Tow Rig consideration

[TigerStripe40]

I have pretty much decided that if I want to do any more extreme wheeling, that it would be a good idea to get myself a tow rig and flat bed trailer.

I have a budget of about $16,000 to spend on a tow rig.
I want a Diesel, as I am considering making BioDiesel or running SVO/WVO.

Not going to consider a gas V8.

currentyl, I am waffling between a 98+ Ford F250 with PSD or a 98+ Dodge Ram 2500 with a Cummins.

This rig will also be a Daily Driver.

Please discuss pros and cons of each. Which will get me the best fuel economy while unloaded? Which will be the better rig to tow my 5000lbs Land Cruiser with?

Thanks!

 

[mbryson]

I have pretty much decided that if I want to do any more extreme wheeling, that it would be a good idea to get myself a tow rig and flat bed trailer.

I have a budget of about $16,000 to spend on a tow rig.
I want a Diesel, as I am considering making BioDiesel or running SVO/WVO.

Not going to consider a gas V8.

currentyl, I am waffling between a 98+ Ford F250 with PSD or a 98+ Dodge Ram 2500 with a Cummins.

This rig will also be a Daily Driver.

Please discuss pros and cons of each. Which will get me the best fuel economy while unloaded? Which will be the better rig to tow my 5000lbs Land Cruiser with?

Thanks!

Honestly, it all boils down to the cab configuration. I'd go for the Cummins (and wouldn't leave out a 12 valve Club cab---'98.5 and newer are 24 valve) but wouldn't rule out a PSD if you came across a nice truck you liked. (you're also not going to find a '98 F*rd--they started the new body style in '98 as a '99 model)

I think you'll have to go drive them and decide what you like and dislike. Don't let anybody talk you into buying unless you are ready. There's a cool dealership in Am. Fork that will pretty much let you drive any truck on the lot to give you a feel of what you like/dislike and they're banking on the low pressure will help them make a sale.

Personally, I'd get a MANUAL trans Ford (crew) or Dodge (ext. cab) with some lower miles (under 150K) in a color/configuration I liked that hadn't been 'beat'. They both have almost equivilent advantages/disadvantages, so if you just get something you like, you'll over look the other issues. Both are good trucks and will give a long service life if properly cared for.

 

[Jinx]

It seems like there is a mom and pop dealership in Lehi that has a lot of diesel trucks, good place to look. Or talk to big sgt? I think he works at a dealership.

I would definitely go with a manual transmission, the automatics don't seem to hold up.

Good luck, I love my CTD...

 

[mesha]

I have a cummins and my best friend just bought a Powerstroke. They are both great trucks and I think you will be happy with both. My truck gets a little better gas mileage than his does. We paid close to the same amount and mine had 25,000 less miles. I think his is a little faster than mine empty.
Mine tracks a little better and tows a little faster. Understand that this might be just in our case. I love both trucks. For what it's worth.

 

[Caleb]

I think for the most part (of course there are exceptions) you will find a PSD cheaper but the cummins get better MPG...I have a 99 PSD and love it but would have gotten a cummins had I come across a great deal. Another thing like Marc mentioned is cab configuration, if you want a crew cab you are going to have to get a Ford (unless you get the newest dodge body style but thats no tin your budget)...I get around 14-16mpg wether I am loaded or empty...

 

[RockMonkey]

What MBryson said. I will just stress that you get a MANUAL transmission if you want it to last a long time. Neither Ford nor Dodge seem to be able to stick an automatic transmission behind a deisel and make it last. Obviously, I am partial to the Dodge, but both are excellent trucks.

 

[Vonski]

My g'friend and I actually bought a tow rig last week, and we went with the Ford. For just under $16,000, I found a '99 F250 (first year of the Superduty body style and the F250's had a solid axle instead of TTB), 6-speed manual tranny, crew cab, short bed.

The fact that we needed a crew cab made up my mind. Of course, Dodge offered crew cabs in 2003, but those were way out of our budget.

Having said all that, the crew cab dilema got me into a Ford (that I really like). Otherwise, I would have gotten the Dodge.

 

[bryson]

Why not consider a '97 or older model in either make???

