Buying a new truck...need some help...

[WatchYourStep 0]

I'm getting ready to buy a diesel engine truck for hauling. What are you guys using to haul your 5th wheeler and what kind of mileage are you getting?

I don't have any brand loyalty as this will be my 1st truck.

Thanks

"You start off your skydiving career with a bag full of luck and an empty bag of experience. The trick is to fill the bag of experience up before your bag of luck runs out."

[Dumpster 0]

One brand - Toyota. Mileage will vary, if getting better than 10 to 12 you're doing good.

Easy Does It

[regulator 0]

Forget about gas mileage! Get a truck you can pack 5 naked girls in and be done with it!

[WatchYourStep 0]

Thanks Dumpster but I'm wanting to go diesel and I don't think they are offering a Tundra in diesel...yet

"You start off your skydiving career with a bag full of luck and an empty bag of experience. The trick is to fill the bag of experience up before your bag of luck runs out."

[Dumpster 0]

That being the case, then go with Ford.

Easy Does It

[LaRusic 0]

Quote

Thanks Dumpster but I'm wanting to go diesel and I don't think they are offering a Tundra in diesel...yet

a ford f250 with the 6.4L powerstroke V8 diesel and the 5th wheel tow package is an option. Lots of torque and good mileage as far as trucks goes

The Altitude above you, the runway behind you, and the fuel not in the plane are totally worthless
Dudeist Skydiver # 10

[Skydave103 0]

Quote

I'm getting ready to buy a diesel engine truck for hauling. What are you guys using to haul your 5th wheeler and what kind of mileage are you getting?

I don't have any brand loyalty as this will be my 1st truck.

Thanks

You should be looking at tow capacity.
http://www.trailerlife.com/images/towratings/07towratings.pdf

You can search the different years here, 2008 made my browser crash. http://www.fleetwoodrv.com/brandtomodel/models.aspx?brand=backpack

LifeshouldNOTbeajourneytothegravewithawellpreservedbody,buttskidinsideways,cigarinone hand,martiniintheother,bodythoroughlyused upandscreaming:"WOO HOO!! What a ride!!!"

[councilman24 37]

Does the difference between 6 and 7 mpg really matter?

Of course it is a 20% increase.



If you have to ask you can't afford it.

I'm old for my age.
Terry Urban
D-8631
FAA DPRE

[VerticalRush 0]

I've got 110K Miles on my '06 Dodge Cummins and I regularly pull 15K lb trailers. I get about 17-18 in town and 20+ driving to Eloy and back. I have never had a problem with my current truck and very few with any Cummins I've had before.

Aaron.

[Gawain 0]

Quote

I'm getting ready to buy a diesel engine truck for hauling. What are you guys using to haul your 5th wheeler and what kind of mileage are you getting?

I don't have any brand loyalty as this will be my 1st truck.

Thanks

My pending business partner averages low teens with a light fifth wheel, less as it gets heavier obviously. Expect 6-13 depending on load. He uses Ford F-450.

You many not have a brand loyalty, but you should consider company health, Ford is the only US company to not take federal money, and their trucks are very well built. Toyota has a strong gas engine, but no diesel.

So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh
Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright
'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life
Make light!

[LongWayToFall 0]

The most rugged diesel engine ever offered in a light duty truck has to be the 12 valve cummins. These have the more robust and desirable "P" main injection pump. If you want the newer body style look for a 98 or so. The 24 valves are good as well, but they have more electronics and the main pump is less reliable and more expensive. Horsepower is not an issue with these engines, as with most diesels, they are very easy to turn up if need be. I would stay away from the v-8s, they are going to offer more horsepower but less torque at the low rpms where you need it. They have a higher fuel consumption as well. Our 99 dodge 24 valve cummins usually gets 22-24 highway with no load, and it has bigger injectors, a chip, yadda yadda. Some of the chips give you better mileage, and some of the injectors will as well, because they atomize the fuel better, but you will probably not recover the costs anytime soon, if at all with a lead foot.

Do your research. Go Cummins, or a very distant second duramax. If you like big problems pick up a ford.

[LongWayToFall 0]

Also don't forget that the very large Fords, (ex F-650) don't use the v-8s, but rather they put a cummins in.

[1888 0]

I have had Chev Ford and now a Dodge, all deisel. Everything being equal I would choose Chev hands down. Can't recall what I got towing with my 02 Chev, but empty was 20. My Dodge gives me 17. All have adequate power and good engines but the Chev has a 6 speed Allyson trans. Nobody beats that and nobody badmouths them

[LongWayToFall 0]

Are you going with a stick or auto?

[WatchYourStep 0]

I don't care one way or the other. It's being purchased for long hauls so needing to shift here and there doesn't bother me. I've owned manual and auto cars so I don't mind.

"You start off your skydiving career with a bag full of luck and an empty bag of experience. The trick is to fill the bag of experience up before your bag of luck runs out."

[squirrel 0]

not sure where you are located, but california is going to start smog checking 07 (i think) and later diesels.

i currently drive an 89 jeep, my camper(and self modified ultralight toy hauler, no smog required) is an 68 GMC. i will never, ever buy another vehicle that falls into the smog requirements. i can continue to drive ant 8 miles per gallon, or drop a crate motor in if i want.

________________________________
Where is Darwin when you need him?

[LongWayToFall 0]

Well if you don't mind, then stick is going to be cheaper, more durable, and last longer. Example: the guys who are turning the Cummins up to huge numbers (600hp and 1200ft/lbs is considered mild nowadays) either have to buy a completely ground up rebuilt auto, or just put a heavy duty clutch into the manual. My dream truck would be something like this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1998-2500-QUAD-CAB-12-VALVE-DIESEL-4X4-5-SPEED-SERVICED_W0QQitemZ180338257879QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item180338257879&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A317|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1308

And then turned up to around this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tHIVe6rif4



Or maybe a bad, bad mu'fu like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSPWrCQEmoU

Tell me that is not pure chuck norris round house kick to the head manly whoopass!!!!


So are you for sure buying new, because you need to finance or something? Or are older/better trucks open to you as well?