Need help selecting a diesel truck

[O.C.]

I am looking for a new (to me) truck to haul both the family and a 35-40 foot 5th wheel toy hauler and to use as a daily (approx 8K miles per year).

I would like to keep the budget at around 30-35K and need it to have the following:
1) 4 WD
2) Cab with a rear seat large enough to fit a rear facing car seat


Awhile back Cooter posted up a list of Diesel trucks and there pluses and minuses but a search didn't turn it up. So my question is with the above list what make/model/year do you think meets the criteria and budget?

Thanks,
Larry

[Cooter]

based on your criteria, I'd get a 6.7 Cummins

don't test drive a 6.4 Ford as you'll then not want to buy the Dodge and I feel that the Cummins is better suited to towing your travel trailer

[4king]

Cummins. That's about the only used diesel motor I would trust

[O.C.]

based on your criteria, I'd get a 6.7 Cummins

don't test drive a 6.4 Ford as you'll then not want to buy the Dodge and I feel that the Cummins is better suited to towing your travel trailer

Would you recommend a certain year for the 6.7 or are they all pretty much the same?

Also I have seen the 2500's towing these trailer but is there an advantage to getting a 3500? I know there is probably a trade off in ride quality but if it would tow better I would be willing to make that trade.

Thanks

[Cooter]

I would recommend the 2010+ 6.7 trucks as the 07-09 have the shittiest seats ever installed in a passenger vehicle

a dual rear wheel truck is more stable in cross winds and such, but if a SRW truck will handle the load, I would pick SRW, especially if it's going to be your daily

[Rreemo]

FYI - I used to tow a 37' Cardinal fifth wheel (pretty heavy / loaded and 3-slides)...started out with a single wheel (7.3 F250), power, starts & stops, etc. were all fine...as well as general in-town driving and backing. However hwy. was not comfortable...anything above 55mph pushed the rear of the truck around way too much for me. I ended up trading into a Dodge 1-ton DRW (5.9)...didn't ride nearly as well, but it was WAY more stable...70-75mph one-handed, no problems....and of course with just a Bully Dog it ran like a mother & got damned good MPG for what it was....But I also ended up buying another vehicle to drive daily b/c driving a dually as my only ride got to be a little much.

The F250 did very well with the previous fifth wheel...it was a 32' with only one slide. Amazing how much difference just 5' made between the two....granted the 37' was a lot heavier too, though.

[Reefer Rae]

Firestone makes shackles to to make them ride better unloaded , 2500 or 3500.
I'll see if I can find a link, brb

[Reefer Rae]

Sulastic shackles , google it , gotta go

[O.C.]

Is there a big difference between the 6.4 and 6.7 in reference to reliability, towing, etc. I am looking through e-bay and see the 6.4 fords are about 5K cheaper than the 6.7 Ram's....so if I can save 5K with no downside....

[O.C.]

Sulastic shackles , google it , gotta go

Thanks

[O.C.]

FYI - I used to tow a 37' Cardinal fifth wheel (pretty heavy / loaded and 3-slides)...started out with a single wheel (7.3 F250), power, starts & stops, etc. were all fine...as well as general in-town driving and backing. However hwy. was not comfortable...anything above 55mph pushed the rear of the truck around way too much for me. I ended up trading into a Dodge 1-ton DRW (5.9)...didn't ride nearly as well, but it was WAY more stable...70-75mph one-handed, no problems....and of course with just a Bully Dog it ran like a mother & got damned good MPG for what it was....But I also ended up buying another vehicle to drive daily b/c driving a dually as my only ride got to be a little much.

The F250 did very well with the previous fifth wheel...it was a 32' with only one slide. Amazing how much difference just 5' made between the two....granted the 37' was a lot heavier too, though.

What kind of mileage were you pulling with the 5.9 both empty and loaded?

Thanks

[Baron Von Crowder]

Naples to oranges, but with my slide in and race car on the flatbed I get 13-15 and that is ~75mph generally. A buddy I race with had a 38' 5th wheel and got about 12.

His Trailer was 14k lbs.

[Cooter]

Is there a big difference between the 6.4 and 6.7 in reference to reliability, towing, etc. I am looking through e-bay and see the 6.4 fords are about 5K cheaper than the 6.7 Ram's....so if I can save 5K with no downside....

the 6.7 dodge will have fewer high dollar repairs over it's lifetime, get better fuel mileage, and will have a broader torque curve relative to usable powerband. AND it has an integral exhaust brake that works really well. It will also have less depreciation as miles get up over 100k, 150k, 200k, etc.

the 6.4 Ford's fit/finish and interior amenities are miles ahead of the Dodge. The interior of the 2010+ Dodges is a lot nicer than the pre10's but still don't hold a candle to the 08+ Fords

Like I said, don't test drive the Ford and buy the Dodge! LOL

[O.C.]

the 6.7 dodge will have fewer high dollar repairs over it's lifetime, get better fuel mileage, and will have a broader torque curve relative to usable powerband. AND it has an integral exhaust brake that works really well. It will also have less depreciation as miles get up over 100k, 150k, 200k, etc.

the 6.4 Ford's fit/finish and interior amenities are miles ahead of the Dodge. The interior of the 2010+ Dodges is a lot nicer than the pre10's but still don't hold a candle to the 08+ Fords

Like I said, don't test drive the Ford and buy the Dodge! LOL

Is there a big difference between the 5.9 and the 6.7? I have been looking for a Megacab and the ones with the 5.9's are closer to my price range so I wanted to see if there was an advantage or disadvantage between the 5.9 and 6.7

Thanks

[Cooter]

Lots of people will say get the 5.9. Less emissions BS, a little better fuel mileage, etc.

But I would take more torque, better 6sp auto w/ manual mode, integral exhaust brake, etc. of the 6.7

oh, and 06/07 seats suck donkey balls too