diesel education

[Rude]

i want to start the diesel vs. gas thread again. i'm starting to seriously consider a different truck and want your guys' input on likes/dislikes and opinions. i have already decided it will be a ford super duty when the time comes because they have the cab/bed configuration that i like. but what i'd like opinions on is the following....problems and things to look for in different years, towing capability, difference between f250 vs. f350, concerns over high mileage trucks, maintenance costs, is it money well spent to go diesel or save the bucks and get the v-10, etc etc.....basically i'm looking for any input you guys are willing to dish out on these trucks. i don't trade out vehicles very often so i want something that will run and hold up for a LONG time. i will eventually step into a larger boat, probably in the 32-36ft range, and want something that will haul it comfortably and safely when i decide to go that route. i have thought about a dually, but will probably stick with a fleet side. an excursion is also a possiblity but leaning towards a pickup. any opinions???

[Liquid Courage]

The opinions could go one for days.

Check craigslist or autotrader. I have seen a ton of deals on diesel trucks. Some will tell you to shy away from the 6.0 Ford, others love it. I would lean heavy for an '02-'03.5 with the 7.3, not a hotrod, but will run for a long time.

I agree with the Ford cab, but you cannot beat the Cummins motor. Also the Dodge turns much better than the Ford does. The 03-04 Dodge is a really nice one, if you can get over the smaller crew cab. I want a Ford with a Cummins in it.

[Rude]

just from paying attention to what folks have said over the last few years, the 01-03 with the 7.3 is what i was leaning towards. i've always heard the 7.3 was an excellent motor and the 03-04 6.0 motors had issues. i've read several places where people had them lemmon lawed but i don't know anyone personaly. i've looked around a little for super duties in that year and it's going to be hard to find one that doesn't have a ton of miles. and with it being the type of truck that it is, i'm sure it wasn't used just to get groceries on sunday. i've had a little better luck finding excursions with lower miles than the pickups.

[Liquid Courage]

You will actually find lots of trucks that people just bought to "look good" Now with fuel prices getting high they don't want to pay so much to look good. A lot were just used to pull the boat to the lake and silly stuff. How many towing miles do think a weekend warrior could really have.
Between Kurt and myself owning the truck I have I think 20k towing would be pushing it. Maybe a little more since Kurt did some long pulls with his 5th wheel, but I really doubt it.

Here is a great one if you don't mind the short box. '03 with the 7.3 motor

http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/car/762583227.html

Offer him 11k

[Liquid Courage]

Here you go,

I would not give this guy 10k for this thing

http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/car/756738906.html :Laugh_at:

[Rude]

Here you go,

I would not give this guy 10k for this thing

http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/car/756738906.html :Laugh_at:

:eek3: did you notice at the end of his ad he put in "this truck gets good gas mileage"........i'm thinking that might be a stretch :rollinglaugh:

[STV_Keith]

Well, sounds like you've already figured out that the later 7.3l is a better motor than the 6.0l. Too much emissions crap on the 6.4 - I wouldn't even look at one.

If I HAD to have a truck with the bigger interior and HAD to have an automatic, I'd be looking at the Dmax/Allison. Anything newer than 04 is a good truck. The earlier ones were a little harder to work on and didn't make as much power.

[Rude]

so you prefer the chevs better? is that for durability reasons?

[STV_Keith]

If I had to pick between the Ford and the Chevy, I'd take the Chevy. More power stock, more power available if modding, better trans.

[Rude]

more power available if modding, better trans.

as if you've ever driven a pumped up diesel pick-up :D

j/k keith, thanx for the input. i guess it couldn't hurt to look at a few GM trucks.

[Liquid Courage]

as if you've ever driven a pumped up diesel pick-up :D

j/k keith, thanx for the input. i guess it couldn't hurt to look at a few GM trucks.

They are nice, just always been out of my price range and I don't like the IFS front suspension. If I found one with a small lift already on it that would be nice. They cost a ton to lift. I don't like a large lift, just enough to level it out.

[Rude]

what year did the dodge mega cab come out? i just read an article about a company just north of provo, utah that will make them into a long bed. now THAT would be a beast of a truck. i never seem to hear anything bad about the cummins motor. but i also don't seem to see as many dodges on the road as fords and GM. any input on dodges?

