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Post by ladymcts on Nov 3, 2014 12:58:23 GMT
Oh my goodness, when do you finally let a vehicle go!?!?! I keep thinking "this repair will be the last one for a while" and then boom, something else.
The blue book on my F350 in good mechanical condition and decent body condition is around $10K, and when I look up vehicles in its age and mileage range across the country they are selling for anywhere between $5 and 15K, with a nice little average right about $10K. In the past year, I have sunk almost $6K into this vehicle!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!! The most horrifying was a complete loss of brakes when the brake line simply rotted out and started spilling brake fluid all over the ground. Where I live, I routinely go over this monsterous hill that would make for a fatal disaster if the brakes went out when I was on it.
But on the plus side, each time it has had to be towed (twice), or left me stranded (three times), it has been in the politest of ways. Even when the brakes went, they went out just AFTER a 400 mile trip, in my work parking lot, and right at a time where I could both get a tow truck in under 20 minutes AND have a friend pick me up in 25 minutes. Like it was as non-inconvenient as possible. I joke about how the truck waits to fail when it's annoying but not really a problem.
Anyhoo, I've finally taken a bunch of pictures and started listing it for $10K hoping just maybe I can get that for it, especially with all the recent work. The big guesswork has to do with the body condition .. . it does have some rust spots that have gone completely thru, like the wheel wells and bottoms of doors. I'll be really ticked off if someone buys it and it goes for 2 more years with no repairs.
The HUGE eye opener came to me this weekend when I went to a new car dealership. I had always avoided even looking at dually trucks because I thought what an expense to maintain 6 tires when 4 will due. I have a gooseneck trailer, and I always thought it would be "nice" to have the 4 in the back in case one went out it was a little extra security. What I did not know was that the dually apparently actually adds a lot to how much the truck can actually tow? This was a totally new concept to me!!!
My current trailer is also old and rusty and I want to replace it sometime in the next decade. It is supposed to have a curb weight of 3500lbs, had some upgrades done to it after that, I have my junk in it, and with one horse, it comes out around 9-10,000lbs loaded. If I were to add a second draft beasty to that (which I can't do with this trailer because it's not made to withstand that much weight), I would be coming in around 12,000lbs which I thought was pretty much the max that a truck like mine could do (F350 non-dually).
Little did I know that dually could take me up into the 20,000lb range?!? Oh, so that's how people haul those monster 5- and 6-horse rigs without getting a mac truck!!!
So now I'm even more conflicted, do I get another truck now that just barely does what I need it to do, or do I plan for the future and get the truck outfited to manage a potentially new trailer that may weigh more than what I have now, and my two beasties in it ...
Decisions, decisions, decisions ...
Oh, and 10 years ago I went with FORD and been pretty happy. (The current one breaking down is more age and being kept outdoors than poor quality). Dare I consider DODGE and CHEVY?
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Post by ladymcts on Nov 3, 2014 12:59:57 GMT
Aaaah ... I did not put in those emoticons, they got put in for me ... then how am I supposed to spell S-U-N-K? :-)
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nhg
Junior Member
Posts: 2,429
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Post by nhg on Nov 3, 2014 14:57:57 GMT
Please, please, please do not even think about getting a Chev or GM. My daughter works at a Chev dealership and bought herself a brand new Dodge truck. Few of the employees drive GM products, either. They're okay until 2005 but not great. The ignition issue that is killing people, I believe it's over 30 reported but likely plenty more, is really bad and the replacement ignitions they put in are crapping out, too. My daughter works in the body shop of the dealership and what they keep seeing is airbags that haven't gone off even in some pretty bad collisions. This is another major issues that they're only starting to address. Stick with Ford or Dodge, please.
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Post by ladymcts on Nov 3, 2014 17:02:44 GMT
Hee hee, thanks nhg! I knew I'd stir up some anti-brandname sentiment! :-)
Ten years ago, the main thing that caught my attention was that all the ads for used Dodges seemed to say they had recently replaced transmissions in them, and not very high mileage. That was a big red flag.
