Looking at used trucks for a weekend warrior- need some help

[handirifle]

That looks like a nice truck right there. WAY less than I spent for my '06 diesel. But the 06 diesel is a high demand vehicle out here. I am not a huge fan of that color, for me personally, but I would not rule that truck out just because of that. The only color I wouldn't look at is black, but that's me. That looks like a sweat deal, UNLESS it realy does have over a million miles on it :laughing:, in which case, if it did, then GM ought to be buying it to see how it made it that long.

 

[handirifle]

On a side note look it up on KBB. My 2006 Tundra I just sold was right at 18K on KBB, and it went for $16,250. So KBB is a guideline.

 

[JJZ 109]

you might be able to beef up the suspension, but the axles, brakes, and sometimes frames are not up to the task. The heavier duty truck will really pay off when you have a big load of lumber or firewood or gravel or whatever it is you need to haul with it.

Many folks refer you to 1/2 tons quoting how far they have come, but you're not looking at new ones and a 10 yr old truck doesn't have huge improvements the new ones do. When towing ANYTHING, I have firmly come to believe, I'd rather have too much truck, than too much trailer.

I also agree, stay away from a plow truck. To me, it's the same as a truck that has done nothing but tow it's entire life.

Agree with the above. It's not going to be a daily driver, so do yourself a favor and skip the half tons. If you were looking for a mileage machine you wouldn't be considering a 4WD truck. Also skip that 160k plow queen. That's asking for trouble. Probably sooner rather than later.
After my experience of pulling a 7x14 enclosed with 2 Harleys to Florida & back with an F150/5.0, no more half tons for me. I traded that truck a couple weeks after I got home for a new F250. Like handrifle says, better to have a little too much truck than to have too little of a truck.

 

[MESSMAKER]

Agree with the above. It's not going to be a daily driver, so do yourself a favor and skip the half tons. If you were looking for a mileage machine you wouldn't be considering a 4WD truck. Also skip that 160k plow queen. That's asking for trouble. Probably sooner rather than later.
After my experience of pulling a 7x14 enclosed with 2 Harleys to Florida & back with an F150/5.0, no more half tons for me. I traded that truck a couple weeks after I got home for a new F250. Like handrifle says, better to have a little too much truck than to have too little of a truck.

You will have way more trucks to choose from if you consider 1/2 tons as well. A 1/2 ton truck with a good engine and some airbags on the back axle can make a fine part time tow vehicle. 3/4 ton trucks can be hard to find. A lot less are sold to start with and a good portion are work trucks from day one. That does not mean you don't consider one, but realize that finding one that has been given an easy life is much harder to find.

 

[Finnster]

It soooo depends on user. A 5.5' bed is the most useless thing I have ever seen; the trunk of my first car was bigger Even a standard 6.5 is marginal.

I can't imagine being without my long-bed...

But, we all need them for different things... Mine is an extra-cab long bed; it would be really looooong if it was a crew...

What type of things do you feel you had to have a long bed for? I can see how it's nice to have the extra cargo space, but what made it a show stopper? I'm assuming I can still get sheets of plywood in with the tailgate down for example.

That looks like a nice truck right there. WAY less than I spent for my '06 diesel. But the 06 diesel is a high demand vehicle out here. I am not a huge fan of that color, for me personally, but I would not rule that truck out just because of that. The only color I wouldn't look at is black, but that's me. That looks like a sweat deal, UNLESS it realy does have over a million miles on it :laughing:, in which case, if it did, then GM ought to be buying it to see how it made it that long.

Lol, I assume they mean 111k.

That is only one that is for sale around here. I prefer black actually, Blk gets really hot tho.

It will all depend on what I can find and get past the wife.

 

[aczlan]

Unless you know the guy with the plow truck and how he plowed or took care of the truck, don't get the plow truck. Plowing does put wear and tear on transmissions, 4WD parts like U-joints, axle shafts etc.

Agreed, I would not buy a truck with a plow on it. Cheaper to pickup a plow on CL than replace ujoints, balljoints and transmissions...
We are buying a Suburban to replace a rusty Caravan. I wanted to avoid NY trucks due to all the salt we get in the winter, so I found one in Raleigh.
I have a good friend who lives in Raleigh. He inspected it and I sent him a cashiers check. He will pick it up on Monday and park it at his place till I fly down on the 12th ($137 for a plane ticket, plus $25 for my checked bag of tools).

Edit:
A few trucks down there that might fit your needs:
2000 f250 crew cab
2008 Ford F150
2005 Chevy Silverado LS 1500 Crew Cab

Aaron Z

 

[Finnster]

Yeah we get the salt too. I have family in CO I could get to look, but there you get sand chips (use sand vs salt) and faded paint due to strong UV.

Locals:
03 Silverado 2500hd
2003 Chevy Silverado 2500HD
Strange buy, but would be awesome to have a liftgate:
2006 chevrolet 2500HD 4x4, 7000 miles !!!
2004 Chevy 2500HD - Crew Cab - 4x4

 

[aczlan]

Personally, I avoided lifted vehicles as we dont need the lift and the worry that if they lifted it, did they also chip it and possibly damage the transmission?
On the 2006 with a liftgate, I would ask for engine hours (hold down the trip meter button with the engine off), should be under 500.
Miles divided hours gives you the avreage speed of the truck ("normal" is 25-40 with 25 being a vehicle that has seen lots of stop and go while 40 (or higher) has lots of highway miles). The suburban we are buying has averaged ~33MPH over its 107k miles.

Aaron Z

 

[RobertN]

I haul all sorts of stuff, and used the truck for a wheel for a landscape company. The 5.5 bed would not work with the 5th wheel that I know of, even with a slider hitch.

We had two trucks for a while; one was a 1/2 ton short bed. The 1/2 ton part was ok for what we used the truck for, but we always seemed short on room, wether it was volume of mulch/compost or too many potted plants. for basic lumber the tailgate could be down, but for lumber and other loose material that did not work.

With the big truck bed, I still fill it up, and frequently have the 8' utility trailer full too. Or the truck full, and the trilaer/tractor behind.

I could get by with a standard shortbed, but don't care to when the 8' is available.

If I lived in the city I would rethink that a little because of parking etc.

What type of things do you feel you had to have a long bed for? I can see how it's nice to have the extra cargo space, but what made it a show stopper? I'm assuming I can still get sheets of plywood in with the tailgate down for example.

 

[fordmantpw]

For what you are doing its tough to beat a F150 SuperCrews. The 5.4 and 3.73 gears will get the job done for you. Don't settle for anything other than 3.73.

If you settle for a Chevy Gas 3/4 ton the 6.0 gas is ok but you will pay at the pump.

Chris

I would second this advice. Unless you want a 6.5' bed as others have mentioned. Personally, I liked the shorter, more maneuverable, more comfortable truck as I could always take the trailer if I needed the extra length.

Also, stay away from trucks with plows. You don't need it, so it's best if you don't buy one with one. Plows are HARD on trucks, so just stay away from them.