Is a dually needed?

[daugen]

soundguy, too funny, I sure have been stuck behind someone similar. They seem clueless, without situational awareness, just engrossed in their own satisfaction. Sigh.

I really don't worry much about range. My internal plumbing has much shorter range...:confused3:

boy I had a few doozy of a times with the motorhome and pulled car trying to get through what looked like big gas stations but turned out to be dominated by coffee goers and the only way I could make it was to pull in on the far right side and turn left into the islands about in the middle or wherever it was clear, facing out. They really don't leave much room between the front of the islands and the back of the parking spaces headed in. I could just see me getting hung up/jacknifed in there and snarled up with all those cars whipping in and out.
More than once I just drove on, too hard to get in to. Which is why I never get below a quarter. On anything.

 

[Soundguy]

i can hit a rest stop for my plumbing. have to hit it at least twice before the truck usually needs one.. or at least hit it when the truck needs it finally plus another.

 

[newbury]

Or even worse. someone wants to fill up their little VW TDI and all the other diesel lanes are three deep so they pull in behind an F350. And it's just started pumping almost 40 gallons into the tank thru a slow nozzle, and THEN needs to put 10 gallons into two jerry cans. Enough fuel for the TDI to go across the US!

Sometimes I'm in the truck, sometimes I'm in the TDI.

 

[Soundguy]

if i'm waiting for diesel behind a guy pumping diesel.. and all the diesel pumps are full of diesel users.. i got 10000% -0- problem.. if I'm waiting for diesel, and the few diesel pumps are full of gassers using the dual gas / diesel pumps on the outsiude lanes, and there are 2 dozen empty gas only lanes open.. then i got 1000% problem. It's a courtesy issue.

if there are open gas pumps and I'm a gasser and the diesel pumps are limited. use a ^%$#@ gas pump.... not the diesel pump...

 

[daugen]

that isn't going to happen unless they get better signage. People pull in anywhere.
Worse, you know there is a diesel pump hidden in those gas pumps but where is it?

cheapest diesel I found for my tdi on the rv trip was 3.89, cheapest reg unleaded was 3.35, both down South.

 

[LA Confederate]

I generally don't go to the el cheapo fuel station. I go to stations that I know move lots of fuel that are easy to get in and out of. Often times on a trip or when I'm hauling that means I'm stopping at truck stops or stations that have dedicated diesel pumps. If that means I have to pay a few cents a gallon more, so be it. But I too get furious at the clueless yuppies that block the diesel pumps at stations. I've had quite an argument with my wife about the subject and she now does not fill at diesel pumps unless she's in my Powerstroke.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I was always concerned about running out of diesel. Since '78 with my first VW diesel I've learned to plan my stops in unknown territory. My '88 E350 7.3 required more fuel but I always made a rule that when it get's to a 1/4 tank fill it up.

But back in '78 there were a LOT fewer diesel stations, in '88 a few more, and now they seem to be prevalent. The bigger problem for me is ease of access for my 45' of truck and trailer. But there are a LOT of truck stops. I'm not sure if it's worth giving up the bedspace for a xfer tank.

I'd say if ordering new get the max you can installed without taking up bed space for a moderate price. I think standard is around 40 gallons, which should give you AT least a 400 mile range towing. But to me permanently sucking up bed space is a lose-lose situation unless your fueling other vehicles. And optional under bed tanks seem to start at about $1,000, or about what 250 gallons of fuel costs. 2 jerry cans from Sportsmans only cost me about $50 and carry 10 gallons The Sportsman's Guide - Hunting & Outdoor Gear, Shooting Supplies, Military Surplus, Survival Gear and More! and they are a lot more useful.

I agree. I won't do anything that gives up bed space. My diesel will easily do 350 miles before fueling at just under 1/4 tank as you said.

Chris

 

[daugen]

I've spent some time going back and forth between the big three sites and spec'd out a 2015 Lariat 350 drw, list 66,085
I know it may seem trivial but I wish I knew how to use photoshop or something similar to body color the front grill in blue jeans blue.
Not the bumper, just the grill.Probably wouldn't be hard to get a local body shop to spray it. I would like the truck to blend in a little more, not look like
it wants to devour the countryside.

8000 dollar discount off a black 2014 Ram Dually locally. Clearing it out before the higher hp ones come in.
Don't think the Ford dealer is going to quote a huge discount off the special order spec I give him, but I'm sure going to price shop it.

If I chose the Ford, there are three big dealerships that are convenient to me. If Ram, only one because the other one Reedman is the one I can't get the demo truck off the property. Have to go to North Phila which I suppose I could do. But I don't care if Gary Barbera has the exact truck I want, I would never buy from those people that scream in my ear every time I tune in a country western show not on XM. The old fashioned talk loud, talk fast, and talk BS. And just keep yelling nonsense about come on down. They advertise like that to get attention.
Yes, they did, no sale. Our North Philadelphia Dodge dealership has done this for decades, it seems to be their thing. I think the dealership has changed hands three times and each time they just yell louder. And probably with subliminal drumbeats to get me moving to them...

I'll just figure out which one I like the best and then see if they will bite at 800 over dealer invoice(I always liked that old term "tissue"), less all incentives. I bet there's four grand of markup on that 66k truck.
what would you think? I'm going to do the KBB route anyway once I know what to focus on.

