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Best Used Truck for Towing
I'm looking to buy a used truck for towing a
20 ft 5th wheel or a camping trailer. I don't
need off-road capabilities.
I wonder if there was an especially good year
for one of the following: Ford, Chevy or GMC.
I'm looking at something older than 5 years but
not older than 10.
I also wonder if I should get a gas or a diesel
truck.
I would prefer something that sits 2 adults and
3 children (2-10) comfortably for long trips.
--Krys
20 ft 5th wheel or a camping trailer. I don't
need off-road capabilities.
I wonder if there was an especially good year
for one of the following: Ford, Chevy or GMC.
I'm looking at something older than 5 years but
not older than 10.
I also wonder if I should get a gas or a diesel
truck.
I would prefer something that sits 2 adults and
3 children (2-10) comfortably for long trips.
--Krys
0
This discussion has been closed.
Comments
We need more info because the truck you need could range anywhere from a properly equipped 1/2 ton gasser all the way up to a 1 ton diesel.
1. I'd like to spend around $5k for the truck
and $5k for the camper.
2. I would use the truck daily to commute to
work 10mi each way so I don't care about fuel.
3. I will also use it around the house to haul
refuse, frequent trips to Lowe's, etc. so I need
a truck and not an SUV.
4. I'm not sure how heavy a 20' camper would be
but it seems to me it would be on the smaller
side (GVWR around 5,000). I will probably haul
some bikes and other camping gear.
5. The trips would take me over the Rockies.
6. I also don't think I will ever need 4x4.
I don't know a lot about trucks but I think that
an F150 or similar with V8 should suffice. The
problem is sitting for 5. Today's F150s would
be perfect but I can't spend that much.
--Krys
1. $5k. You're not going to find much truck for that money. It will be old and worn out at that price, at least going by "that's what it is around here prices." If you don't mind driving a less than beautiful truck and don't mind working on it all the time, then go for it! I used to drive beaters until I bought my current truck. They're great in the respect that if you tear it up or wreck it, toss it and go buy another.
You'll get about a 10 to 15 year old camper for that price. But if you take your time and do your homework, you should be able to find something that fits the bill. I was amazed when we bought our camper a few years ago. 8 year old 30' fifth wheels were going for $9k to $10k. We ended up buying a travel trailer, same money but only 2 years old at the time. Have you considered a pop-up? They are easy to pull and can be had for a lot less than a travel trailer.
2. For your price range, it will most likely be a gasser. Get ready for 13-15 mpg in a 1/2 ton, 11-13 mpg in a 3/4 ton.
3. Yeah, an SUV just wouldn't do in this case.
4. You're pretty close on the GVW of a 20' travel trailer. Again, a pop-up would be lighter. Here is one area where I think you're beginning to get into 3/4 ton territory. If you are talking about bikes, as in bicycles, then a 1/2 ton may suffice.
5. However, being in the Rockies and hauling anything of any substantial weight in addition to the camper, you probably need the heavier suspension and drivetrain of a 3/4 ton.
6. I don't have a 4x4 and have only really needed it 3 or 4 times.
In your first post you mentioned you needing seating for 2 adults and 3 children. Most older extended cab trucks will do for your situation right now. However, those kids do grow up. I don't know how long you plan on keeping this truck, but the oldest one will probably outgrow that small back seat soon. My truck is an F-350 SuperCab and my boys are 6 and 3. While neither are anywhere near outgrowing the back seat, the 6 year old doesn't have an overabundance of room. So, here is where the 1/2 ton vs. 3/4 ton debate may be answered for you. You probably should look at the full sized crew cab/4 door trucks. You can seat 6 full sized adults in those and be fairly comfortable all day. You're not going to find any 4 door 1/2 tons in your price range. There are 4 door crew cabs out there in your price range. Most likely they will be solid white/or yellow with no options on them. But then again, that may be exactly what you want. If you're like the rest of us, budget is the deciding factor.
IMHO: Get the crew cab 3/4 ton. Because, again if you're like me, you'll end up getting a bigger camper than what you started out to buy, and having the extra towing capacity and seating room will make your camping trips more enjoyable for everyone.
used trucks here in OR. You are right that $5k
may not be enough. I could go higher. It's just
that I prefer to start with $5k so I don't go too
far from that number. As for the trailer, I've
seen nice 20' trailers that would fit my needs
perfectly and I doubt I will go longer. As the
kids grow, they will try to get out of the camper
and into tents so we will not need anything
bigger.
I will consider pop-ups but I'm concerned with
noise control. It seems that anything that
goes on in a pop-up can be heard outside;
especially at night.
There is one thing I did not understand. You
say:
"You're not going to find any 4 door 1/2 tons in your price range. There are 4 door crew cabs out there in your price range."
These statements seem contradictory. What is the
difference between trucks you describe?
--Krys
"You're not going to find any 4 door 1/2 tons in your price range. There are 4 door crew cabs out
there in your price range."
He meant that 4dr. half tons are relatively new, and well above $5K price range. Chevy and Ford however, made 3/4 and 1 ton crew cabs in early 90s that are probably available at your price. Only thing is that were mostly bought as work trucks, so they've probably seen a lot of hard miles. I always saw them working the Amtrack rail lines, with pipeline crews, or logging.
I meant to say: "You're not going to find any 4 door 1/2 tons in your price range. There are 3/4 ton 4 door crew cabs out there in your price range."
Your statement about pop-ups is right!! Very little noise insulation at all. I can appreciate your wanting the TT. Good luck with the search. I hope you find exactly want you want.
Actually, the BEST entertainment at a marina is watching people launch their boats on the asphalt in front of the water (ouch)!
narrowed my choices to F350 as it is the only one,
early 1990s truck with 4 doors. Please, correct
me if I'm wrong.
Now the question is what to be aware of. I know
that I will not have a lot of selection but I'm
not in rush (I have until the next summer to find
it) so I'm willing to wait until something decent
comes along.
What is the best engine, gear ratio, etc. for
towing 5-6k lb 5th wheel?
--Krys
IMO: I'd hold out for the diesel, if everything else were equal of course.
daschtick: You stated; "The complete towed rig will realistically weigh near 7000 lbs with trailer, gear, gas, etc." There are several 1/2 tons that are rated to tow that weight. Would I routinely tow that much weight with a 1/2 ton? NO. The 1/2 ton doesn't have the suspension or brakes needed to handle that much trailer. The tongue weight alone will bring the rear end of the truck way down. If the trailer has surge brakes, then a weight distribution hitch is out of the question. I've seen people with too much boat for the tow vehicle get pulled into the water by their boat because their brakes were not heavy enough to handle the load.
Get the 3/4 ton. The towing experience will be much more enjoyable and you'll be more relaxed when you get there. If you're still set on the 1/2 ton, you'll need 4wd. You'll find that 4wheel low will be a necessity pulling that heavy boat up a slick ramp.
The truck will be marginal with that boat. I'm sure the truck will handle a 5k load OK, but the 5 liter may be a little weak, especially if the gear ratio is anything other than a 4.10.