Looking at changing tow vehicle

[PistonSlap]

I would vote 3/4 ton Gas. Some of the newer models are able to pull better with the fancy 8 and 10-speed transmissions. I can only really speak for GM as I work on them every day of my life. The diesel is nice for the pulling power but the added cost of DEF fluid and the diesel particulate filter that takes DEF and raw fuel to clean just doesn't make sense to own (IMO) I prefer the older diesels before DEF and DPFs. Anyway, gas is cheaper to buy and easier to maintain. 6-8qts of oil compared to 12-16 qts for a diesel. The 6.0 that is in most of G.Ms 3/4 and 1 tons is a great engine. None of the fancy direct injection (and problems that go with it) I fell into an awesome deal with the 99 F350 with a 7.3 so that's why I have it. I was looking for a Crewcab 3/4 ton GMC with a 6.0. Good luck!

[Vasquez Kid]

Originally Posted by PistonSlap

I would vote 3/4 ton Gas. Some of the newer models are able to pull better with the fancy 8 and 10-speed transmissions. I can only really speak for GM as I work on them every day of my life. The diesel is nice for the pulling power but the added cost of DEF fluid and the diesel particulate filter that takes DEF and raw fuel to clean just doesn't make sense to own (IMO) I prefer the older diesels before DEF and DPFs. Anyway, gas is cheaper to buy and easier to maintain. 6-8qts of oil compared to 12-16 qts for a diesel. The 6.0 that is in most of G.Ms 3/4 and 1 tons is a great engine. None of the fancy direct injection (and problems that go with it) I fell into an awesome deal with the 99 F350 with a 7.3 so that's why I have it. I was looking for a Crewcab 3/4 ton GMC with a 6.0. Good luck!

I agree here. A 3/4 ton gasser. For all of the above and why jump into the costs and maintenance on a diesel when you don't even know if you'll need it?

Don't get me wrong. I love my 3/4 ton diesel. I just need it.

Good luck!

[Riverman]

I had two Chevy 2500 with the 6.0 gas engine and I do not recommend them. Lugging up interstate hills, downshifting and then screaming to get to the top of the hill is like the old days. I knew there had to be a better way.

[olddude1970]

Thanks all. This info is what I was looking for.

[PistonSlap]

Originally Posted by Riverman

I had two Chevy 2500 with the 6.0 gas engine and I do not recommend them. Lugging up interstate hills, downshifting and then screaming to get to the top of the hill is like the old days.

Depending on the year your two 6.0 trucks were back in the day they had the good ol 4L80E which was a strong trans but is would lug on the hills. The new 6L80 or 6L90 is a lot nicer to keep the engine in the power range better. The 8 Speeds are even better and I have yet to drive a truck with a 10 speed. Seems the GM idea around pulling up a hill is to wind the motor up. Some people didn't like that engine spinning at 4000 plus rpm.

[olddude1970]

Originally Posted by Riverman

I had two Chevy 2500 with the 6.0 gas engine and I do not recommend them. Lugging up interstate hills, downshifting and then screaming to get to the top of the hill is like the old days. I knew there had to be a better way.

I can appreciate that, but they would have to pull better than my 1/2 ton [emoji6]

[Cincinnati Kid]

We just bought a Ford F250 3/4 and a Jayco 5th Wheel 28.5rsts. If you are thinking of a 5th wheel in the future, I would seriously recommend that you consider a 1 ton dually. Even with our little 5th wheel (which is being built), if we fill it to near the 10,995 limit and our pin weight ratio is much over 20%, we are going to go over our payload. It was an eye opener how little payload is left on a 3/4 ton after you add 4WD, crew cab, etc. We didn't want a big 5th wheel, so we're ok, barely, but if a 5th is even a remote option for you, consider the payload you get with a 1 ton dually.

[olddude1970]

Originally Posted by Riverman

Go Diesel or go home... I tried a 2500 gas guzzler and it had to go.

The last truck I'll own is my 2006 Dodge 2500 Mega cab with 5.9 Cummins diesel.

Would a 2004 dodge 2500 with the 5.9 commins with 250k miles be worth looking at? Or miles too high?

[TCNashville]

Originally Posted by Cincinnati Kid

It was an eye opener how little payload is left on a 3/4 ton after you add 4WD, crew cab, etc.

This depends solely on whether you have a gas or diesel engine as the diesel weighs considerably more than a gas engine. My 2012 F-250 with the 6.7l diesel had a payload of 2300lbs. My 2017 F-250 with the 6.2l gas engine has a payload of 3305lbs per sticker and is rated to tow 12,500lbs with the 3.73 rear end. If my truck had the 4.30 rear end it would be rated to tow 15,000lbs. If I ever go back to diesel it will be an F-350 so as not to sacrifice payload #'s.

