getting a used truck, helpful opinions please Options

[roostinraptor]

i have an expedition now with the 5.4 and it gets about 11-12 mpg pulling my 6x20 enclosed trailer which is what i will be pulling most the time with the possibility of pulling a 7x27 a couple times a year.

im planning on getting an extra truck and i have narrowed it down to a f250 with 5.4 or 7.3 diesel. or a dodge with the 5.7 or 5.9. looking for some opinions on these. the years im looking at are 1999-2004 supercab or supercrew for the fords and the dodge would have to be a four door 2002-2004.

also would like opinions on whether the difference between the supercab and supercrew is worth the extra money and i also prefer the looks of the supercab, how much more room do u really get.

automatic vs manual.

please help, im driving myself crazy trying to decide what to get and need to narrow it down.

[mikef7]

As far as the Fords with the difference between the supercab vs supercrew. The difference is a full grown adult can actually sit in the back facing forward.

Have had 97, 99 and 2005 F150 (4.6 and 5.4). Had a 03 Dodge with the hemi. I'll say, give me the ride of the F150 with the power of the Hemi on you would have the perfect truck. The 5.9 would be the one to drop from your list.
Any of the trucks mention will pull either trailer.

Pulling a trailer the mileage will be the same (within 1 mpg). The dodge will use more when driving around without a trailer, the hemi likes to go but 9-13 in the city is what you'll get. The fords will get 12-16 in the city (though my 05 gets 17, just a 4.6 though).

[shoelessjoe]

If you are buying/looking at a used F-series Super Duty take a few minutes and check out the rear wheel well's. They have a rust issue around the top "corners" of the wheel well. Crud gets trapped between the inner and outer bedside and sits in there until it starts to rust. Many of the older ones (02-04 etc) that you see on the road will have rust starting in that spot.

Unfortunately my 2004 is now on the list of those with rust forming. I smashed the one side and got a new bedside on the passenger side but the drivers side is starting to rust.

[Matt Wells]

As far as the Fords with the difference between the supercab vs supercrew. The difference is a full grown adult can actually sit in the back facing forward.

Have had 97, 99 and 2005 F150 (4.6 and 5.4). Had a 03 Dodge with the hemi. I'll say, give me the ride of the F150 with the power of the Hemi on you would have the perfect truck. The 5.9 would be the one to drop from your list.Any of the trucks mention will pull either trailer.

Pulling a trailer the mileage will be the same (within 1 mpg). The dodge will use more when driving around without a trailer, the hemi likes to go but 9-13 in the city is what you'll get. The fords will get 12-16 in the city (though my 05 gets 17, just a 4.6 though).

I hope you are not referring to the 5.9 Diesel in the Dodge with this remark...
Out of all the possible trucks you have listed the Dodge quad cab with a 5.9 Diesel will be your best option in the used market for what you are describing for use. The Cummins is the engine that all other maufacturer's want. Hell, Ford puts the Cummins engines in their 650-750 series from the factory. The Cummins is the only diesel engine on the market, currently sold in light duty trucks that is rated for meduim duty. If your buying a used truck, it will already have some milage on it, and you are hoping to put more miles on it when you buy it. The Cummins motor is a 700,000 mile motor easily, if properly maintained. If your pulling trailers, the Diesel motor is the way to go, twice the torque, and all the HP, with better milage than any gasser. As far as "plush" interior, or comfortable ride, the Dodge is not your best option. If you want a nice ride that is going to look pretty and feel like your lazy boy, then go buy a nice 1/2 ton Ford or GM. But if you want a truck to use like a truck, and last, get your self a Dodge 2500 with a Cummins.

The Super Duty is a really nice truck, but a gas powered Super Duty is a pig (8-11mpg at best) and the Powerstroke diesel is a hit or miss. Most poeple selling a Diesel powered Super Duty are getting rid of it for a reason.

Personally the Hemi is over rated also, it is a great 1/2 ton truck motor but for pulling stuff it drinks gas as fast as you can pour it on the ground. I had it in my last truck, loved the truck hated keeping gas in it when ever I pulled a boat or sled trailer up north. JMHO take it for what it is worth.

[MI-SNOWNUT]

X 2 on Matt's comments..

My bud Scott has the Dodge Mega Cab Diesel 2006. Sweet truck, he gets 20-21 mpg w/o trailer which is not "a pig" 13 mpg pulling the 4 place Steel and 16-17 mpg pulling my Floe all aluminum 3 place.. Back seat room is HUGE !!!

I would lean towards 2006 Dodge Diesel Last year of the good motor.. Also, hope you don't mind Grey Interiors... Seems like that was the only color you could get.

Good luck !

