Would like honest suggestions about tow vehicle issues

[sd455dan]

Please note the ONLY LLY I was referring to, and those in the link, was the '06 model. It, according to all the info provided, had all the improvements of the LBZ. It only had slightly less HP/Torque Either way, I still prefer the LBZ. Just wondering if there is a code in the glove box to look for?

The engine code should be under the hood or on the radiator cover Vehicle Emission label should list the engine installed on the left side of the label IIRC

 

[crashz]

While I have no dog in this, i do have some experience with my father's 04 Dodge and through forum attrition, the Dmaxes.

Both greatly benefit from after-market lift pumps and fuel filters. Apparently the OEMs use filters that pass larger particles than what the injection system manufacture (Bosch) requires. The dodge has had issues with their lift pumps and Dmaxes rely on the injection pumps to draw fuel, so in both cases, lift pump upgrades are beneficial to injection pump life.

If it were me, I get a late model Ford with 6.0, talk them down on price, and rebuild it. Like $10k for the truck, and $10k for the mods/upgrades. The reason I say this is that there are plenty of them out there, plenty of frustrated 6.0 owners that took great care of their trucks ( the beat ones seemed to do much better), and any used diesel with 100k miles will be a project truck of sorts. Might as well be in a strong truck. And once the upgrades are done to the 6.0, its a strong, quiet, fuel efficient engine.

But keep in mind that i like a challenge. Hence my old 6.2L boat anchor.

 

[nwltruck]

Just to be clear. The OP is looking for the mileage and towing capacity of a fairly stock pickup? How much modification is he willing to do?

 

[Midniteoyl]

For the record, my '06 Tundra DC gets a whopping 13 MPG combined. Nice huh! So most ANY truck is a step up. It has been a VERY reliable truck though.

I get slightly better than 13mpg in my 360 powered 1985 D250 Ram.. Dont feel so bad now

 

[HK45]

My last 4 Trucks have been diesels.
2002 ford 7.3
2004 ford 6.0
2002 chevy 6.6 LB7
2005 chevy LLY
I just purchased a brand new 2013 chevy 2500HD with the 6.0. This is my first gas and I can tell you I'm not going back to a diesel. If your not towing alot I would stick with a gas over a diesel. I tow almost the max, which is 20,000 and I feel the 6.0 motor with 4:10 does fine. I do feel the duramax is a better engine over the ford powerstroke I've had in the past. I have had less problems with my duramax over my fords. Im just going to give you my opinion based on real world experience with the newer ford diesel. I work for a contractor that deals with natural gas pipe lines. The trucks we use are ford F250-450. They are not taken care of by the drivers and they run all the time. Anyways last year they order 32 new trucks with the 6.7 to replace some aged 7.3 and 6.0. Out of the 32, 14 had blown motors and 8 had blown transmission to date. I do remember them talking about some issues with glow plugs breaking of and falling into the engine, but im not sure if thats what cause the engines to blow up. Im not comparing brands as we don't use chevy or ram so I have no clue how they would hold up in that kind of environment. Im just giving you some info from my experience with the newer 6.7.

 

[handirifle]

Well I cant afford new, anything, and was looking to get the most bang for the buck. Comments much appreciated.

 

[Turbys_1700]

My last 4 Trucks have been diesels.
2002 ford 7.3
2004 ford 6.0
2002 chevy 6.6 LB7
2005 chevy LLY
I just purchased a brand new 2013 chevy 2500HD with the 6.0. This is my first gas and I can tell you I'm not going back to a diesel. If your not towing alot I would stick with a gas over a diesel. I tow almost the max, which is 20,000 and I feel the 6.0 motor with 4:10 does fine. I do feel the duramax is a better engine over the ford powerstroke I've had in the past. I have had less problems with my duramax over my fords. Im just going to give you my opinion based on real world experience with the newer ford diesel. I work for a contractor that deals with natural gas pipe lines. The trucks we use are ford F250-450. They are not taken care of by the drivers and they run all the time. Anyways last year they order 32 new trucks with the 6.7 to replace some aged 7.3 and 6.0. Out of the 32, 14 had blown motors and 8 had blown transmission to date. I do remember them talking about some issues with glow plugs breaking of and falling into the engine, but im not sure if thats what cause the engines to blow up. Im not comparing brands as we don't use chevy or ram so I have no clue how they would hold up in that kind of environment. Im just giving you some info from my experience with the newer 6.7.

I can tell you that overall my 7.3 has been very reliable over the past 10 years...
Nothing major other than regular maintenance and service including an alternator and fuel pump...
With my upgrades she has enough push for me and IMHO simpler and less costly to upkeep over the 6.0, 6.4, or 6.7...

 

[handirifle]

Turby
I think the 7.3 like in 02 or 03 would suit me best, in thd Ford line. About the best in power, economy, reliability, and affordability. Beyond that it seems like too much of a crap shoot. I have a neighbor, whos brother owns a diesel repair shop. He has nothing good to say about the 6.0, even after the mods.

As much as I love the Cummins reputation, I dont think I can get one I can afford and have the trannie built to be something I am confident in. I know the 12v is more affordable, but doubt I could get the wife to ride cross country in that old of a truck. Me too. We like the modern amenities. This isn't really a work truck, but it will do a lot of haulaing and the last thing I want to worry about is getting 1000 milles from home and having to do major repairs.

I've even been researching building a 350 gasser for torque as in a 383 stroker. I have seen soem detailed builds putting out 350hp and 460lbs torque, with over 400lbs at 2500 rpm and staying in until about 4600. Pretty good number for a gasser. I am SURE it would get half the mileage of a diesel though, and that keeps pulling me back here. Pun intended.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Blow that 383 and do even better torque :thumbsup:

 

[handirifle]

Blow that 383 and do even better torque :thumbsup:

I am sure of that, but I am also sure the gas gauge and tach would move at the same time.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Only need a light blow, say 3-4psi with altitude compensation.. Increased VE (Volumetric Efficiency) is what you're after..

