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Member
Posts: 21
Location: WA State | Okay, it is pending inspection but I found a 3H featherlight aluminum trailer with a 6' shortwall weekender. I don't have the true weight yet, but it is lighter then steel, but there are alot of cabinets etc in that smallish Living area. I intend to use the front stall as a cowboy shower/storage so not likely to haul 3 horses. I live in an area with hills and do go over the Cascade mountain passes.
By the books, I should be okay with a 3/4 ton, I think. I am shopping used and am BEWILDERED by the choices. I roughly know what to look for, but I just feel lost in terms of evaluating used trucks as there are so many sub-options within each make/model.
I have no brand loyalty, but I am wondering if there is somewhere a reference of what are good/bad years for specific trucks and if there are particular engines/trannies to avoid. I have owned Fords, which have been fine, but I hear people saying they get so much worse gas mileage, but i don't even know what particular years or models they are talking about or if it is even true. I have a preference for gas as i don't drive alot of miles, but I wont rule out diesel. I just want reliable and safe and appropriate for my trailer.
Any tidbits or advice would be appreciated. Now that I have the trailer, I really want to find a truck soon. The new ones are priced for another planet (50-65K!!!!) so I am definately trying to stay in the 20s or below so in the used range for sure. |
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Veteran
Posts: 147
 
Location: santa clara, ca | You should probably find out the pin weight of the trailer in order to be more comfortable with your choice of 3/4 vs 1ton (if not much more i would go 1 ton anyway).All 3 brands offer nice rides: we own a 1ton Ford diesel and are happy with it (9,000-11,000lbs loaded trailer). If you want a gas in a Ford you probably want to go with the 6.8L V10: it won't be easy on the mpg but i'll have plenty of grunt. This engine has been available for a long time so you should have quite a variety of model year to pick from. For diesel in your range you'll have the 7.3L (1999-2003), 6.0L (2004-2007) and 6.4L (2008-2011). The later models have more power, but are more mechanically complex to repair. Just make sure you do your due diligence when buyIf you are not going to drive a lot gas engine might be the better choice |
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Veteran
Posts: 155
Location: North Salem, IN | Regardless of what brand you decide to buy, you can buy a newer, nicer gas truck for the same price as an older, much higher mileage diesel truck. If you don't travel long distances or tralier very often, you will be hard pressed to justify the cost difference for a diesel. Don't get me wrong, I am a huge fan of the diesels over gas, but for some people they just don't make sense. Diesel trucks are more expensive up front, and cost more to maintain as well. With that being said, a well maintained diesel will last for a very, very long time. You need to decide what works best for you and your budget and go from there.
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I personally prefer Dodge or GM diesel trucks as I travel quite a few miles each year with a fairly heavy trailer. |
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 Veteran
Posts: 197
Location: AZ | Fords: The best intereriors, not so great engines/trannys Chevy/GMC: Nice interiors, great engines/trannys Dodge: Blah interiors, the best engines/trannys |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 373
Location: Texas | Congrats on finding a trailer! I'd try to get it weighed if you can, just so you know what you are starting with. I'm a fan of Fords right now, but for the most part, be cautions on the 6.0 engine if you look at used. Hit and miss on having issues with them.
BTW, I have had our diesel for 11 years, and 186,000 miles. Bought it new. After having gas trucks for years and years before this one, I find it is the same cost to maintain, if not less. Oil changes may be a bit more, but its not in for tune ups etc. like our gas trucks were.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 610
Location: Northern CA | Stay away from the 6.0L 2004 Ford. I know 4 people that have that exact year and they all are lemons. One person has had the stupid thing in the shop 26 times the first year she had it. NO KIDDING (she bought it new too) Ford would not do anything to help her and wouldn't take the truck back either. Now she can't even trade it in cause no dealership will take that year or engine. |
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Veteran
Posts: 155
Location: North Salem, IN | Originally written by trot-on on 2012-06-07 9:52 PM
BTW, I have had our diesel for 11 years, and 186,000 miles. Bought it new. After having gas trucks for years and years before this one, I find it is the same cost to maintain, if not less. Oil changes may be a bit more, but its not in for tune ups etc. like our gas trucks were.
