Considering new truck - Opinions?

[mrdancer]

Re: Considering new truck - Opinions?

There is a reason for that! Dodge has never been known for reliability...

I think your info is a bit dated. They've come a long way in the last 4-5 years.

I tend not to trust any dealership's service dept and that would be about the last place I would get service (do most of my own service anyway). The Chevy dealership around here has a bad rep for service, one of the reasons why my wife traded her Chevy for a Honda.

Btw, my Dad purchased a 3/4-ton Dodge 4x4 w/ 360-4bbl, 4spd, 4:10 gears back in 1987 for around $7500 new. It's been pulling gooseneck horse trailers ever since and is still running great. Also, when I sold my V8 Dakota with 180k on it, it was still running like new, did have to change the fuel pump at 125k, though, and one set of brakes.

To the OP, just remember that you can buy a lot of fuel and maintenance for the cost of a new truck - run the numbers before you pull the trigger!

 

[lrak]

Re: Considering new truck - Opinions?

Your 3/4 Dodge has larger brakes then the 1/2 ton and if your pontoon trailer does not have them, well keep some extra room.

I was under the impression the heavy duty Dodges had HORRIBLE stopping distances in the 90s. I suspect the newish half tons will both weigh less and have bigger brakes than he has now.

 

[HMcClard]

Re: Considering new truck - Opinions?

I've had my 2005 F150 XLT Super Crew 4X4, with trailer package, since it was new. I've pulled a 16 ft 7500 lb cargo trailer on 800 mile trips several times and pulled my FourWinns sundowner 215 (3800 lb) with tandem axle trailer. No problems ever. In fact most current pickups trailer package and the oil and transmission cooler seem to hold up pretty good. I'd go for whatever gives you your personal best feeling sitting at the wheel even if that's keeping what you have.

 

[younggun]

Re: Considering new truck - Opinions?

I'd count out the '08 F-150.. The 3V 5.4L's have cam phaser issues that can be pretty major and if your looking for an Scab than that is likely the motor that you will find in it. I have an '07 4.6 XL model ( same as '08 ) with the tow package 4x4 and 3.73's and while I like it, the heaviest I have towed was a fully loaded 2 horse trailer ( 4,500ish Lbs ) total and thru the hills the weight was noticeable on it


Dodge vehicles do tend to have reliability issues that the owners seem to not admit but the same can be said about Ford and Chevy also. Friend of mine has an '08 1500 quad cab and it is a nice truck.

My dad has an f250 with the 5.4 in it and he got it with 80k and now it has 250k and he has never had any problems with it and it hauls around a 125 gallon chemical tank and pump for his pest control business in it and also has a gooseneck hitch and hauls our cows with it and the only trailer we have weighs 6500 pounds empty and he has had up to 20k pounds behind it before and still no problems. I also know someone who has a 5.4 and just abuses it and can't kill it

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Considering new truck - Opinions?

After working in the auto business 24 years, I consider myself a car guy. And I'm particular to the biggest sellers in the market because you can find more of them used. And they're the biggest sellers for a reason--looks, performance, durability.

I'm not a fan of the Tundra, as Nissan's Mississippi assembly plant has never risen to the top in craftsmanship. Nissan's put their engineering and financial resources into automobiles made in the fantastic Smyrna, TN factory. The Titan engine eats fuel, and is an old design and outdated.

The new Ram 1/2 ton truck is a big, big improvement over the prior generation 1/2 ton truck. The older model trucks were mechanically tough, but they again were not near the top in quality and design. They also do not pull top dollar as a used truck. Prices of the new generation truck have increased as the much nicer interiors, etc. are more expensive to build. Pass on Dodge.

It's hard to ever say anything bad about Toyota's of any kind, but Toyota dealers have never found a way to push Tundra's to the top echelon of the retail market. They've been too busy making a fortune selling Corollas and Camrys. I do like the V-8 engines, but they do get substantially less fuel mileage than more modern engines now available. They'd be fine if you could find one for a good price.

That gets me down to #1 and #2 in sales--Ford and Chevy/GMC.

I'm sorry you do not like the looks of the Ford, however they have superior fit and finish. Millions of buyers are not usually wrong about a truck, and their SuperCrew bodies are easily found. But wait until the 2015 F150 is introduced next Fall--a game changer and absolutely beautiful.

Go looking for a '08-'11 Chevy / GMC 1500 if that's what you like. But stay away from that dog 4.8 V-8. The 5.3 is a much better engine combination and will do a better job in day to day driving.

 

[matt167]

Re: Considering new truck - Opinions?

My dad has an f250 with the 5.4 in it and he got it with 80k and now it has 250k and he has never had any problems with it and it hauls around a 125 gallon chemical tank and pump for his pest control business in it and also has a gooseneck hitch and hauls our cows with it and the only trailer we have weighs 6500 pounds empty and he has had up to 20k pounds behind it before and still no problems. I also know someone who has a 5.4 and just abuses it and can't kill it

What years? 2V 5.4's only suffered the minor ( in comparison ) spark plug blowout issue.. Plenty of those 3V 5.4's end up sounding like Diesels because the valvetrain timing walks around so much. Much of the issue is caused by lack of maint or the wrong oil viscosity but buying a used truck is a large unknown because you just don't know

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Considering new truck - Opinions?

09-11 1500 Ram Crew 08 not available as a crew (just a quad)

 

[sam60]

Re: Considering new truck - Opinions?

I am surprised that MTboatguy hasn't chimed in on this. IIRC from a previous Tow Vehicle thread, he has owned them all.

 

[younggun]

Re: Considering new truck - Opinions?

What years? 2V 5.4's only suffered the minor ( in comparison ) spark plug blowout issue.. Plenty of those 3V 5.4's end up sounding like Diesels because the valvetrain timing walks around so much. Much of the issue is caused by lack of maint or the wrong oil viscosity but buying a used truck is a large unknown because you just don't know

My dads is an 03 and the other one is 07

 

[Slide]

Re: Considering new truck - Opinions?

If you go Ford, find an '11 or newer to get access to the new engine lines. Either the 5.0 V8 or the 3.5L Ecoboost are excellent options. I have a 2012 F-150 XLT with Ecoboost and tow package and it hauls like a dream. I would not hesitate to put the max tow rating behind it (9500lb).

 

[idonthaveaname]

Re: Considering new truck - Opinions?

What ever you decide, read this first....


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