Posted 2011-03-21 4:37 PM (#131933) Subject: Diesel Trucks; which is the best?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 681 Location: Corpus Christi, Texas
Hey all, As I mentioned in an earlier post, I am thinking about trading in my '10 Tundra.. I, at some point, want to get a small LQ trailer. I won't need much... I'm guessing no more than 8 ft.. I usually only camp alone, so my trailer may just be a 2 horse.. It depends on what I find . My Tundra MIGHT could pull a light LQ, but I would feel much better going to a diesel.. I am looking at all brands and years from '05 on... What brand and year do you like best.? I like the looks of Dodges and Fords, but am not ruling out Chevys. I must mention that this truck would be my daily drive.. work commute is @ 9 miles one way, 3 days/wk. I plan to broaden my camping horizons once I get a more appropriate rig. I would appreciate any and all input.
Posted 2011-03-21 4:42 PM (#131934 - in reply to #131933) Subject: RE: Diesel Trucks; which is the best?
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
What's the tow rating on your Tundra.... You may be good with what you already have. Two horse aluminum with a 8' LQ may be about right for the Tundra. Tell us about the Tundra, engine size, trans, rear axle ratio, crew cab, short/long bed, etc.....
Posted 2011-03-21 4:57 PM (#131935 - in reply to #131933) Subject: RE: Diesel Trucks; which is the best?
Veteran
Posts: 264 Location: Sumas Washington
Boy o Boy this subject will be a hot one, Lots of opinions on the "best" Diesel pickup. You have to consider lots of things with this. Track record of both the truck and the way warranty issues are handled is very important. I personally am on my 5th Dodge Cummins truck, they have served me VERY well. In part because the very few problems I have had were handled by the dealer quickly. Because of my dealers backing I will continue with the Dodge truck as long as things don't change. I have towing friends that would rather walk than drive a Dodge,Chevy,Ford. Opinions tend to run wild with these things. I would drive each truck- Chevy Ford, Dodge and see what kind of deal you can make. Hopefully if you take your time and make a good choice your new truck will be with you LOTS of happy miles.
Posted 2011-03-21 5:37 PM (#131940 - in reply to #131933) Subject: RE: Diesel Trucks; which is the best?
Member
Posts: 33 Location: Bloomington, IL.
The best one is the one that has the styling and features that you like. They all have thier own inherant quirks, but are for the most part very reliable stable trucks as far as the big 3 go. I would stick with a few years old to get away from the new emission standards that are causing some problems, in time these will be sorted out as well. Our family has the duramax trucks and have no complaints.
Posted 2011-03-21 8:26 PM (#131948 - in reply to #131933) Subject: RE: Diesel Trucks; which is the best?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 681 Location: Corpus Christi, Texas
Retento, my Tundra is a 2010 5.7L I-force heavy half ton with a 10,000 lb tow wt limit. lt has the tow pkg with tow/haul mode and heavier (I think) springs and maybe cooling system?. I don't know the other specs.. I will have to look them up..It MAY haul a lite LQ, but it's towing mileage is @ 8 mpg according to it's monitor.. My friend with a Dodge 350 diesel can pull a pretty heavy 3H 10 foot LQ and get 19 mpg avg.. Since my kids are getting bigger and better able to do without Mom for a bit, I'd like to ride areas a little further away.. see new places and maybe meet some new people with the same interests as mine.. My recent trip to Lajitas,TX, with my 2H BP in tow, opened my eyes to my truck's efficiency/functionality. As to my price range.. of I won't go into the high 40's or 50's, but I fiigure I should be able to find something used and of good value (and enough bells and whistles to make me happy) in the 30 range..
Posted 2011-03-21 8:48 PM (#131950 - in reply to #131933) Subject: RE: Diesel Trucks; which is the best?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 681 Location: Corpus Christi, Texas
Here's some things I forgot to mention and some things I found online.. I was trying to look for the brochure i had when I bought it last year, but of course, that's long gone.. 4X4, crew max, 5.7L I-force, 381 HP, 401 ft lb torque, 10.2:1 compression ratio.. whatever that refers to.. auto transmission. That's all I can find/think of for now.