 

[LA Confederate]

One thing to take into consideration is that, just like buying a tractor, you're buying the dealer almost as much as you are the manufacturer and truck. If the dealer is known for being shady they may not haggle or try to hide fees. After the sale, they may want to wiggle out of every warranty repair you bring in and generally be a pain to work with.

Luck with the purchase!

 

[daugen]

my reality is that I expect to be moving out of state within the year so unlike before when I would consider the long term dealer relationship, this time
I'll shop for price.

 

[Depmandog]

... I'll just figure out which one I like the best and then see if they will bite at 800 over dealer invoice(I always liked that old term "tissue"), less all incentives. I bet there's four grand of markup on that 66k truck. what would you think? I'm going to do the KBB route anyway once I know what to focus on.

I don't want to restart the how much to pay for a new truck thread we had recently.....but IMHO, $800 over invoice is $700 - $750 too much....regardless of the incentives they are offering.

If you can't get it bought for that in Philly, then when you fly into KC to head to Smith Center KS...I will personally pick you up at the airport and we WILL get your truck bought here! Uh, one caveat, has to be Ford or Chevy Never bought a Dodge truck.

 

[Buppies]

Why don't you try try Crossroads Ford in Raleigh,NC Jack McNair. He can price all three and is very competitive. He is fleet sales man so no crap just price and quick in and out. Just a thought

 

[Buppies]

Vernon Automotive Group in Texas price competitive and web site shows vehicle with pictures and pricing, good luck

 

[newbury]

Drew -
Since you seem locked into new and plan to move you should definitely look for a "Barlow's" type dealer.

When I bought my VW JSW TDI I ended up buying from a guy up near Philly, a decent drive from DC. I think a lot of dealers are getting used to people who move to their area with vehicles bought elsewhere. As long as you don't test drive a lot at the site you choose to get repairs but buy elsewhere.

I test drove my TDI at the closest dealer - who has about the worst reputation for repair/warranty work so I KNOW I won't be going back.

 

[daugen]

thanks for the ideas guys. I've got plenty of time and if I see a nice used truck locally, I will hop right on that possibly.
While I follow "pricing" discussions closely, I honestly have been out of the loop for fifteen plus years, buying everything at GM employee discount, which usually ran about two or three thousand under dealer list. so yeah, if there's that much padding "under" the line, pricing closer to the line makes sense.

 

[buickanddeere]

Dually is about useless in mud or snow. The wide backside uses a parking space line to line and over. If your driving is on the highway with a top heavy 5th wheel trailer, then sure get a dually.

 

[Green Power]

Try Woodhouse, they do all of the big 3 and then some. https://www.woodhouse.com/

 

[daugen]

Dually is about useless in mud or snow.

now that's an issue where I'd be stepping back in capability...my current Suburban 2500 with Firestone AT's is just about unstoppable in snow.
so I guess my other vehicle, a car, needs awd....hmmmm.

I looked up Woodhouse, something like 19 different long bed drw F350 diesels in stock or incoming. Amazing.

 

[nc redneck]

A lot of these posters dont understand pulling a 40 foot 16,000 lb 5th wheel a long distance. Hit a 20 mph headwind and you might be lucky to get 200 miles from factory tank. I like others did not want to eat up my bed space with extra fuel tank.
I started with transfer flow 48 gallon replacement OEM tank. But after 2 runs to Orlando from NC trying to back in campsite with low fuel warning on. I knew the headaches were not worth the cost of a few hundred bucks for in bed tank.
Again hit the campgrounds look at what serious ( big 5th wheelers ) are pulling with ( also look at there license plate and what state they are from long pull or short. ) Brand and extra fuel tanks.
Guys who are 1000 miles aweigh from home get it, and have probably pulled through the mountains, take there advice. Not sure what brand you will end up with, but my advice would be. GM, Ford and Dodge in that order. Remember you are towing your home, when truck breaks down your home is going tow yard also.
Good Luck
It will be fun regardless of what type truck you buy. I do believe a 30K tow rating tells you who is full of BS. They all break down just some sooner than others.
Scott

 

[Fordman1981]

A lot of these posters dont understand pulling a 40 foot 16,000 lb 5th wheel a long distance. Hit a 20 mph headwind and you might be lucky to get 200 miles from factory tank. I like others did not want to eat up my bed space with extra fuel tank. I started with transfer flow 48 gallon replacement OEM tank. But after 2 runs to Orlando from NC trying to back in campsite with low fuel warning on. I knew the headaches were not worth the cost of a few hundred bucks for in bed tank. Again hit the campgrounds look at what serious ( big 5th wheelers ) are pulling with ( also look at there license plate and what state they are from long pull or short. ) Brand and extra fuel tanks. Guys who are 1000 miles aweigh from home get it, and have probably pulled through the mountains, take there advice. Not sure what brand you will end up with, but my advice would be. GM, Ford and Dodge in that order. Remember you are towing your home, when truck breaks down your home is going tow yard also. Good Luck It will be fun regardless of what type truck you buy. I do believe a 30K tow rating tells you who is full of BS. They all break down just some sooner than others. Scott

Again I think someone is butt hurt that chevy has the lowest tow rating. Ram completely redesigned their truck to obtain their 30,000 lb tow rating. Ford upped their rating for 2015 by minor changes. So yeah listen to NC dipstick and buy the most outdated least capable truck.