Any advice on buying a new(er) truck????

[dragracer]

I'm starting to look for a newer truck to pull my racecar and boat with but I'm not sure what the best choice is at this point. Think I want a 3/4 ton so I want to learn as much as I can about what's available from the big three makers. I know it's a matter of preference and price a lot of times but I want to get the best towing bang for my buck. I'm leaning in the diesel direction but not quite sure. I'm open to suggestions. I want an automatic but I'm a little concerned about what trucks have an auto tranny that will stand the test of time. I know the allison autos in some of the duramax trucks are supposed to be tough trannies but what about Ford and Dodge? Do they offer something similar to the Allison in their trucks. I doubt I will be able to afford a new truck so what would be availabe in a 2 to 5 year old truck?? I'd appreciate any help ya'll can throw my way. Just trying to educate myself as much as I can before I start talking to dealers. Thanks!

 

[nailbender2155]

Re: Any advice on buying a new(er) truck????

get one with a clutch

 

[KM2]

Re: Any advice on buying a new(er) truck????

dragracer, <br /><br />Use edmunds.com to find out what is a fair price for the truck you are considering so you don't pay too much and you will get some feedback from owners also.<br /><br />kevin

 

[dragracer]

Re: Any advice on buying a new(er) truck????

Originally posted by nailbender2155:<br />get one with a clutch

Clutches suck on steep loading ramps. That's what I have now. I'm tired of hearing "what's that awful burning smell" after I pull the boat out.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Any advice on buying a new(er) truck????

You can't go wrong with any of the big three offerings, just make sure you check the truck out from top to bottom. I myself am a Ford fan so I won't bore you with my bias. Definately go with an automatic transmission for towing. Make sure it has the tow package. I don't care for manual transmissions when towing, replacing the clutch can get spendy, an auto if maintained well should last as long as you need it.

 

[cruz]

Re: Any advice on buying a new(er) truck????

TOYOTA TUNDRA V8 has the best over all rating.<br />I have one (2000 Full Auto) and pull a 23' Regulator w/Yamaha 225hp no problem at all. I also live 2.5 miles down a muddy, bumpy florida dirt road. My wife had the Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab (junk) I had the Ford F150 didn't stand the test of time.Toyota Kills them both hands down. Also Toyota Tundra is made in Detroit MI. Mine has 92,000 miles on it and it still drives perfect. They also are the same drive train as Lexus LX 450 and Land Cruiser super sweet rides. My Ford was dead in 90k, dirt road killed it. Dodge isn't worth talking about. I love american cars but that Toyo of mine is the best vehical i've ever owned. I know Japanese cars are a hard pill to swallow but that's been my results...Like it or not!<br />Don't get a cluch they suck on ramps bad!<br />C.

 

[Jack Shellac]

Re: Any advice on buying a new(er) truck????

Couldn't agree more that an auto transmision and towing package is the way to go. As far as brand, I prefer ford myself based on personal experience. Have a '98 used for towing and no problems. Drive a '03 on trips and no problems with it either.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Any advice on buying a new(er) truck????

Get diesel and auto.<br />You can't go wrong.<br />I like the power strokes, but I also like the dura-max's.<br />I have 2, 1 Ford and 1 Chevy, both diesel and I can't say anything bad about either one of them.

 

[DJ]

Re: Any advice on buying a new(er) truck????

DragRacer,<br /><br />You did not mention if you are going to be hauling a boat or not. If not, the "ramp" issue becomes a non issue. The manual trans will also do fine on a boat ramp, if you have four wheel drive. The 4WD allows you a low range in the transfer case.<br /><br />With that said, automatics multiply torque, thus towing with an automatic is much more enjoyable.<br /><br />The Ford 7.3L had the 4R100 behind it since 1998. It was fine as long as it wasn't overheated. If the fluid is OK and it shifts OK, it will be fine. I recommend the Motorcraft in line fluid filter for it. Inexpensive and easy to install.<br /><br />The 6.0L Ford (Powerstroke) 2003-4 has the Torqueshift 5R110E behind it. It's everything the Allison is and more. The cooling (trans) was increased 130% over the 2002 model for the Torqueshift. Problems with that trans have been literally none. The 6.0L had some early calibration and injector issues, however they have been solved. Any Ford dealer can give you a complete service history via OASIS.<br /><br />I can't speak for the GM and DCX product.<br /><br />I will say that I would go with a so called 3/4 ton (over 8500 GVW) even though the new half tons will pull in the 9K pound (04-F150 9900#) range.<br /><br />Your trailer has a lot of frontal area, thus the diesel is the way to go, in my book.

 

[cruz]

Re: Any advice on buying a new(er) truck????

couldn't dispute the deisel. have a friend with a ford f350 power stroke and it's a monster. that thing will pull down a house. he must have 160k on it and it runs super. noisey as all hell but it pulls hard.<br />c.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Any advice on buying a new(er) truck????

Cruz, the Tundra is a nice rig, but the F150 isn't the worst thing in the world. I am sneaking up on 145,000 and it is still very strong. All I do is change the oil. It hauls the boat, firewood, whatever. Up here in Idaho our paved roads are worse than your dirt roads, very rough on rigs. Toyota makes a fine product but the price is daunting. If I were buying new right now it would be the new F150 or the Nissan Titan. The new Dodge with the hemi isn't too shabby either....

 

[cruz]

Re: Any advice on buying a new(er) truck????

i base my opinion on my past results. i only paid 28k for a full auto leather 4 door tundra compared to 31k for f150/ram1500 alike at the time. and as far as the dirt roads go you'd have too see them to beleive it. they where old orange grove roads unmaintained for 30 days at a time and the fords front end needed to be realligned at least 3 times in 3 years, the whole truck made squeeking/rattling noises. i was very suprised cause i loved the thing. the point is the toyota beat it hands down, hell it killed it no problem. it has no unwanted noise even today, plus the toyo has the highest safety rating in the world for pick ups.<br />they may have gone up in price since i've gotten mine buy you get what you pay for. the toyo is the land cruiser of trucks with a 6000lb pull rating, but they don't pull stronger than the power stroke diesel...<br />peace,<br />c.

 

[dragracer]

Re: Any advice on buying a new(er) truck????

Originally posted by DJ:<br />DragRacer,<br /><br />You did not mention if you are going to be hauling a boat or not. If not, the "ramp" issue becomes a non issue. ......

Uhmmm....yeah I think I did. Read the first sentance of my first post. I'll be towing our boat and also a car/car trailer with this truck. <br /><br />Thanks for all the info so far.....keep it coming if anyone else has anything to add.

 

[Skinnywater]

Re: Any advice on buying a new(er) truck????

Dragracer, there are reasons why rigs that tow and pull weights are diesel.<br />Power, economy and longevity.

 

[JoeW]

Re: Any advice on buying a new(er) truck????

I'd have to agree with almost everything I've heard here. I've got a '97 F150 extended cab 4.6L v8 with auto trans. It's got 123,000 mi. and going as strong as the day I bought it. <br />I've towed by boat with this truck and with the manual trans. truck I owned before it. I would definately recommend the auto-trans. <br /><br />If I were to buy another truck today for the purposes you state, I would look for a 3/4 ton Auto-trans, diesel preferrably Ford, but I would look at the GM and Dodges too. The Toyota's are appealing, but I haven't seen too many Toyota Diesels or 3/4 ton. Don't know if they exist.