TRUCK UPDATE

NHN · Nov-12-2008, 06:04 PM

Too bad you guys are so ford negative. I own a 2003 F350 1 ton 7.3L 6 pack, supped up, chipped, cold air intake and 5" exhaust, wouldn't own anything else!!! Have friends that have bought Dogs and have not been happy and traded them for chevs and fords. Am sure that some rigs just have problems but have not had any issues except minor ones (93.400 miles).

If I were looking at a new rig would consider Chev diesel for the ride and good power. Ford rides like a lumber wagon on steroids and still am not sure about newer 6.4L diesel, but it has a good warranty (100,000 miles).

Cornfed, what ever you buy, should have no problem towing your boat, just make sure it is diesel for the power or you will be into the throttle on every hill you hit (8-11 mpg) gas. Buy the way I get 14 mpg towing mini excavator (14,567 lbs) 16-18 mpg towing (6,788 lbs) boat and 19-21 mpg cruising, not bad huh!!

Good luck and beat the hell

outta the dealer or they will take you in the ass

$$$$

marlyn · Nov-12-2008, 06:23 PM

you wont get that kind of mileage out of any of the new diesels.i like the 7.3 too but their rare know,wouldnt own the 6.4 ford so i guess that leaves dodge or chevy now.i do like the fact that you can get an engine brake on the dodge,thats huge for towing heavy loads....

goatram · Nov-12-2008, 07:16 PM

Dodge at Dave Smith motors. while you are there look at chev and gmc. they pay for u to get out there and a hotel. U buy the truck and register it in WA state and you only pay Wa taxes as stated above. Dodges are the ticket. enjoy

gray bear · Nov-12-2008, 07:36 PM

Mine is a stock 2002 F350 1 ton 7.3L and it's a strong old sumbitch. Only problem I've had was the automatic front hubs but replaced with manuals and no problems since.

Mark R · Nov-12-2008, 07:42 PM

I have a 04 3/4 ton chev with the duramax. Pulls my boat(around 8500-9000 lbs loaded) pretty well but your not going to get anywhere near 15 mpg. Towing from Tacoma to Westport, which is pretty much a flat, straight haul, I only get about 9-10. Lots of power and a pretty stable ride though. Happy hunting

Mo · Nov-12-2008, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Odin7

Good stuff from Jay above. I kinda like the dual wheel though and will strongly consider a Dodge for my next rig. I had a Dodge a few years ago and can only say good things about it.

I crawled under a one ton extended cab dual wheel Chevy that belongs to Uncle Sam on a break today to check it out. I can't say that I felt that what was under the covers looked as good as what I thought I saw when the lights were on. Maybe I'm just used to looking at the suspension of HUMMVs.

There has been some discussion on this board about diesels and I think that without a doubt, my next rig will be a diesel. More money up front, but in the long run, I think will pay for itself as I have no problems keeping a vehicle for a long time (Although I "need" a new, bigger boat NOW.)

New or used? I usually buy new but bought a used Ford truck once. Not another Ford again. Thought it was a good deal with less than twenty thousand miles on it. Put in a new engine after fifty thousand miles. That one went bad thirty thousand miles later. It sucked to be me. I'll never buy another Ford. (Fix Or Repair Daily) Fool me once shame on you...fool me twice...

However, I would buy used Chevy or Dodge after seriously checking it out to include a VIN check. The VIN on my Ford from Parr Ford in Bremerton came back to another truck. Too bad I waited until the need for a third engine to check this out. Live and learn.

Used dual wheel truck, cab over camper and big boat. A reel fishing package.

Duals are nice but the overall gross weight of the truck is more meaning you tow less so you want to pay close attention to tow and haul weights. They are more stable with a camper on and a boat being towed than a single axle.

I have bought both a boat and trucks in Ore. You will pay sales tax/licensing fees when you register it here. You can try leaving it registered in Or/Id but the first time you get stopped at a launch or speeding the State will give you a nice fat fine plus paying the above taxes. Last year the staters were going thru the park here checking plates against the owners home state.
In my opinion it's not worth the trouble. Shop around and only pay what they buy the truck for, not the sticker price. Ask for the invoice from the dealer.

The only smart thing you have said in a while CF is that you are buying a Dodge. My brother buys a new F350 almost every year, and has had lots of problems with them, altho he loves the way they pull his boat, and camping trailer. And will probably be driving a 09 next time I see him. Apples vs. oranges really...

Green Wasabi · Nov-12-2008, 11:36 PM

Have an 03 Dodge 5.9L HO CTD Dually to pull my tin boat...which at full load on the trailer is about 7500 lbs. Truck pulls great. I get 19 mpg highway and 10.5 mpg when towing. No complaints from me.

polywave · Nov-13-2008, 08:00 AM

...

Hoghunter · Nov-13-2008, 09:38 AM

Tommy, do yourself a favor and test drive a Chevy 3500 dually crew cab. You just cannot beat the combination of the Duramax Diesel and Allison Transmission. And when it comes to interior creature comforts Dodge isn't even on the same level. The ride is better etc etc etc.

I have no problem pulling 16,000lbs down the road with mine. Unless your in love with manual transmisson, the Dodge automatic is crap compared to the Allison.

@-EZ · Nov-13-2008, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoghunter

Tommy, do yourself a favor and test drive a Chevy 3500 dually crew cab. You just cannot beat the combination of the Duramax Diesel and Allison Transmission. And when it comes to interior creature comforts Dodge isn't even on the same level. The ride is better etc etc etc.

I have no problem pulling 16,000lbs down the road with mine. Unless your in love with manual transmisson, the Dodge automatic is crap compared to the Allison.

I echo the above statement. I have a classic 07 with the LBZ motor completely stock dragging 16,500 lbs regularly with no problems what so ever...
I purchased my truck from McCollugh Chevy in Pasco WA. Red tagged @ $43,000 out the door.

Oh yea, when towing my boat I don't even know it's back there...

Gil Marlin · Nov-13-2008, 09:54 AM

Toyota Tundra has 5 year interest free factory financing (free money) if you're not set on owning a diesel and it would easily pull that load... for a lot less money...

**Cornfed** · Nov-13-2008, 10:11 AM

Thanks for all the inputs fellas. I am set on a diesel and don't think I could call myself a man if I owned a Toyota or Nissan "truck". I just want something that is tried and true and is a tested configuration/design. It seems to me that the Dodge has consistently graded out better than Chevy or Ford the last few years (if my memory serves me correctly...I need to verify this). My load will be.. (6781 DRY + 1656 FUEL + 2000 TRAILER + 1000 Conservative Load = 11437 MAX) and the 1 ton's will handle this no problem, so.... I will probably focus on which truck I can get a better deal on. I have nothing against Fords. I own a 2002 F150 Supercrew Lariat and haven't had one problem with it, and I have 110,000 miles on it. Before that, I owned a 1998 F250 Lariat....no problems with that one either. Fords have been very good to me...

I am looking for the best deal and to buy a truck that I will use until it falls apart on me. I am in no hurry as it is a buyer's market and I believe it will be for another year and maybe even after that. I have a lot of research left to do and I appreciate the inputs.