Gas or diesel and general do all truck?

[Wanderer]

So my lovely wife decides we needed a bigger camper to park on our lot up north. Now we have an 11,000+ pound pig sitting in our driveway waiting for a tow up north. My '96 1/2 ton Chev aint gonna cut it.

I've been shopping around over the past few weeks for different trucks and have gone back and forth between 3/4 and 1 ton models, gas vs diesel, old cheap beater (pay cash and leave it up north) vs. newer models (2000-2005 due to max budget range).

I know about the older big block gas engines in all three makes but don't know nearly as much about the stuff made after 2000. I've been thinking 6.0 liter gas Chev but I don't know about the mileage it gets. Diesels were off the list for noise reasons after the drive in the 2006 Ford (7.3, I believe) until I drove a 2005 6.6 Duramax yesterday. That I liked.

I can't say that I've given the Dodge a fair shake at all. What is the popular gas engine for a HD Dodge truck these days and what kind of mileage do they get? I understand the Cummins is a great diesel engine though. I did read the thread a few pages back.

So, my situation is:

This truck will not be an every day driver but I'm concerned about mileage more than power since I'm in Ely once a month and hunt in the Dakotas in the fall.

I need to move our trailer only twice per year and don't have anything else large enough to require a HD truck. Is a 1 ton overkill? I'm thinking of non-towing ride quality here.

I ice fish in -30 to -40 temps a couple weekends per year.

I want 4 wheel drive and an auto tranny.

I would like a 4 door crew cab.

Would I be better off with gas or diesel in these conditions?

What would you pick and why?

Thanks!

[Whoaru99]

I wouldn't buy that massive of a rig just to tow a large camper twice per year. With the price of diesel vs gas, and the premium price of a diesel rig, you can buy one hell of a lot of gas before you'd ever break even or get ahead, IMO, anyway.

[deadeye]

Here is my 2 cents...

I would get a older gasoline big block (but still fuel injected) 3/4 ton or bigger of whatever make and leave it with the trailer if it were me. (Personally, a big block chev dually would be my first choice for that exact situation)

Keep the smaller rig for all the running around.

My reasons...

It will start when you need it and if something does go wrong with it there is parts on the shelf for it and they are cheap (diesel parts are neither of those).

As much of a fan of big bad a$$ trucks I am, there is no need for a HD truck just to haul a ice house or commuting back and forth from up north with little to no load. Just a waste of fuel IMO.

Big trucks usually don't ride the greatest. That's another strike against it for going on long trips without hauling a big load.

If you drive a lot of miles with a big truck you will notice things like tires, brakes, oil changes, ect is going to be a lot more than a little truck.

The what if...

If you decided you wanted a big truck as your primary vehicle get a diesel. They last forever. You got all the power you could ever want. Mpgs are going to be better loaded/unloaded. Diesel is always going to be readily available albeit a little more expensive. With cold weather formula fuel its going to be on par with gasoline in the cold. (I personally would rock a Dodge, the cummins is sooo sweet )

[Ryan_V]

I would find a friend with a super duty truck and pay a little to have him tow the trailer to the campground lot/home/back. Seems like alot to buy for more or less 2 trips. I'm getting my hands on an 08 dodge diesel this summer. I was in a similar boat. We camp very often in the summer with a 30' camper. I ice fish all winter and pull 2 wheelers, so if I'm driving my truck it will almost always have something behind it. Plus, the truck I'm getting (my cousins) gets over 20 mpg highway. I don't think you'll find a gas that will get that. Granted my cousin put in cold air intake and a large exhaust system. I'm sure there are guys here, myself included, that would be willing to help you out if needed, instead of spending some serious ching for a truck to use twice a year. Also, the ford you drove would be the 6.0 diesel. '03 was the last year for the 7.3.

