Tow vehicle opinions

[CJ Matt]

The time has come (sadly) for me to get rid of my Dakota and buy something bigger for towing my Jeep. With the current gas prices my truck sits in the garage most of the time so I don’t want to spend the money on a new truck. I have never liked diesel trucks but I know that they will do a better job towing. I know they will do better then the 8-9 MPG towing that I get with the Dakota.

If you where in the market for a used truck what would you buy? What issues have you seen with the trucks that are out there? I know Dodge has issues with the rotors. I have seen a lot of trucks in the 10,000-15,000 range that would suit my purpose, basically 250’s and 2500’s

What kind of MPG do you get towing?

 

[sixb]

Are you looking for a 2wd, 4wd, single cab, ext cab or crew cab? How much weight are you pullin, also is it for pullin only?

If I was lookin for a cheap pullin truck I would look at the 94-98 Dodge diesel. I think one could be had for under 10k these days and are very reliable and simple.

 

[CJ Matt]

I'm guessing the Jeep and trailer are 6,000-7,000 pound range. I am hoping to get something with less the 100,000 miles on it and it would be almost solely for towing. I would also like it to be 4WD extended cab or maybe crew cab but not with a full size bed, that is just too big. If I am not towing I only drive my truck once every couple of weeks and it would be the same for the next one. I bought a car that gets good MPG for a daily driver.

 

[LT.]

It is tough to beat a Dodge Diesel. But, don't be fooled into buying anything newer than an 06. Shortly after the year for 07 everything came with the DPF filter in the exhaust. These are no good. Now there are ways to delete the DPF but then you may run into issues at the dealership.

LT.

 

[sixb]

Since you can afford to park it I vote for a diesel with a manual tranny. The 12v cummins is hard to beat and truck prices are in your favor.

 

[CJ Matt]

Thanks for the inputs and votes. I will see what I can find tomorrow.

 

[mbryson]

diesel: If you're looking for a '99-03, I'd get a F*rd 7.3L. If you're '03 or newer, I'd get the Dodge. Just my opinion. Oh, and if I bought another 7.3L F*rd, I'd get the longbed (bigger fuel tank by 10 gallons), stickshift and the F350. I've got a F250, shortbed, auto and it's been fine, but those are the things I would change. Personally, I like the stick transfer case lever vs. the sometimes problematic switch.

gasser:.... I dunno. I've always been partial to Chevy, but am not a fan of their trucks since about '88. 460 F*rds are dowright decent trucks. If you can deal with the IFS, there's nothing wrong with the 454. Dodge gassers are kinda weak from what I hear, but I don't have any personal experience. The V10 would be kinda interesting, but I'm not a fan of the short production run. Usually that means more expensive parts if it does break.

I've thought more than once about snagging a later model V10 F*rd truck with a stick.

 

[Greg]

...I've thought more than once about snagging a later model V10 F*rd truck with a stick.

We have a couple Ford V10 work trucks and they're pretty bad... no power AND horrible mileage, great combo Ford! They have all been autos and F350's, but I'm not sure how much difference that makes.


I'd say a '99+ Dodge Cummins with a 5 speed. Better brakes than the previous models, 5 speeds are trouble free. I usually got 19-20 MPG with my '98 and '99. I bought a '03 and wish I would have kept my older truck.

 

[mbryson]

We have a couple Ford V10 work trucks and they're pretty bad... no power AND horrible mileage, great combo Ford! They have all been autos and F350's, but I'm not sure how much difference that makes.

I've not driven a stick V10, but I'm not a huge fan of the auto V10. I had hope, but I'm not sure it's as a cool as the 460? Those that own the V10 seem to think they're pretty decent, though.

I'd say a '99+ Dodge Cummins with a 5 speed. Better brakes than the previous models, 5 speeds are trouble free. I usually got 19-20 MPG with my '98 and '99. I bought a '03 and wish I would have kept my older truck.

I LOVE my dad's '05 (?).

 

[Meat_]

I've not driven a stick V10, but I'm not a huge fan of the auto V10. I had hope, but I'm not sure it's as a cool as the 460? Those that own the V10 seem to think they're pretty decent, though.
.

What did you ever pull with a late model 460? I'm pretty sure that a 4.0HO has more real world power.... and double the mileage of a 460.

 

[mbryson]

What did you ever pull with a late model 460? I'm pretty sure that a 4.0HO has more real world power.... and double the mileage of a 460.

I've had a semi-lightweight fifth wheel keep up with me a few times. They're not quite a 454, but they aren't too bad from what I could tell as I passed them.

 

[Meat_]

I've found the 90's 351s to have more power than the 460s in the same year

 

[mbryson]

I've found the 90's 351s to have more power than the 460s in the same year

....and I've always thought the 351 was a total waste of a motor


(well, maybe not that bad, but...)

 

[Meat_]

....and I've always thought the 351 was a total waste of a motor


(well, maybe not that bad, but...)

Depends on which 351 we are talking about

 

[mbryson]

Depends on which 351 we are talking about

I thought we were talking about FI 351 W that would be available in an '80s-90s???

 

[Jinx]

cummins with a 5 speed or 6 speed is hard to beat.

STAY AWAY from the autos if you are looking for dependability

7.3 powerstokes are pretty cool, the 6.0 powerstokes seemed to have a lot of troubles...


Then again I have this picture of a late 70's early 80's baby blue chev 3/4ton making a lot of trips to moab. I think I put more in to diesel in two fill ups than olly paid for that truck...

 

[Jinx]

oh yeah, i get 16mpg with one rig and 11-12mpg with two rigs on behind. The way I drive really affects the numbers though. These are the avg.

99 cummins 5 spd xcab long bed

 

[sixb]

....and I've always thought the 351 was a total waste of a motor


(well, maybe not that bad, but...)

The 351 was a great motor as long as you don't pull anything. I bought a 97 f250 new in Nov. of 96 and drove till 04 and put 158K on it so i know. On logging roads I would use four low just for the power not the terrian, in 4 high it would stall to easy. All stock with 4.10s it would pull parleys with a 2 horse trailer and 2 horses at about 30mph. My Dodge will do it with a 10' gooseneck stock trailer and 2 horses at the speedlimit in 6th. My brother swears by the 7.3 psd and has had good luck with them, the main problem I have with the psd and duramax is cost of repairs. Somthing as simple as injectors for a Dodge can be had for as little as 300.00 for all 6 plus 1.5-2.0 hrs labor. My brothers psd injectors cost over 2g installed and I here the d-max is even worse.

 

[Meat_]

You guys forget that Ford sported two entirely different 351s, 1 = suck arse the other 1 = better than a 460

A friend of mine had one of the crappy variant 351s, to pull a 6 horse stock trailer full of cows to Spanish Fork for auction, he had to use low range ON LEVEL GROUND.... it was that way from the day it was new.

 

[CJ Matt]

It's a done deal. I bought an 05 Dodge SLT, Cummins, auto with 63,000 miles for $19,000. I hate to see the Dakota go but I needed a better tow rig. I will post a couple pics when I take them. I know a lot of you said get the manual but I prefer the auto and it should easily hold up to my driving. I won't be putting many miles on it either.