I may be replacing my V8 truck with something newer and more power. What do you have

[L8Brakr]

OP-

I recently purchased a lightly used 2024 Titan XD Pro-4X. It's a longer wheelbase...heavier frame, rear-end, springs, etc (about 700 pounds worth). To date, I'm very impressed, but it's just under 30 days in. Plans for towing the race-car hauler, and a 26-28 foot center-console.

With the Titan being discontinued, prices were all over the map, but I saved a quick $20k over the GMCs w/6.2 I had been shopping. And I don't have to worry about 6.2 recalls/block ventilations. The 5.6 Nissan is good for a solid 400hp, and doesn't have start/stop, cylinder deactivation, or fragile lifters to worry about.....what's not to love. The second buyer also gets the full coverage of the 5 year-100k warranty.

Your original post did not mention it, but if you haven't been using a weight-distributing hitch....get one. It will greatly reduce any angst from towing a 28 footer.

[rfuerst911sc]

I change the oil in my Duramax every 3-4k with synthetic oil . I change the air filter every two years . I drain the transmission fluid every 50k and install a new spin on filter . That's been my routine for years . Not much more than a gasser .

[911boost]

As long as you do not plan on towing over any serious mountain passes gas is fine.

Out here in CO the altitude makes a huge difference.

[greglepore]

All Fords since the 6.0 are cab off for any major engine work. The big shops are used to it, kinda like the audi guys are used to taking the front of the car apart. But it does add a few hours.
But yeah, the fueling system on any diesel is going to be more problematic and $$$ compared to a gas truck.
My take is diesel is great if you need it or buy it used but cared for (and, cough, deleted, cough).

[speeder]

My old 7.3 Power Stroke does require 4 gallons of oil for an oil change but it's more like every 7-8k miles and it's non-synthetic Rotella, or whatever brand is on sale. The filters were only about $10 when I bought them, (for some reason, I have a lifetime supply). So an oil change is around $80-100. Big deal. The amount I drive it, maybe once a year.

Same with fuel filters...I feel like I can never change truck platform, I have about a case of those. I'm like a squirrel who hides nuts for the winter and then forgets where he put them, I must always forget that I bought them already and bought more.

Tires are expensive but they last pretty well if you get good ones. The last set was around $800 and I'm sure they've gone up. PU trucks in general are an idiotic expenditure for most Americans who have them, (no one else buys them, maybe Canadians?), I barely justify mine because I occasionally use it to pull trailers, etc.

I'd love to have a new F-250 6.7 truck and a reason to need/justify it, (diesel only for me), but I don't. Not even close. My close friends just bought a new Tundra, beautiful truck with 4x4, loaded...they don't tow or haul anything but surfboards and a toddler. They bought it because they liked it and they could. That's what drives the truck and SUV market in America.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

I change the oil in my Duramax every 3-4k with synthetic oil . I change the air filter every two years . I drain the transmission fluid every 50k and install a new spin on filter . That's been my routine for years . Not much more than a gasser .

I'd love to buy a used vehicle from you but that oil change interval is overkill. If you sent a sample to Blackstone with 6-7k miles on it, they would probably tell you that it's clean and to extend your intervals.

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by speeder

I'd love to buy a used vehicle from you but that oil change interval is overkill. If you sent a sample to Blackstone with 6-7k miles on it, they would probably tell you that it's clean and to extend your intervals.

You are probably right .

[Tim Hancock]

I bought my first truck which was a used small 2wd '83 Nissan in '88 when I started racing MX and needed to haul my CR250 to the races. That lasted me about 10 years and I only used it when I needed to haul something for the most part. My wife then talked me into buying her a new Dodge Dakota 4x4 as she wanted us to have a 4x4 for when our rural roads drifted over. She drove it daily for a few years until the warranty expired and I refused to keep repairing that pos lemon. I then bought a used Tacoma 4x4 which lasted a long time until Toyota bought it back from us for big $$$ due to a frame rust recall. Next was a used '02 Tundra Limited which served us well and now we have an '11 Tundra Limited which only gets used on occasion when needing to haul or pull something. The '11 will likely last us many more years as it only gets used primarily for pulling the boat to the river or lake and an occasional Menards run for building supplies.

I hate daily driving trucks vs cars. Pain to get into some parking spots and they eat more fuel. That said... half of the parking lot at work is filled with newish expensive trucks that my coworkers rarely haul anything with. I don't get it.... They could have a couple nice used comfortable cars and an old roadworthy used occasional use truck for less than the price of the new fancy trucks they commute in.

[greglepore]

I agree that the frequent oil change intervals are a bit much, but have you priced a high pressure oil pump lately?