[Valv]

GM 6.0l is a good motor is you stay between 2001 and 2007, they do approx 14mpg empty and 9 or 10 mpg loaded. Newer do 12mpg empty and 7mpg loaded (we have 9 at the shop, I haul for a living).

If you don't use truck much a gasser will do fine, considering they are cheaper to buy by a long shot, diesels are the HOT item right now and maintain the value throughout the years.

Since you want a crew cab, take a Chevy, Dodge does not have a full crew except for Megacab which is a limo on steroids. Duramax are great motors, and exceptionally quiet, Cummins are the best and with the best mileage.

On HD trucks the 1 ton and 3/4 difference is just rear spring capacity, all 3 brands use same frame and construction. Dually have much better stability when towing, but they have 6 wheels to replace when needed, and they are large to park, carwash, etc.

My choice ? I would find a 2001/2007 GM crew cab with a 6.0l

[Wanderer]

First, thanks for the input guys and more commentary would be appreciated from others with experience in HD trucks as well.

I would find a friend with a super duty truck and pay a little to have him tow the trailer to the campground lot/home/back. Seems like alot to buy for more or less 2 trips.

This right now is precisely my issue. This weekend will be the third attempt to have a friend haul it for us. Things keep popping up and plans get changed. I hate being bound to the kindness of others to take care of my stuff.

Besides that, I wouldn't mind a newer nicer truck anyhoo.

FWIW, I would still be towing gear most times I run with the future truck, i.e. snowmobiles, wheelers, 16 ft boat, utility trailer - just not the loads that require anything more than my 1/2 ton.

Keep em comin guys; information is golden.

[LightningBG]

What is the situation which requires you to move it twice a year? Are you bringing it home during the winter? Would it be possible to pay to have it stored up there (vs. gas all the way home)? Where is it located

(how far away)? Hire a local to move it to the storage yard at the end of the season?

[sdpikehntr]

I understand the desire and need to take care of moving it yourself. I have a f250 Crew cab V-10 4x4... Now don't roll your eyes! I get 13-15 mpg on the open road without a load at 60mph, when I pull, it will drop as low as 9mpg, but thats with a head wind and full load (11,000lb.). I used to pull a 27' Travel trailer to northern MN for a week at itasca, and I would avg 11 mpg.

NOW, there are a few reasons why I went gas over diesel: I bought it for almost 25% less than a diesel, I don't have to worry about No.1 or No.2 diesel in the winter, diesel cost more than gas, and there is no fear of my wife mistakenly putting gas in a diesel truck.

Most used f150 will get 15-18mpg, but I have herard of some beeter and some worse. The bottom line is that if you want to have the pulling power you will have to sacrafice $$$$$ Money either in gas or diesel engine.

I would never give up my gas engine beacuse of the ability to start in the winter and the fact that you don't have to let it warm up for 20 min once you start in the winter, and you can run to the store quick and turn it off rather than letting it idle to keep warm.

[gunmunky]

I had a 98 GMC 1 ton crew 4wd with the 454. We ended up selling our 14000lb fifth wheel so I decided to trade it on a 03 GMC extra cab with the 5.3. To this day my wife still says she misses the ride of the 1 ton. I was getting 8-12 towing / city driving and 14-16 on the Hwy. My 1/2 ton gets 12 in town and 18-19 on the Hwy. I too wish I still had the 1 ton for the fact it didn't cost much more to drive, had more room, and I could haul anything I wanted. I would look for a used GM with the big block if I were to get another truck. I thought about diesels at the time I bought the 1 ton but the possible maint costs not to mention the preventative maint costs kept me from even test driving diesels. Good luck.

[Whoaru99]

Besides that, I wouldn't mind a newer nicer truck anyhoo.

Nuttin' wrong with wanting a newer/nicer truck, I just don't see the point of buying one equipped for 0.1% of your usage time, while 99.9% of the time you're way overkill.

[deadeye]

Ya it sounds like maybe you should get a newer big truck then. Like Valv said those chev 6.0 should be good if you get the right one and it sounds like that is the way your swaying.