The older diesels still kick a$$, and you can find very clean trucks at much lower prices...

 

[TRD270]

I'd go for the Cummins (and wouldn't leave out a 12 valve Club cab---'98.5 and newer are 24 valve)

Why would you leave out the 12V?????

Yeah it doesn't have as much horsepower or torque from the factory, but you can sure as hell give it more power for a hell of a lot cheaper than a 24V.

My 12V would smoke any 24V I met on the road and I didn't have to spend a dime to give it more power.

Also 12V are much more reliable being mechanical and you don't have to worry about replacing your lift pump and injection pump that run $1500 bones apiece.


If you want to see what diesel mechanic's drive come down to joes diesel and you will see 7 12V dodge's no 24V and certainly no powerstrokes.

 

[bryson]

Why would you leave out the 12V?????

Yeah it doesn't have as much horsepower or torque from the factory, but you can sure as hell give it more power for a hell of a lot cheaper than a 24V.

My 12V would smoke any 24V I met on the road and I didn't have to spend a dime to give it more power.

Also 12V are much more reliable being mechanical and you don't have to worry about replacing your lift pump and injection pump that run $1500 bones apiece.


If you want to see what diesel mechanic's drive come down to joes diesel and you will see 7 12V dodge's no 24V and certainly no powerstrokes.

Not to argue, but If I am not mistaken, 12V's have lift and injector pumps...and the injector pumps are still plenty pricey.

I know plenty of diesel mechanics out at Freightliner and such that sold 12V's to buy 24V's...and some that even own Powerstrokes.

OK...so maybe I am arguing.

 

[TigerStripe40]

Not to argue, but If I am not mistaken, 12V's have lift and injector pumps...and the injector pumps are still plenty pricey.

I know plenty of diesel mechanics out at Freightliner and such that sold 12V's to buy 24V's...and some that even own Powerstrokes.

OK...so maybe I am arguing.

It depends on the injector pump. Still 700-800 for a rebuilt unit.

FWIW, I came VERY close to buying TRD270's truck, but I absolutly need to have 4 wheel drive.

 

[DToy]

Also 12V are much more reliable being mechanical and you don't have to worry about replacing your lift pump and injection pump that run $1500 bones apiece.

Actually it's only the injection pump that runs close to $1500...the lift pump only runs about $150 . I have a '99 Cummins 24V Quad cab auto and haven't had a moments trouble with it. I bought it with 54K on it and it's almost at 100K now and still going strong. If you want alot of interior room go for the Ford though. Either one will serve you well if you find one that hasn't been trashed and you take care of it. Plenty of mods that you can do to either one.

 

[Ken]

Get a duramax!!!! chevy all the way.

 

[BCGPER]

If you're on a budget, I'd rule out the bio-fuel for now. Let the deep pocket boys perfect it, then reap the benefits in 5 years or so. As far as a commuting truck goes, how far do you commute? I know personally, a gasser works better for my short commute then a diesel, and I've owned both.

I presently drive a V-10 SD as my daily driver. I have two different work trucks, that I really beat the hell out of. A 24V Cummins, and a Powerstroke. The Cummins has been a great truck, but after 200,000 miles, the truck is shot. The engine still runs great, but everything else is garbage.

The power stroke at 170,000 is down quite a bit on power, and starting to use some oil, but the truck itself is still tight as the day it was new. As much as it pains me, being a Chevy guy and all, it's a toss up between the Cummins and the Powerstroke. Maintence costs have been about equal on the two trucks. The Ford is in the shop more, but when the Cummins goes in it's usually $1000 to get it back.

As far as towing, both are similar in power, but the Ford handles much better. My un-scientific reason for this is the Dodges Front Control arms. The front caster angle changes when the front springs are unloaded as in towing a heavy tounge weight.

Now, why rule out gas??? Granted, every Cummins owner touts 45MPG towing 20,000 pounds doing 90MPH over Parley's, at 11MPG in my V-10, I figure that Diesel engine will pay for itself in about 200,000 miles. I'm sure I wont be driving this truck then.