[shoelessjoe]

As far as "plush" interior, or comfortable ride, the Dodge is not your best option. If you want a nice ride that is going to look pretty and feel like your lazy boy, then go buy a nice 1/2 ton Ford or GM. But if you want a truck to use like a truck, and last, get your self a Dodge 2500 with a Cummins.

Funny how times have changed. A few years ago Ford would not have been on the "plush, great ride" list. Until a few years ago they were still rocking the leaf spring front axle and it wasn't a great riding truck. GM was the one with the plush ride and bells and whistles. I agree that now GM, Ford and Dodge all have amazing interiors and creature comforts compared to even just a few years ago. Ride quality and driveabliity have come a long way as well.

I also agree with you on the Cummins power plants. Great powerplants. I will say that personally, from what I have seen of Dodges (other peoples only, never owned one myself), I wouldn't put them in the "built to last" category other than the motor. That's just my .02 though. I've seen issues with them all and heard people brag about them all so go with what you want.


EDIT: My comments above about Ford trucks is based on the Superduty, not the F-150.

[Matt Wells]

X 2 on Matt's comments..

My bud Scott has the Dodge Mega Cab Diesel 2006. Sweet truck, he gets 20-21 mpg w/o trailer which is not "a pig" 13 mpg pulling the 4 place Steel and 16-17 mpg pulling my Floe all aluminum 3 place.. Back seat room is HUGE !!!

I would lean towards 2006 Dodge Diesel Last year of the good motor.. Also, hope you don't mind Grey Interiors... Seems like that was the only color you could get.

Good luck !

Sounds like a nice truck....! LOL

[mikef7]

My reference to 5.9 for the dodge would be the 5.9 GAS engine.

[LJ 452]

If you're going "gas" then it really doesn't matter. Personally I would get a GMC, this is from an owner of an 03' Dodge. However I have the cummins in mine. The interiors and ride of the GMC is far better, the suspension will last longer as well. Miliage, well it's a gasser, it's going to suck no matter what when you're pulling 7-10k. If you want a tow vehicle, get a diesel, that's all there is to it.

Think about what your actually spending on extra fuel, in the long run you are probably better off packing a sandwich for the trip up, and breaking even. I love my diesel but its not really good for daily driving, it's a tow vehicle. I say that because the maintenance required is 2 to 3 times the cost. For example, oil change, gas motor has 5 maybe 6 quarts of oil. Mine 12 quarts, yes three gallons. Fuel filters, trans filters, diesel additive (because modern diesel fuel is crap) etc. Plus the fuel is more expensive, figure that one out. When your towing with one, there's nothing like it, other than that, not necessarily the economic choice.

I was getting body damage fixed on my truck and had to use the shop truck to haul my 30' five place. It was a GMC 1500 with a shortblock and 200,000 miles on it. I was surprised at how well it actually did, granted the trailer only had a thousand pounds in it so the weight was down. I wouldn't suggest it as a good choice for heavy towing but it did get the job done.

Just some info for what its worth.

[roostinraptor]

If you're going "gas" then it really doesn't matter. Personally I would get a GMC, this is from an owner of an 03' Dodge. However I have the cummins in mine. The interiors and ride of the GMC is far better, the suspension will last longer as well. Miliage, well it's a gasser, it's going to suck no matter what when you're pulling 7-10k. If you want a tow vehicle, get a diesel, that's all there is to it.

Think about what your actually spending on extra fuel, in the long run you are probably better off packing a sandwich for the trip up, and breaking even. I love my diesel but its not really good for daily driving, it's a tow vehicle. I say that because the maintenance required is 2 to 3 times the cost. For example, oil change, gas motor has 5 maybe 6 quarts of oil. Mine 12 quarts, yes three gallons. Fuel filters, trans filters, diesel additive (because modern diesel fuel is crap) etc. Plus the fuel is more expensive, figure that one out. When your towing with one, there's nothing like it, other than that, not necessarily the economic choice.

I was getting body damage fixed on my truck and had to use the shop truck to haul my 30' five place. It was a GMC 1500 with a shortblock and 200,000 miles on it. I was surprised at how well it actually did, granted the trailer only had a thousand pounds in it so the weight was down. I wouldn't suggest it as a good choice for heavy towing but it did get the job done.

Just some info for what its worth.

ty that is the kind of opinion and input im looking for and ty everyone for the suggestions but the cummins is out of my price range, im trying to pay cash and have less than 10g to spend. and in that price range have found some 4 door dodge gassers and some f250 and f350 with the 5.4 gasser and the 7.3 diesel. but this truck will also be my 30 minute commuter to work everyday.
i dont like any dodge prior to 2002 and would need a 4 door
like the style of 99 and up f250 but in my price range the miles are high and was considering diesel for the power and dependability.