[STV_Keith]

what year did the dodge mega cab come out? i just read an article about a company just north of provo, utah that will make them into a long bed. now THAT would be a beast of a truck. i never seem to hear anything bad about the cummins motor. but i also don't seem to see as many dodges on the road as fords and GM. any input on dodges?

06 was the first mega cab. The Cummins is basically bulletproof. My 01 has been 500+ rwhp for the last 100k miles (130ish on it now) with basically no issues. The long blocks are virtually indestructable. The Dodge trans is the weak link. If you upgrade that, it makes for a helluva truck. I run the manual myself - added a clutch and it will take whatever you want to throw at it.

[Liquid Courage]

My 01 has been 500+ rwhp for the last 100k miles (130ish on it now) with basically no issues.

As he was trying to use to pull around me on the hill climbing away from the dam.:thumb:

Poking your nose around behind me:bowdown:

[panic button]

My 6.0L pulls great and not one issue with it. Puled the Cig at 70mph to FL and got 13mpg.

[Rude]

thanx chris, i know D4$ has a 6.0 as well and i don't believe he's had any issues with his either. i'm told the 03-05 6.0s were the problem engines and the bugs had been worked out by the 06 models. ANYTHING would pull better than my current truck. i followed kurt out of cottonwood on sunday and by the time i caught up to him he was in searchlight drinking a coffee :) i used 1/2 tank of gas getting to cottonwood and back out to searchlight on sunday. i filled up at the terrible herbst station before heading back to vegas and the needle didn't come off of full coming back. if i remember what the tripometer read when i filled up, i got around 7.4 mpg which isn't terrible but it's just very slow going.

[kevnmcd]

If I HAD to have a truck with the bigger interior and HAD to have an automatic, I'd be looking at the Dmax/Allison. Anything newer than 04 is a good truck.

I like the way you think! :biggrinbandit:

so you prefer the chevs better? is that for durability reasons?

Yes and Yes! :thumbs_up:

If I had to pick between the Ford and the Chevy, I'd take the Chevy. More power stock, more power available if modding, better trans.

Chevy is much better than Ford! :duel:

[kevnmcd]

They are nice, just always been out of my price range and I don't like the IFS front suspension. If I found one with a small lift already on it that would be nice. They cost a ton to lift. I don't like a large lift, just enough to level it out.

You mean like this? :D

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/garageimage.php?do=full&p=17689&d=1160706133

[kevnmcd]

i got around 7.4 mpg which isn't terrible but it's just very slow going.

Yeah, but how about getting 14-15 and keeping up with traffic? :thumbs_up: I love the diesel but just am hating the price of fuel these days. :smashfreak: I average 17 mpg non-towing and about 14-15 towing if I keep the mph down. When I bought mine in 6/06 diesel was less than regular gas and with the better gas mileage (my suburban was only getting about 10 average) I could justify the price jump for the diesel plus I tend to keep my vehicles for 10 plus years. The only reason I got rid of the suburban was that the motor was falling apart at about 180,000 miles. Now I don't know if I would do it again unless I was to buy used like you are thinking. With fuel prices the way they are I would think you could get some pretty good deals right now. I also wouldn't worry about it having bunch of miles since the diesel are supposed to last a long time. I have a subcontractor that has some Dmax trucks with over a million miles on them and they are still going! Glad I went with Chevy! :thumb:

[kimswang]

Do the math. You have to drive a hellufa lot of miles to offset the cost of a diesel. The Excursion is only certified for 11K towing so that eliminates that one for towing a 36' (I wanted a 03 Ex, but had to settle...). My 8.1 gas Suburban gets 12.5 MPG and can tow 12K. Besides the fact that you can do a killer deal on one right now....

[STV_Keith]

I don't think the fuel is the #1 concern...it's the power. If mileage was slightly higher, and offset the extra fuel cost (currently), but the truck would go 65 instead of 35 up the big hills, that's a safer equation. Plus, when the diesel guys go by, they all point and laugh! :D J/K

[digginfordollars]

Do the math. You have to drive a hellufa lot of miles to offset the cost of a diesel. The Excursion is only certified for 11K towing so that eliminates that one for towing a 36' (I wanted a 03 Ex, but had to settle...). My 8.1 gas Suburban gets 12.5 MPG and can tow 12K. Besides the fact that you can do a killer deal on one right now....

You don't get 12.5 towing 12K, no way no how.

