Truck advice for pulling 3H GN trailer

[Soundguy]

i'd look for an 03 7.3psd. if it was me.. a drw 350..

 

[RedNeckRacin]

you really cant go wrong with a diesel once you get past the sticker shock. They tow like a dream compared to a screaming gasser. Does the trailer have a living quarters or just a small tack room? If it has living quarters to, your going to be awefully close to DRW territory. It may not be what you want to hear but they handle a heavy pin load so much nicer! Air bags are not a solution either. They just sort of mask the problem.

 

[Soundguy]

i thinkt he drw pull better / feel safer.. and that extra rubber has to help control and stopping.. ( costs more.. etc.. )

 

[QRTRHRS]

I am going to have to replace my 2002 F250 extra cab, only because the 5.4 gas engine is way too little for a 3h steel GN trailer (8800 gvw).

I love the ford super duty extra cab, the front fits 3 adults, the rear fits 2 teenagers fine or 3 squeezed in.

A crew cab with 8' bed would be to long. Does the crew cab make that much diff? or is it just visual?

Gas or diesel ? Towing about twice a month (1-2 hours each way), and used as a 2nd vehical (3-4 20 min trips a week).

I will be looking in the 2000- 2008 year range.

1) as far as extra cab size, are Ford, Chevy, dodge the same size?? the chevy cabs allways felt smaller than the ford?

2) do all 3 makers have a large gas engine? like fords V10?

I am not looking for comfort, rubber mats, crank windows. But I want durability!! I am shying away from Dodge because have heard bad things about the trans?? (auto a must)



Thanks,

Nick

I made some trips with my turned up 12V Cummins pulling a 4 hourse slant with tack along with a friend that had about an 07 or 08 Dodge pulling a three horse stock combo, no tack. My friend had to "work" to keep up with me but burned a whole lot less fuel.

Those trips had some serious hills and if I had to do that regularly, I would want no less than an oill burner.

I happen to have an E450 box with the V10 almost a year now. I might get nine on a good day but have more than enough power to get the job done on an occasional need basis. Mine is an 04' with 180k but runs silky smooth.

As has been already suggested, if you can find a 7.3 go for it. Stay away from the earlier Ford V10's and the 6.0 Powerstrokes. These days, if money is an issue, you really need to weigh your needs vs the cost of diesel and maintenance vs running a gasser.

 

[Slackdaddy]

The trailer has a "tack room" 18" short wall (slant load), total trailer GVW is 8800. don't need a DRW, but would buy one if found.
Early Ford V10's - what years should I stay away from??
Ford 7.3 PSD - saw a few listed (200-2002) for around $15,000 with les than 100K miles (but not much less).

I have never owned a diesel, but constantly here the storys of endless maintanance problems,, I have had 2 ford, 3 dodge gas trucks, 2 chevy work vans and everyone of them have gone over 200k with no issues.
I would LOVE to get a diesel,, if it will fit our driving style.
Not towing everyday, not towing over "Donner Pass" but am pulling 8800 pound a couple times a month AND short trips to the feed store/lumber yard/landfill.
Main thing is I want a truck that can sit in the drive for 2 weeks and fire right up and drive 10 min to town, then sit for a week and fire right up and tow 8800 for 2-3 hours.
I paid 10k for my clean 2002 F250 4x4 5.4L when it had 65k miles and 5 years old. So I would expect to pay about 12K now for a V10 (5 years old ~70k miles).

 

[NICKB304]

if you can't come across a v-10 ford, I think and 06-08 ram 2500 quad cab-6.5Ft bed with 4.1 gears would be a pretty good fit and should be in that price range.

 

[RobertN]

My '01 RAM2500 is diesel. Am just hitting 165,000 miles.

Ball joints at 164k miles
Lift pump at 120k miles
Rear brake wheel cylinder ~150kmiles

Everything else has been routine maint.

Only difference I see in routine maint, is twice the oil at oil change(no $29 oil change here... 11-12 quaurts for most diesels...)

My previous two trucks were gas('80 F250 4x4 with 400/auto, '89 F250 4x4 351/manual). I have not seen any additional maintenance over those.

Only issue I have with diesel right now, is cost; it went from cheaper than regular 12 years ago, to more expensive than premium for the last few years now...

Oh, and my auto tranny still works fine....

but constantly here the storys of endless maintanance problems,, I would LOVE to get a diesel,, if it will fit our driving style.

 

[AKfish]

I've got a Dmax and a 7.3 Powerstroke. Would never willingly go back to a gasser. Other than routine maintenance, the only problems I've had with either is injectors on the Dmax (known problem on pre-'04 engines) and the turbo bearing's on the PS (gotta let them cool down at idle before shutting down).

Both engines get significantly better fuel economy than my buddies V10 that even with the cost difference between diesel and gas - I'm still ahead at the pump!

For the money you're lookin' to spend - get a good '02-'03 PS.

Oh yeah, I do think the Chevy has a smaller cab area (I've got the crewcab) than either Ford or Dodge. That's Ok, we usually only haul 4 adults and it's very comfortable. But, once you go to a crewcab (with shortbed) you won't go back to a straight cab OR a extended cab, either!

AKfish

 

[RedNeckRacin]

I had an 05 cummins SRW quad cab 8' bed with a g56 6 speed and could get 19mpg consistantly hand calculated the lie-o-meter often would say 22-25 but was never true. I could get as high as 21 but not consistantly. My current company truck is a 2012 ram 2500 and i consistantly get 11-13 hand calc-ed. I seldom get above 14 though. Good enough reason to stay away from gas in my opinion right there.

 

[Slackdaddy]

Thanks everyone,
Need an 8' bed (materials, canoes, hay, etc) 6.5' just aint gonna work.
Thinking I'll hone in on 200-2003 F250-350 7.3PSD in the 60-90k mile range.
Is there truth to the dodge transmition problem rumor? what years to stay away from?
If I find a ford V10, what years do I stay away from ?

Thankis,
Nick