your opinions on full size rig for towing and daily driving

[rondo]

I'm looking at purchasing a full size truck soon and want opinions on what to get. I need a rig to tow my jeep to moab a few times a year; something that will also pack a camper. An extra cab would be nice since i have a bambino.

I also need something to drive in to SLC from Tooeeliwy every day for my job; so gas mileage is a concern naturally.

I'm thinking 2wd to save gas. All my rigs are 4x4 so i don't need another one

So 20mpg would be my comfort zone. My neighbor owns a new Tundra that only gets 17mpg and he's bitching about it. I think that's also what Toyota adverts they get so that's out. Plus i want a real full size.

Since i'm a Nissan fan i'd like to get a Titan. But I ain't spending $22,000 or more for a new 2wd. And since they made them only since 2004 there ain't a lot around (except 4x4s it seems). I know a couple of dudes that own 2wds and they get 20-21 when they can keep their lead foot out of that sweet 5.6.

But i'm not married to that brand. I've never owned a full size, so what's better? Dodge? Ford? Chev? A couple of dudes i work with have the F150 4x4 that only gets 16 or 17. Don't know what the 2wd gets?

Or is Diesel a better option? Since i want to keep this purchase price to around $18,000 or less, that leaves me with an older diesel with high miles. Bad idea? Never owned a diesel either but my neighbor who owns a big dodge 4x4 diesel can't say enough good things about it (but it doesn't even get 20mpg). Of course one of my best pals says the cost of maintaining and fixing a diesel is too high to justify the cost of one (and he's a diesel mechanic).

help

 

[Kiel]

You could get into a powerstroke for that around 2000-01 around 80-100k miles. Thats for 4wd. 2wd would be about 2-3 grand less

 

[Tacoma]

I don't think you can do better meeting your requirements than with a diesel. 20mpg is on the high end of mileage for a towrig/DD though. Personally, I need to see 13mpg out of my diesel to make it worth it, I hopefully won't have any trouble meeting that at all.

but yeah, maintenance costs ya a bit.

 

[Tacoma]

PS MBryson would like to get out of his truck. Get in touch w/him. It's perty nice.

 

[78mitsu]

01-02 duramaxes are starting to be re-sold, I'd look for one of them 19-23 MPG on the highway empty. and gets good fuel mileage pulling a camper or trailer etc. My next truck will be a 3/4-1 ton duramax.

 

[chadr]

I am getting my POPCORN ready on this one!!!

 

[Jay5.9L]

This is going to be a big thread LOL

I just sold my ZJ for the same reason you have (need a DD and a occasional tow rig for my CJ). I ended up with a 2004 2500 Ram quad cab gasser. I'm getting about 14/15 MPG which is not really that bad for a 6000 lbs truck. If you not towing much you could get away with any 1/2 ton truck and get a little better milage. I went with the 3/4 ton for the stronger frame/axles/brakes/etc. It cost a little more but I like having the extra insurance.

 

[I Lean]

A manual transmission will get you better mileage, whether gas or diesel. Some people aren't willing to deal with the "hassle" of shifting though, and would prefer to sacrifice the mileage and reliablility.

My 2000 Powerstroke 4x4 gets 17-18 in mixed driving, for MPG reference. I daily drive an Accord because of that. Similar Cummins-equipped trucks seem to get 2-3 MPG better than the Fords.

 

[Seth]

I have been driving diesels since 97 and would never go back to gas, but I tow a ton. For your case, I would say maybe the new hemi, it shuts down four cylinders when you are cruising. One of my friends was getting 25mpg on hwy 6 coming back from moab this spring. You would need to get a 05-06 to get that option though. It might be worth it with 0% financing though. *shrugs*... run the numbers.

One friend purchased a Titan. It is 2 years old with ~40k on it and he blew up the rear end. All he does is haul 55 gal drums around. Kinda makes me thin twice about that truck.

And get a 4x4. The first snow will remind you why that is handy.

 

[AINT SKEERED]

01-02 duramaxes are starting to be re-sold, I'd look for one of them 19-23 MPG on the highway empty. and gets good fuel mileage pulling a camper or trailer etc. My next truck will be a 3/4-1 ton duramax.