[panic button]

My old '00 Ex with the V10 would only get 7mpg towing the Cig. Going up Cajon Pass it was 45mph with it floored towing.

[Rude]

ask Badfish's wife how fast i was going most of the way to cottonwood :smashfreak: she followed us down there on saturday and i'll bet she was going crazy staying behind us. i have to keep the pedal almost to the floor from the dry lake bed just outside of BC until i get to searchlight on that trip. i'm guessing i avg about 50-55mph for that entire trip. do i NEED to get a diesel pickup....absolutely not. will my truck pull my boat legally....yup....will i ever recoup the extra cost of a diesel vs 3/4 ton with a gas motor....not sure on that one, i tend to keep vehicles a LONG time. my biggest thing is everyone i've ever talked to that switched from gas to diesel swears by them. and they seem to run forever. i won't be pulling the trigger on one today or tomorrow but i'm seriously looking into it. i appreciate the opinions.

[panic button]

Good thing about diesels- change the oil, filter the used oil and put it in the tank, change the oil in the boat,, oil goes in the diesel, know someone that has a restraunt, get some fryer oil... All my neighbors when they change their oil bring it to me, saves me $4.50/ gallon.

[Rude]

Good thing about diesels- change the oil, filter the used oil and put it in the tank, change the oil in the boat,, oil goes in the diesel, know someone that has a restraunt, get some fryer oil... All my neighbors when they change their oil bring it to me, saves me $4.50/ gallon.


HUH???????

[kevnmcd]

I believe you have to do more than just dump it in your tank before it can be used as fuel.

[Rude]

after looking through autotrader.com there doesn't seem to be a price difference between the v-10 or the diesel. that will help the when it comes time to make a decision.

[Rude]

i saw a commercial on TV a couple of weeks ago where you can buy a kit that had something to do with making bio diesel. can you run that stuff in any diesel car/truck/semi etc????? does it hurt the motor? does it effect the mileage or driveability? if i could start recycling used oil myself somehow, that new pickup would pay for itself in a hurry!! i may have to buy two of them, one for me and one for the mrs :) PB REALLY has me thinking now!!!! shoot me your email address Chris.

[STV_Keith]

It's quite a bit of work and effort on your end, and it's not just dump it in and go. WVO require heaters and switchover circuits and cannot be left in the lines at shutdown. There are some nice systems to do this out there, but they are spendy. Look at http://www.frybrid.com for info - probably one of the nicest systems out there.

[panic button]

It's quite a bit of work and effort on your end, and it's not just dump it in and go.

All I do is filter it with a 30 micron filter and it goes right in the tank. I'm not running more than 5-6 gallons per tank with out an issue for 2 years. That's about 8%, bio diesel runs from 5-20%. My dad's 7.3's & 6.0's have benn running on 25% mix for years, his trucks have 200-400K miles without an engine problem.

[just another payment]

What Chris says is true to a point. You can run old oil in you diesel tank but no more than 30% or you will deplete the cetane rating and cause driveabilty problems, also do not try doing that in a newer diesel with emissions devices and particulate filters on them and especially in low sulfer diesels. My Diesel tech at work runs a 5.9 cummings 12 valve with twin turbos at approx 1000 hp and runs a 70% diesel fuel to 30%oil mix and approx 3 gallons on unleaded gas ( to bring cetane rating back up)per tank, and has 295000 miles on it and still runs strong.

[Rude]

twin turbos at approx 1000 hp

well that isn't bad :smashfreak: :eek3:

that would be like driving a lamborghini with a pick-up bed on it :thumb: just out of curiosity what has that done to his mileage, driveability and reliability?

[kevnmcd]

Well, with 295k miles on it, I would say his reliability is pretty good! :thumb:

[Rude]

not necessarily, you can wrench on something pretty regularly and keep it running. i was wondering if that is the case here with that much power. i would assume it would have to effect reliability to some degree.

[STV_Keith]

1000HP is no daily driver. Maybe if the last 300 of it is on nitrous. 500rwhp is a nice daily driver power level...nothing crazy required...single turbo, injectors, box. No nitrous, no special needs. No driveability problems. You can't even begin to tow with 1000hp. The cooling system of the truck is taxed at 400rwhp, so even 500 is pushing it.

