Posted 2009-10-02 11:51 AM (#111355) Subject: What Truck To Buy
Regular
Posts: 88
I know this has been discussed on another thread. I didn't want to steal the thread.
My wife is looking for a 2 horse GN with LQ. Most are in the 8000 to 10000 GVWR. I know I will need to purchase a tow vehicle as my Ford Ranger will not be able to tow it. She is being told that a 1/2 ton will be enough truck to tow it. I'm thinking 3/4. The problem is I will be using the truck for my daily driver. I drive 40,000 to 50,000 miles a year for work. Are there 1/2 tons out there that would be able to tow and stop a trailer of this size safely? Because of maintenance costs and unloaded fuel mileage the 1/2 ton would be a better deal, but I'm concerned about safe towing. I know I have seen properly equipped 1/2 tons rated for 10,000 lb towing. Please give me your thoughts and suggestions.
Posted 2009-10-02 12:35 PM (#111358 - in reply to #111355) Subject: RE: What Truck To Buy
Veteran
Posts: 147 Location: santa clara, ca
if you drive 40-50K for work: get a diesel 3/4 ton. You'll be well within the limits of F250/F350 (and i assume dodge and chevy2500/3500) and the initial higher cost of a diesel (either new or used) will be mitigated by the mpg difference.We switched 1 yr ago from a 05 5.4v8 F150 to 05 F350 diesel: i gets about 30% better mpg loaded (with an heavier trailer and maybe 5mph faster avg speed) and also better mpg unloaded.
Posted 2009-10-02 1:17 PM (#111367 - in reply to #111355) Subject: RE: What Truck To Buy
Expert
Posts: 1351 Location: Decatur, Texas
Originally written by docgj on 2009-10-02 11:51 AM
I know this has been discussed on another thread. I didn't want to steal the thread.
My wife is looking for a 2 horse GN with LQ. Most are in the 8000 to 10000 GVWR. I know I will need to purchase a tow vehicle as my Ford Ranger will not be able to tow it. She is being told that a 1/2 ton will be enough truck to tow it. I'm thinking 3/4. The problem is I will be using the truck for my daily driver. I drive 40,000 to 50,000 miles a year for work. Are there 1/2 tons out there that would be able to tow and stop a trailer of this size safely? Because of maintenance costs and unloaded fuel mileage the 1/2 ton would be a better deal, but I'm concerned about safe towing. I know I have seen properly equipped 1/2 tons rated for 10,000 lb towing. Please give me your thoughts and suggestions.
docgj
In my opinion you can never have too much truck! For what you are wanting, the 1/2 ton with the right equipment may work, but I would go with the 3/4 ton truck. You will not be out much more money but you will have larger brakes and the truck will last you longer.
Posted 2009-10-03 6:17 AM (#111397 - in reply to #111355) Subject: RE: What Truck To Buy
Regular
Posts: 88
adeberti,
How is your unloaded mileage with diesel compared to gas? Most of my miles will be unloaded. I agree the larger brakes and weight will make towing much safer.
Posted 2009-10-05 11:47 AM (#111445 - in reply to #111355) Subject: RE: What Truck To Buy
Elite Veteran
Posts: 736 Location: Western WA
docgi,
Make sure you look at towing capacity for a gooseneck/5th wheel trailer, not just bumper pull towing, when comparing trucks. A gooseneck puts alot more weight on the rear axle of the truck than an a bumper pull. The newer 1/2 tons seem to have really high bumper pull towing capacities, but what are the gooseneck/5th wheel towing ratings?
Posted 2009-10-05 12:02 PM (#111446 - in reply to #111397) Subject: RE: What Truck To Buy
Expert
Posts: 1351 Location: Decatur, Texas
Originally written by docgj on 2009-10-03 6:17 AM
adeberti,
How is your unloaded mileage with diesel compared to gas? Most of my miles will be unloaded. I agree the larger brakes and weight will make towing much safer.
docgj
In my case with the extra things I have done to my 07 Dodge 3500 c/c I have been getting around 14 loaded with the Sundowner trailer shown in my picture and around 17 unloaded. Stock I was only getting 11 loaded and almost 15 unloaded. With the older Dodge diesel's I have used I would avg around 16 loaded and almost 20 unloaded. The older ones I am talking about is 2003 and older, these year models got the best mileage even at stock levels.
Posted 2009-10-05 3:09 PM (#111454 - in reply to #111355) Subject: RE: What Truck To Buy
Veteran
Posts: 197 Location: MT
In my 04 1 ton power stroke I get 10-14 loaded and 16-20 unloaded. Thats all stock I also have a 05 dually with chip it gets about the same. But if it was me I would get the 3/4 ton gas for sure. If you can afford it going up the to the diesel would be a major advantage.
Posted 2009-10-05 4:44 PM (#111457 - in reply to #111397) Subject: RE: What Truck To Buy
Veteran
Posts: 147 Location: santa clara, ca
well one was a F150 v8 vs F350 diesel (which tips the scales at 8k lbs) so it's kind of comparing apples to oranges, but we got around 10-10.5 mpg with the F150 on mostly flats hwy and the with F350 we get around 13-14mpg (but we probably go a bit faster due to the extra power).Just this past weekend we towed about 9,500-10,000lbs up/down steep hills: truck did awesome the tow/haul features works perfectly and the diesel does give you that extra grunt.If you go with 1/2 ton i would probably get the new ones with all the towing assist electronics...
Posted 2009-10-06 6:08 AM (#111472 - in reply to #111355) Subject: RE: What Truck To Buy
Elite Veteran
Posts: 662 Location: Vanzant, Missouri
I would also go for the 3/4 ton. I had a Exiss 3h w 4ft DR and a F250 with a 5.4 it did ok overall but in the mountains it was straining. I now have a 06 F250 w/6.0 and got a Exiss Event 3h w/8ft LQ and I don't know it's back there. My mileage runs about 11-12 average loaded with 65 gal water tank full and generator on truck. I avg 16 as a daily driver..
What Truck To Buy
