Posted 2006-02-25 2:49 PM (#564) Subject: Looking for a new truck
Posts: 2
Location: Kamloops, BC
I currently haul a 2004 3horse Sooner 18 ft x 7ft6 x 7ft6 with an F350 diesel 4x4. It definitely does the job, but I am looking for a new truck and am considering a 3/4 ton. Anyone with any opinions?
Posted 2006-02-25 3:41 PM (#565 - in reply to #564) Subject: RE: Looking for a new truck
Posts: 1563
Location: North Carolina
Opinions... I alway have.
Hitch weight carrying capacity of a 3/4 ton truck is the limiting factor in your situation. Do you currently have a true F-350 ? (a truck with dual rear wheels?)
Posted 2006-02-25 7:27 PM (#567 - in reply to #564) Subject: RE: Looking for a new truck
Posts: 363
Location: Albany, Oregon
I pull a 3h Featherlite slant load 4'shortwall no LQ My previous 3/4 ton Dodge CTD Pulled it great 1,100 lb'ish sometimes more pin weight made it ride perfect. On the opinion side of it, I vote Dodge.....auto or manual. Had several and they always do there job. There arn't as many leaps in technology going on with the Cummins right now. It is a proven engine like the 7.3L Ford but you can't get one in a truck anymore.
Posted 2006-02-26 10:49 AM (#568 - in reply to #564) Subject: RE: Looking for a new truck
Posts: 24
Location: Plainfield, IN
A 3/4 ton will definitely do the job, and a short bed would even do the job with the right hitch, but I would definitely stay with a diesel. I think if you are used to the torque of one now, you wouldn't be happy with a gas engine. I personally recommend a Dodge Cummins Turbo Diesel. You can't go wrong with a Cummins. I have buddies that have the Duramax in a Chevy 3/4 ton crew cab, short bed, and he pulls a 3 horse Titan, and he loves it! It's quieter than my Dodge, and has more room in the cab, and it pulls very well. On the other hand, I would stay away from the Powerstroke 6.0 liter engine. They have good power and drive nicely, but I understand they are having problems with them staying together. I have a few die hard Ford friends, and most have gotten rid of their trucks with the 6.0 Liter and got either and older one with the 7.3 or another brand of truck altogether. If you must have a Ford, then get a gas engine. Just my 2 cents worth.
Posted 2006-02-26 1:00 PM (#569 - in reply to #564) Subject: RE: Looking for a new truck
Posts: 606
Location: Home of Wild Turkey Whiskey
I'll be another Dodge guy, I had powerstrokes up till this last truck I bought a 2004 Dodge 325 h.p. 600 ft. lbs. torque. I had the same trailer with both trucks, bought the Dodge on price($6,000 less for the same options than Ford.) then I found out the Dodge would eat the Fords lunch. You'll hear all these Ford guys on here talking about chips, exhaust, air intake systems and what ever else they need to make thier trucks run strong, My Dodge still has a paper air filter no unnessary modifications and pulls like a dream. No bells and whistles my truck has 6 options, Cummins, Auto, Split bench seat, Fold-out mirrors, Cruise, and Tow Package. Rubber mat in the floor and I'll roll the windows up and down thank-you. It will top Jellico mtn. in Tennesse with a Kiefer X-380 full LQ(26ft on the floor) behind it at 65mph in overdrive with the cruise set. The Ford I had (2002) same gears, auto, Would top it with the same trailer behind it at 45 mph in drive turning 2200 rpms. Thats real world same trailer comparison.
Posted 2006-02-27 12:14 AM (#571 - in reply to #564) Subject: RE: Looking for a new truck
Posts: 69
Location: Spanaway,Wa
I pull a 93' sooner 3hrs GN with a 2003 Chev 2500HD Duramax and wouldn't trade it for all the tea in China. Have had it pretty well loaded to the gills and no problems with the cascade mtn. range (up or down)!
Posted 2006-02-27 11:20 AM (#572 - in reply to #564) Subject: RE: Looking for a new truck
Posts: 325
Location: Coconut Creek, FL
Nother Dodge fan here. I've got an '05 2500 HD Crew Cab and while I only pull a 2H BP - what a difference from the 150 Ford I used to have. I've also used it many times to pull a friends 2H LQ Sundowner with 2 1300 lb horses, hay, feed, etc for a week and it did great each time. I also love the back seat that folds down to a metal shelf for toting stuff around.
Posted 2006-02-28 8:59 PM (#573 - in reply to #564) Subject: RE: Looking for a new truck
Posts: 13
Location: cedar springs mi
Here's another vote for the Dodge. We had a 1990 Dodge with a Cummins engine. At 505,000 miles a guy ran into the side of it and the next week a deer ran into the other side. My husband always wanted to make a mini kenworth and he knew the dealership wasn't going to give him anything for the truck. The engine was running just fine. He made it into a mini Kenworth we used it for commercial hauling, he had a newer engine sitting on the engine stand but he wanted to get a million miles on the 1990 engine we had 927,000 on it, still starting and running fine.With no major repairs. But I hit a deer with it, the 1993 engine took a different radiator it didn't make any sense to replace the radiator. So we now have the 1993 engine in it. We lost our hauling contract so now we use it to haul our three horse trailer with 8 ft living quarters. The 1993 engine has 400,000 on it and running strong. The 1990 engine was put in another truck and still starts and runs just fine.I know you are looking for a new truck but I thought you might like to hear of our experience with the Dodge Cummins.
Posted 2006-02-28 9:17 PM (#574 - in reply to #564) Subject: RE: Looking for a new truck
Cosmopolitan (shaken..not stirred)
Posts: 10442
Location: south of Cowtown, TEXAS
I also have a Dodge. 2004 HO Cummins 3/4 ton quad cab short bed. If your trailer has a tapered nose, you should be fine with a short bed (if that's even an option for you) - no adjustments necessary to the ball.
Looking for a new truck