I agree.

 

[Seth]

01-02 duramaxes are starting to be re-sold, I'd look for one of them 19-23 MPG on the highway empty. and gets good fuel mileage pulling a camper or trailer etc. My next truck will be a 3/4-1 ton duramax.

This is true. That engine is the one to have.

 

[mbryson]

This is true. That engine is the one to have.

too bad about the rest of the truck

 

[AINT SKEERED]

too bad about the rest of the truck

I know your opinion on the looks of the vehicle, which I disagree with, but it is a very solid drivetrain.

 

[Shawn]

I'll keep my CTD,,

 

[mbryson]

Rondo: I drive my crewcab PowerJoke daily. Woods Cross-downtown SLC----maybe 10 miles? If I can stay out of heavy traffic and keep freeway speed, I get 15.5-17 on my commute with the auto trans. Pretty bitchin' IMHO for a 8000 lb. pickup that can tow a jeep on the trailer over summits at 65 mph +. Good luck getting a full size over 20 mpg that will be able to tow well. I hear of folk with the small GM motor (4.6L?) in the '99-current IFS trucks nearing that mark, but that'll be a little lacking with some weight on the bumper (as I'd assume that particular truck came with lighter duty springs than a normal towing package truck would).

I know your opinion on the looks of the vehicle, which I disagree with, but it is a very solid drivetrain.

I like the motor, tranny (if you can still get a manual trans) and rear axle. For the most part, it's hard to go wrong with the General, but they've just got too much electronic foofoo junk in them (and I really HATE the IFS 'feel' on the road---the track width expanding is just too funky for me--my F*rd does 'bounce' a little with the leaf springs, but I'd rather have that---The '03 newer Dodges drive NICE).


I'm out.....everybody knows my opinions on the GM trucks. They built the best out there until '88....... You've got a 4WD Caprice now with an open trunk.

 

[AINT SKEERED]

I like the motor, tranny (if you can still get a manual trans) and rear axle. For the most part, it's hard to go wrong with the General, but they've just got too much electronic foofoo junk in them (and I really HATE the IFS 'feel' on the road---the track width expanding is just too funky for me--my F*rd does 'bounce' a little with the leaf springs, but I'd rather have that---The '03 newer Dodges drive NICE).


I'm out.....everybody knows my opinions on the GM trucks. They built the best out there until '88....... You've got a 4WD Caprice now with an open trunk.

I agree about the electronic garbage, but you cant get away from it no matter the brand. My brothers Dodge drives like poo, granted its lifted but still.

 

[tj0llll0]

My Mom has a hemi in a Durango (I think thats what it is) which I barrowed to do some towing with. It only got about 17mpg going from Reno to Vegas, with a U-Haul trailer, and she only gets about 12 around town. Hers does have full-time 4X4 and I dont know if it is new enough to have the cylinder shut-down.
Just passing along what little info I can share

John in Vegas

 

[AINT SKEERED]

... It only got about 17mpg going from Reno to Vegas, with a U-Haul trailer...

Youre complaing about 17mpg from a 340 horse V8 while towing a trailer?


I dont get 17 mpg in my cherokee.

 

[mbryson]

I agree about the electronic garbage, but you cant get away from it no matter the brand. My brothers Dodge drives like poo, granted its lifted but still.

Honestly, I think the Dodge 2500/3500 ('03 to current) drives at least as well as the GM HD trucks without the IFS gayness.

 

[AINT SKEERED]

Honestly, I think the Dodge 2500/3500 ('03 to current) drives at least as well as the GM HD trucks without the IFS gayness.

His might be an '02, its the newer body style. And it wasnt THAT bad, I just wasnt as impressed as I thought I should have been given how much the damn thing cost and the comparable options.

I do like the styling of the new Fords, its the drivetrain that steers me away.

I want an auto anyway so the no 6 speed thing is no big deal.

Part of what I like most about the Duramaxes I admit is that they flat haul ass. A Duramax with 6 people in the cab will beat most anything off the line and through the intersection.