Tow vehicle needed: 4x4 truck

[jornvango]

Unfortunately the Tundra seems to have too low of a payload capacity for the truck camper that we're looking at. Supposedly payload capacity is 1310 lbs but truck camper has dry weight of 2200 lbs so we'll need a 3/4 or 1 ton truck.

[andreasduess]

I have several friends who did the Central/South American exploration thing, some all the way down to Patagonia.

Those who reported the best time, friendliest locals and least hassle from the cops and border guards were those who projected the least wealth. They drove Westfalia campers, didn't lock their doors and made sure they didn't show anything worth stealing.

By contrast, another friend who approached this trip like a sojourn into Iraq, basically used a truck that looked like an expedition vehicle, came back angry and frustrated.

Not saying that what's you're planning, but there seems to be wisdom in keeping things simple.

[jornvango]

This is exactly our dilemma. We don't want to buy "too nice" since it'll stand out down there, plus there is a big chance of dings/dents/scratches, especially while driving around small towns or off-roading to remote ruins in the jungle.

So, we need 4x4 ... that's about all we're certain about at the moment

[m.hony]

With that budget you can get a super clean, fully hard loaded, low miles 2005-2007 GM Duramax/Allison crew cab. No customization/modification is a plus. 2wd is a little less expensive and most are 4x4.

[jornvango]

We bought the camper today. It's a used Starcraft truck camper and has a dry weight of 2,200 lbs, so a one ton truck is recommended.
In the spirit of not buying a flashy truck, we're looking at the older F-350s with the 7.3 diesel and Dodge Ram 3500s with the older 5.9 cummins diesel.

[GCinSC2]

What diesel fuel is sold in your route? Older trucks drink most anything, don't later rigs require ULSD to not mess up emissions systems.

[m.hony]

We just bought a 2005 GMC 1 ton dually crew cab pickup with about 180,000 miles for $15,000.

[jornvango]

We're trying to decide between the following 2 trucks:

1) 2006 Ford F-350 4x4 dually long bed with the 6.0l turbo diesel and 192K miles. Dealer is asking $15,900. The infamous engine issues (EGR valve and catalyst converter) have been fixed.
Very good condition, King Ranch edition with nice leather interior.

2) 2008 Dodge RAM 3500 4x4 dually long bed with the 6.7l turbo diesel (24V) and 191k miles. Dealer is asking $16,900.
Not as nice on the inside; cloth interior with some stains.

Both trucks are under NADA value and around the 'good'/'very good' KBB value.

Which one would you pick? Based on the appearance we're more drawn to the King Ranch Ford, but based on what people are telling me about the engine ... the Dodge.

Any comments?

[Skater]

Originally Posted by jornvango

We're trying to decide between the following 2 trucks:

1) 2006 Ford F-350 4x4 dually long bed with the 6.0l turbo diesel and 192K miles. Dealer is asking $15,900. The infamous engine issues (EGR valve and catalyst converter) have been fixed.
Very good condition, King Ranch edition with nice leather interior.

2) 2008 Dodge RAM 3500 4x4 dually long bed with the 6.7l turbo diesel (24V) and 191k miles. Dealer is asking $16,900.
Not as nice on the inside; cloth interior with some stains.

Both trucks are under NADA value and around the 'good'/'very good' KBB value.

Which one would you pick? Based on the appearance we're more drawn to the King Ranch Ford, but based on what people are telling me about the engine ... the Dodge.

Any comments?

We have the Ford with that engine. I love the truck, but the coolant thing is annoying and likely to be an expensive repair if it hasn't already been bulletproofed. I know I'm wishing I'd found out about it beforehand.

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by jornvango

We're trying to decide between the following 2 trucks:

1) 2006 Ford F-350 4x4 dually long bed with the 6.0l turbo diesel and 192K miles. Dealer is asking $15,900. The infamous engine issues (EGR valve and catalyst converter) have been fixed.
Very good condition, King Ranch edition with nice leather interior.

2) 2008 Dodge RAM 3500 4x4 dually long bed with the 6.7l turbo diesel (24V) and 191k miles. Dealer is asking $16,900.
Not as nice on the inside; cloth interior with some stains.

Both trucks are under NADA value and around the 'good'/'very good' KBB value.

Which one would you pick? Based on the appearance we're more drawn to the King Ranch Ford, but based on what people are telling me about the engine ... the Dodge.

