funny notch in the back seat that wouldn't easily accomdate a 3rd car seat which we need. The Megacab doesn't have it, but the looks of the mega cab just didn't suit me and it was only available with a particually short bed.

That left the Duramax/Allison combination from GM. In all my research, I determined that you want to stay way from LB7, and LBZ seemed to be the preferred generation. I ultimatly went with the 2007.5 2500 w/ LMM. The truck is still very new to me but I really like it and can't wait to hitch up this weekend and go.

Read the Diesel forams...there is so much information available out there, especially with RPO . It is the first time I actually went looking for a vehicle with specific RPO options. It took some time but I was finally able to find it, and when you do this much research it makes the decision to buy an easy one.

[clutch]

Just about any diesel in the 2500 or 3500 range should do the job. You rarely hear someone complain about having to much truck.

[chris.nelson12]

Don't count out the F250/350 with a v10 my 2010 F350 pulls my 32RLDS Eagle TT over the mountains here in the northwest extremely well and saved a good chunk of money!!

[nylyon]

If you're looking at new, Ford does not have a V10 option in the Super Duty, just a 6.2 V8 gas and a 6.7 Diesel. I have a Diesel (the infamous 6.0) and love the power of a Diesel, wish I could afford the new 6.7

[OurJayco]

Are you looking to purchase a bigger Trailer or even 5th wheel later?
If so, then perhaps a 250/2500 or 350/3500 would be the answer.
I personally have a F150 pulling a 25RKS and it does a great job. We are looking to buy a bigger TT next year, so I am also looking to buy a different tow vehicle.
With my current trailer as well as the one you have currently, a 150/1500 would be fine. I am strongly interested in a new(er) EcoBoost.

[tinlizzie23]

As previously stated, don't count out the F-350 V-10 if you are willing to go used (unfortunately, the V-10 is no longer offered in new super duty, as stated above). I have a 2003 F-350 SD with V-10, crew cab, 4X4, and long bed, and I love it. It pulls an 11,000 lb 2004 Designer 5er (33ft) with no trouble. Roominess is great, and mine has 38 gal tank. My decision was largely based on a friend's experience with his two F350s, identical except one was PSD and the other V-10. His V-10 outpulled the diesel, except on steep hills with very heavy load. Just throwing out another experience. Good luck in making your choice.

[Derek700]

I am thinking the same, just have to justify the extra cost. My f150 does okay towing our trailer but would like more power. I am leaning towards a Duramax right now but it is hard to beat Cummins engine just not convinced on the Dodge part of it. The truck would have to last 10 years for me and would be a daily driver with a one way trip of about 35 miles mostly highway. I have thought about the ecoboost, but am leaning towards a 3/4 ton. The biggest trailer we would get in the future(which is still a long ways away) would probably be 29 ft. So for now my picks are and may change as price is also a factor.
Duramax Chevy prefered
Dodge Cummins
Ford Powerstroke

[jal0710]

We had a 2003 GMC DMax/Allison combo for 103,000 miles and it did everything we wanted it to do, up to pulling our Jayco Eagle 215SD and a 22' Sea Hunt Salt Water fishing boat behind the trailer, many times. We then went with a Dodge Ram 2500HD Diesel CC with a six-speed manual transmission and 3.42 rear end. Was a very nice truck, but after hooking it up to our new 25.6 HT RLS and boat felt that it might lack a bit in the oomph area so traded for a 2012 GMC DMax/Allison CrewCab and pulled our new FW and boat over the mountains to Jackson Lake in Grand Teton National Park. Pulling up there, driving around unloaded and putting the boat into and taking it out of the lake seven times and then back home, we averaged 13 mpg. When we got back, the truck had about 1,500 miles on it. Can't wait to see if it gets better when it gets broken in. Truck had way more than enough power, and we didn't, and probably won't, chip it in any way.

[dg1971]

Originally Posted by jal0710

Can't wait to see if it gets better when it gets broken in. Truck had way more than enough power, and we didn't, and probably won't, chip it in any way.

First thing, that duramax will definately get better milage as you put the miles on it. Once I got to 45K, it was really a surprise how much better it got than newer and now at over 100,000 miles, I can't complain at all. The other thing I wanted to "throw out there" was chipping versus not chipping. I think you would want to chip if you decide to race that truck, otherwise for a couple more MPG, don't do it. My brother chipped his diesel after warranty and it went downhill from that point on (and he's too old and wise to race it). He ended up trading it with a vow to leave the new diesel alone. The next person may disagree with me, but I personally think the whole chipping thing is a slight bit over rated.

[Gunnar]

Originally Posted by nylyon

If you're looking at new, Ford does not have a V10 option in the Super Duty, just a 6.2 V8 gas and a 6.7 Diesel. I have a Diesel (the infamous 6.0) and love the power of a Diesel, wish I could afford the new 6.7

I have one of those nasty things as well. If I knew you could get one like mine I would say don't waste your time just get one. We took a trip last week with some pretty good hills. Thought about taking the long easy way. Then I decided to find out what it was really made of. The biggest one was around 5 miles long. Starting at a 8% to 7% back to 8% then the top portion 8.5% grade. No problems what so ever. My brother in law and his brother in law both have concerns with their Dodge and GMC. One EGT's and the other tranny temps.

I would love to buy a newer truck. I just can't find a good reason to do it. Mine does what I ask and more.

Good luck with which ever you choose. They all seem to have their strong/weak points.

[alaskahofferts]

FWIW--I have a 2011 GMC with the Duramax/Allison, awesome, pulls whatever you want. I've only had one problem, the computer that controls the DEF needed to be reflashed, other than that, nothing. Approaching 30k for miles.

My hunting partner was a diehard GM guy, dealer here upset him, went to Dodge, think it was 2007.5, can't remember. Anyway, 2 transmissions later and numerous other issues he traded it in on the new 2011 Dodge, been to the shop countless times, believe the tranny was rebuilt, now he just drives it with "check engine" light on, LOL. Some people never learn. He is my "brother" though, and you have to love him. LOL, but I rib him every chance I get.

[Seann45]

Originally Posted by sprale

I'm thinking about an F250/350 now. Any advice on models to look for? We need four doors with the kids. 4WD is not a necessity since we will keep the Rover and trade out the second car. Any years/features/options to look for or avoid?

Just try and find a 3/4 or one ton without fuelish 4X4 option...

[Big Jim]

4x2's are out there, very rare, but out there. Try finding a 2wd in the midwest!! For some reason it isn't a "truck" without 4wd??