 

[timswi]

I am sure of that, but I am also sure the gas gauge and tach would move at the same time.

Do you really need that much torque?..What are you going to be pulling?...A factory GM 6.2 gasser isn't too far away from that. They have some years on them now and you may be able to find one in your price range. As I stated before, I pulled a 7800# net and probably a 8500# gross TT into the PA mountains and the pull ability was stunning. I almost bought a DMAX dually (the wife really wanted it) but common sense kicked in as far as having to work in the city and trying to park that monstrosity.

I average 15-16 in mixed driving. Can get 19 on the interstate. Not bad for 400+ HP.

 

[handirifle]

Well as I've mentioned before, my current trailer would be an easy pull for a lot of 1/2t trucks, but if we decide to upgrade, I do NOT want the truck to be the limiting factor. That said, everything has a limit, and a 30ft 5th wheel would be ours, but a nicer one with more slide outs. Some friends of our had one that we really liked and his weighs closer to 10K. I do NOT want to be towing a 10K trailer with a tow limit of 10-11K on the truck. Been there done that.

 

[timswi]

Well as I've mentioned before, my current trailer would be an easy pull for a lot of 1/2t trucks, but if we decide to upgrade, I do NOT want the truck to be the limiting factor. That said, everything has a limit, and a 30ft 5th wheel would be ours, but a nicer one with more slide outs. Some friends of our had one that we really liked and his weighs closer to 10K. I do NOT want to be towing a 10K trailer with a tow limit of 10-11K on the truck. Been there done that.

Problem is that if you look for a truck that can pull that with a bazillion miles on it, that would give you the 1,000 mile reliability problem. A larger than 30' 5th wheel would end up costing more than the truck. Reliability and overall utility was my thing. I bought the trailer to match the truck. My trailer is 32', one slide. Neighbor has a 31' with dual slides and his pulls just fine. Both BP, not FW's though. Just something to think about.

If you're planning on a 35-40 ft FW, you're going into 1 ton territory and to get something reliable and comfortable is not going to be cheap...I've tried.

 

[handirifle]

You misunderstand. My 30 is plenty long enough. I already own this trailer, but if/when I upgrade, it will be no longer but most likely quite a bit heavier. I will NOT go back to BP. Been there done that for many years, and the handling difference is remarkable, so BP is not an option I will consider.

Also if we do upgrade the trailer, in the 30ft class, I do NOT want weight to have to be a consideration. Besides if I wanted another gas truck, I would never have started this thread. It was more tongue in cheek, the comments on the stroked 350's. I looked but wasn't serious.

I am seeing the '06 GM's in the 75K range for mileage, so I would expect another 200K before anything serious to come up.

 

[timswi]

You misunderstand. My 30 is plenty long enough. I already own this trailer, but if/when I upgrade, it will be no longer but most likely quite a bit heavier. I will NOT go back to BP. Been there done that for many years, and the handling difference is remarkable, so BP is not an option I will consider.

Also if we do upgrade the trailer, in the 30ft class, I do NOT want weight to have to be a consideration. Besides if I wanted another gas truck, I would never have started this thread. It was more tongue in cheek, the comments on the stroked 350's. I looked but wasn't serious.

I am seeing the '06 GM's in the 75K range for mileage, so I would expect another 200K before anything serious to come up.

I've followed you so I understand. ..Going to 200K without a serious repair on anything might not be realistic though...Many do, I've run 2 of them that far..I pulled the older BP's and I can tell you my new '13 BP has not one handling issue whatsoever, even with tractor trailers blowing past me..That was downright scary before, not anymore....I understand that the FW's handle nice, just trying to help with a common ground....I'll stand down.

 

[handirifle]

I've followed you so I understand. ..Going to 200K without a serious repair on anything might not be realistic though...Many do, I've run 2 of them that far..I pulled the older BP's and I can tell you my new '13 BP has not one handling issue whatsoever, even with tractor trailers blowing past me..That was downright scary before, not anymore....I understand that the FW's handle nice, just trying to help with a common ground....I'll stand down.

Tims
I appreciate your comments, but in my mind, at this point, it will be diesel or nothing at all. I also understand the "newer" gassers are better, but my mind is made up.
Thanks for the input, seriously.

 

[nwltruck]

Owned my diesel for 8 years and won't go back to gas. I have known and talked to people in the camper hauling business. Most used 1T pickups, and everyone I talked to got 300k to 400k out of the trucks before they trade them off. Change the fuel filter at least every other oil change ,have your transmission flushed from time to time, drive it like you should ( not like a hormonal teen ), it will last forever.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I've followed you so I understand. ..Going to 200K without a serious repair on anything might not be realistic though...Many do, I've run 2 of them that far..I pulled the older BP's and I can tell you my new '13 BP has not one handling issue whatsoever, even with tractor trailers blowing past me..That was downright scary before, not anymore....I understand that the FW's handle nice, just trying to help with a common ground....I'll stand down.

Its not just the trailer that is so much better, but the trucks also. 1/2 ton trucks of today are t have 3/4 tons of 10 years ago.

Chris

 

[handirifle]

nwltruck

At 60 years of age, I am well past my hot rodding days, and the only time the pedal hits the floor is to pass when time is short.

I have grown to appreciate the differences in towing BP vs 5thW trailers, and the way the trailers affect the tow vehicle, and have decided I won't pull anything on the BP other than my utility trailers. If I owned gooseneck trailers, even the BP utilities would go bye bye.

The connection is stronger, safer, and puts the load where it should be.

Now to find me an affordable truck!!!! :thumbsup: