Time for a New Truck

JeffandTamara · Dec 24, 2011

I am beginning my search for a new truck. To start I don't put a lot of miles on the truck, My current truck is a 1999 S10 4x4. with 68,000 miles. I have it set up to pull my trailer and Tractor I bought as a package in 2007. I am guessing the tractor weighs in about 5,500 or so. Since 2007, I have had pulled it about 5 times to my brothers house about 6 miles away...So although I spent a little money to get in setup to hual, I haven't had to do it often. I think the S10 was rated for 5,500 tow capacity, so I am exceeding the limit, which is not good. The Tractor Dealer is about 30 miles away, so I would be reluctant to haul it that far with my truck. As an alternative, I could just pay the dealer a fee to come and get it. My thinking is if I had a decent setup truck, I would find more reasons to haul it to other places..

My goal is to find a truck that I could set up to handle pulling this load, but more importantly get the best Gas Mileage available because I pull with it so infrequently. I am sure this is the ultimate trade off everyone is searching for, but I thought I would start here to get input from people that use there trucks for this kind of thing a lot more than I do..

I am going to start looking at the mfg web sites for new, but , I should consider used as well... The truck I had before this one was a 1979 Chevy 4x4, so it looks like I am keeping them for 10 years, so cost per year might not be too bad it you look at that way...
Any ideas/ advice from folks that have been down this road would be appreciated.

Bird · Dec 24, 2011

I'm sure some will disagree, but for the amount of towing you do, I'd be looking for a full size half ton pickup with a 6 cylinder engine.

JD230511 · Dec 24, 2011

Ever considered a diesel truck?? I don't do a lot of tow/hauling but when I do I'm glad I have a diesel. I have a dodge diesel. Mileage in the truck ( lie o meter) says 22.4 mpg. Don't know how true it is but if it's right I think that good for a one ton diesel. Mpg is higher in the warmer months cause I don't leave the truck run as often as I do in the winter months. In my area ( Indiana ) diesel have a really good resale value. I have seen them with tons of miles on them and still want 18xxx-22xxx for them.

slowzuki · Dec 24, 2011

Nearly complete waste of money to buy a diesel with such low mileage being driven. I'd agree with Bird, 1/2 ton with the small V-6. A tacoma could work too but would need the V-6 model, lots of money for it too.

deerefan · Dec 24, 2011

slowzuki said:
Nearly complete waste of money to buy a diesel with such low mileage being driven. I'd agree with Bird, 1/2 ton with the small V-6. A tacoma could work too but would need the V-6 model, lots of money for it too.

The nissan frontier has a pretty good capacity with the V6. The twin turbo V6 from ford tows plenty and get good mileage empty.

RobertN · Dec 24, 2011

I'm with Bird; a 1/2 ton with a six would work great. Of course, I would be thinking used, and would look at an older Ford with the big inline six; can you say stump puller?

I would ask what else you'll do with the truck? That may be a better overall indicator of what trucks to look at.

I like my diesel, but for what little you describe so far, it would not be worth the money. First, for the extra expense of the diesel, or the cost of fuel. Diesel is 60 cents more expensive in my area, than regular...

The other thing, 3/4 ton parts cost more... I am about ready for tires; "E" rated tires are definitely more expensive than tires for a 1/2 ton.

Other question, is do you need a new truck? What about a used beater "ranch" truck for towing the tractor and other chores where you will dent and scratch it up(hunting, fishing, hauling firewood or gravel ect...). Keep you good mileage S10 for the rest of your needs.

hodge · Dec 24, 2011

I have to agree with the consensus- a diesel wouldn't be the wisest choice, considering how you will use the truck and what new ones cost. Plus, maintenance on a diesel is more expensive. Back in the late 90's, Ford had done a study, and found that an owner would need to drive 32,000 miles a year to justify the added cost of the diesel option. Back then, diesel fuel was cheaper than gasoline...
If you have move the tractor with and S10, then a full size 1/2 ton truck will be a jump up. I kind of disagree, though, about the 6 cylinder. It sounds like you will be towing the trailer/tractor more, which will be a workout for a 6 cylinder. When you work them that hard, your fuel mileage goes in the toilet, plus it shortens their life. If you don't tow much, then it would make sense; if you do tow often (in the future), then a moderate V-8 will tow better, and get about the same mileage as a 6. I love the 4.9 inline 6 in the Fords- I've owned 4 of them, and my father has owned 4 or 5. But, they have their limits, and when worked, really like gasoline.
Besides, if you are looking at new trucks, today's V-8's blow the older 6's away in fuel mileage. I had an 04 Ford E350 work van, loaded, which had a 5.4 V-8 and weighed almost 7,000 pounds- I weighed it. I averaged 14 or so, and got 17 on a long highway trip. I had a 96 F150 with the 4.9 and a 5 speed, and averaged 16, empty. I loved that 4.9, but the 5.4 owned it. No comparison.

brin · Dec 24, 2011

JeffandTamara said:
I am beginning my search for a new truck. To start I don't put a lot of miles on the truck, My current truck is a 1999 S10 4x4. with 68,000 miles. I have it set up to pull my trailer and Tractor I bought as a package in 2007. I am guessing the tractor weighs in about 5,500 or so. Since 2007, I have had pulled it about 5 times to my brothers house about 6 miles away...So although I spent a little money to get in setup to hual, I haven't had to do it often. I think the S10 was rated for 5,500 tow capacity, so I am exceeding the limit, which is not good. The Tractor Dealer is about 30 miles away, so I would be reluctant to haul it that far with my truck. As an alternative, I could just pay the dealer a fee to come and get it. My thinking is if I had a decent setup truck, I would find more reasons to haul it to other places..

