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New Truck for New Empty Nesters
New empty nesters hoping to have more time to use our TT. Trailer is 26' and weighs 5500# dry. Plan to take long trips every 2-3 years(NC to Western US, maybe Alaska, Maine/Canada etc.), and local trips 2-3 times a year. Otherwise will be used as weekend driver (I have a company truck for commuting). I have no brand preference. Hope to stay under $50K and keep a long time. Live on a farm so 4x4 is a definite. Thinking about the following half tons, Tundra Crew Max, GMC with 3.0 diesel, F150 with 3.5EB or Ram with 5.7.
Local Nissan dealer has a Titan XD with diesel left from '19. Could get a good deal there. Would also consider 3/4 ton, found a low milage Ram 2500/6.4 hemi, but think I would prefer diesel in that class.
Thoughts and opinions.
Tundra too old, or rock solid reputation make it ok.
GM 3.0 gets great reviews and I like diesel for ease of fill-up when towing.
Ford hate to buy now with new body coming out, but great motor.
Ram like the new body.
Nissan XD, ok to get even though they have dropped Cummins?
Thanks
Joe
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packpe89
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08/16/20 03:36pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Good truck for towing
Is the 30' total length or just the box. Getting close to dog wagging the tail. I would go with a 3/4 ton, and like diesel for mountains and for ease of fill-up (truck stops) while towing.
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packpe89
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07/21/20 06:02am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Help with Long Term planning for Alaska
Don't really want to go the TC route, since we will still take trips locally with extended stays (NC/SC beaches and mountains). Sounds like 3/4 Diesel may be the way to go, and 4x4 is required here on the farm anyway. I am not sure about tire size on my TT, I assume you can upgrade?
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packpe89
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07/01/20 06:59am |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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Help with Long Term planning for Alaska
My wife and I plan to visit Alaska in a few years (2-4) but may start getting the pieces sooner, so want some advice. We currently have a 26'TT (5500# dry) I pull with a F150 3.5EB. I will likely get a new truck in a year or so. Is the 26' TT a good size for Alaska? If i get a new camper, would likely get a smallish 5th wheel and then a 3/4 ton for towing. Should I stay at half-ton? Thinking I will get diesel for mpg and ease of fill-up at truck stops and don't care about brands. Or...should I get a Class A or C for the trip and a smaller truck and tow it? We live on a farm, so having a truck is a must, but other than towing, don't really care about what size.
So to summarize, which option would you choose? Or something else?
A. Keep trailer and new half ton
B. Keep trailer and new 3/4 ton
C. Class A
D. Class C
E. New fifth wheel and 3/4 ton
Thanks
JB
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packpe89
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06/30/20 07:19am |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: Ford for a tow vehicle
I had the 5.3/6speed ('07) and now have the 3.5 ecoboost ('14) also with a six speed. The ecoboost has much better power, no struggles in the mountains. I also have a 5.7 hemi in my work truck. It's power seems very similar to the ecoboost. Agree with others the 10speed would help.
I would suggest watching tfltruck. They have good towing reviews of all these engines. Good Luck.
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packpe89
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06/05/20 07:22am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Tow Vehicle Advice For Newbie
6.0 Diesel from the 2003 to 2007 or so.
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packpe89
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05/08/20 08:59am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Tow Vehicle Advice For Newbie
Another question is where do you plan on towing. Being from eastern NC myself, I've made several trips to the NC mountains with a 1500 Chevy (5.3) pulling a 28' Bunkhouse (6000#). That's border line in my opinion. That combo in the flat areas going to Myrtle Beach is fine. When I took a cross country trip I up-sized to an F-250. My current TT is a 26' (couples trailer now that kids are out of the house) that weighs 5500#. I pull it with a F-150 3.5EB (long wheel base). I would not go any bigger than that for a long trip on a half ton truck. Agree with others, find the camper first. Also think you should be headed to looking in the 3/4 ton area. I've had them all (Chevy, Ford and Ram) and they are all good. Stay away from a few bad apples (Ford 6.0 for example).
A few more thoughts:
Long wheel base (Crew with 6.5' bed) tends to lessen the sway and will carry your motor cycles better, but can be a pain in the a$$ to park in some urban areas.
Gas vs diesel, it's always easier to pull into a truck stop and get diesel than to pull up at a station a fight for a good spot at the gas pumps.
Larger tanks - Ram and Ford can be found with 35+/- gallon tanks in a half ton, helps in the previous issue.
Watch the payload, with growing kids, your payload will increase (as will the need for room in the back seat). Another 3/4+ ton benefit.
Good Luck
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packpe89
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05/08/20 08:38am |
Tow Vehicles
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