Any comments?

I would avoid any 6.0L Powerstroke. They have had a checkered service history, and getting to anything major on the engine requires removing the cab. That's not something you want to deal with in a little country town in Guatemala!

[jornvango]

Originally Posted by Skater

We have the Ford with that engine. I love the truck, but the coolant thing is annoying and likely to be an expensive repair if it hasn't already been bulletproofed. I know I'm wishing I'd found out about it beforehand.

Is this what you're referring to: the need to use the 'correct' coolant?

https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas...LANTINFOSS.pdf

[Skater]

Originally Posted by jornvango

Is this what you're referring to: the need to use the 'correct' coolant?

https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas...LANTINFOSS.pdf

Something tells me I don't want to read that link. If it's like what a dealer told my dad - "They're having problems with them because they're all putting chips in them!" - then it'd just be blaming the owners, and that's the last thing I want to hear.

The problem I am concerned about, well documented in this forum and elsewhere on the internet, is how EGR causes some kind of bizarre overpressure situation in the coolant, causing coolant to blow out the recovery bottle, possibly damaging head gaskets and other things along the way (oversimplified explanation; I don't need the corrected explanation, anyone). I carry extra gallons of coolant with me. I'm expecting the cost to fix it will be in the thousands of dollars.

Until we get it fixed, I'm half afraid to climb mountains with it because that's what gets it going - heavy load, big hill. Last time we did that we had to pull off because the damn thing blew out all of its coolant. This truck - or frankly any diesel 3/4 ton truck - ought to be able to tow our trailer over a mountain at highway speeds without losing all of its coolant. For regular trips we take, I can predict almost exactly how much coolant it will lose. Frustrating to say the least.

Just read the link: Yep, blame the owner. You didn't use MOTORCRAFT!

[jornvango]

Yeah, that's my major concern with the 6.0l, not many good reviews out there.
I can't find bad reviews (big recurring issues) about the Dodge Cummins.

I had the Ford checked by a mechanic and he said that the EGR valve and catalyst converter issues have been fixed on that truck and he said that the engine is very good once those issues have been fixed.
But yeah, will I find Motorcraft coolant in the middle of nowhere in central America or will they be able to work on the Ford?

[jornvango]

We went to test drive the Dodge this afternoon and took it to a mechanic to have a used car inspection done. Everything looks good mechanically.
I told the mechanic about our choice (the Ford or the Dodge) and he said to go for the Dodge. I called up another mechanic (who inspected the Ford last Friday) and asked him the same question: he said the same thing; avoid the 6.0l Ford engine and go with the Dodge. (Both of them did say that the earlier Ford engine, the 7.3l was an excellent engine)

So... we bought the Dodge! We're picking it up tomorrow afternoon.

2008 Dodge Ram 3500 DRW 4x4 with the 6.7l Cummins diesel.

[GCinSC2]

Congrats on the Dodge I think you'll be pleased with it.

Can you find out if it has the TIPM? If yes research for anything that is a known TIPM killer or anything you can do or avoid to save it.

Use paper air filter, carry extra and an extra fuel filter or two on the big trip.

Good luck.

[Bob4x4]

Yes it has a tipm,but the bigger issue will be not having ulsd available and the long term effects it will have on the dpf.4x4 low range for extended time will also be a concern with the regen system

[JFScheck]

ULSD is everywhere (as is DEF but you don't need that). You should be good to go and congrats, of course a picture to be posted is necessary at this point....

[jornvango]

Here it is. We're very satisfied with it so far: truly a powerful machine. Yesterday we drove 85 mph on the toll road next to Austin (yes, 85 is the speed limit!), the engine barely had to make an effort at 2,000 rpm and we got 15 mpg!

We're heading back to Austin tomorrow to pick up our new truck camper for our trip through Central America. Since Airstream doesn't make truck campers, we got the next best thing: an all aluminum & composite truck camper: no wood, even the cabinets are alu & composite, so no rot ever and no steel, so no rust! We purchased the 2014 Livin Lite Camp Lite 8.6

[GCinSC2]

Originally Posted by JFScheck

ULSD is everywhere

JFS

The OP stated the truck is heading to Central America. That is what my ULSD question was targeting, I don't know.

Gary

[GCinSC2]

Looks good. In the Dodge community mileage is hand calculated. The overhead is a notorious liar about mileage.

Good luck