[Rtrorkt]

Originally Posted by speeder

Yeah, that doesn't tow "as well as any truck." Maybe a ski boat or a U-haul trailer, not a big trailer.

When it comes to towing large/heavy trailers, you want MORE capacity than needed, not less. There is an inverse correlation between the weight of a trailer and its safety in a panic stop, etc.

will tow an airstream with no issues

[speeder]

Originally Posted by Rtrorkt

will tow an airstream with no issues

Airstreams are light. I have two of them. Nothing against your RR but anything will tow an Airstream, they are made to be towed by cars. When my ‘63 Airstream trailer was built, absolutely no one used a truck to pull one.

[craigster59]

Originally Posted by speeder

When my ‘63 Airstream trailer was built, absolutely no one used a truck to pull one.

[cantdrv55]

Originally Posted by speeder

Airstreams are light. I have two of them. Nothing against your RR but anything will tow an Airstream, they are made to be towed by cars. When my ‘63 Airstream trailer was built, absolutely no one used a truck to pull one.

I hear this all the time, especially from Airstream dealers. My 28’ trailer is a 2011 Airstream Flying Cloud and even though it’s GVWR is only 7300, the tongue weight is 976. My truck’s payload capacity is only 1488 so even with weight distribution set up I have, I’m still pretty close to maxing out payload because of my fat ass and cargo.

If I can’t find a 2500 in my price range, I’m going to sell my 27’ Flying Cloud and get an Airstream Basecamp 20X. I can pull that my the Titan or my wife’s big SUV.

[cabmandone]

If you're rollin like a "Carolina squat" with the tongue load, just add some airbags designed for lighter duty trucks. With my F250 I have 5000lb airbags under it. I can put a 3500lb mini skid steer all the way at the front of my trailer and not lower the back end of the truck. FWIW I ALWAYS pull tongue heavy. I'd rater squat the back than have the tail wag the dog on a downhill grade.

[ted]

Originally Posted by Arizona_928

Ah. Back when normal cars had real frames and big block engines.

we didn't know what we didn't know,
no safety features, metal dash (safety by Gillette) and drum brakes, bias ply tires, dim lights.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Braking is a very good point, I installed an electronic over hydraulic brake controller onto my boat trailer and it made a big difference. No more boat dragging the truck down the boat ramp! Driving with the trailer felt normal.

[flipper35]

We have a 2008 F150 with the 5.4l Triton V8 and 8000# towing capacity and we have a WDH. The 34' Avion is 6700# and is a triple axle with electric brakes at each wheel. With just my wife and me the truck does fine on something like HWY 20 even when it is windy, but get in any hills and it immediately drops to second gear. Fine, but not a lot of reserve power left.

If it wasn't my wife's brother's truck, I would trade it on a Power Wagon with the 6.4l gas engine based on friends with that motor and what they use them for on the farm. But it is something that belonged to her brother (as was the Frenchie) when he passed so it is a bit dentimental to her. It is rust free and has 68k miles and many coil packs. Eats them like candy!

[vash]

I missed out on this truck. A contractor was faster and got the jump. He didn’t have a wife to discuss it with.

It was the cleanest 2001 Dodge 2500 diesel. It had a shell over the bed, and a manual transmission. And the dashboard had been refurbished. I had to watch him drive it around for a year we worked together. Bone stock. A unicorn.

I’d restart a nationwide search if I was shopping.

[Seahawk]

I tow fairly frequently, now mostly local runs so I can manage the load weight in the dump trailer or the flat bed.

It is easy to be smart when you're sourcing local material or moving equipment no more than 15 miles.

We used to tow at distances with horses, first with a 2004 F-1590 then the 2015 Tundra. Both were good.

Host vehicle tow ratings are what they are, but there are a few things you can do to even out the entire parade at distances:

- As mentioned, electric trailer brakes. Key. I set mine very low so I can use the hand lever if needed.
- Tow hitch and ball. It is frankly embarrassing how much I paid for the tow hitch and ball combo I have. Completely adjustable so depending on the load distribution, I can tow level. I should have ungraded sooner.
- Trailer tires. A lot of trailer tires are sub par. The local tire guy I have gone to for 30 years recommends, depending on usage, upgraded tires. I have and it helps.

That's it!

[jhynesrockmtn]

Originally Posted by Rtrorkt

will tow an airstream with no issues

Which Airstream models? You do realize they sell ones from the small Basecamp up to a 33 foot, 10k GVWR bumper pull. Generalized statements like this make zero sense when discussing tow capabilities. I would never tow a larger double axle travel trailer with a shorter wheelbase SUV.