I have got a 74 chev dually 454 and we have had hd rams and super duty's for family/shop. If I needed the HD truck everyday I would be getting another ram but the old school truck is good for the little it gets used (it hasn't even been started lately).

[Wanderer]

Nuttin' wrong with wanting a newer/nicer truck, I just don't see the point of buying one equipped for 0.1% of your usage time, while 99.9% of the time you're way overkill.

Hence the dilemma.....

Plus, I just need to gather more info on trucks later than 2000 since I've been out of the truck market for awhile. I bought my current truck 14 years ago with 17 miles on it. It now is threatening to roll over on 200,000 but still runs like a champ and looks pretty good yet.

On opening weekend I put 800 miles on it with 240 of that towing our old 30 foot camper home to sell it. I did 70 mph most of the way and got a skosh over 9 mpg with the Vortec 350. Normally I'm still getting 13.5 mpg unloaded.

Best part is I haven't had a truck payment for 10 years.

The trucks I looked at over the weekend were:

1989 Chev 1 ton dually 4X4 extended cab/long bed with a 454 and 145,000 miles - $6,000.

2005 Ford 1 ton single axle 4X4 crew cab/long bed with 6.0 diesel and 73,000 miles - $24,500.

2003 Chev 3/4 ton 4X4 extended cab/std bed with 6.0 gas with 90,000 miles - $17,900.

2005 Chev 3/4 ton (all the same as above) with a Duramax diesel and 82,000 miles - $24,900.

2002 Chev 3/4 ton crew cab/long bed with 6.0 gas and 145,000 miles - around $13,000????? Can't remember the price for sure.

I've also looked at other older trucks with 454s and 460s that I could pay cash for but they've been in pretty rough shape.

Looking at my list, I should probably go look at a Dodge with a Hemi and a Cummins just to be fair, but the truth is, I haven't seen a lot of mid value Dodges in the HD variety. They're usually really old or really new. Maybe I'm just looking hard enough.

[Esox_Magnum]

Prices seem high to me, I got my current truck last year and paid 10K for my 2001 with 88K on it. Only a 1500 though with the 5.3. I paid top $$$$ for mine to, I could have got a 2003 with 130K on it for $8900. I know prices vary on locations might pay to look outside your area a drive a little to save alot.

[Wanderer]

Yah, all the prices listed are full retail NADA values. These were all dealership trucks.

I'll start bothering the private parties when I get more settled on my decision.

[sdpikehntr]

I would caution you against a dually truck; it is great for pulling a load, but in the winter you will have a problem. The duals are both inside and ouside your from tire track which can cause a sway in the rear without a load in snow. I had a dually and traded it for a short box f-250 crew cab; the only thing I would do different is wnet for a f-350 instead. The short box is great, the only time I have a concern is when I pull the livestock trailer, it gets close to hitting the cab from time to time. But I would never go back to a dually.

[LightningBG]

I'd go to the popular online free classified "C" place, go to the cars and trucks section. Type in 2500 or 3500 or 250 or 350.

You'll get a little bit of extra stuff (those numbers in the price), but there are a ton to choose from. and some of the prices are considerably lower with lower miles. might give a better idea of what is financially feasible.

Here is an example: (i'm not sure these are better deals, but at least more to compare with).

2004 Dodge Ram 3500 diesel - $16000 (no miles listed)

2002 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 ($22,985.00)

2004 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Crew Cab, Dually, Duramax Diesel, 4x4 - $22988

2006 Dodge Ram 2500 Big Horn Edition - $22500

2004 Dodge Ram Pickup 2500 CREWCAB - $13950 (123K)

2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 - $14995 (101K)

2004 Ford Super Duty F 350 SRW ( $25,985.00 ) (52K)

[Valv]

Wanderer, prices of these trucks are way too high.