My goal is to find a truck that I could set up to handle pulling this load, but more importantly get the best Gas Mileage available because I pull with it so infrequently. I am sure this is the ultimate trade off everyone is searching for, but I thought I would start here to get input from people that use there trucks for this kind of thing a lot more than I do..

I am going to start looking at the mfg web sites for new, but , I should consider used as well... The truck I had before this one was a 1979 Chevy 4x4, so it looks like I am keeping them for 10 years, so cost per year might not be too bad it you look at that way...
Any ideas/ advice from folks that have been down this road would be appreciated.

Jeff, My farm is 5 miles away from my house and for 7 yrs. now since we moved from the farm I have been driving my NH TC-29 D ...those 5 miles to bush hog the pastures...I can go 13 MPH and it takes me right at 20 min. so I have never seen the need to buy a trailer...Here is why...

By the time I hook a trailer up to my truck , drive the tractor on, chain it down and then drive to the farm, unload the tractor...well, see what I mean...it just would not pay for me to buy a trailer for hauling it since I have no other need to take anywhere else..If I ever needed it to go in for service the dealer would pick it up or my neighbor would take it in for me...so you might consider the cost vs. benefit of travailing it - In 7 yrs. of driving 5 miles there and back 5 or so times a yr. I have no visible wear on my Turf tires....Just my 2 cents.

bradm64 · Dec 24, 2011

From a logical and purely financial point of view, I kind of agree with Brin - my limit for loading the tractor is at least 5 miles - otherwise it takes way too much time loading, unloading, etc.

Unless you have to take the tractor to the dealer for service/repairs often, his hauling fees for a years trips is probably less than a single payment on a new (or new to ya) truck.

That being said - sometimes you just want a new/different/bigger/faster/etc truck, and as long as you can afford it, nothing wrong with that. BTDT - some of those times I bought another truck, sometimes I cleaned up the old one to fee better about driving it!

EddieWalker · Dec 24, 2011

I'm in a similar situation and my current thought is to buy a used one ton, flatbed duelly. I'm not really wanting a diesel, but won't turn it down either. I've had both and I like both gas and diesel. What is most important is that it's not wore out and that it's still reliable.

I've seen some really good deals for $5,000, and some very interesting trucks for $8,000.

Eddie

JeffandTamara · Dec 24, 2011

Thanks everyone for the input.
1/2 ton with a six cyl makes sense to me. Used, might be good. Concerned about paying just about as much for a late model used from a dealer as a New one.. T I tend to keep them as long as it makes sense. New ones are hard to get that first scratch or dent, but after that, take it to the woods and briers to cut firewood... No worry's.

I would like to keep the S10 4x4, I tend to get around 20 mpg, it is comfortable and like I said, I set it up a bit to tow. Stouter rear springs, electric breaks, hitch etc...So that is good...But it is starting to quite a bit of work, Brakes, U-Joints, water pump, front shocks and every now and then I get an error I think tells me the VSS is going...at least I hope that's what it is. Because I tend to drive it much more when the weather is bad, I get more salt and crap on the underside, so things look pretty rusty underneath.

I think this is the bet we all make, do I spend more on a Used Vehicle vs a New Vehicle....and how much is reliability worth to you.......

Out of the 1/2 Tons With 6 Cylinder power, I want to keep 4WD, any pros or cons out there that people have experienced? I Know some of the Tow packages come out with Transmission Coolers and a heavier rated suspension. I want to take my time and make a good decision.

sparc · Dec 24, 2011

I'm with Bird; a 1/2 ton with a six would work great. Of course, I would be thinking used, and would look at an older Ford with the big inline six; can you say stump puller?

I had a 81 F-150 4x4 XLT Reg. cab long bed with the 300 CI six and manual tranny w/OD. It was one of the best pickups I have had to date. Easily got over 20MPG on longer drives and for long hauls (over 100 miles) I got as much as 26 MPG. I put 160K on it before I sold it to my brother who ran it for another 30K then sold it. Never once had to go inside the motor. The 300 six was a proven motor and economical to operate. At least for me it was. With dual tanks I could go over 800 miles w/o refueling. Plane Jane work truck. Had A/C and an AM/FM radio and that's about it.

Destructo_D · Dec 24, 2011

My only recomendation is.... If you ever take the truck where there might be snow and think you may need snow chains from time to time... Then don't get a 1/2 ton from GM/FORD/DODGE............ reason being is, the suspension is in the way and your can not put snow chains on the newer models. They all put shocks on the outside of the frame, whereas 3/4 ton and up all have suspension in the inside of the frame....

