Tow Vechicle Help
 

I am looking into, no real hurry, 3/4 ton diesel trucks to tow the car to the track and for general home depot use. I've read a lot about dodge vs. chevy and so on and would appreciate any insight. Basic reasons for a diesel are better fuel economy and general durability.

My budget is less than 10k, hopefully about half that, so I am looking at ~10yr old higher mileage trucks. I dont need GPS, leather or extending power mirrors, that will be the next truck.

Cummins seems to make the longest lasting, most durable engine, compared specifically to the GM 6.5. However, it seems Dodge automatic transmissions arent exactly known for longevity. Anyone care to share personal experience on this topic? I dont mind driving a stick truck, but have never towed with one.

Should I reconsider a 6.5 in a GM? Stick with Cummins and budget $$ for a future tranny rebuild? Go with the Cummins and a manual?

I plan to tow an open trailer at first and of course know that might turn into an enclosed trailer before too long.

Thanks!

I've been towing w/ an old Dodge Cummin/4 spd. for years, the truck sucks, everything is falling off(including wheels) it's been run into the river and generally been beaten to death, but the engine keeps on humming along. It still tows unbelievable loads w/o complaint.

i think bbs member westy is selling a F350 diesel truck that is well in your budget. i looked into a 3/4 ton dodge, used. and 2001 went for mid to high 20's. bottom line, used diesel trucks seem to hold the value. and i would say 80% of the contractors i work with use ford.

Do you really need a 3/4 ton diesel. How much use do you honestly expect to get out of it? how many miles? I have towed my 911 with a 98 chevy 1/2 ton as well as with my 87 jimmy with a 4" lift. With either truck I couldnt tell I was towing anything. If you were buying new i would question the need for a heavy duty truck but Being used it might not make much difference to go with a regular 1/2 ton truck or 3/4 ton.

Just a side note I got a great laugh at my neighbor who bought a new super duty 250 4X4 to tow his 14' aluminum row boat around.

Good point Kumma. The car is 2550, trailer maybe 1800 plus gear. That's WAY under the limit of most v8 trucks. I like the idea of better fuel economy and figure I might be moving to an enclosed trailer in another couple years. It seems resale of diesels is also something to think about. Unless the truck is beat to hell it doesnt seem to depricate much after it's 6-8 yrs old. Also, diesel trucks are snatched up with ~200k miles all day, not sure if I would say that about their gas brothers.

Thanks for the info guys!

Dodge tranny would have no problem handling that load. I would only buy diesel if you plan to hold for a long time. The operating savings would be offset by the higher purchase price. I've heard too many bad things (anecdotal, I admit) about the old GM diesels. There are too many nice Powerstrokes and Cummins rigs to overlook GM totally. I wish there was a nice mid-size (F-150) diesel powered truck on the market.

Chris,

I wouldn't rule out the Powerstroke--I have a '99 with 190K--and many of our company vehicles have between 200-350K(all are Powerstrokes of various vintages) Just make sure you get one with LSD(or actually they are called lockers in the Ford lexicon)--believe it or not, but this was an option--even on the Super Duty.

Some of our employees have the Cummins--no major complaints from them--although as you said--1 Dodge had the tranny go at 250K, but this was a 360-powered Heavy Duty not the Diesel.

I agree! I've been thinking that an F150 with an inline 6 diesel at around 4 liters would be the ideal p-car tow vehicle.

My '97 F150 with a 4.3 liter V6 can tow 9000 lbs. A little easier on the wallet than a V8.