I went to the Illinois Horse fair and literally counted more than 200 (I think it was around 300?) vehicles, and FORD was the leader by far. GMC was so miniscule like such a distant fourth that I'm not sure I would ever consider them. But Chevy and Dodge were about tied with each other for 2nd and 3rd place.
The one I saw Saturday that had me really interested was a Dodge. I made some off-hand comment to the sales dude about storage so he showed me all of the fun little storage compartments it has. I had to wipe some drool off the carpet. But I don't see why they have a step-up height three feet off the ground. I was too embarrassed to even try getting up in it for fear of making a fool of myself.
I haven't seen any Fords yet. Recently I rented a small Ford vehicle (can't remember the model - not focus, more taurus sized?) and the turn signal kept making me furious because it either wouldn't stay on or would do stupid things that told me a MIcrosoft Engineer must hve had a hand in it - "we know what you want so this is what it will do for you." If they put that technology into a Ford truck, I'm not sure I would be able to get over it. I would have to ask if they can make the turn signal more normal.
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Post by horselover4life on Nov 3, 2014 23:42:40 GMT
OK...some things I think you need to consider. First, when driving a dually it uses more gas, is wider and notoriously people take the dual fender off in parking lots. Yes, they can handle more weight, they are built heavier in suspension, all braking systems components. The springs are stiffer than what you have in your regular 350 truck.... Most 1-ton dually trucks are also diesel engines, and many are 4x4. That 4x4 adds more height and reduces gas economy and towing weights allowed {surprise!!} Now....if you really want to tow heavy weights you aren't using a automatic transmission but a 5 or 6 speed manual...with overdrive. Oh...once you go to this classifications your insurance may change to a more commercial carrier type policy, to register and insure it is also more costly. Check your states laws since there has been talk about stepping up in size and weight towing capabilities may make you need a CDL license...especially if towing a gooseneck!
Do do some comparisons...of truck ability brand to brand. All brands have had good and bad things in their line honestly. I personally don't like the braking feel of Chevy/GM products... I like the ride of a Ford over a Dodge but they are very close in comfort "in a HD truck classification". The recalls on the Ford have far outweighed those on the Dodge line and we won't discuss Chevy. Oh...that airbag recall is affecting every brand so dang no one escapes... The ignition thing is the "newest" to catch the media attention..it was something else a short time ago. Dodge had a front end issue so did Ford not long ago either.... Toyota has had numerous recalls, stay away from them for doing what you are wanting...they just aren't rated to handle the big stuff!
OK...I/We own a Dodge quad cab 4 wheel drive long bed truck. NOT a dually! Custom made and ordered from the factory...hubby ordered what he wanted and Dodge made it for us. 17 inch standard size tires from the factory...also makes the truck taller. We put running boards on it because I could not get in the darn thing...truck was/is to tall and I am 5'7" barefoot! Brand new in 2003, I had the very last truck made that year, it is actually a 2004 edition. {I begged for the 2003 designation because it saved us $5000! TY REBATES...} Our truck is a 1-ton under the skin...manual tranny, HEMI gas engine.{costs more at the pump as it asks for mid-grade for best running and engine life} Our truck has more guts that I need hauling and it can stay with any diesel any day going down the road... We averaged when I drove it loaded 13 miles a gallon and I was hauling doing about 70 MPH conservatively speaking..I stayed with the truckers. We tow a 10,000 pound enclosed race car trailer...end to end our rig is 47 feet long I think....BIG. When I drove it we parked in the tractor-trailer rest area and filled a space near completely! We could tow heavier, we are rated for it but our needs are met. Now we also tow a 4 horse steel semi-stock....easy-peasy {usually} To buy this truck again today new will be around $40,000.00 dollars...yes I have been looking.
Shop, price and compare and do some serious internet digging for best prices and to be a informed consumer. By doing that when we went buying years ago we saved over $11,000.00. That made a huge difference in payments and allowed my hubby to get what he wanted and not settle for what we could afford. If you belong to Costco, Sams Club, BJ's, AAA or AARP or any other organization use their resources for saving $$ too...it really can make a difference, new or used in price paid!
