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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.
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