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I don’t know what is wrong with these people

The obvious answer to the question is to get a bad axx diesel 3/4 ton truck

Friend bought the Ford 250 Diesel recently but only getting 16.2 MPG. Said it could pull a bulldozer out of a swamp though. Lots of power so if that is what you need go for it. Gas is cheap right now but will be back up to 3 bucks plus soon enough so just saying.

You need a bigger truck. I drive the mountains all the time with the 5th wheel. Also had a gasser to start with. It did it, but was not happy. 5-6MPG getting close to overheating climbing hills, brakes hot and stinking going down the hill as well. With the diesel never an issue.

Id personally go 3/4 ton for sure, I’d say a gas would be fine but I’m no expert on pulling trailers through the Rocky Mountains.

I’m still running my ‘05 Dodge 5.9 Cummins, need a new one but have been hesitant to buy due to aforementioned issues of all the extra emissions BS on modern diesels and the $10k additional purchase price. I will break down and buy one soon but I’m procrastinating as long as I can. Also diesels all get piss poor mileage now, and diesel always costs more than gas.

I drive a 2020 f250 gasser for work, it’s a great running truck and tows pretty well with moderate loads (5-7k). Haven’t towed heavier with it but my suspicion is it won’t leave me real impressed with a 10k + load.

That’s a good point

Ford, Chevy, Ram. They all have pretty good truck nowadays. Get the long bed. Longer wheel base and more stable towing. You don't want the tail to wag the dog. Absolutely no fun at all when that happens.

What about the 3.5 Eco with max tow package or a Chevy/GMC with 6.2? Is 7000# all those trucks want?

You wont find any other used diesel pickup that holds its value, as well as 2006, 2007 LBZ Duramax!

Yep, I made the mistake of selling one. Got dang near what I paid for it.

I'd be looking at a lighter TT. You can get a decent sized one now under 5000 lbs. If you want to pull a 7000 lb trailer it can be done with some 1/2 ton trucks, but you have to choose carefully.



Those trucks will PULL 10,000 lbs or more. The limiting factor with most 1/2 tons is payload. I'm more familiar with Ford, but F150's payloads will range from 1100 lbs up to 2100 lbs depending on cab style, bed length, trim level, and 4X4 vs 4X2. Most will be 1600-1800 lbs. A 7000 lb trailer plus a WDH will put over 1000 lbs on the hitch. That only leaves 600-800 lbs for passengers and cargo inside the truck. Which really isn't much. Two adults and 2 kids could easily be 400-600 lbs.

It's called putting the horse before the cart.Buy a tent and don't look back.

It ain’t about the go, it’s about the whoa. Brakes, suspension, etc are more important than the motor. Lots more.

Someone else mentioned payload. By the time you have the truck loaded up with the kids and gear and stuff, most 1/2 tons are almost out of payload. Then you drop 700-1,100 pounds on the tongue and you are deep into overloading a 1/2 ton. Also, 7,000 pounds dry is more like 8,500 or more loaded. You need a 3/4 ton.

Great learning here, much appreciated. I think I may go 1/2 ton and downsize on the camper. Like mentioned above, pretty sure I can get into the 5000# range and be fine.

I owned a 1997 nissan pickup, I-4, 5 sp manual extended cab. Great little truck for anything in its league. Only thing wrong with it was that it was not big enough for some jobs. What condition is yours in?




This was my solution when I was considering towing a 7000lb load. Once you spec out a 1/2 ton to tow a serious load, you are in 3/4 ton work truck territory.

I drove some diesel trucks for work, but can't justify diesel for my own uses.

My little Nissan has 180,000, replaced 2 timing chains, done all maintenance. I live in Tennessee, it was built in Tennessee and has never left the state. Oh and it has a “Don’t Tread on Me” license plate, and a Glock decal, which easily adds 20HP.

Chevy 3/4 ton gas job.

Next question.

My friend still has his 07 duramax he bought new in 07. I let him use 3000 gm card points because I just built a new home and paid for most on the gm card. He was a ford guy but the 3000 points swung him to the new gmc. He makes good money now but still won't replace the 07. I tell him get a new half ton for daily driving and keep the 06 duramax for towing. I don't he'll ever sell the 07.

Bb

reminds me of a guy i knew years ago. made great money but lived paycheck to paycheck. went out one day and bought about a 20ft boat with a big merc. only problem was he drove a toyota celica. i schit you not. he used to get people to tow the thing to the river and solicit all of us to go out on it so we could split on gas. i went once. it was real fun watching him drive the fuggen thing all day while i sat there and lobstered. that thing drank gas like a pig too. fuggen marina gas was like twice the price of gas station gas too.

The new 6.6 gas?