Gotta set a goal of what you want the truck to do well, and go for that. :)

[just another payment]

Actually 1000 hp is a daily driver and tows just fine, excellent reliability, tows just fine, truck carries a lance overhead camper, while towing a trailer with a sand car and 4 quads , no overheating issues fuel economy at about 9mpg loaded,
Turbos are progressive so has plenty of power on low end as well as top end. If set up right can be very driver friendly. His truck is a 4wd with a 6 speed manual trans and has about $12000.00 in work on the engine. So it is not cheap but it can be done.

[STV_Keith]

So he's telling you it makes 1000rwhp on diesel only and he drives it every day?

Just trying to get the full, straight story before I call bullshit. :D

[just another payment]

Call what you will,but I was there when it was run on the dyno 983 rwhp on diesel

[just another payment]

Call what you will,but I was there when it was run on the dyno 983 rwhp on diesel

[STV_Keith]

So he's got a 12v making 983rwhp on #2 only...Ok, that's doable. My buddy Lenny at Dynomite Diesel just made 1168 on #2 a week ago. Same deal, big twins on a 12v.

I'd have to see that truck with the camper and trailer and the same pump setup/injectors to believe it. Now, it is very common for the 12v and 24v guys to swap injectors and turn down the pumps and make the same truck do work, but not setup for 1000rwhp as a towing truck.

I will also say that I just left the diesel performance industry last October after having been in it for 8 years...so I'm not just spouting off out of my butt. :D

[kevnmcd]

so I'm not just spouting off out of my butt. :D

Are you sure about that? :Bolt:

j/k...I don't think anyone here doubts your knowledge of diesel performance or your jello shot making capabilities for that matter! :biggrinbandit:

[250 Eagle]

I just bought a new 2007 Dodge Ram 3500 dually w/ 6.7L Cummins and 6 speed auto. Paid 35K with navigation and Infinity sound. I just have to say that after many years of towing with gas-powered vehicles, I'm never going tow again with a non-diesel truck. I would say anyone that tows with their truck at least 50% of the time can justify a diesel.

[just another payment]

Keith I do not doubt that you know what you speak of, you have proven that many times. But having worked for dodge over the last 23 years I have met a couple of guys who can do amazing things with the old 12 valves, and this guy is one of them . As a matter of fact he was around as was I when the first dodge cummings diesel was introduced, so he has been playing with them a very long time. It takes a little practice but if you know how to drive it, you can use it as a tow vehicle, but it takes some knowledge of how the set up works as you well know, But anyway I do not believe this is what James had in mind when he started this thread.

James , buy a Dodge , try to find an early mega cab with a 5.9 liter , do not get the 6.7 liter as we are having many problems with them at this time. Right now the problems are turbos and egr systems getting clogged with soot. Too many bugs still to be worked out.

[STV_Keith]

Agreed...if you drive around the problems inherent with trying to tow with big power, it CAN be done...but it ain't easy. Certainly more difficult all the way around, than with a 400-500rwhp truck, which is basically drive it like a stocker (but with power).

[250 Eagle]

Keith I do not doubt that you know what you speak of, you have proven that many times. But having worked for dodge over the last 23 years I have met a couple of guys who can do amazing things with the old 12 valves, and this guy is one of them . As a matter of fact he was around as was I when the first dodge cummings diesel was introduced, so he has been playing with them a very long time. It takes a little practice but if you know how to drive it, you can use it as a tow vehicle, but it takes some knowledge of how the set up works as you well know, But anyway I do not believe this is what James had in mind when he started this thread.

James , buy a Dodge , try to find an early mega cab with a 5.9 liter , do not get the 6.7 liter as we are having many problems with them at this time. Right now the problems are turbos and egr systems getting clogged with soot. Too many bugs still to be worked out.

Thanks for the encouraging news about the 6.7's! Hopefully mine will be okay. :clapping::clapping:

[Liquid Courage]

Thanks for the encouraging news about the 6.7's! Hopefully mine will be okay. :clapping::clapping:

Of course it will after 3 years of warranty claims, and they just take that emmisions mess off. :laugh:

[Rude]

so i've been looking at the classifieds today and noticed i can get into an 02-03 with low miles for 17-20k and with over 100k miles for around 15k. most of the used trucks i'm finding have some sort of lift on them. how much will a lift and 35s effect mileage? do i need to be concerned about the "low miles" being a false reading if the odo was not recalibrated? i've also read about the trannies being the weak link in these trucks. how will i know if it's on the verge of letting go and what would a new one cost? is there a heavy duty/aftermarket option for these trannies? i found a beautiful truck that has every option i want for 23k with super low miles. i'm trying to find out if it's a 6.0 or 7.3.