That is correct that you don't have tune ups, and oil changes do go longer durations. What I meant by more expensive to maintain is when you have a failure such as an injector pump or have to replace a set of injectors or some other major repair. Injectors or an injection pump and other typical repairs that may happen can be very expensive. I know my Duramax has been expensive to keep up, but it also has well over 200,000 miles on it as well.
Maintenance is not required nearly as often, but when it is, it's usually expensive.
I say this only as a word of caution so you know the potential problems when you own a diesel. I myself would own nothing but a diesel. |
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Member
Posts: 21
Location: WA State | I trailer out approx twice a week, less in the winter - probably 1-2 hours roundtrip MAX would be typical.
I do one "long" trip a year that is 6 hours each way; so 12 hours roundtrip
I probably do another half dozen-10 trips that are more like 3-5 hours round trip.
This truck is just for hauling, basic picking up hay etc. - not a daily driver.
To me, that doesn't seem high miles enough to make a diesel a "must." I am not opposed to diesel, but as was pointed out, you sure do pay extra.
Thanks for the tips! |
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Member
Posts: 21
Location: WA State | Okay, just heard from the dealership - 2005 F350 6 L diesel low miles, good condition, fair price. Now I need to go back and read of the 6liter diesel is the engine to be worried about... |
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Veteran
Posts: 155
Location: North Salem, IN | If you are taking the truck out twice a week as you stated, it sounds to me like you would be happier with a diesel, especially if you have to cross a mountain pass.
As stated by someone else, I would stay away from that 6.0 Litre Ford. You can't go wrong with a Cummins! |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 736
Location: Western WA | I also live in Western WA and pull the same passes you do (Snoqualmie and Stevens). You will be much happier with a diesel than a gas engine for pulling those passes. As far as brand, they all have their issues. Just check out whatever your finalist choices are, you should be fine. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 373
Location: Texas | Originally written by S123 on 2012-06-08 12:55 PM
Okay, just heard from the dealership - 2005 F350 6 L diesel low miles, good condition, fair price. Now I need to go back and read of the 6liter diesel is the engine to be worried about...
Yes, the 6.0 had issues. Ask to see the Carfax. It is amazing what is on there.
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Member
Posts: 21
Location: WA State | Okay, dont want to create the wrong impression, I don't haul very long distances. I haul frequently, sometimes very short trips.
Yeah, snoqualmie is the pass i usually go over - cle elum area etc. I currently pull a small 2H BP with the bigger F150 - have been for 5 years with no issue. We make a trip to the Oregon coast every year, and there are some steep hills on that route (between Astoria and destination). I swear they are actually steeper then Snoqualmie.
This 3H GN with weekender is a whole 'nother thing so I do take seriously your comments about the diesel. Also, although everybody SAYS a 3/4 is adequate, whenever I went to look at a trailer, they were using a 1 ton, even for an aluminum trailer. I guess it depends a little on the model year.
I am just in sticker shock. I looked at a new truck a few weeks back that cost in the same ballpark as my first house and I am NOT THAT OLD!
Edited by S123 2012-06-09 9:41 AM
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Member
Posts: 21
Location: WA State | I went for the Dodge Cummins diesel! thank you all |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 373
Location: Texas | Congrats!!! Many happy trips to you and your horses in the new rig!
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Veteran
Posts: 155
Location: North Salem, IN | Congratulations on your new truck! |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 385
Location: high desert, CA. | s123;Goos choice on the trailer and the truck. I also went to the Dodge diesel Cummins, and I tow from So. California, to Central Oregon frequently, so the difference in power is one I appreciate. I also go to the Cle Elum area. and to Ellensburg WA. Our old trainer, ( she is not old, just an old friend and trainer),lives in Ellensburg, and we go see her and the rodeo every year. |
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I finally found a trailer, now a truck!