Oh, by me when you go anyplace and look in the parking lots...Dodge far in front then Ford and last GM/Chevy. These are hard-driven work trucks and not all pretty yuppy vehicles...these are what the ranchers and cattle man drive and work with everyday. You rarely find a 1500 here unless a out-of-towner...AKA "snowbird". Trucks here earn a living and make money for their owners...they have reliable trucks cause their livelihood depends upon it. Not all have new either...older trucks...yes! Dodge, Ford then Chevy in that order and very few Chevy. Those towing those behemoth horse trailers, you know the "fancy" ones....Dodge or Ford pulling it.
Happy shopping and enjoy the search!
What a book, what a book!! ....
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nhg
Junior Member
Posts: 2,429
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Post by nhg on Nov 4, 2014 1:29:30 GMT
Up to about 2002 the Dodge tranny's were crap. They're better now. If I were to buy a new truck now I'd buy a Dodge. I love the look of them and I found that my friend's new Ford has room issues in the passenger seat where you legs go. My legs fit okay but the glove compartment went down so low that I scratched it just moving my purse. It also scratched very easily, by the way. Ford would be my second choice, though. I think the GM trucks are so ugly, cheaply made, and expensive in comparison I wouldn't even have them as a third choice.
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mingiz
Junior Member
Los Lunas, NM
Posts: 3,320
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Post by mingiz on Nov 4, 2014 18:46:26 GMT
The Rams have a recall on them for heater issues. I wanted a Dodge but ended up getting the Ford. Even though the 6.0L had issues. It was between 03-05. My 06 F250 tows my 28ft LQ without any issues. The trailer is rated at 10,400 loaded and it has been!! The truck has had a few issues. But over all it was still cheaper for me to fix it than replace it. As it is paid for. They say the new For 6.7 is a nice motor. But who can afford a mortgage for a new vehicle? Mine is 8yrs old and still looks new. If you get a diesel and keep good maintenance on it. It will go forever..Lint has a 2000 F250 with way over 200k on it and he doesn't take care of it like I have mine but he has the trusted 7.3L in it and has a manual 6spd. I would go with the ram 2500 if your not going over a 3h with huge LQ it will tow it with ease. Chevy too but with all the issues GM is having, it's not worth the head aches. I always said the ideal truck would be the Ford body, the Dodge Cummings and the GM Allison transmission
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nhg
Junior Member
Posts: 2,429
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Post by nhg on Nov 4, 2014 19:22:49 GMT
I agree with your combination truck but the Ford suspension, not the body. I love the looks of the Dodge trucks. I like the Fords other than looking at them straight on at the front, too boxy.
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redzip
Junior Member
Posts: 1,701
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Post by redzip on Nov 4, 2014 21:07:24 GMT
I'm no help,., I'm keeping my much older Dodge running for now. Paint job in my future bc I'd rather not spend a fortune on a 'new/used' truck for my hobby right now either. Old 'Goldy' does just fine,.., altho it won't be 'Goldy' for much longer,., I'm thinking 'Grey' to match my trailer. Good luck with your search and keep us posted
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nhg
Junior Member
Posts: 2,429
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Post by nhg on Nov 4, 2014 22:30:15 GMT
How old is Goldy, Red? We had a 1999 Dodge Ram 2500 for years just for hauling stuff and pulling the horse trailer. The tranny did end up crapping out after I sold it. I felt bad but we'd carefully maintained it and I had it checked before I put it up for sale by a tranny shop and they adjusted some bands and said it was fine. The new owner had it for almost a year and was using it to pull a holiday trailer so maybe she wasn't using the overdrive button or something, I don't know. The thing is that truck could sit out in the coldest weather for months without being plugged in and would start when you turned the key like it was just waiting for you to ask it to go somewhere. Totally reliable. And pulled our Exiss 3 horse gooseneck like a charm.