[STV_Keith]

The only year that the 6.0 and 7.3 were both offered was 03.

[Rude]

just talked to the guy, it's a 6.0 :(

[Rude]

The only year that the 6.0 and 7.3 were both offered was 03.

yup, that's why i was hoping it would be a 7.3 'cuz it would be the last of the 7.3s but no such luck in this case. it has everything, leather, sunroof, longbed, wheels/tires, etc etc.....but i've just heard too many bad things about the the early 6.0s.

[panic button]

just talked to the guy, it's a 6.0 :(

Nothing wrong with the 6.0's

[Rude]

i'm only going off of what i've read and heard to this point chris. the majority of people say to stay away from EARLY 6.0s. 03, 04 and maybe into 05. from that point the bugs seemed to have been resolved.

[250 Eagle]

Just FYI, Ford is in the middle of a long-standing dispute with Navstar, which is the company that makes the Power Stroke diesel for Ford. Having heard about all the 6.0 problems, I'd be even more concerned about buying one with this in mind.

Buy and Dodge!!! :lookaround:

[kimswang]

What was it F O R D stands for again?

Also, keep in mind that an 02 -03 can NOT legally tow the boat you where mentioning initially...

[Rude]

Also, keep in mind that an 02 -03 can NOT legally tow the boat you where mentioning initially...

why is that kim?

[kimswang]

why is that kim?

Thay are not certified for those weights. Allthough not much changed structurally, the towing weights increased in 2004 due to advertisement power. Safety wise it doesn't mean much, but legally it does. I would have bought an Excursion 7.3 Limited, but it was just that - limited to to 11K and not enough for my little fishing dinghy.

[Rude]

well that kind of puts a damper on things :) i think my wife would kick my ass if i told her we'd have to buy ANOTHER truck if we ever upgraded from the daytona. do you think a 35 donzi, or 36 bullet etc weighs 11k??? i didn't think they would weigh that much. but i guess it's completely possible, my boat weighs about 4k. add another 10+ ft, a full cabin, a couple hundred gallons of fuel and what i'm sure would be a triple axle trailer and 11k probably isn't that much of a stretch. what does your boat weigh PB? it's a 35 correct???? how big is your boat Kim?

[Liquid Courage]

James,
My boat weights 9280lbs fully loaded on the trailer. Add another motor and 10 feet it would not be hard to eat 1800lbs up pretty quick.

Here is a 33 donzi

Boats and Personal Watercraft
2001 DONZI MARINE INC
33 ZX
Stern Drive Power Boat


Length: 33'
Model Name/Description: 33 ZX
Boat Type: Stern Drive Power Boat
Hull Material: Fiberglass
Beam: 9' 3"
Engine: 2
415 HP
Gasoline
Net Weight: 9200

Add 3k lbs or better for trailer and you are sitting at 12k.

My truck and boat fully loaded for Powell everything full of fuel, food, ice for 3 days weight 18,860 lbs. Remeber though I carry 120gals of fuel in the truck, and another 100gals in the boat. The gross on my truck is 20k legally.

[Liquid Courage]

James,
My boat weights 9280lbs fully loaded on the trailer. Add another motor and 10 feet it would not be hard to eat 1800lbs up pretty quick.

Here is a 33 donzi

Boats and Personal Watercraft
2001 DONZI MARINE INC
33 ZX
Stern Drive Power Boat


Length: 33'
Model Name/Description: 33 ZX
Boat Type: Stern Drive Power Boat
Hull Material: Fiberglass
Beam: 9' 3"
Engine: 2
415 HP
Gasoline
Net Weight: 9200

Add 3k lbs or better for trailer and you are sitting at 12k.

My truck and boat fully loaded for Powell everything full of fuel, food, ice for 3 days weight 18,860 lbs. Remeber though I carry 120gals of fuel in the truck, and another 100gals in the boat. The gross on my truck is 20k legally.

