Posted 2010-07-13 5:48 PM (#122331) Subject: Found Truck & Trailer
Regular
Posts: 72 Location: Connecticut
Truck - 1995 Ford F250 with 54,000 miles.
Trailer - 1995 Sundowner- Charter, 2 horse Gooseneck, straight load. Changing room. 2 Axel 5200#, 4 wheel electric brake.
Truck and trailer together - $12,000
So I found this ad for a truck and trailer all setup and ready to tow. It has very little info, but basically the guy used it to take his daughter to shows on weekends and the trailer was kept inside when not in use. It sure sounds like a good deal to me, but then again, I have limited knowledge since this would be my first trailer. (and truck) I'd be happier if it were a Chevy, but it's all set up to go, so I'm not complaining. Thoughts?
Posted 2010-07-13 6:36 PM (#122335 - in reply to #122331) Subject: RE: Found Truck & Trailer
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
More info on that F-250??? 7.3 IDI Diesel, 351 or 460 V8 gas, auto, 4x4, crew/regular/super cab, XLT, XL, Lariat, etc??
Would that be a steel trailer, steel frame aluminum skin, all aluminum?
Just remember, that package is turning 16 years old. I know it's only got 54000 miles but it is 16 years old. Myself... I couldn't pay that for the truck and trailer as a package....
Posted 2010-07-13 6:38 PM (#122336 - in reply to #122331) Subject: RE: Found Truck & Trailer
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
Any time you are considering a 15 year old vehicle, it will be more of personal decision than any kind of value set by a industry book of values. Just a quick look on Kelly's Blue Book shows 95 Fords with that mileage at $5000 A search on this website didn't have any 95 sundowners, but the few 2H, GN trailers in that age bracket were also in the $4000 to $6000 range.
If it's extremely clean, Maybe it's worth $12,000. But if you are going to buy something that old, You might as well look for something that is GREAT deal. Even with out the miles, time will age parts and you probably will need to replace some items. All belts, tires, hoses are subject to needing replacing. At 54,000 original miles, The truck may be about ready for a brake job, ball joints, and other normal wear items. Even just sitting in a barn, it may need a radiator and transmission flush.
If the set up is somethjing you like, Offer them a price and see if they take it, Knowing that you will probably have to spend a thousand or maybe two, going through everything.
Posted 2010-07-14 12:42 AM (#122354 - in reply to #122331) Subject: RE: Found Truck & Trailer
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Originally written by TBchick on 2010-07-13 6:48 PM
Truck - 1995 Ford F250 with 54,000 miles.Trailer - 1995 Sundowner- Charter, 2 horse Gooseneck, straight load. Changing room. 2 Axel 5200#, 4 wheel electric brake.Truck and trailer together - $12,000 So I found this ad for a truck and trailer all setup and ready to tow. It has very little info, but basically the guy used it to take his daughter to shows on weekends and the trailer was kept inside when not in use. It sure sounds like a good deal to me, but then again, I have limited knowledge since this would be my first trailer. (and truck) I'd be happier if it were a Chevy, but it's all set up to go, so I'm not complaining. Thoughts?
1995 with 54000 miles...just about time for all those pieces and parts to start breaking on that truck...
Posted 2010-07-14 6:34 AM (#122356 - in reply to #122331) Subject: RE: Found Truck & Trailer
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
It may be worth the $12,000 they are asking. But you will have to go look and discuss it with them.
See what kind of preventive maintenance has been done to everything. How old are all the tires. If they are more than 5 years old, even with lots of tread left they will need to be replaced. Same with the belts on the engine. When was the last tranny or radiator flush, stuff like that.
Any vehicle that is 15-16 years old will need some repairs as you start to use it. The price you pay to buy it, will not be the total cost of ownership. Look at your budget and be prepared to spend a few dollars here and there to fix the occasional part that just got old.
Even with a few repairs , it still cheaper than paying $60k for a new truck.
Posted 2010-07-14 3:03 PM (#122379 - in reply to #122331) Subject: RE: Found Truck & Trailer
Regular
Posts: 72 Location: Connecticut
Okay, I got a little more info.
TRUCK:
1995 Ford F-250 HD 4x4 Super cab XLT 155" WB (8 foot bed).
5.8LEFI V8 210hp, 325 ft/lb torque at 2800 RPM.
3.55 rear grear ratio.
Options: Automatic Transmission, Tilt steering wheel, AM/FM Stereo, A/C, Power windows,power steering, power door locks, camper package, chrome wheels, 37 gal dual fuel tanks.
HORSE TRAILER - 1995 Charter Sundowner 2 horse, steel, rear load, goose neck pull.
options: additional 1 foot to dressing room, additional 1 foot height head area - 7'6".
Upgraded axel, 5200, and 3500.
I have all of the original papers
Posted 2010-07-16 2:53 PM (#122463 - in reply to #122331) Subject: RE: Found Truck & Trailer
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 330 Location: northeast Texas
I dont know Brushy Creek. In 1997 I bought a new 96 Sundowner steel 3 horse slant gooseneck with a 2 ft short wall dressing room, 6'9" wide and 7'0" tall, drops on head with plexi on curb side. It was listed for $12,000 and was the last steel on their lot and I got it for $10,000. I bet that Sundowner was more than you think. The truck has alot of bells and whistles. If I were on a tight budget and wanted a trailer and needed a truck as well and it is all clean, since its obviously one owner, might offer $10,000 for the pair after letting a mechanic check it over.