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redzip
Junior Member
Posts: 1,701
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Post by redzip on Nov 4, 2014 22:41:09 GMT
1995 with 145k original miles, V8, pulls great. Owned originally by my Dad, who was a mechanic, and meticulously cared for his vehicles. I bought it from him and I have kept up with consistent service and upkeep with the only other shop that worked on the truck, after my Dad died. I can't justify spending $10k + on newer 'used' truck with similar mileage, etc. for something I drive maybe 20x a year, and put less than 5000 miles a year on. It would have to need MAJOR repairs for me to consider new truck shopping right now
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Post by ladymcts on Nov 4, 2014 23:24:54 GMT
Thanks for all your great comments guys ... I am reading ... almost made a reply last night but didn't have enough time. (Typical me, want to write a bunch.)
As the gut churns ... I've been thinking more and more on this. I keep telling myself that I KNOW the first step has to be selling the old vehicle. It's my only vehicle, but my parents have said I can borrow their honda, and I've made sure the boarding barn is OK knowing I'd be truckless for a while (their truck could pull my trailer if it had to be moved). So that's at least one definite decision made. I have the ad posted, and I'm just not sure what kind of $$ I will be able to get for the vehicle, or how long it will list for or how low I will have to go to sell it. If it sells in a month great, if it takes 12 months, well then hopefully it won't cost me too much more to just keep it running.
I desperatly WANT to get NEW. New new new, shiny, and new. Sick and tired of old broken down junk!!!
But what dawned on me last night was that I have no garage. No garage means no way to protect my investment. It's why my current one is so rusty - living out in the elements in Wisconsin and northern Illinois.
So I'm inching closer to a second decision ... after selling the old truck, as much as I hate to, now is not the time to buy the biggest baddest newest vehicle in town. I need to focus on something that just barely meets my needs, and in a few years when I'm ready for the new trailer I'll just do both at that time so I can be sure they actually match each other instead of guessing what a few years might bring.
Make sense?
Clear as mud?
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mingiz
Junior Member
Los Lunas, NM
Posts: 3,320
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Post by mingiz on Nov 5, 2014 3:33:45 GMT
Makes perfect sense. Find a newer used one. But make sure you do a car fax type check on it. Or wait till the end of year models are on sale. My truck has never been in a garage and I lived with salt water all around me. If you keep it clean and wash the under carriage and a good coat of wax on it. It will be ok. I have no rust on mine. Some of the newer trucks I know Ford is doing it but putting the roll on bed liners in them and hitches. A regular bed liner will rub the paint in the bed off and it also keeps moisture under it. I have the line x on mine and love it. If you get a diesel make sure it has a block heater. That way when temps get into the teens. You can plug it in so the fluids don't gel up. Also use a fuel additive. Diesels are good motors but maintenance is more expensive on them. Another thing to think about is what size tires it will have. My truck has 17in wheels and my LQ is up a tad in the front but not enough to stress the axles on it. Most of the newer trucks are coming stock with 20in wheels. With towing a GN it doesn't give enough clearance between the trailer and top of truck bed. Unless you raise the axels on the trailer. There is a site called Horse Trailer World. There is a lot of great information about trucks and trailers and towing. You could get a lot of questions answered there. I know I have. You can also go to the Dodge or the other sites and build your truck and get an idea of what it will cost you...The last one I built was 55k. Yes I will keep mine...
Go to Kelly Blue book and see what yours is worth. You will get more selling it out right than trading it in.
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Post by ladymcts on Nov 5, 2014 13:48:41 GMT
Mingiz - I know I learned ALL ABOUT diesels and how obnoxious they are thru winter last year. It's part of the reason I spent so much money fixing my current truck. I truly believe that when I paid $2000 to the first repair shop for a "high pressure oil pump" that it was a misdiagnosis, that my problems when towed into there were all about diesel fuel care and not using additives.
I had owned the diesel truck for 4 years, and it has an engine block heater, but on prior winters I had a honda civic as my daily driver. Now I work from home, and maintaining the expense of a second car when I hardly drive anywhere just makes no sense. So on a day when it was in down in the teens, I engine block heatered it, got it started, let it run 15 minutes, headed out on the road, and it petered out on me. It would go but super duper sluggishly and knocky. I called a tow place and the guy put a real fear into me not to move one more foot or I might cause $5000 in damage. (Can't remember what he said it might be.) So he hooked it up, gave me a lift back to my house a mile a way, and told me a couple days later it was the high pressure oil pump, $2k please. I paid it. He also did a fuel filter.