[Rude]

If the boat weighs that much by itself, start adding up fuel and gear for the weekend and you'll go right by the 12k mark. guess i better hold off until i can get something newer with a higher towing capacity. does a dually have a greater towing capacity than a fleetside? i know chris loves the way his tows his ride. here's an idea, i'll hold off until i can afford to buy one of those class 8 mohos (the kind with the freightliner front end). they are rated at 40,000 lbs towing capacity. i don't think i'll ever get a boat that would come close to that :) i really appreciate all of the input on this!!

[panic button]

What was it F O R D stands for again?

Also, keep in mind that an 02 -03 can NOT legally tow the boat you where mentioning initially...

Check your math... Everything that Ford has is a mininium of 12.5K, more than enough to pull that combo. LEGALLY
https://www.fleet.ford.com/showroom/rv_trailer_towing/2005/2005_F250-350.pdf

https://www.fleet.ford.com/showroom/rv_trailer_towing/2003/2003_SD_F250_350.pdf

https://www.fleet.ford.com/showroom/rv_trailer_towing/2004/2004RVTrailer_F250_350.pdf

[Rude]

do those ratings change from year to year? the second chart does have the 7.3 but it doesn't say what year ranges it's for. the first chart showes the dually can hook up to 15K!!! DAMN! not bad for a pick-up.

[panic button]

First link is 2005, next one is 03 then 04. Yes ratings change from year to year based on truck weight.

[kimswang]

It depends on the year, not the engine. I did my fair share of research before I bought my last SUV. My 34' outboard powered fishing boat on a steel trailer is 11.660 lbs, bone dry. Add fuel, gear, full cabin, 4', inboards / ouboards and you will far exceed 12.5K. The newer F-350's (like PB has) can haul in excess of 12.5, the older ones - NOT! Will it do the job safely? Heck yeah, will it do it legally? Sorry but no. Do a little search and find out the actual weight of the boat you are olanning on getting, then add some gear and about 3K lbs for a steel trailer and then you will see what kind of tow capacity you will need. This topic is far more complex than it appears with a lot of "know it all'ers". Make sure you get something that is legal if you are trading anyway. Also check the financing, I learned that by trading in my 1997 Suburban to a 2004 my payments only increased with $30,- and insurance increased with $20,-. The old sub needed repair for $1200,- in parts alone, hence the new deal paid for itself. Lots of very good deals to be made out there on HD trucks, take advantage of it while it lasts.

With my 2K miles a year of driving I opted for a gas engine since there was no way I financially could support buying a diesel. It has worked like a champ for me and despite the fact that I am approaching my towing limit of 12K lbs, I am still on the good side and legal.

[panic button]

James,

Add 3k lbs or better for trailer and you are sitting at 12k.



3K for a trailer??!! Is it made of lead? My all-steel 35' is 1200.

My boat loaded out, with ~200 gallons of fuel, 30 gallons of water and everything for Powell was 12300# with the trailer. The weight was taken by Nevada HP 2 years ago.

You'll be fine with a 12500# tow rating. Again, people with small boats talking about towing a boat size they've never pulled or will ever pull...

[STV_Keith]

3K for a trailer??!! Is it made of lead? My all-steel 35' is 1200.

I'd think your weight is low. The tandem axle trailer under my STV, which is steel, weighed in at 825#. The same trailer in aluminum is about 25% lighter.

The aluminum triple axle under my 30' Scarab weighs in right at 1000#. Add 25% and that puts a trailer for a 30 footer in steel around 1250#. I'd guess Kim's is likely 1500-1700#. His is aluminum as well. In steel, that would put him around 2000#.

[kimswang]

My Myco 38 is 2660 lbs. I took it to the scale.

[kimswang]

3K for a trailer??!! Is it made of lead? My all-steel 35' is 1200....


Double that and you will be in the neighborhood. Unless you bought a new, all alu wallmart trailer that is...:laugh:

[Liquid Courage]

3K for a trailer??!! Is it made of lead? My all-steel 35' is 1200.

Again, people with small boats talking about towing a boat size they've never pulled or will ever pull...


No way, my 16' double axle flat bed weights in just at 1500lbs. It has a wood floor which makes it a little heavier.

My boat dry is 5800lbs

so 9200lbs loaded on trailer
-5800 boat
equals 3400lbs some where

Fuel and extra crap are probably close to 1000lbs-1200lbs so that leaves 2200lbs for my all steel trailer.

