Posted on 03/12/2013 6:34:05 PM PDT by Chuckster
I am going to be needing a prime mover to tow my boat from Washington to New Hampshire in a few months. I will also have to have a trailer built or adapted for my approximately 6000 lb, 27 foot long sailboat. I have trailered this boat before with a borrowed rig but now I need to buy one for the cross country move.
Can't buy new. New trucks just cost too much and I am not certain I would want a brand new vehicle anyway. My budget is probably around $10K to $15K for the truck.
I am thinking of something like a F250 extra cab 4X4 or similar GM or Dodge. After we get to the far side, the vehicle will be used as a farm truck and for towing horse trailers and such.
I have plenty of time so I am open to just about anything including buying a sixties vintage vehicle and having it customized for the purpose. Obviously, it does not have to be pretty but it would be nice to have something with a little style.
OK FRiends. What do you think?
Buy a F-250 diesel crew cab.
You can find good vehicles in that price range. A lot of the diesels are overpriced IMO, but a seven year old F-250 with around 100k in that price range would be my choice if I could find one...
I’ve had good luck with my Nissan Frontier. I know it has a Japanese plate, but it is made with non-union labor in Tennessee. Seems put together well. So can’t comment much on anybody else, but I give a thumbs up for it.
I thought Toyotas were made in America.
Ford F350 Dually: it’s not Gov’t Motors, the wide rear axle will make towing super stable.
(Hint - Keep oil in the crankcase)
I take it we don’t need to ask you how you know.
Rental U-Haul F450. Why would you buy anything for a one way trip?
Be smart. Buy quality. There's nothing patriotic about buying crap, no matter where it's made.
I would rent a Ryder.
If it breaks let them fix it.
I agree on the Ford F250 with one large warning. The 7.3 liter diesels are incredible engines. You almost cannot kill them. However...that engine was replaced by the powerstroke 6.0 liter diesel in about 2004 or thereabouts.
The 6.0 is a nightmare because of EPA regulations and a large number of other problems. In particular, the head bolts tend to pop off when the engine is under stress (from a heavy load, for instance).
You’ll find a huge amount of information at this forum and they do have a classified section for registered members.
http://www.powerstroke.org/forum/
Are you mechanically inclined, and do you really want a news truck or is an older truck okay?
I have a 2005 F250 gas 5.4 Liter for sale if you want to come to Florida to get it.
A Ford F250 with the 7.3L diesel will last a long, long time. These were 1999 thru 2003. Mine is a 2002 at almost 250k miles and still pulls great. Avoid the 6.0L (2004 - 2007). Not sure about the models after that.
The problem is that the market knows the 7.3L reputation. I see them for sale for (and get sold) for $20k+ regularly. I will keep mine even if I have to rebuild it.
I don’t want the exhaust fluid emissions crap on the new rigs. If it runs out, the computer cripples the engine. Bad thing if you are in the middle of an RV trip and went a little past the oil change mileage. They set them up to hit at the same time.
1st option. Sell the boat. 27’ sailboat just isn’t worth that much.
2nd option. Hire a boat hauler to bring it up there. Figure $3 a mile, under 2k to deliver. Less than the trailer...
3rd option, buy a large flatbed trailer and a old F-350 and haul it yourself. Figure about 10k to move a 5k boat.
have you considered selling the boat and buying a new one there?
(just a suggestion, I know how hard it is to part with one you love)
The POS is a rolling junk show.
Last GM product for me EVER!
First of all, buy used. Don’t feel guilty about buying a GM or Chrysler product because of the bailout. If your used truck was built before the bailouts, what difference does it make? GM/Chrysler will not be involved in your transaction.
New trucks are VERY expensive: 35K and up for something decent. And the new trucks have all the electronic gizmos, including tracking and monitoring, required by nobama. Buy used. 2008 or before. Check CarFax.
Full disclosure: I own a 2004 Chevy Silverado 2x4 with big V8 and love it. Gets 15-16 MPG. 85K miles. Almost like new :)
I agree with diesel as best option. But remember while a diesel engine will go many miles, chassis components don’t. They can be expensive.
I’d say by a plain new truck. Dealers usually have deals on them. Think you are correct to get a F250 but if the F150 will tow the weight, I’d get the new F150 for the money you plan to spent. Plain Jane model
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.