[Midnightmoon]

Originally Posted by olddude1970

Would a 2004 dodge 2500 with the 5.9 commins with 250k miles be worth looking at? Or miles too high?

I have a 2004 Ram 2500 Cummins that we use as a plow truck. I'd have to look to tell you exactly, but it has just over 400K of hard living on it now. It still runs as strong as ever. Is rusted beyond repair, but runs like new.

That 5.9L is arguably one of the best diesels ever produced. If you get serious about that truck, let me know and I'll give you a list of things to look for. The biggest single expense item you may be facing at 250K is the injectors if they haven't been done already and if the truck isn't equipped with auxiliary fuel filtration.

[Riverman]

A Cummins 5.9 is a million mile motor, with good service and lots of luck too. As they say, 250,000 is just broken in. I wish all trucks could be made as good as the 5.9 engine.

I choose a 2006 rather than make payments on a newer one.

[2nOZ]

Originally Posted by Cincinnati Kid

We just bought a Ford F250 3/4 and a Jayco 5th Wheel 28.5rsts. If you are thinking of a 5th wheel in the future, I would seriously recommend that you consider a 1 ton dually. Even with our little 5th wheel (which is being built), if we fill it to near the 10,995 limit and our pin weight ratio is much over 20%, we are going to go over our payload. It was an eye opener how little payload is left on a 3/4 ton after you add 4WD, crew cab, etc. We didn't want a big 5th wheel, so we're ok, barely, but if a 5th is even a remote option for you, consider the payload you get with a 1 ton dually.

This is true if you have the diesel F250 3/4 ton. I have the gasser version and have 3100 lbs of useful load. I also have the 4.3 gears and will never be close on any weights with our 28.5 RSTS. I never know it’s back there and am very happy with our combo. Yes, it gets 8-9 gpm when towing but the DW and I don’t mind the stops at our age.

[Cincinnati Kid]

Originally Posted by 2nOZ

This is true if you have the diesel F250 3/4 ton. I have the gasser version and have 3100 lbs of useful load. I also have the 4.3 gears and will never be close on any weights with our 28.5 RSTS. I never know it’s back there and am very happy with our combo. Yes, it gets 8-9 gpm when towing but the DW and I don’t mind the stops at our age.

That is good to know that yours matches up with a 28.5. We got the 6.2 gas as well, and took it to the scale as soon as we bought it. With a full tank of gas and us, we have 2500# of payload left. Subtract a 150# hitch and 50# misc. stuff in the truck, and we have 2300# payload available for pin weight. So we'll only be in trouble in a scenario that has our 5th wheel loaded to max, and the pin weight is over 21% of that, which would put us at 2300#. Not likely, but spent a lot of time figuring this, and probably will be close if we ever put anything more than 50# in the truck (such as people). We are good on all other weights, by a good margin. Thanks for the mpg info, too.

[olddude1970]

Thanks to all for the input.

Going to pass on the 6.4l ford.

Have 2 diesels to look at. The 04 dodge, an 06 silverado duramax. Also a 2011 f250 and 2011 Chevy 2500 both gassers with less that 130k on them.

I'll let you know what we go with

Thanks again.

[Vasquez Kid]

Originally Posted by olddude1970

Thanks to all for the input.

Going to pass on the 6.4l ford.

Have 2 diesels to look at. The 04 dodge, an 06 silverado duramax. Also a 2011 f250 and 2011 Chevy 2500 both gassers with less that 130k on them.

I'll let you know what we go with

Thanks again.

Hey olddude1970,

Take a serious look at that 06 Duramax. Good chance it's an LBZ. These are highly sought after and can easily sell in the mid to upper $20k range.

Good luck!

[olddude1970]

Originally Posted by Vasquez Kid

Hey olddude1970,



Take a serious look at that 06 Duramax. Good chance it's an LBZ. These are highly sought after and can easily sell in the mid to upper $20k range.



Good luck!

How can one tell? Going to see it this afternoon.

[Vasquez Kid]

Originally Posted by olddude1970

How can one tell? Going to see it this afternoon.

The quick way is to look at the style and color of the badge on the side of the doors:

LBZ: Has blue lettering for "Allison"

LLY: Has red lettering for "Diesel"

The proof-positive is the 8th digit of the VIN number. If it's a "D" then it's an LBZ. If it's a "2" then it's an LLY. Here is a link that gives more detail:

Engineered Diesel

Either way it's a great find. I have the '06 LLY (NOT the same as '04 - '05) and it's fantastic.

Let me know how it goes.

Best,

[olddude1970]

Thanks. Much appreciated.

[olddude1970]

I just double checked and it is an 05 not an 06. So it will be the lyy engine correct? I have seen online that it is still a good engine just less power than the lbz. Am I correct in that assumption? It has about 259k miles on it.

[olddude1970]

LLY engine...gotta love auto correct lol