I've owned my 2003 Ford F250, 7.3 Powerstroke, since new. It is a Lariet, crew cab, and has the FX4 towing package. It literally is the best truck I have ever owned, and is still like new condition. It just turned 100K miles. I really take care of my truck with regular maintenance, like oil changes every 5K miles with Rotella, fuel filter every 15K miles, and transmission flush every 30K miles. I think the only issue I've had is a bad ICP sensor and batteries every 4-5 years. I owned a GMC 3/4 ton truck before this one, and I really didn't like the GMC, especially the interior.
I tow a gooseneck trailer hauling my JD tractor to my hunting property and my F250 performs flawlessly. I would say the only complaint I have might be the fuel mileage. I get 14-15 mpg, doesn't matter whether driving in the city or on the highway. Pulling a trailer it will dip to 11 mpg.
I've thought several times that I might go buy a new Ford F250, and then I ask myself..........why? Sure the new truck will smell new and have a warranty. It might have a few more bells and whistles as well, but I would also have to spend an additional $40K if I sold or traded my truck. It's just not worth it to me.
So I'm keeping my truck because I love it. If you can find a truck like mine with the 7.3 engine and well cared for, do yourself a favor and buy it.
I have a 1999 F350 SRW crew cab, 4X4 with the 7.3 diesel and 6 speed manual trans. and just turned a whopping 36,000 miles (yes, thirty six thousand one owner miles) that is stored in a heated garage every winter. The ride is excellent, even better than some 1/2 ton trucks I've ridden in. It pulls 22,000# easily, you can even set the cruise when in 5th gear which is direct drive, not over-drive. As far as fuel mileage, I commonly get 19-20 mpg empty driving 55 mph. When loaded with a gooseneck trailer and two 7,500# tractors, I get 11.2 mpg if I drive 55-56 mph in 6th gear, or 9.5 when I start pushing it to 65 mph in 6th gear. I change oil every 3,000 miles which is a bit expensive since the engine takes 15 quarts of oil plus a $12 filter so a person has to assume the extra fuel enconomy of the diesel exceeds the extra cost of oil changes. I have a health issue which is affecting my left leg (clutch leg) so have been thinking of looking for an automatic with a diesel engine. Your 5,200# fifth wheel would be a cake walk for a 3/4 ton or 1 ton truck with a diesel engine. After you talk to many people who tow things with their trucks, I often hear a common thread...you can't buy enough pickup truck. Seems sooner or later a person tends to graduate to larger and larger things to tow/haul. I can't tell any difference in ride quality between a 3/4 ton and 1 ton SRW crew cab truck so I would tend to be looking for a 1 ton truck.