1.5 years ago I shopped around for few months, I finally found my truck, a 2006 Dodge 2500 Megacab Laramie diesel with the color I wanted for $ 22,500 at a dealer in IA.

I can sell my truck now at same price (I had offers) with 45,000 miles more.

Shop around and don't be afraid of looking at neighbor states.

[MN Mike]

A buddy of mine picked up a '07 1 ton, non dually, crew cab, long box, Duramax, Chevy with just over 100,000 miles on it late last year for right around $12k, it wasn't decked out with a lot of options but it wasn't a work truck either. The truck was very clean and in great shape.

Mike

[Wanderer]

Thanks for all the advice guys.

For purchasing vehicles, I usually only purchase new from a dealer, rarely used but I do shop them to see what's out there. Dealers serve a purpose for some but I feel very comfortable guaging the quality of a used vehicle on my own and finding one for a fair to great price after my research.

The nice thing I have on my side is I can get my own financing if needed and I'm in no hurry to buy. A deal will be out there for me when I'm ready.

At this point I'm leaning toward finding the best truck I can in the $18k-20k range. A 3/4 ton gasser as Valve suggested. I am a Chevy guy but I'm not afraid to look at the others.

Diesels are nice but they're flat out a $5k upgrade. As mentioned earlier, I can buy a lot of gas for $5k and I don't really need one.

Still patiently looking....

[Scott K]

That $5k upgrade, will also be returned to you at a later date if you so chose to sell it, and not drive it in to the ground. Just another opinion! Although in your case, you dont need a diesel, so unless you find a great deal on one, I wouldnt look to hard for one.

[311Hemi]

I bought my Dodge 2500 cummins used to save some money vs the new price. I ended up buying one with 80k on it, it was 3 years old at the time and was in the price range you are looking. I guess I could have ended up buying a gas truck with lower miles for the same price, maybe a year or so newer but I have confidence that the Cummins would be the better bet for longevity since I will probably have this truck for a while thus the 80k on it was not all too concerning.

So my options were little newer (gas) truck with less miles or a little older truck (diesel) with more miles, both getting comparable mileage if not better with the diesel......and the one engine known to last. And I am pretty sure I will be able to sell my truck for a higher price than gas of the same model when it comes that time, and probably sell faster as well. One other factor was the diesel would not be as affected by the tires I wanted to run, since I specifically wanted to run 35" BFG's to satisfy my shortcomings in other areas....doh!

Granted, I did have to do front end work sooner because the truck already had 80k.

[fishing 101]

I struggled between the 6.0l gas, and the 6.6l diesel this spring. Went with the diesel and painfully admit I should have went with the gas. The power is awesome, but the mileage is no where near what everyone brags about. Pulling a 19' boat, I get < 10mpg. Love the truck, but a gas would have suited me better as I didn't "need" the power of the diesel but was a matter of "want" at the time. Now when I get it hooked up to the camper and boat together, I may have a different opinion (which is the main reason why I chose a diesel) But for 5 weeks out of the year combo pulling, it isn't worth the hassle of a diesel. Anyone interested in a slightly used 2010 crew? j/k...

[311Hemi]

it isn't worth the hassle of a diesel.

What's the hassle? Fill it up, and every so often change the oil and the fuel filter. I guess plugging it in in the winter is kind of a hassle...but I'll live with that...and I guess fuel is a little more expensive most of the time as well.

I know with mine I have not seen mileage near as low as you report, and that includes towing a 18.5' and 22' boats up to Leech on various trips.

[Redlantern]

Not sure what type of trailer hitch the camper needs but could you rent a truck from U-Haul to move your camper twice a year?

[Back2Dakota]

I drove to eastren Wisconsin last month to buy my truck. $2-3K less than what I could find around here with less miles(13500) plus had a bunch of aftermarket upgrades. I searched for a long time. Wait for that buddy to pull it up cause soon as gas soars the HD gassers will drop like rocks like they did last time.