I build snow chains for a living (if that isn't a truly Canadian job, I dunno what is. lol) and every newer half ton we get in, we can't do anything for them... Unless, you put wheel spaces on to move the tire out.

JeffandTamara · Dec 24, 2011

I am kinda intrigued by the Flatbed duelly option, Eddie mentioned. I use the truck as my bad weather go to work truck as well...If the weather is Bearable, I ride the Honda. So in the summer, The truck doesn't get much use. Spring and Fall, it's about 50/50, Winter, every day.... I avg about 6,000 miles a year.
I am assuming I could get 13 mpg on a duelly, but no basis for that.
Estimated fuel cost = $1,650, 1/2 ton 6 cylinder guessing at 23mpg = $913, @$3.50/gal = $730 per year more. Additional $$ for Ins, Taxes and Lic as well I would guess. Not huge, but I am guessing $1000 more per year?

Most of what I see on CList has some fairly high miles and probably not much more reliable than what I got... But the Flatbed really opens up some options..and towing should be well within the capability... Decisions, Decisions.

EddieWalker · Dec 24, 2011

I've been looking at some F350's from the mid 90's with the 460 big block gas engine in them with around 100,000 miles or so that have a flat bed. What I'm seeing has destroyed interiors, but basically a sound drive train. I'm holding out for a deal that I can't walk away from. I also don't really want or need the blig block, but havent found a decent deal with a 351 V8 or power stroke diesel. Im not in a rush, so it's one of those things that I figure will happen in time.

I have one truck that is my daily driver/work truck. If it breaks down, I'm stuck. Having a backup truck that could aslo be my heavy hauler seems like the perfect setup for me. Then I'll buy a new half ton truck that gets good milage, has a nice ride and all the bells and whistles.

Eddie

ededic · Dec 24, 2011

My brothers owned a 2000 Chevy half ton with 6 cyl and manual transmission (Older brother bought brand new put 270,000 miles on it, sold to younger brother). Great on gas and pulled trailer with DJ equipment 2nd half of it's life but becareful as my younger brother had to replace the transmission at 320,000 miles.

Dmace · Dec 24, 2011

A nice new or used 1/2 ton truck with the smallest V8 would be ideal. I would skip the V6 options as they don't like pulling much over 5k lbs. Also, I found with our fleet vehicles that the V6's work harder even when empty than the V8's so the more powerful V8's actually get better fuel mileage empty and towing.

Good options would be:
Dodge RAM 1500 V8 4.7l (235-310hp / 295-330lb.ft)
Chevy 1500 V8 4.8l (270 hp/285lbft) or 5.3l (270-285hp / 315-335lb.ft)
Ford F-150 V8 4.6l (202-248hp/260-293lb.ft) or 5.4l (300hp/365lb.ft)
Toyota Tundra V8 4.7l (276hp / 313lb.ft) or V6 4.0l (236hp/266 lb.ft)

We have a couple of 4x4 reg cab Ram 1500 V8 4.7l and Chevy 1500 4x4 reg cab V8 5.3l fleet trucks that all regularly get 18-22mpg and tow just over 5k lbs with no problems.
Only driven a few F-150 5.4l's which could never get over 16mpg but the 4.6l will probably do better.

LBrown59 · Dec 24, 2011

JeffandTamara said:
I am beginning my search for a new truck. To start I don't put a lot of miles on the truck, My current truck is a 1999 S10 4x4. with 68,000 miles. I have it set up to pull my trailer and Tractor I bought as a package in 2007.
1*I am guessing the tractor weighs in about 5,500 or so. Since 2007, I have had pulled it about 5 times to my brothers house about 6 miles away...So although I spent a little money to get in setup to hual
2* I haven't had to do it often.
3*I think the S10 was rated for 5,500 tow capacity, so I am exceeding the limit, which is not good.

My thinking is if I had a decent setup truck, I would find more reasons to haul it to other places..

4*My goal is to find a truck that I could set up to handle pulling this load,
5*but more importantly get the best Gas Mileage available because I pull with it so infrequently.

1*This is not a time for guessing as somebodys life and limb may be at stake.
2*It's not about how often you do it.
It's what could happen when you do it.
3*Again you need to know what you're diong not just thinking you know.
4*The most inportant thing is to use the proper tow vehicle , trailer and other equipment that will be the safest out on the highway..
5*If you don't drive it much the mileage isn't going to make or break the bank.

slowzuki said:
6*Nearly complete waste of money to buy a diesel with such low mileage being driven.

6*I think he is not talking about miles driven but rather miles towing which is a huge difference.

JeffandTamara · Dec 24, 2011

Dmace:
Any particular years to look for or to avoid...I know they have made some strides with fuel efficiency over the past few years, but not sure at what cost. I think the GM dealer lead me to believe that their strategy is to turn off two cylinders on their V8 when the power is not needed...

I would have to agree with the Ford 5.4l's A friend has one 2008 I think and 16-18 highway is all he ever gets... Has replaced the Rear end twice as well, I think that was an anomaly, and Not what you should expect.