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

funny now but almost put the truck in the river,buddy and I took his 2000 f-250 with a 10.5 ft camper and 20ft alumaweld down to the big c we launched at beacon rock,in case you have never been there its a pretty steep ramp I began to back it down the ramp and when I hit the brakes the truck could not stop the load wound up having to put it in first to stop it,point of story buy the right truck for the job or it will cost you in the end,my prefernce is my 2001 chevy 1ton this can handle same load no problem....

Milage on the first run towing the boat(4500lb) was 14.5 mpg @60mph. This included a 6%downgrade that the transmission held the truck at 60 mph with no brake action required. Second run was made at 70mph and yeilded 14.25 mpg. Dodge never made it over 12mpg with this boat on tow.

I am impressed.(I am easily impressed)

I have to agree w/ fish4steel! My wife has a 2000 Ford Excursion w/ the V10 and it is awesome! I have never been a desiel guy, hate the smoke noise, etc. Her V10 w/ compter chip and 4" exhuast get 15 MPG on the freeway! Tows my 22 1/2 foot willie predator like a champ, the 3/4 chase is awesome as well, rides very smooth and actually is very easy to see out of.

I am in the market to get a new Ford Crewcab 4X4 and will go with the V10 again!

My powerstroke is a 95! Ive had the Auto replaced and a vacume pump. Its got 150000 hard ash miles on it. The older trannys do suck but my new commercial tranny is awesome! I pull hard and always tow in overdrive on the freeway! I love the sound of the turbo so I drive it very hard all the time! Im gonna be the true tester to see what these trucks are capible of!
As far as lots of maintence...Who ever said that has no clue what there talking about!
My truck is a 95 with 150000, I change the oil every 7 to 10 thousand and the fuel filter every other! I do run unleaded once in a while to clean it and I get almost 21 on the freeway if Im extremely nice! Keep in mind mine has 3.70 gear ratio. I spin 1900 rpms at 70mph. Get a 1 ton and your stuck with 4.10s and 16 miles to the gallon. I get that with 6000 pounds behind it!(If Im nice)
You will also spin 2400 to 2500 at 70! Everyone I know is stuck doing 55 to 60 if they want 20 out of there 1 ton and a decent life of the motor. Also the 1 tons handle and drive crappy compared to the 250's. The front solid axle isnt as forgiving as the twin I beam. And the steering is not even as responsive! My truck was beefed in the suspension and drive train. It was a custom factory order. Its almost a 1 ton but more than a heavy duty! It gets 20 to 21 on the freeway if Im nice!
The blue book is still 17,000 on it with those miles! If it was a gas truck it would be about 10000. Ill never own a gas pig!
Also I saw a post about the trannys for the powerstrokes were made by CAT! I do heating and air conditioning for Cat Construction and logging equip. and know the company VERY well.
THEY DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE BIG 3.

The new Dodges are ok. By ok I mean there good but the lowest in power!
The 2000's and below have weak flexible frames. They had a demo at Emerald downs and the Dodges were terrible! Dont believe me! Pull yours up on a 2 foot ramp leaving the other side on the ground and see if you can open your doors!
Also notice your bed is almost touching or is touching your cab! And your 3rd and 4th doors probably leak or squeek now! And pre the new body style around 90, had even worse frames that cracked all the time!
Best frame was the new Chevy, followed close by Ford!
Ive been watching the chevy Duromax closely as my good fishin bud works for Grey Chev in Port Orchard and there selling the crap out of the new desiels. Then there coming back with torque converter bolt problems and head problems!
So Ill keep my old Ford for now and probably forever as no one would want this truck when I get done with it!

Travis, you buy that V10...Ill see ya when you finally make it past all those gas stations, or you could leave a hour early! And are those miles per gallons obtained when your wifes driving it? JK.
Every V-10 owner I know wishes they would have bought a "D".

I've went 557 on one fill up! 34 gallons of fuel!
Thats a 16.38 mpg avarage! God I must have been sleeping at the wheel! I can get 20 to 21 but I need a rev limiter...