I have never put just my boat trailer on the scales so the numbers are a guess. I weighted the entire rig at 15 and Craig gas station.

I have pulled a 33' donzi, 35 fountain, and 41 apache with my truck. Just around Vegas and it did fine. Legally I am sure I was over weight with the 35' and 41'

[sandman0_0]

what year did the dodge mega cab come out? i just read an article about a company just north of provo, utah that will make them into a long bed. now THAT would be a beast of a truck. i never seem to hear anything bad about the cummins motor. but i also don't seem to see as many dodges on the road as fords and GM. any input on dodges?

I have the Dodge with the cummins, I added an EDGE programer,5" exhaust and a after market air filter. The truck has endless pulling power, Plus I can leave it idiling at the ramp while I wipe the boat down for 20 to 30 minutes and it's ice cold inside when I leave. Now on the Dodge, I would never buy another one, The truck is weak, The auto tranny is weak and it eats front brakes.This is the first dodge I ever had and I bought it for the motor, There seems to always be something wrong with the truck. This is a perfect example of the truck falling apart around the motor. The truck is an 02 4wd ext. cab long bed with 45k miles. So it's not like the truck has a ton of miles on it. JMO good luck,

[STV_Keith]

Maybe it's mad because you don't say CUMMINS right. :) J/K. I have heard the same thing, but with ~130k on my 01.5 Dodge, I've only had a very few problems. Really like the truck, but want the quiet motor, better turning radius and less smoke at 500rwhp of the newer trucks. My truck is on it's 2nd set of front brakes so far. I have the manual so I don't have to worry about the auto, which is notoriously weak. :) YMMV

[kevnmcd]

Have nothing but good things to say about my '06 Chevy...2500HD, Dmax (LBZ) w/6 spd Allison, 2wd, crew cab. Tows great with lots of power, mileage is decent with the leveling kit and 33" tires, and ride is smooth. Currently have 61k miles on it with not one problem. All I have done is change the oil and fuel filter! The only downside to the desiel right now is the price of fuel! :cussing:

Oh...and Keith...it's very quiet compared to those Ford/Dodge desiels! :D

[Rude]

so if i ever want to step up to a 35ft boat, i'll basically need the truck that PB has, an 06 or newer dually that's rated at 15k towing capability? i guess i didn't realize that those boats weighed in that heavy. the last thing i need is to buy a truck, then decide to upgrade the water toy and then tell the mrs. that i have to a BIGGER truck :)

[Rude]

i've been lurking on dieselstop.com lately just see what the peeps are saying about their trucks. those guys could make anyone stop looking at ford diesels :smashfreak: are the chevy guys and dodge guys having the same issues. it doesn't seem to matter what year or motor i read about either. what's a good chevy/gm truck site to check out? the 6.0 have a very bad wrap, the 6.4 seem to have plenty of issues as well. the 7.3 seem to be the best of the bunch by far. i'd like to check out some input on the duramax/allison trucks to see if they are just as hated as the PSDs. it's enough to make a person reconsider a v-10 ford or bigblock chev. :dunno:

[digginfordollars]

I think I'll start calling you chicken little.

By the time you decide what to buy it won't be available anymore.

[just another payment]

HERE IS 1 FOR CHEVY

http://forums.trucktrend.com/70/6497145/truck-talk/chevrolet-fail-to-warranty-duramax-diesel-engine/index.html

THIS IS THE ONLY ONE I CAN FIND ON DODGES

http://bb.carprices.com/Forum11/HTML/000082.html

[just another payment]

HERE IS 1 FOR CHEVY

http://forums.trucktrend.com/70/6497145/truck-talk/chevrolet-fail-to-warranty-duramax-diesel-engine/index.html

THIS IS THE ONLY ONE I CAN FIND ON DODGES

http://bb.carprices.com/Forum11/HTML/000082.html

[kevnmcd]

Try dieselplace.com for chevy

[Liquid Courage]

http://www.turbodieselregister.com/

Best one for dodges

[Rude]

I think I'll start calling you chicken little.

By the time you decide what to buy it won't be available anymore.

