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Truck Advice Sample |
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Sent: Wednesday, November 13, 2002 To: mrtruck.net Subject: Pickup truck recommendation I am considering a new truck to haul my 2002 xxxx 5th wheel trailer. 12 questions to help narrow the search. 1. If you have a brand preference. prefer Ford or Chev but not mandatory 2. How many miles you plan to drive the truck a year. 10,000-12,000 miles per year 3. Do you want a diesel? no preference 4. Size and weight of trailers you plan on pulling and or weight of campers. overall length: 29.5 ft. / GVWR 8375 lbs. / dry wt. 6525 lbs. / pin wt.1300 lbs. 5. How many people you need to haul. 2 people 6. How often do you trade trucks. trade trucks 4-6 years 7. Would you prefer new or used. prefer new truck 8. 4x4 or 4x2? 4x2 9. Which transmission do you need, auto or manual? auto transmission 10. What is your timetable? 3 months 11. What truck do you have now? 1/2 ton Ford F-150 supercab shortbed with 5.4L V8, 3.55 axle, and sliding 5th wheel hitch 12. How often do you pull your trailer? 3000-5000 miles per year (est. 30-40%) Thanks for your insight Kent. I'm looking forward to your recommendations. David To: David Subject: RE: Pickup truck recommendation Hi David, The weight you could pull with your trailer will fall within the limits of most 1/2 ton trucks. Myself I like to go up to a 3/4 ton because of the rear full floating axle, bigger springs, radiator, and transmissions. If you don't go with a diesel, then the 1/2 tons and HD 3/4 tons are very close in price with more transmission and rear axle ration options than a 1/2 ton. In a Ford F250 the short bed is 6'8" verses 6'6' in a F150. I don't know how close your trailer is to your 1/2 ton cab now to where you would still need a sliding hitch with 2 more inches in a F250. And how is your power now with the 5.4L? The standard axle on a F250 with the 5.4L is 3.73 with optional 4.10. The GM HD has a slightly better ride but lower clearance under the frame. In a GM, (Chevy or GMC) HD 2500 you can only get the 4.10 with the 6.0L V-8 gas. I don't think you need the GM 8.1 V-8 or the Ford 6.8L V-10. I would rate the Ford 5.4L and GM 6.0L very close on reliability, with an advantage to the 6.0L on power. With what you pull and the miles you drive, you wouldn't have the extra cost of the diesel paid for, before you were ready for your next truck. So I need to know if you are happy with how your present truck pulls your trailer. This fall is the best time I've seen in 12 years as far as deals, interest or rebates on trucks. There is a flood of used trucks out there. Ford has the most carry over new 2002 models, with most being diesels. GM is low on carry over new 2002's. Lets talk again soon, Kent Sundling (MrTruck) From: David Sent: Monday, November 18, To: mrtruck.net Subject: RE: Pickup truck recommendation Hi Kent....thanks for your prompt reply. Like you I feel that a 3/4 ton truck is a better choice for pulling a trailer....bigger axles, heavier frame, etc. The 1/2 ton Ford I now have is not "equipped" with a towing package. The specs list 6300 lb GVWR. (from sticker on door post). When I brought my new trailer home my first impressions were "this truck doesn't pull this trailer well" (not enough power to get moving relatively smoothly and quickly) and "the trailer is really pushing the truck around"! This is where I began to think a heavier chassis would serve me better. My 1999 Ford is equipped with the 5.4L engine and a 3.55 axle. I have test-driven a 2003 extended cab short bed Chevy 2500HD with the 8.1L engine, 4.10 axle and Allison tranny. I'll admit I liked the "available power" I THINK I felt. I have not driven a Ford F-250 extended cab, short bed with the 6.8L V-10. (haven't found one with this configuration). Also I see from the Ford specs that the 6.8L is limited to either a 3.73 or 4.30 axle. I'm aware that these power plants may be overkill for my trailer but I really do like more power than just enough power. My question is: is the Chevy 8.1L with the 4.10 axle and the Allison tranny a noticeably stronger "power plant" than the Ford with the 6.8L and 3.73 axle? Ford runs on regular gas, Chevy...regular? premium? I am not adverse to buying a diesel but I need to drive one to see how I like its drivability without a trailer. I'm pretty sure it would be a better towing engine. I'm talking Ford here...the 7.3L, not the Duramax which is think is not proven and I question the use of so much aluminum! Price may be more but it may be worth it. Thanks for any insight you can provide. If you feel I'm way off base with my choices let me know. If I've overlooked other important towing criteria set me straight. I'm new to this trailer stuff and my ideas are my own...even if they may be wrong.... Sent: Thursday, November 14 -----Original Message----- From: mrtruck.net Sent: Monday, November 18 To: David Subject: RE: Pickup truck recommendation HI, yes the GM 8.1L also comes in a 3.73 rear axle, which is closer to what you need in ether the GM or Ford. I like the 6.8L V-10 from Ford, but to get the Allison 1000 auto tranny which will cost $1000 more than the Ford 4R100,I would give the edge to the GM 8.1L combination. The new Ford 5R110 5-speed auto tranny will be a great tranny but isn't out for a couple of weeks and hasn't gone through the recall season. The Allison tranny is great with 5 locking gears now, which is the only way you can buy the 8.1L V-8. GM hasn't sold that many 8.1L so you should get a deal on the dealers that have them. To pay the almost $5000 for the diesel option from any truck manufacture is hard to cash flow with increased fuel economy. It takes about 80,000 miles to pay for the diesel option with fuel savings and then the oil changes cost at least twice as much as a gas engine. At this point you won't find to many new 2002 new 8.1L but you should find some 2003 8.1L HD 2500. But keep an eye open because if you test drive a Ford Power Stroke diesel and get addicted to the power of a diesel, (which does happen) you can get some great deals on a lot of carry over new 2002 Ford diesels. Ford always over builds for the end of the year and GM under builds. So there is usually a larger carry over of new old models with Ford, which will be mostly diesels in the XLT model 4x4. Have some fun and go on a lot of long test drives. Good Drive'N, Kent -----Original Message----- Thanks a ton, 3/4 ton?, for all the info and insight. I'll do my "homework" and let you know what I decide.....this is a great service Kent. Keep up the great work. |