Posted 2010-07-16 10:47 PM (#122475 - in reply to #122379) Subject: RE: Found Truck & Trailer
Expert
Posts: 1351 Location: Decatur, Texas
Originally written by TBchick on 2010-07-14 3:03 PM
Okay, I got a little more info. TRUCK: 1995 Ford F-250 HD 4x4 Super cab XLT 155" WB (8 foot bed). 5.8LEFI V8 210hp, 325 ft/lb torque at 2800 RPM. 3.55 rear grear ratio. Options: Automatic Transmission, Tilt steering wheel, AM/FM Stereo, A/C, Power windows,power steering, power door locks, camper package, chrome wheels, 37 gal dual fuel tanks. HORSE TRAILER - 1995 Charter Sundowner 2 horse, steel, rear load, goose neck pull. options: additional 1 foot to dressing room, additional 1 foot height head area - 7'6". Upgraded axel, 5200, and 3500. I have all of the original papers
Here is MY opinion on the truck and I have been in the USED car/ truck buisness since 1983 and the last 12 year dealing mainly in 3/4 ton and larger trucks.
No matter what book people tell you to look at the price is not worth the paper it is wrote on for older model trucks for sure. Even newer model prices are off one way or the other.
Any way the truck: with the list of options you listed and if the miles are correct the truck is worth around $3000 to $3500 wholesale and would retail for around the $5000. range, but it has to be NICE and rust free! Sorry I can't help you with the trailer.
Posted 2010-07-17 5:22 PM (#122500 - in reply to #122331) Subject: RE: Found Truck & Trailer
Regular
Posts: 72 Location: Connecticut
Well, I went to see the combo today. The guy took meticulous care of everything. Tires on the truck are newer, have 5,000 miles on them. All the belts were replaced and fluids flushed at 50,000. No rust or signs on wear on the truck inside or out. He did frequent oil changes since he wasn't driving the truck a lot. It started right up with no signs of gunk damage. Two downsides to the truck were, when you step on the gas pedal to ask for more forward, there's a ticking on the passenger right side which I'm told is an exhaust sound. Apparently it's benign, but it is annoying. The other downside is, the rear axle ratio is 3.55 which showed itself when we pulled the trailer.
The Sundowner trailer is a tank. All steel, very heavy and seemed kind of hot inside, but then again it is a zillion degrees with high humidity today. There a some small areas of rust, and some of the rubber pieces have come a bit detached, but the wooden floors are in excellent shape, the brakes work very well and the tires are newer.
When I drove it, while it definitely didn't push the truck around, it was like towing a giant sack of bricks. It's a very heavy trailer. Going up hills, we got there, but not with any great degree of speed. There's a setting on the inside trailer brake switch that was very easy to adjust for when the trailer is empty versus when you're towing horses. I like it, it's just really heavy and it that 3.55 axle ration just kept creeping into my head. I feel like the second I get this thing home, the transmission's going to say, "I quit".
So that's the skinny on it. My big problem is I do not currently have a truck or trailer, and unless the money fairy shows up with a surprise, I'm going to have a hard time affording both. Also, now that I've finally driven a gooseneck, I'm already loving them and now don't want to ever bother with bumper pulls. I like this combo, but the age, axle ratio of the truck and weight of the trailer are drawbacks. I'm not sure if I should just walk away from this altogether or make a low ball offer. The other idea floating him my head is to buy it, and trade in the heavy trailer for something lighter that the truck could handle better.
Posted 2010-07-18 11:32 PM (#122525 - in reply to #122500) Subject: RE: Found Truck & Trailer
Expert
Posts: 1351 Location: Decatur, Texas
Originally written by TBchick on 2010-07-17 5:22 PM
Two downsides to the truck were, when you step on the gas pedal to ask for more forward, there's a ticking on the passenger right side which I'm told is an exhaust sound. Apparently it's benign, but it is annoying.
I like it, it's just really heavy and it that 3.55 axle ration just kept creeping into my head. I feel like the second I get this thing home, the transmission's going to say, "I quit".
I like this combo, but the age, axle ratio of the truck and weight of the trailer are drawbacks. I'm not sure if I should just walk away from this altogether or make a low ball offer. The other idea floating him my head is to buy it, and trade in the heavy trailer for something lighter that the truck could handle better. thoughts?
First off the exhaust leak is common for the 5.8L trucks. The manifold is more than likely cracked, when the truck gets hot the noise is not as bad.
Second with 3.55 gear and pulling a trailer of any size you will need to make sure the overdrive is OFF, which will make the fuel mileage even worse.
My though: there is too many NICE trucks and trailer being offered right now some newer some older but do not get in a big rush and buy something you will hate and by the sound of this set up you WILL HATE it after you get it home and loaded.... Another thought; if you are looking at gas trucks and like the Ford, find you a truck with a 460 in it. You will have plenty of power and in the long run the fuel mileage will be just as god if not better than the 5.8 truck is. One reason is the 460 truck will more than likely have the 3.55 gears and you will be able to run with the overdrive ON, plus with the 460 you are not having to stand on the gas to make the truck move like you do with the 5.8 truck. I use to run wreckers with both engines (before diesels got so hot) and the 460's always offered more power and better fuel mileage.
Posted 2010-07-19 8:02 PM (#122575 - in reply to #122331) Subject: RE: Found Truck & Trailer
Regular
Posts: 72 Location: Connecticut
Thanks for the input. Luckily I'm not in any rush, so I can take my sweet old time looking for a good truck. It looks like my price range puts me looking at older model trucks, but the odd low mileage model does come along ever so often.