THE SKY IS FALLING, THE SKY IS FALLING :D

i don't see the supply of these trucks drying up anytime soon. i just want too make sure i buy the right truck. i probably shouldn't be too concerned with it's tow capacity since i don't think i'll be in the new boat market any time soon. and ALL of these trucks wouldn't even break a sweat pulling my boat, even if it was going straight up. my gut tells me, '02-'03 with the 7.3 so that's probably what i should go with. the search continues :D:smashfreak:

[Rude]

found an '03 with the 7.3 and lariat package. owner says it has 72k on the clock but it has a 6" Pro-Comp lift with 325/65/18 tires. the speedo has not been recalibrated for the lift/tires. how much with the lift effect the mpg of the truck and how in-accurate will the odometer be? he's asking 21k OBO.

[STV_Keith]

That's considered a 35, but really 34.6" tall. Compared to 31.5's, which is typically stock on trucks, that's about 10mph at 75. Depends on how long he's had the bigger tires as to how much "extra" mileage is on the truck. Assuming he drove the entire 72k at 75mph, with a 10mph variance, it would mean an additional 11k.

[Rude]

so it would still be a pretty low mileage truck than. not too bad. thanx keith! that can corrected with a programmer right?

what kind of effect would that have on the MPG?

[STV_Keith]

Yes, a programmer (like the Edge Evolution) can fix the speedo. Liquid Courage has that AND a piggy back box (Edge Juice/Attitude). You should get a ride in his truck and see if that's enough power.

[Rude]

the PSD WITHOUT a programmer would be enough for me!! i'm just more concerned about a 6" lift knocking the fuel mileage into the weeds. i'd prefer to find a stock suspension truck but this one looks pretty nice. price is a bit high but that's always negotiable :)

[kevnmcd]

I would guess that a 6" lift with 35's would knock the mpg down by about 4 mpg or so. Just my guess though. I lost about about 2 mpg with a leveling kit and 33's. :crying: With the price of fuel these days, I might do it differently if I had to do it again.

[Rude]

i knew it would change it but i didn't think it would be that much. it's almost hard to find a stock suspension on these trucks. i'll keep looking. thanx kev.

[panic button]

Here you go, $15,500 http://pensacola.craigslist.org/car/727746131.html

[Rude]

thanx PB.

[STV_Keith]

Another thing to remember...most people want lifts. My brother had a guy buy the lift AND pay to have it swapped to his stock truck in one of his past trucks.

[Rude]

NICE! :) whatever it takes to make the sale. i just came across an 02 f350 with a 7.3 and 51k miles for $11,000. it looks like a govt truck so it probably has a bench seat front and rear. but for the money i'd save, i could buy new seats and go all leather or whatever i wanted to put in there! might be a good deal. it does have some damage to the bed though.

[STV_Keith]

Hit up Craigslist up North...try the SLC, UT areas. Lots of guys up there pull the stock bed in favor of a custom jobby.

[aquaholicbum]

hey kieth-you have connections still to hook me up with the edge juice and controller for a 2003 dodge 1 ton????

[STV_Keith]

Sure, call Cord at 702-897-6263 and tell him you're a boating buddy of mine. He'll get you a good deal.

[Rude]

ok, here's the skinny on my latest find:

2002 F350, 7.3L, 50631mi, 4x4, Crew cab, long bed, XL package, manual locking hubs, a/c, manual windows/locks, gray cloth bench seats, no carpet, no tilt wheel, 4 sp auto tranny, 85% toyo tires, may need new shocks, has dent d/s rear of bed between tire and bumper, small crease in p/s rear door, has int wipers, no cruise.

i can't think of anything else. definitely not the kind of truck i was looking for but the miles on the truck are great and the price is pretty good for low miles. i don't know how negotiable the price is. what kind of project would it be to change out the seats, add a tilt column, power windows etc to a truck like this? the other trucks i've looked at are in the low 20's that have pretty low miles but also have all of the other goodies.

[Rude]

the more i think about this, the more i'm not liking the idea of changing an entire interior. i was stoked about the running gear and low miles, but it would take a lot of work and fair amount of money to put up to what i wanted. looks like the search continues.

[just another payment]

HERE ARE A COUPLE FOR YOU:

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/car/771330309.html

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/car/760785161.html

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/car/780431827.html

[just another payment]

HERE ARE A COUPLE OF GOOD LOOKING TRUCKS

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/783791249.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/car/782338480.html

[Rude]

thanx JAP.

[Rude]

here's another one:

'03, F250, 7.3L