Truck Purchase

sargenthp · June 29, 2009

Hello,

I was wondering if I could get your opinion... I am looking to get a crew cab truck because we would like to find a RV Toy Hauler for 2-4 ATV's. We are not looking at the 5th wheel models. From the specs of most toy haulers they seem to say it is 1/2 ton pullable, but I am thinking 8-10k loaded is little much for a 1/2 ton for any good distances. So I am looking at a 3/4 ton, but here is my dilemma... For the money I am looking for a truck in the 2002-2003 year range. But now I am trying to decide on gas or diesel. Do I get the gas with around 95k-100k miles or do I get the diesel with 150k-160k miles for about the same price? If gas which engine (6.0L or 8.1L)?

For the most part this truck will be a family hauler and going back and forth to work with the occasional ATV(s) or RV attached.

Thanks!

davzog · June 29, 2009

Since you are asking for opinions, here you go....

I had a Dodge Cummins diesel and hated it from the time I bought it...smell, noise, expense, and I never got the kind of mileage that folks talk about. After two years I went back to a gasser and am now a happy camper pulling my 12000 pound 5th wheel with a gasser.

For the weight you are talking about, a 1/2 ton will probably pull it but it will be maxed out most of the time.

If you get a HD2500 with 100k miles, the chasis and suspension will probably last a lot longer than a 1500. If the gas engine wears out, it is a heck of a lot cheaper to replace than a diesel by several thousand dollars, even used.

So, if I woke up in your shoes, I would look for the lowest mileage gas 3/4 ton truck I could find....if you could spend a few more dollars, you can probably find one in the 60K miles bracket. Any truck with over 150k miles is going to need a lot of TLC, even if the engine is still solid....go for the GAS!!

Daves2008 · July 4, 2009

what size engine are u running w/ currenty, I have a 2008 silverado 4.8 and i was wondering how it would do towing.

sargenthp · July 5, 2009

I currently have a TrailBlazer EXT with the 4.2L I-6. I have a max towing of 4800 pounds.

Daves2008 · July 5, 2009

I would think if you had the suv, the 1500 would be a far better ability to tow what you need. Campers are always being pulled by f150's unless they are the fith wheel setups. And if you look at what the HP ratings are for an older silverado even the HD , they have about the same HP that i do in my 08 silverado. But if your looking at saving some cash and getting the older style truck, then maybe they are right about going up to a 3/4 style truck. I have 295 hp, and dont know about the tourqe but I would think the 1500 would be fine for your needs, but hopefully you can get a few more members to tell about there trailering exp,,,

Good Luck and please keep us informed on what u decide.

rodram · July 9, 2009

Some of the promotion literature for these toy haulers and travel trailers with a max loaded weight of 8,000-10,000 lbs say they are 1/2Ton pullable... but you still have to check the specs on the 1/2Ton truck... some of the newer, as in 2009+, GM 1500s (probably Ford and Dodge as well) are rated to pull 10,000 lbs, but they have to be equipped with an additional GVW option, larger engine, higher rear axle ratio, trailer tow packages and other options to get them up to that capacity. Your average 1/2Ton is not going to cut it, .... on paper or in reality.

If you are going for something in the 2002-2003 range, then a great selection for trailer hauling, without going all the way up to a 2500HD is the 1500HD (comes in limited options with crew cab, 6L gas engine, GVW 8600lbs).... in 2004 this truck is labelled 2500, then in 2005 GM went back to using the 1500HD label. The 1500HD is not available in the 2007+ New Body Style.

For other 2500HD models, the 8.1L gas engine is great for a work truck and trailer hauling... but for the other 350 days of the year, it is going to suck hard on your gas tank and cost of a lot of unnecessary money for fuel.

Again, for other 2500HD mocels, diesels are great if you are using your truck as a work truck or trailer puller all the time..... or if you just love to own a diesel.

For the truck use you describe, I would recommend the 1500HD (it has a 6.0 L gas) if you can find one... its a crewcab to haul the family around in and it has the power and suspension to handle the trailers you are lokking at....... I will be looking for one myself when I go to upgrade to a newer truck.

Hello,

I was wondering if I could get your opinion... I am looking to get a crew cab truck because we would like to find a RV Toy Hauler for 2-4 ATV's. We are not looking at the 5th wheel models. From the specs of most toy haulers they seem to say it is 1/2 ton pullable, but I am thinking 8-10k loaded is little much for a 1/2 ton for any good distances. So I am looking at a 3/4 ton, but here is my dilemma... For the money I am looking for a truck in the 2002-2003 year range. But now I am trying to decide on gas or diesel. Do I get the gas with around 95k-100k miles or do I get the diesel with 150k-160k miles for about the same price? If gas which engine (6.0L or 8.1L)?

For the most part this truck will be a family hauler and going back and forth to work with the occasional ATV(s) or RV attached.

Thanks!

sargenthp · July 9, 2009

Thanks for all of your responses! We opted to keep the TrailBlazer and get a Popup/Toyhauler that will still haul 2 ATV's and be light enough to tow with it.

1320quick · July 9, 2009

I just recently bought a new (to me) truck as my old 1992 Ford finally gave up the ghost. The toys I tow are an open race car trailer and race car, a truck camper and a boat. Probably nothing over 5500lbs. I do have plans to buy a 24-28 tag enclosed trailer in the future so that will be 10kish loaded. I started my search for a new truck wanting a used diesel. I didn't want to spend more than $15k on the truck. Any of the diesel trucks that fit into my budget had a ton of miles of them. I just didn't want a truck with more than 100K miles on it as they already felt worn out. A lot of the research that I did showed that maintainance and repairs were much more expensive on a diesel than a gas truck. I decided for what I do with a truck, I would buy a gas truck. Don't get me wrong, I love the power of the diesels and if money was not an issue, I would have bought a diesel. I ended up buying a 2003 GMC 2500HD with the 8.1/Allison in it. The truck had less than 12,000 miles on it and I paid $15k for it. So far I have only towed my boat with it but it has great power and is a joy to drive.