Posted by Eric B. on Tuesday, November 12, 2002 at 12:26PM :
In Reply to: Power Wagon Hauler\Truck purchase suggestions posted by rick on Monday, November 11, 2002 at 11:31PM :
That is a Cummins 5 speed, 4wd, club cab.
If cost, towing weight, milage, etc are all added up, I think buying a used truck, 1-3 years old is your best bet. Look for a clean one that was used as a ranchers Cadilac(never towed, just driven to town). I bought my 97 with 135,000 miles on it for $13,000 early this year. So far I had to rebuild the front end, change the tires, replace the clutch, and have the motor tuned.
If I had bought one a couple years newer I could have saved some of that expense in repair by spending a more up front.
The 3/4 tons will work just fine for your smaller needs(I am normally two trucks up, 24,000-26,000 lbs GVW) and are MUCH cheaper, you could get into a real nice used one for $10,000-$15,000. You may have to travel to get a good deal, but it may be worth it in the long run.
I bought mine in OK, I live in WI.
The V10, while a gas hog, is also a nice motor. I used to drive a dualy V10, it did fine for the 15,000 GVW I was towing, and I am sure it could have handled more. I liked it better for power, and it got a bit better milage then the 454 Chevy we had.
I have heard nothing terrible about the ford, or chevy for your type of use(I have heard bad things about them in my harder use, but I have no info on the newer models), and I am sure they have good choices for your needs.
But stay away from the small motors if you can, I used to use a 3/4 ton 93 Chevy 350, auto, and it could BARILY tow the weight of 1 car on a trailer up a hill(I was hauling water and stone, but same weight), I always took the 1 ton with the 454 if I could, or the V10.
Empty fuel milage was not that different, and the towing was SO much easier with the big motors.
Good luck!
Eric