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Old 04-22-2018, 10:03 AM   #1
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2015 30' FB FC Bunk
Ayer , Massachusetts
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Would you drive a 13 year old Truck across the country?

I imagine opinions will be all over the place on this one, which is fine. In fact I encourage and respect all reasonable comments.

I have a cross country trip next year and I am struggling with what to do. I own an immaculate 2005 Ford Excursion with a bulletproofed 6.0. I pick the truck for it’s SUV body as we are a family of 6. It has been near flawless.

Would you replace it or continue with it? My trips are a month at a time and cross the US, next one is from Boston to California, up the coast and home to Boston. If all goes well, there will be two more big trips. One to Alaska, then a northern route with details TBD. These trips are 2 years apart, designed to end when my 3rd kid goes to college, she is 11 now. We also travel the east coast for spring break every 2 years. So you can see the truck will be around 20 years old on its final run if I keep it.

If I replace it I would lay out major money, for something I use just for camping a few times a year. But I would hate to have problems on the road. Struggling with this one, I have a year to figure it out. Part of me really wants to keep it as it has become a part of the family.

I herby approve you forcing your opinions on me.
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Old 04-22-2018, 10:18 AM   #2
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We drive a 12 yr old Burb. 😳
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Old 04-22-2018, 10:21 AM   #3
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Santa Rosa , California
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I don't usually keep vehicles as long as you've kept yours. That said, you've tipped your hand slightly with your descriptions of the truck as "flawless" and "bulletproof"; it doesn't sound like you're ready to let her go yet.

Based on your experience so far, there's no reason to anticipate trouble. Make sure the truck get's a good checkup and give the California-Boston trip a whirl. If all goes well, great. If not, then you've got a definitive answer. Either way, from your description it seems you will have time to re-evaluate before your Alaskan adventure and by that time you may be able to set aside a little more for your baby's eventual replacement. She may not make 20 years, but 15 doesn't seem too unreasonable. Just my $.02.
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Old 04-22-2018, 10:25 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ted S. View Post
I imagine opinions will be all over the place on this one, which is fine. In fact I encourage and respect all reasonable comments.

I have a cross country trip next year and I am struggling with what to do. I own an immaculate 2005 Ford Excursion with a bulletproofed 6.0. I pick the truck for it’s SUV body as we are a family of 6. It has been near flawless.

Would you replace it or continue with it? My trips are a month at a time and cross the US, next one is from Boston to California, up the coast and home to Boston. If all goes well, there will be two more big trips. One to Alaska, then a northern route with details TBD. These trips are 2 years apart, designed to end when my 3rd kid goes to college, she is 11 now. We also travel the east coast for spring break every 2 years. So you can see the truck will be around 20 years old on its final run if I keep it.

If I replace it I would lay out major money, for something I use just for camping a few times a year. But I would hate to have problems on the road. Struggling with this one, I have a year to figure it out. Part of me really wants to keep it as it has become a part of the family.

I herby approve you forcing your opinions on me.
... a bullit proof 6 liter? If you believe this...run it
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Old 04-22-2018, 10:26 AM   #5
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1991 34' Excella
2009 34' Panamerica
Telluride , Colorado
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I tow full-time with a 2001 Ford Excursion. 290xxx milesI keep on top of service and enjoy smooth sailing.
No need to fear an older vehicle if you keep it in shape.
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Old 04-22-2018, 10:46 AM   #6
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My truck is a 2007 and we are headed to Alaska with it this summer. I am carrying the title just in case. We have done a lot of maintenance and upkeep over the years.
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Old 04-22-2018, 10:53 AM   #7
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Absolutely agree with those that say keep it! Spend a couple hundred dollars and have a good mechanic go over it. Do whatever additional maintenance/service that will help you feel confident for your upcoming trips and keep on movin'.

Save the tens of thousands for your kids tuition or for you! Also, great modeling for your kids....you don't always have to replace fully functioning items just because they are older than what most others have.

Less debt is good!
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Old 04-22-2018, 10:59 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Meeks View Post
Absolutely agree with those that say keep it! Spend a couple hundred dollars and have a good mechanic go over it. Do whatever additional maintenance/service that will help you feel confident for your upcoming trips and keep on movin'.

Save the tens of thousands for your kids tuition or for you! Also, great modeling for your kids....you don't always have to replace fully functioning items just because they are older than what most others have.

Less debt is good!
Keep the truck. Keep the truck. If it's reliable..... And functional... Keep the truck.
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Old 04-22-2018, 11:00 AM   #9
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My old Express van was 17 years old when I sold it. I would have driven it anywhere...but it only had 75k on it. It was primarily a trip and TV. Maintenance was always thorough and excessive, as it was somewhat heavily loaded with my old SOB and well overloaded with my AS. Only used it regionally with the AS a few times. Tow rating was only 6900# and is was a heavy conversion van.
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Old 04-22-2018, 11:02 AM   #10
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Would I? Yes.
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Old 04-22-2018, 11:13 AM   #11
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2018 23' Flying Cloud
Dungville next to Donkeytown , Alabama
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You’re kidding right!? Keep that beautiful truck! I’ve got a 2006 Dodge Ram diesel manual with 120k on it. It’s still a baby in my eyes. I’m planning on running her until she hits the 400k mark and needs to be put down. She’s a dirty girl on the outside but kept mechanically maintained and loved from day one, and I trust her to take me to the moon and back.
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Old 04-22-2018, 11:14 AM   #12
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You know your vehicle, if its been fairly trouble free then yes. I also tow with an older vehicle, 2005 Sierra Denali with 223,000 miles and will take it anywhere. I've owned it since new and it has been maintained well.
Also something to think about is a new truck does not guarantee trouble free. My father in law just spent a week in Valdosta having his 2016 F450 (50k miles) repaired while traveling for work.
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Old 04-22-2018, 01:31 PM   #13
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Absolutely. My traveling car is 30 years old. I drive it on multi-state trips several times a year....My Airstream TV is 40 years old. I would drive it anywhere.
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Old 04-22-2018, 02:39 PM   #14
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If the vehicle is well maintained, and you know the issues with it, not a problem.

We drove our 2007 sport utility across the country two years ago, and will do so again this year, Vancouver to St John. 175,000 km on it now. No worries.
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Old 04-22-2018, 02:44 PM   #15
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The only reason I might hesitate is if there is a concern about parts availability if there was a problem. I sold a perfectly good 20 year old truck and got a 6 year old truck that gave me all manner of trouble and failures on the road.
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Old 04-22-2018, 03:42 PM   #16
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I am currently towing with a 2005, so yes, I would.
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Old 04-22-2018, 04:26 PM   #17
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Brandenburg , Kentucky
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I've owned my 1954 Chevy for over 33 years, and plan on keeping until I am unable to safely drive it. Runs like a dream.

Kept the truck that I towed my AS with almost 12 years. Wife pressured me into getting a new one, a 2017 F250 Super Duty.
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Old 04-22-2018, 04:46 PM   #18
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I have a 23 year old PowerStroke in great condition.... I would take it ANYWHERE!

(Yes, there is such a thing as a bullet-proof 6.0L!)
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Old 04-22-2018, 04:48 PM   #19
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My Airstream is a 1997, soon to be 21 yrs old. It tows a 2007 diesel Jeep. Would leave for Alaska tomorrow with both if I had the time. Maintenance is the key to keeping vehicles on the road.
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Old 04-22-2018, 05:11 PM   #20
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If you've kept the maintenance up, then why worry. Keep the tv, and put some $ away for an emergency repair and/or a new tv.
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