I'm thinking about a new rig. My explorer is clearly a bit light to tow my sled, and I'm looking at 3/4 ton trucks to tow my sled, and to carry a camper. Who's got thoughts on what would be the best choice? I'm leaning towards diesel, prefer an auto tranny. My boat weighs about 2500 lbs, including trailer and stuff.

Hilton,
I was recently shopping for vehicles with a 2500-5000# tow rating. My first choice was a Ford F150 supercrew which only comes with gas engine. I would love a diesel for economy but considering it would be a daily driver and my commute is only 6 mi each way, I concluded that a short trip in a diesel would be a death sentence for the engine. Not enough driving time to reach normal operating temps is bad news for that kind of engine.
My wife wasn't that crazy about a truck to begin with so as a compromise, I ordered a Durango with just a few key accessories( 4w abs, limited slip, side airbags, upgraded stereo) 7200# tow rating and comfort and security for that precious Loomis cargo.
I don't know if that helps but I do know more about vehicles than fish.
PS traction is better with an SUV than a pickup and that had something to do with it, too.
PS PS My experience working in a GM new car dealership eliminated any likelihood of ever owning one

Cummings makes the best diesel that is why I bought a Dodge. Just go test drive one and you will see

Check out this discussion board. I've been doing some research on this topic lately and have gotten a few good ideas from this site.

http://www.rv.net/forums/index.cfm/fuseaction/listings/CFB/1/forum/27.cfm

I think all you have to do is highlight this and copy it to your browser's address line.

If you're getting a camper that fits in the box of a truck make sure you get long bed or you will run into problems..

I concurr with Fishn' about the long bed. I have a F250 with the crew cab and V-10, but only has a 6'10' box. Great truck, more than enough towing capacity, 4WD, and gets 13 plus on the highway. The maintainence on a diesel is brutal, but they LAST. Only problem with the long bed on that rig is that it would be a true land yacht

You want to tow your boat...and carry a camper, you'd better look at a 1 ton. A good size camper with all your gear is probably pushing 3000lbs. Thats probably over the weight rating for a 3/4 ton truck. My brother has a 99 super-duty F-250,we went down to the HomeDepot for some landscape blocks.. 2400lbs later and he had NO suspension travel left. His plan was the same as yours (camper and boat),he's gonna trade the 250 for a 350 before he does.

I just bought a 2002 F150 Supercrew with the tow package and 5.4 Liter engine. I won't be have a camper, just a shell, but I will be towing a boat. My little Explorer did a great job, but I wanted a newer ride. I'll let you know how it performed by the end of the summer. Yeah, diesel 1 ton should be the way for you to go, but I don't have the added issue of the camper.

Andy

Hilton,

On my third Powerstroke rig. Wouldn't buy anything else for what you've outlined. The maintenance is real brutal, fill it full of fuel and replace the oil every 5k....pretty tough. I replace the fuel and air filters as needed. Other than that, nothing, and thats coming from someone with alot of miles in one. As far as the Ford Cummings engines in the Dodge trucks, I ran the I-70 grade out of Denver for a year and a half to get to my home. It was a Dodge graveyard during summer with the people pulling RVs. Rarely saw a Chev or a Ford dead. I fully agree with the one ton advise. I had a 250 then went to a 350. Seemed like the ride in the 350 was actually better with the beefed up suspension supporting the weight of the motor better. Good luck which ever path you choose.

Predator, let me make sure I get this straight. Put diesel gas in it every 5000 miles, whether it needs it or not?

Seriously, what kind of mileage do you get on the diesel, loaded and unloaded?

Whats diesel gas? :p

I just got a Chevy Silverado 2500 HD diesel and man, I just love it. Had Fords for years but the last 2 developed tranny troubles prematurely, and every Cummins Dodge I have ever heard of has ground up trannys, but not the Chevs, the Allison transmission they come with is virtually indestructible. And they are so much quieter and ride so much better than a Ford, also turn about 25% tighter and have more torque and hp, that it is amazing that I put up with all that racket and rough driving for so long. I hauled my buddy's 4800 pound Aquasport to Midchannel and Cathlamet the weekend after I got it - it rips that monster down I-5 at 75 in cruise control without even breathing hard, and he liked the rig so much that he went out and bought a GMC just like it a couple weeks later. And yes, I haul a camper and use it on the farm, and my wife hauls a 4 horse trailer all over the hills with it, so this isn't just a luxury liner. You won't be disapointed with one of these

I have a 97 F-250 PSD CREW CAB. I love it! It is almost as quiet as the Duramax. Diesel is the only way to go if you are planning to do any towing. The fuel is cheaper most often, the gas mileage excedds that of an equivalent gaser, lasts two to three times longer if properly maintained, and it holds it value longer than the gaser. A V10 will pass anything but a gas station, that just makes no economical sense to me!

The Chevy are definitely something to check out but beware that they are new and are still working out some kinks. My cousin ate three trannys in his dodge before 100K. I will need a new one before start towing my 24' sportfish but I am over 115K so I am still satisfied. My next rig would probably be a manual unless a tried and true auto is an option but I do not plan on needing another rig for at least another 200K!

Thomas

My newest one is averaging about 14 around town, about 19-20 on the open road as long as I stay around 70 mph tops. It's an Excursion that is chipped so a little to fun to putting a little extra foot into it when accellerating, kinda curbs the mpg's. The break in period is rather long. With my 350, I topped out at about 22 on the open road and 16 around town after about 25k miles. Towing my 19 1/2 predator, I don't see to much of a drop in the mileage, a couple miles per gallon probably.

Predator,

are you running an auto or a manual tranny in that rig? Are the autos that they sell durable?

Anyone else, same question regarding Chevy's ?

Hilton,

All three of mine have been auto's with no problems. I haven't run any of them into high miles so I couldn't tell you about the reliability of the tranny. The motor puts out an incredible amount of power so I certainly wouldn't dispute that it could be to much for it. Sounds like the 02s were upgraded to handle it. Ford powers them way down from the factory, which you can easily and inexpensively reverse once you own it. One thing to remember, alot of folks that buy these tow very large, heavy setups with them. That will wear on most trannys over time. Towing and hauling a total of 5-6000 like you would be isn't a whole lot. As my kids get a little older and we start the camping thing, I'll move back into the 350 / camper / boat with the PSD without hesitation. The Chev sounds like a good setup with the Isuzu and the Allison. Time will tell since most of the other parts are Chev, and they have their own tweaks they've done to the motor. I'll let other consumers pave the way for a couple years before I consider it an option.

Just got rid of my LAST Dodge. 40k on it and suspension was going out. Just after the warranty ended. Was looking at 1000 bucks to replace everything that was shot. It pulled good with big boat and camper.
New truck is Chevy Silverado Duramx diesel with the allison. WOW

Pulls better and when you go to stop that heavy load or have to do a long down hill the tranny works for you. Its a dream to tow with.

no other choice and yes it is worth the money!

I own 95 Stroke'. 18 ft. sled with the 9'6" Lance camper on the back, lot's of power and no problems at all. 140K on the truck, manual tranny, only drawback is it's 2WD not 4. I won't say Ford, Dodge or Chevy, but I will say that diesel is the only way to go!!!
Good luck and tight lines, Jeff

even though i'm a dodge cummins owner i have to say, good choice desertdog the way i see it looks like chevy has set the new standards, that tranny in the chev is awesom and the motor is rated hightest in its class without overextending it, unlike ford and cummins same block just keep pushing it, what kind of milage do you get desertdog? all though i like my dodge, next will be the duramax, doug

The durango is a very good choice if you dont want the big truck