Bottom line, as said before, look at the "Truck" first (cab, mileage, condition, ect), then worry bout the engine...... And, if you look at a V-10 Ford, if it doesn't have 4.30 gears, just walk away.... Oh and for what it's worth, I'm a diesel mechanic by trade and wont own one.....

I have pretty much decided that if I want to do any more extreme wheeling, that it would be a good idea to get myself a tow rig and flat bed trailer.

I have a budget of about $16,000 to spend on a tow rig.
I want a Diesel, as I am considering making BioDiesel or running SVO/WVO.

Not going to consider a gas V8.

currentyl, I am waffling between a 98+ Ford F250 with PSD or a 98+ Dodge Ram 2500 with a Cummins.

This rig will also be a Daily Driver.

Please discuss pros and cons of each. Which will get me the best fuel economy while unloaded? Which will be the better rig to tow my 5000lbs Land Cruiser with?

Thanks!

 

[TRD270]

Actually it's only the injection pump that runs close to $1500...the lift pump only runs about $150 . I have a '99 Cummins 24V Quad cab auto and haven't had a moments trouble with it. I bought it with 54K on it and it's almost at 100K now and still going strong. If you want alot of interior room go for the Ford though. Either one will serve you well if you find one that hasn't been trashed and you take care of it. Plenty of mods that you can do to either one.

My 12V had almost 300k on it no problems.

We have some 12V's at work that have over 800K.

We also have a 24V's that has over 400k but the lift and injector pumps have been replaced 6 times.

But hey if you want a 24 no biggy I would take a 24V cummins over a powerstroke or duramax. But when I buy another one it will be a 12V.

 

[bobdog]

Not to argue, but If I am not mistaken, 12V's have lift and injector pumps...and the injector pumps are still plenty pricey.

I know plenty of diesel mechanics out at Freightliner and such that sold 12V's to buy 24V's...and some that even own Powerstrokes.

OK...so maybe I am arguing.

You are correct, but there is not really an argument to be made that the later 24 valve rotery injection pumps are in even the same league as the inline bosch pumps that can be found on some of the 12V engines. The 24 V engines are better but the rotary injection pumps were a compromise for cost. Cummins could have used an inline bosch pump like they used on the 12V engines but it would have cost more.

 

[BCGPER]

First an XJ, now A Ford???? I see a Chrysler Mini-Van in your future....
(remember the crap I got from you for buying Ford?)

My g'friend and I actually bought a tow rig last week, and we went with the Ford. For just under $16,000, I found a '99 F250 (first year of the Superduty body style and the F250's had a solid axle instead of TTB), 6-speed manual tranny, crew cab, short bed.

The fact that we needed a crew cab made up my mind. Of course, Dodge offered crew cabs in 2003, but those were way out of our budget.

Having said all that, the crew cab dilema got me into a Ford (that I really like). Otherwise, I would have gotten the Dodge.

 

[Shawn]

First an XJ, now A Ford???? I see a Chrysler Mini-Van in your future....

 

[mbryson]

Why would you leave out the 12V?????

Yeah it doesn't have as much horsepower or torque from the factory, but you can sure as hell give it more power for a hell of a lot cheaper than a 24V.

My 12V would smoke any 24V I met on the road and I didn't have to spend a dime to give it more power.

Also 12V are much more reliable being mechanical and you don't have to worry about replacing your lift pump and injection pump that run $1500 bones apiece.


If you want to see what diesel mechanic's drive come down to joes diesel and you will see 7 12V dodge's no 24V and certainly no powerstrokes.

Hold on there......I'd take EITHER Cummins. The 24 valve are NOISY as he!!, but pretty decent and the 12 valve are VERY easy to mod and in the cheaper range.

 

[N-Smooth]

Hold on there......I'd take EITHER Cummins. The 24 valve are NOISY as he!!, but pretty decent and the 12 valve are VERY easy to mod and in the cheaper range.

don't count on the 12v being cheaper than 24v, i've been looking at ctds for 3-6 months and most of the 12v were more expensive because the dealers all say it is the best motor ever!!!!
so i bought a 24v that was a year newer with less miles and had a lot of extras for barely more than a 12v i was looking at.