Posted 2011-03-21 9:18 PM (#131952 - in reply to #131933) Subject: RE: Diesel Trucks; which is the best?
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
You can buy a nice 2006-2007 Ford F350 with the 6.oL engine for mid 20's and know that you might have to spend $2000-$3000 on some repairs for the common engine problems. But once done the truck will be good. The 2008 with the 6.4 L will run high 20's. they have more power, But will get lower fuel mileage than the 6.0L. Talk with the previous owners and pull an oasis report and see what repairs and problems the truck you are looking at might have had.
As stated above the 2006-and early 2007 Duramaxs are performing well. And several friends like the dodges. Pick the truck that you like and check a few of them out.
Posted 2011-03-21 9:40 PM (#131957 - in reply to #131933) Subject: RE: Diesel Trucks; which is the best?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 681 Location: Corpus Christi, Texas
If you look at Mr. Truck's review on this site, the top picture is my rig almost exactly except that my truck is silver and my trailer is a Hart, not a Cimmaron.
Posted 2011-03-21 10:06 PM (#131960 - in reply to #131933) Subject: RE: Diesel Trucks; which is the best?
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
If you were to ask the owners of the three major brands which truck is the best, invariably each one would recommend his particular brand. Just as with trailers, there is no one model that is the "best".
Some variables will include your financial situation, the availability of the trucks for sale in your area, your particular usage, and the geographic location in which you live.
All of the recent diesels will be more than adequate to pull a trailer. Past postings paint various arguments about which models are problematic, those which have the best mileage, and the models to avoid with the various pollution difficulties.
About a month ago, there were some serious discussions about each truck model, the favourable years, the most reliable motors and most importantly, which ones to avoid. We are fortunate to have among our membership, several knowledgeable people who know diesels; their strengths and weaknesses.
Do a search and you will find many detailed threads specifically about this topic.
Posted 2011-03-22 9:13 PM (#131994 - in reply to #131933) Subject: RE: Diesel Trucks; which is the best?
Regular
Posts: 59 Location: Colorado
I'm extremely sceptical anyone is getting 19mpg towing a LQ horse trailer. Thats a pretty good mileage for a 3/4ton diesel to get without towing.
I myself as well as several close friends all have diesel trucks (Fords and Dodges ranging from 00-06) and no one gets even close to that mileage when towing a horse trailer, in fact getting 15mpg while towing a GN horse trailer would be considered very good, 12-13ish is more normal.
I mention this because if you think your switch to a diesel is going to net you that kind of mileage while towing, I really think you are going to be disappointed. If your friend is truly achieving that kind of mileage towing a 10'LQ trailer it's a miracle.
The only advice I can offer on which diesel is best, is I personally would look for a model older than 08 when the more restrictive emission equipment was required (which has a negative impact on mileage). The changes took place in 07 so I believe some 07s are old style and some are new style. I believe all 06 models are pre-new emissions.
Posted 2011-03-23 12:15 AM (#132001 - in reply to #131933) Subject: RE: Diesel Trucks; which is the best?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 681 Location: Corpus Christi, Texas
I checked back with that friend today and she says she gets 19 empty and @ 13-14 pulling her travelwest 3H w/ 10 ft LQ.. so... I was wrong on the mileage account..
Posted 2011-03-23 6:01 PM (#132024 - in reply to #131933) Subject: RE: Diesel Trucks; which is the best?
New User
Posts: 1
Location: Clarksville, TN
I have owned several Fords over the years. For me the best so far was a 2002 F350 4x4 crew cab SB dually with a 7.3L Diesel. I would average 21 MPG empty and 19+ towing different trailers from a two horse bumper pull to a 5 ton flat bed. I made three simple mods that increased my HP/torque/MPG; I installed an air raid air induction system, a super chip programmer, and a bed cover. The programmer allowed me to program the truck based on my needs (high performance, tow performance, and tow safe). I just traded it for a 2011 F250 4x4 with the new Ford 6.7L, so far my MPG is not as good as my 02 but the performance appears better at the upper end on the highway. The F350 was sold before I agreed to the trade...
Diesel Trucks; which is the best?
I personally vote for an EARLY 07 GM Duramax that was just prior to emissions add-ons
