Community Forums

ready2leave · 07-08-2019, 01:25 PM

Looking for a two vehicle. Going to get a 3/4 ton or 1 ton, not particular of the make more interesting in the model. I need to buy a used one, and my budget is quite limited. I need to stay below $15,000. That will leave me in a truck with 100k+ miles, what should I watch out for, what should I avoid, etc. Any help is appreciated.

Thanks

mrgrayaz · 07-08-2019, 03:07 PM

For what? What kind of rig are you going to be towing? What are the weights?

At that price I would simply entirely ignore diesel and get a more modern gasser. You'll be able to afford a vehicle years newer and with much lower repair bills.

tuffr2 · 07-08-2019, 04:23 PM

If you are starting from scratch why a 3/4 to 1 ton truck.

If I wanted to go full time and it was only me I would get a used 1/2 ton truck and a relatively small easy to tow, easy to cool, easy to heat travel trailer.

I started learning about trucks in 2011. Before 2011 I test drove a bunch of trucks in 2006. In 2006 I though all trucks were junk. I still think that way...sorry but I do. They were all under powered, rust buckets with crappy frames.

2011 was the year I looked at trucks again and Ford had the best engines. In 1/2 ton trucks I guess the 2009 Ford F-150 was ok but no where as good as the 2011.

So tell us more about what you are trying to do. How many people?

Normal_Dave · 07-08-2019, 05:12 PM

Look for something like this. It might take a fly and buy to get something decent in your price range, and geography.
https://tucson.craigslist.org/cto/d/...924712497.html

Jshopes81 · 07-08-2019, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tuffr2

If you are starting from scratch why a 3/4 to 1 ton truck.

If I wanted to go full time and it was only me I would get a used 1/2 ton truck and a relatively small easy to tow, easy to cool, easy to heat travel trailer.

I started learning about trucks in 2011. Before 2011 I test drove a bunch of trucks in 2006. In 2006 I though all trucks were junk. I still think that way...sorry but I do. They were all under powered, rust buckets with crappy frames.

2011 was the year I looked at trucks again and Ford had the best engines. In 1/2 ton trucks I guess the 2009 Ford F-150 was ok but no where as good as the 2011.

So tell us more about what you are trying to do. How many people?

Im in the exact opposite boat. I wouldnt own anything newer than 07 or 08. You can fix the older stuff for cheap and you can actually work on it. Ive driven new peterbilts that will about scrape the front bumper from the torque twisting the frame so that doesnt bother me either.

Ill definately agree though we need more information. What are you pulling, where are you pulling it, and how often. Under 15k sounds like youre either looking at a gasser or an old ford diesel since despite their shortcomings you wont get either of the other 2 builders that cheap and not be ragged out.

Normal_Dave · 07-09-2019, 01:16 AM

At one point you had considered a class A. Finding a good one in your price range would be tough.

Here's an old school solution. Blue Bird Wanderlodge. In their day, top of the line, this one appears nicely redone, in your neck of the woods.
https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/c...902930995.html
===========

Or, this old 7.3L Ford F250 diesel:
https://eauclaire.craigslist.org/rvs...921338798.html

combined with this nice old Arctic Fox trailer: (these are heavy...)
https://stcloud.craigslist.org/rvs/d...925654370.html

ready2leave · 07-09-2019, 06:32 AM

Thanks for all the responses. I will try to answer as many questions as possible. Some of the questions I still do not have an answer for.

I am planning on getting a TT and going full time, location, time at location, etc are all TBD and will depend how I like the location, cost of living, and potential income. I definitely plan on chasing the seasons.

I have been looking at a few different floor plans The Winnebago 2500FL(GVWR 7,000lbs) is the front runner right now, but have looked at arctic fox and others. I figured I would get a 3/4 or a 1 ton truck just to give myself the extra towing capacity should I end up in a heavier trailer, or decide to upgrade down the road. I know I could get away with a 1/2 ton if that trailer is what I end up with but I need to find a truck in the next month or so. I currently have a lease that is up at the end of August and need a new vehicle so now is my opportunity to buy one. As soon as I have the truck I can purchase the trailer and hit the road.

My thinking on this may be completely wrong, that is why I am here.

TXiceman · 07-09-2019, 07:19 AM

What ever you do, do not get a 6.0L or a 6.4L Ford diesel. The 6.0L will work ONLY if it has been "bullet Proofed".

Ken

tuffr2 · 07-09-2019, 07:41 AM

I looked at living cheaply and here was my plan. Got to get onto BLM land in Arizona. Winter at lower elevations and summer in higher elevations. I looked a few years ago and it cost $180/six months for a permit.

Quartzite AZ in the winter would have all the RV support you would need. In the summer Flagstaff AZ would be a good place, maybe in a campground some of the time, BLM land the other.

That truck from NormalDave looks like a nice truck. A new(ish) 6.8litre V10. A gas hog for sure but the value is right. I think I would buy that truck over any diesel of that same age. You do need to get out of the rust belt to find a clean truck.

Good luck

Jcgonzal · 07-09-2019, 11:02 AM

Ready2leave, I sent you a PM.

redhooker · 07-09-2019, 07:13 PM

As said above, stay away fro the Ford 6.0 and 6.4 motors. You can find 7.3s in up to 2003 models and only in some as that was the first year of the 6.0 but you could still special order a truck with a 7.3.

In your budget perhaps a Chevy/GMC from 2006 to 2008. Best years of the Duramax and 2006 is the first year to get the six speed Allison.

Jshopes81 · 07-09-2019, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXiceman

What ever you do, do not get a 6.0L or a 6.4L Ford diesel. The 6.0L will work ONLY if it has been "bullet Proofed".

Ken

By this statement i cant even understand how mine just drug my 10k travel trailer from pittsburgh to cape hateras and then on to st. Augustine florida. Its headed to the keys in 2 days. I just cant figure it out.

Jshopes81 · 07-09-2019, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redhooker

As said above, stay away fro the Ford 6.0 and 6.4 motors. You can find 7.3s in up to 2003 models and only in some as that was the first year of the 6.0 but you could still special order a truck with a 7.3.

In your budget perhaps a Chevy/GMC from 2006 to 2008. Best years of the Duramax and 2006 is the first year to get the six speed Allison.

How the heck have i put 2000 miles on my 6.0 this week? I just dont get it. 10.5 mpg pulling the same trailer a 17 dodge with the 6.7 gets 8.5mpg pulling. Im dumbfounded at this point.

tuffr2 · 07-10-2019, 03:53 AM

How much work did you do on your 6.0? Those International engines are known to have issues no matter if yours went 2,000 trouble free miles or not.

If you work on that engine enough you can keep it running by fixing all the known weak areas.

You can watch the Long Long Honeymoon on Youtube where the Truck 'SeeMore' was so called bullet proofed. I think 'SeeMore' might have a 6.0 diesel.

Yep, you are old school.