What used truck for triple towing on a budget?

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Is there a lower budget vehicle for towing a 5th wheel / boat combo? I see lots of chevy 2500HD series trucks towing, but they are big bucks. Looking used, not new.

[LightningBG]

Not much.

Depending on the size of the 5th and the boat, you're going to need at least a Chev/GMC 2500 or F250, and very possibly a 3500 or F350. Or a dodge, i guess.

About the only way to get cheaper is to go older.

Maybe do some searches for 3500s as well, I feel like the prices can be lower at times, since they might be less in demand?

[Ryan_V]

DODGE! Pure power. Seriously though, take a look on the list, our car soup, will give you an idea of whats out there. What do you mean by "budget"? You thinking 10k.... Under....?

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

It would be a small 5th wheel and a 16 ft boat with 50hp motor, so nothing big.

[Kettle]

7.3 liter Ford 99-02 or 98 12 valve 5.9 liter Dodge, if you can find any truck under 150K for less than 13,000 do it, both awesome. I own a 7.3Liter 01 have a chip exhaust and k&n filter pull 23mpg with no tow

Kettle

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

I see a lot diesel trucks listed, but I'm a little Leary of a diesel because of the high maintenance and repair costs.

[Kettle]

Diesel does have that but the life is outstanding and the pulling power is also great. I do not use mine for running around town, only for longer trips, if you buy any 3/4 ton truck check to if it has had a 5th wheel mount or has had a plow on it, both of these norm go hand in hand with higher maintenance costs in the future.

Kettle

[Ryan_V]

If you want to pull a triple, I would definetly consider a diesel. I know a few guys that do it with gassers and they all wish they would have gone diesel.

[upnorth]

You are going to need a 3/4 ton or better of some brand. Half ton may be able to pull, but the suspension, brakes, gears and frame are all sturdier on a 3/4 ton than a 1/2 ton. I wouldn't recommend towing that much with a 1/2 ton even if you can squeak in under the combined gross vehicle rate.

But if all you are going to use it for is towing, you can go with 2 wheel drive. Diesel, yep would be a better bet, especially for MPG and longevity, but I figure I put less that 3000 miles a year on my tow vehicle so not a huge issue. Guy across the street from me has a diesel 2500 HD and I have a gasser, he gets 11 mpg towing, I get about 9 mpg towing. Take a a lot of miles to make up the difference in original investment and maintenance costs. If I was retired and taking cross country trips a diesel would probably be on the top of my list, but not right now.

[Powerstroke]

Used 2wd diesel 1-ton is going to be the best combo of price to ability. 1-tons (350/3500) trucks are typically cheaper and easier to find since most people avoid them because of the difference in licensing, but there is no change in cost or convenience to license.

WHen I was shopping large trucks I found there were about 10 1ton's out there for every 3/4ton. The price was always very close since they are almost the same chassis in the last 10yrs and they all get the same motor/tranny combo.

Its hard to balance the need for a diesel vs gasser, but high maintenance and repair costs is not really the reason to avoid them. I would argue that my diesel has lower maintenance costs and repairs are costly no matter what kind of truck. Its probably more expensive to rebuild a gas motor than a diesel. Once you remove the motor, all the trucks are the same. A diesel should not need any kind of maintenance other than air/oil/fuel filters for the first 250,000 miles. A gasser you'll be looking at plugs, wires etc twice in that timeframe. A diesel oil change costs more, but you do it half as often.

The thing to consider is what is the bump in price for having a diesel? If you can find two evenly matched trucks and one has a diesel, I would be getting the diesel without a second thought.

A 99-03 7.3L Ford or the Dodge 5.9 diesels would be my bet. 2wd will make it cheaper and provides more options, and looking for a 1-ton. Shortbox truck will give you more length to work with, but a long box will mean you won't need a slider hitch on the 5th wheel.

If you aren't particular about the amount of camper room you need you can check out the pickup bed truck campers. They slide in and you can still tow a boat without all the hassle of triple towing or the extra hookups.

[Valv]

I see a lot diesel trucks listed, but I'm a little Leary of a diesel because of the high maintenance and repair costs.

Diesel trucks have actually same or less maintenance costs than gas trucks, and definitely less maintenance.

I don't understand why people has this misconception.

If you don't travel much and don't want the high initial cost, get a 3/4ton/1ton gas truck, that would be your best "budget" option. If you travel long distance and many miles, a diesel is a must. Dodge from 1994 to 2001 have the best mileage, Ford until 2003 with the 7.3l were good, Chevy 6.5l were a little "tricky" the Duramax fixed the problem.

I posted this in the other thread, did you look into renting a motorhome ? You could sell your RV and keep the funds to rent a class C then tow your boat behind with no problem. There are several places that offer this service around the cities.

This will save you from the expense of a truck you don't need, including insurance, licensing, maintenance, etc.

[Moose-Hunter]

To sell please go to the:

HSO INSIDER Boats, Ice Fishing gear and all used items FOR SALE forum

[Big Dave2]

It would be a small 5th wheel and a 16 ft boat with 50hp motor, so nothing big.

Do you already own the camper and boat you will be pulling? If so, do you know the weights?

[ZapMan]

I have a 2004 chev 2500, and pull a 28' fifth that weighs about 6000. And behind that I have a 1987 5.3 Lund with a 90 hp Johnson. I have pulled 3 hrs up to Winney with no probs. My only tip is to have a very heavy duty hitch put on. I had a welder make a hitch and weld right to the frame. At first bought a bolt on hitch and then talked to the welder about welding it on, but he wanted to make his own. I was not disapointed.