It ran great for 30 days when I had to take it back into him as it started running loud and knocky again. New fuel filter again, and like new. So he lectured me on using additives which I'd never heard of before. Now I use them with every fillup.
Sorry ... writing a book here. So one of my theories in looking for a new truck is to go with gas instead of diesel. But they are a rare truck indeed (F350 that pulls 12K but is gas.) With my current horses and their current health statuses I pull them rarely, BUT when I do pull them, I pull them to the vet, so I need something reliable!
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Post by ladymcts on Nov 5, 2014 14:00:37 GMT
Oh yes, the dumbest thing on the planet .... I already thought it was insanely STUPID that car manufactures EVER decided to put CARPET inside cars. Where consumers then pay all outdoors to cover up the carpet with mats to protect teh carpet. What a crock.
So the stupidest thing on the planet? CARPETED TRUCK BED!!!!
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Post by horselover4life on Nov 5, 2014 14:13:22 GMT
Lady...that is for "yuppies" as I call them that drive those trucks to impress others...
For those of us that "use" our trucks as trucks not a status symbol....carpeted bed....BAHAAAAAAA.
Our truck does have interior carpet in the cab, upgraded very plush seats and is spotless inside. Yes, we did spend a small $$ on carpets, custom fit carpets to go over the "OEM" carpets...but when I need my truck t o go out someplace with many people inside...pullout those mats and the interior is immaculate, no dirt no stains.... Our truck is pristine showroom clean {usually} inside....my car on the other hand is dusty!!
Off to get horse feed with the car after riding lessons today...see, that is why it is dusty!!
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mingiz
Junior Member
Los Lunas, NM
Posts: 3,320
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Post by mingiz on Nov 5, 2014 14:21:44 GMT
I have replaced the ST fitting on high pressure oil pump in mine.700$ Also just recently replaced the EGR Cooler and Oil cooler at a cost of 2100. That was part of the 6.0L issues. Still in my case cheaper to fix it. But when it's running right you can't beat it.
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nhg
Junior Member
Posts: 2,429
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Post by nhg on Nov 5, 2014 15:28:11 GMT
When the Hutterites bring their trucks in to the body shop where my daughter works they've used bedliner on the carpets in the cabs. GM/Chev tends to have the more luxury car type of interiors. We have high end floor mats to cover our carpets. I can't remember who makes them but they're fitted to the vehicles and have sides that come up to trap the water so it doesn't get on the carpets. Perfect for winter. They're over a hundred bucks for two.
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mingiz
Junior Member
Los Lunas, NM
Posts: 3,320
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Post by mingiz on Nov 5, 2014 21:28:48 GMT
I use throw rugs in mine. I have a saddle blanket across the back floor. In front I have 2 throw rugs and a saddle blanket type across the hump and it covers part of the floor. Carpet in mine looks new still. Seat covers on front seats. Of course I wipe my feet off before I climb in and I try to keep it clean.
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Post by ladymcts on Nov 7, 2014 19:01:25 GMT
I have replaced the ST fitting on high pressure oil pump in mine.700$ Also just recently replaced the EGR Cooler and Oil cooler at a cost of 2100. That was part of the 6.0L issues. Still in my case cheaper to fix it. But when it's running right you can't beat it. I know I know ... part of me still does wonder if in spite of the expenses I've laid out, if it doesn't make sense to continue. I mean I keep hearing wondeful things about this amazing "7.3 Powerstroke Diesel" that Ford made in 2001. I've literally had strangers strike up conversation with me about it at gas stations. It's apparently the rock star of the truck world, and gear heads seem to drool after it. So the rust doesn't bother them, they love my engine. What I don't know is what the next big expense is going to be, nor what the next breakdown might be that will leave me inconvenienced\stranded. With horses, I worry. A lot. The ad has been on Craigslist for 2 weeks, no contact, and on Cars.com (free version) for 3 days with 5 views and no contacts yet. Hmmm, that's not off to a stellar start. Maybe I will be waiting a long time thru this cold winter with the same truck. As long as it doesn't break down more, I'll keep saving for newer. Fingers crossed!
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