is anyone buying used big trucks?

rfuerst911sc · 02-16-2009, 04:01 PM

As most everyone knows auto sales are in a slump and the market is flooded with vehicles. My question is specifically regarding large used trucks. To me a large truck is 3/4 or 1 ton. There are used gas and diesels for cheap. Example there is a local Ford F350 dually with 460V8 gas engine for 1500.00. Various 3/4 or 1 ton diesels for 4000.00-5000.00. I'm toying with the idea of picking up one of these beasts as a tow vehicle for a car trailer and possibly a pick-up camper. Other than being a gas pig it's hard to go wrong with a running 1 ton in decent shape for 1500.00 don't you think? So any of you guys taking advantage of the soft truck market?

VINMAN · 02-16-2009, 05:02 PM

Already have mine! The heavy duty trucks around here have really dropped in price the past 2 yrs. If you are looking for a heavy duty p/u, don't waste your time with a gas motor. After owning a diesel I will never go back to gas in a truck. Especially for towing. There is no comparison

TimT · 02-16-2009, 05:09 PM

If you're going to get something that big, get a diesel...

mudman · 02-16-2009, 05:13 PM

I've got mine up for sale, and I'm going to be buying something in the even softer 'medium duty' market. not medium duty like 1/2 ton, but as in bigger than 1 ton. I've got my eyes on a dumping 18' stakebed with a big gas engine and allison auto, if I could just sell my truck...

VincentVega · 02-16-2009, 05:29 PM

I'm looking, but I've been saying that for a few months now. So far I've come close to buying 2 trucks, only to see a much better deal each time. I'm leaning diesel, although the GM 5.3 is nice too.

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

My dad bought an '06 MegaCab dodge 2500 with a Cummins in Nov. Paid about 20,000 for a truck that stickered above 40,000

Reg · 02-16-2009, 05:59 PM

we purchased in the last year a 07 3500 Chev (old style) with a 6.0L gas with auto trans and 4:10 rear end dually. Its a flat deck and with 300 HP it has gobs of power. It will run all day at 70 mph easy, allthough fuel MPG isnt the greatest. It gets between 10 and 13 MPG whether you are pulling a load or not. Maybe a little better if you only went 50mph or if you had a different rear axle ratio.

A diesel was $5000 more when we purchased and the fuel was/is higher too vs gas. Not to mention repair costs when they arrive. This 6.0 gas has plenty of grunt. Not sure why you would need any more for a 1 tonne truck.

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reg

we purchased in the last year a 07 3500 Chev (old style) with a 6.0L gas with auto trans and 4:10 rear end dually. Its a flat deck and with 300 HP it has gobs of power. It will run all day at 70 mph easy, allthough fuel MPG isnt the greatest. It gets between 10 and 13 MPG whether you are pulling a load or not. Maybe a little better if you only went 50mph or if you had a different rear axle ratio.

A diesel was $5000 more when we purchased and the fuel was/is higher too vs gas. Not to mention repair costs when they arrive. This 6.0 gas has plenty of grunt. Not sure why you would need any more for a 1 tonne truck.

But diesel has more torque and should get better mpg.

911boost · 911boost's Garage

I bought a 2004 Ford Excursion with the 6.0 diesel with only 44,000 miles last week. We needed something with more power, and I like the room.

Bill

Reg · 02-16-2009, 06:31 PM

Quote:

But diesel has more torque and should get better mpg.

That may be so but the 6.0 gas we have has lots of torque - we haul lumber on the deck and also on a 18 ft tandem trailer - and I have heard from some that diesels use plenty of fuel too.

We've had various 1 tonnes over the past 30 years with 350 CI, 351 CI, 300 six, and this 6.0 litre V8 gas. This 6.0 by far has enough or more power than we'll ever need.

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

Well that depends on motor and tranny but down around ten is to be expected under a serious load. Now unloaded a diesel would run up close to 18

Evans, Marv · 02-16-2009, 08:52 PM

When I was looking at pickups, I was thinking maybe a 3/4 ton with 2WD. I saw an '03 F350 PSD 7.3L, 4WD (which I ended up buying). I originally thought a 1 ton was too much truck and didn't think I wanted 4WD, but I liked the truck and bought it. I'm really glad I did.
I've used it to tow & haul a lot of stuff, and the diesel gets good mileage. Normally I get 14-15 mpg. hauling or towing normal to light loads. On a trip a couple of years ago I decided to find out the mileage on the freeway on cruise control at 2K rpm's. Going to I got 18.4 mpg, coming back I got 19.2 mpg. For some reason the trip back always got better mileage no matter what vehicle I drove. I was pretty surprised at how good the mileage was. I had heard they got pretty good mileage, but thought it was mostly exaggeration. I'd pick a diesel if it was in good shape.

aigel · aigel's Garage

Nothing is nicer than a big truck or SUV for travel / towing / hauling. I recommend the diesels. The diesel will cost more out of pocket to buy. However, it will save you a lot of fuel, the engines last longer and if you sell, you will recover most of the premium you paid for it again. If you are in CA, the diesel also will allow for playing around with performance tuning without having to worry about emissions testing.

George

look 171 · 02-16-2009, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by porsche4life

But diesel has more torque and should get better mpg.

Not too much more. 15 or so with my cummins

vonsmog · 02-17-2009, 04:39 AM

If you are going to buy a big truck, get a real big one! I picked up the yellow one a few weeks ago, and just bought the white one yesterday! Now I don't know which one to keep! Maybe I can convince the wife she needs one of these for going to the mall!!

Jim Richards · 02-17-2009, 04:47 AM

Von, I'd keep the Speed Yellow Mog.

speeder · speeder's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by look 171

Not too much more. 15 or so with my cummins

Is that empty or towing/loaded? What configuration is your truck? (Axle ratio, 2/4wd, lifted, etc.). I'm not questioning your mileage at all, I've just heard of better from Cummins owners. 20 mpg highway empty seems common. Might be a difference between older and newer Cummins, not sure.

If it's 15 mpg loaded or towing, or your truck is a lifted 4wd w/ larger than stock tires, 15mpg would be double what a similar truck with (powerful) gas engine gets.

Bill Douglas · 02-17-2009, 09:01 AM

Jeezus Von. I'd keep the Ferrari yellow one. A color like that I'd say it was the fastest

And you'll never get stuck in the NY snow with that fulla.

VINMAN · 02-17-2009, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by look 171

Not too much more. 15 or so with my cummins

Is 15 around town driving?? If thats highway, it seems awful low

I can squeeze low 20's out of mine on the highway(cruise control set , keeping it between 65 and 70). Mid teens around town.

I know the newer diesels are getting pretty crappy mileage compared to the older ones.

rfuerst911sc · 02-17-2009, 02:13 PM

From what I understand about diesels regardless of the name stamped on them thru buyouts/rebranding etc. about 90% of all diesels are made/owned by Cummings. If that is correct then from the big 3 you are comparing two V8's vs a straight six from Dodge. Some are turbo'd and some are not. I know there will be arguments about which truck is better but I'm more concerned about feedback about the engine / transmission from you guys that have 3/4 or 1 ton trucks. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the big 3's diesel engines?