Hope this helps!

Bob D

Well, it seems I've got a different approach than the rest of these guys...

In 1994, I bought a 1983 GMC Vandura 2500 - that's a 3/4 ton, 6.2L diesel conversion van. I paid $3,500 for it, and it had 85K miles on it when I bought it. It now has 320,000 miles on it and finally needs a new motor... the motor still runs strong, but has developed a knock (piston skirt?) and a head gasket leak, so I've parked it until I find a good replacement motor.

Up to this point, I've had to do no maintenance to the motor itself, other than your normal filter, fluid, and glow plug changes. I've done stuff to the rest of the van - radiator, brake pads, rotors, master cylinder, starter, etc, but hey, it's 19 years old and has 320,000 miles on it, what do you expect? Whoever said diesels have more maintenance has never owned a good one.

I get 19 mpg, and don't notice much of a difference while towing my 19' Custom Weld... plus, I don't need a camper, I've always got a queen-size bed in the back... I get tired, I pull over and sleep... it is sweet.

You want to talk about economy? How about paying low insurance? I calculated that with registration, insurance, diesel fuel, and parts & service, I'm still only about $0.22 a mile on this vehicle... what are you guys with your new $35,000 vehicles paying?

There have only been a couple of times I wished I had a pickup truck... when I've bought a couple of garden tractors and needed to get them home, and when I thought about buying a driftboat, and started thinking I needed FWD... but I'll cross that bridge when I get to it... and don't get me wrong, I'd take a new DuraMax if someone gave it to me...

Check out this page, it's got lots of good info about diesels and fuel economy:
http://www.62-65-dieselpage.com/mileage.htm

-N.

Your right Stormin!
A Van conversion with a "D" is optimum. I looked at a few but I wanted a extended van 1 ton 4x4 with a power stroke! It was 50 grand! I setteled on a Beefed suspension 250 and I HATE getting in the back!
I need the 4x4 option so its a custom van if I want it! I looked at a few but man were they spendy!

Bob D

You're killing me Major Brown! You know how Dondi drives.. she might get 10MPG maybe!

But I can buy a ton of gass for the extra $5K I saved over the big D. Lets see, 3 mpg saved.. and fuel for the big D is $1.41 ouch (down here on the SC) I would have to drive an extra 100K that's 5 years to make up the difference.. and at $1.31 a gallon reg. gas,.. I'll take the V10 anyday!

But we both know the only time I get to drive is when the boat is behind us!

TH,

You may be able to buy more gas for that $5K but I will get my $5K back in resale value so it is not a loss! Plus a lower cost for the fuel needed to operate during the lifetime and twice the longevity.
The economic trade-offs speak loud and clear IMHO.

MB

That may be true... but I don't plan on owning the truck for my entire life.. and the resale value is a wash because of the up front cost.. you may get the $5K back in the end, but the V10 won't loose $5K at it's end... buy for $35K or $30K sale for $20K or $15K.. bluebook values are a wonderful thing!

Anyway.. this chevy vs ford, V10 vs. Big D is fun!

Still gonna look into the Duramax w/ the Allison.. they arn't very loud.. ???
Wife says NO on the Chevy's though!

Yeah the Duramax is surprisingly quiet! First time I saw one, it was just sitting there idling and I did not even register that it was a diesel. I like the diesel PURR myself though and the whine if the turbo as I catch the little sport car that blew by me thinking I was some slow poke tank going down the road. That surprising reaction when they see nothing but grill in the rear-view going 80+!

See Travis, she dosent just make good Elf steaks! She also knows how to pick a truck!

Bob D

Hey Bob D,

Check out this site, sometimes they have reasonable used 4x4 vans on here...
http://www.quigley4x4.com/Ordering/OrderUsedVans.htm

-N.

sounds like you make good money selling rods TH

Actually my wife and I both have pretty good day jobs.. but thanks! The rod business supports itself and that's about it!