Truck Purchasing Advice

[Rooster 191]

We won't be pulling often. Only a few times a year and a one time shot out to PA. Most of the other pulls with the trailer are under the 4 hour round trip range. It will be used sparingly and he would rather have a nice ride.

My 5.4L pulls the trailer fine with no issues. The trailer is balanced really well and we haven't had any issues. Again we would only be pulling on occassion.

If that is the case...

Thanks so much for the advice, input, and websites you guys. Dad always likes to make an informed decision and is willing to get input from others.

He has been weeding through many of his options and in the long run what will be best for him.

Saturday he is planning on going to look at a 2010 Chevy Silverado LTZ. It has 20K miles on it and sports the 5.3L V8. Truck is equipped with the heavy duty Handling/Trailering package. It has a 6 speed transmission and is a 4x4 Z-71 package. He wanted some bells and whistles with his next truck so this one has leather, heated seats, 10 way adjustable seats, power fold in mirrors, remote start, etc...

It also has the nice chrome running boards and is already equipped with a full matching cap on the back.

Oh did I mention that the truck is a Wheel Horse Red????

We will take a little road trip on Saturday morning and check it out. If it is everything he is hoping for the search might be over, if not then the search continues. I will keep you updated.

Until a purchase has been made, input is always appreciated.

This sounds like the perfect truck for you!

The 5.3L is enough engine to pull anything you want hooked to a 1/2 ton, and still get good mileage for everyday use.

I drive an '01 1/2 ton with a 5.3 in it. I always have "Guys" telling me how I "need" a 3/4 ton, or I "should've" gotten the 6.0 or....

3/4 tons ride like junk compared to my truck, and the 6.0 drinks gas! I drive 45 minutes one way to work, and frequently make trips all over the country. too many men buy a "manly" truck that they don't need...I guess they look more manly when they are bouncing all over the road, wearing their coffee and filling them up!

Occaisionally I do haul a load,for those occaisions I have a trailer!

[IthacaJeff 151]

Just to add this in . . .

Our 5.4L V8 in our 2010 Ford E350 Passenger wagon gets 14.2 mpg during the summer months when

we travel longer distances on the highway. Right now we are down to about 13.5 mpg due largely to

shorter trips and perhaps the snow tires and the added 400 lbs of ballast over the rear axle. I believe

the stock towing capacity is 6000 lbs. I've towed just a couple of tons (trailer plus load) and couldn't

tell the trailer was even there. The van is typically driven with nearly 1000 lbs of driver and passengers.

It is a pain to remove the seats in case you want to put big cargo in it. We were able to buy this 1 year

old van with 21K miles for $17000 and its got most the ammenities of a passenger car. (Okay, no leather

or heated seats).

If I had $30K to spend it would be a 2 yr old F250/350 diesel or Toyota Tundra.

Jeff

[C-85 681]

I've been taking an evening class and somehow we got to talking about new trucks last night. Someone mentioned that they heard that the new Toyotas have more US parts then our American made trucks, just like one of the square members mentioned in a previous post, can this be true?

I surely hope not, I'm a Chevy man and plan on staying with my '88 as long as I can, I can't kill it !

Chevy, like a ROCK!

C-85 :USA:

[IthacaJeff 151]

C85;

Just do a Google search for "Domestic content of Toyota Trucks" and you'll come up with startling

facts. I believe the Tundra is about 90% American, Ford and Chevy about 80-85%, Dodge near

70% (From memory, don't quote me).

[Rooster 191]

But where does the money go?

[whfan74 2,066]

Alright everyone thank you for the advice in this search. Dad went today and picked up his new to him truck. I am very happy that he can finally have a nice full size truck to enjoy. This is his first. This he said tonight with a smile is the new primary horse puller.

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,300]

Beautiful truck!!

Mike........

[Rollerman 290]

Scott your dad got himself I pretty nice truck!

Lots of room for the drive to PA now.

[CRE1992 135]

I LIKE IT !!! Chevy all of they way! :laughing-rofl:

[can whlvr 993]

nice,even the right color for horse haulin

[smoreau 658]

I'm jealous!! That is a fine nice truck! Glad your dad is happy with it. and its red!!

[520HC 208]

Great choice Scott!!!!!

[dclarke 4,032]

Really nice Scott, hope I can trade my S10 for one of those someday.

[whfan74 2,066]

Thanks guys! Last night when I went over to see it he tried to hide his smile but was unable to. The thing is that he has never had a real nice vehicle that was just his since I came along. I am now 38 and have been out of the house for 20 years. Now that he has been retired and enjoying his free time I am very happy to see that he finally was able to get something that he really likes. I told him that he deserves it. He has sacrificed and worked extremely hard for many years. Mom and Dad were always tight with their money and now are enjoying it during their retirement.

He wasn't looking for a red truck, but trust me he isn't complaning. I took it for a short drive last night and it is a very nice truck. Heck I can't even remember all the bells and whistles it has. It will be a fun one to bring to PA this summer.

Thanks again everyone for the advice and the comments.

[AMC RULES 37,125]

Whew, that's a major commitment for the projected five dollars a gallon this summer.

Gorgeous truck though.

[jdpuller 2]

Nice truck he'll enjoy it I'm sure.

[nylyon-(Admin) 7,242]

I'm not a Chevy guy, but they sure do make nice looking trucks, and that one is NO exception! I have a cap on mine too, and it is SO handy to haul things in the rain and winter. Of course it has to come off to hook up the 5th wheel, but it's light enough for me and the 3 kids to do.

[Jim_M 178]

I've often wished I could survive with a short bed, they take up so little space and are so much easier to park, compared to what I drive.

[Forest Road 594]

I grew up with a dad who worked for Jeep dealers his whole career. In 2006 I bought a 2004 toyota tundra crew cab 4x4. Hands down the best ruck I've owned! I've had ford and chevy 1/2 tons go lemon law. 3/4 tons were fine but stupid stuff like power windows and mirrors would break. That Toyota was bomb proof! I couldn't even begin to go through the abuse that truck took. I'm sorry but Toyota has my vote for dependability!

Last year I went shopping for a new truck. I'm 6'8" and theres no way I can put a baby seat behind me in the old Toyota. It was just too small. I looked at the new toyota tundra and the f-150. If Toyota offered the crew cab with a minimum 6' bed I'd have bought it. I ended up buying a 2010 f150 crew xlt 4x4 with a 5.4. It has an insane amount of cab room. 6.5' bed is great. Acceleration and power wonderful, handles great as well. Overall I'm happy.

Cons - thin sheet metal, sloppy shifts from time to time, and the stereo sounds cheap, it's and XLT, the Lariat stereo is sweet. Like I said I'm happy overall but Ford needs to raise the bar just a bit more.

Good luck in your search.

[chesbaycruiser 82]

I'm a fan of Ford and Chevy, and have owned both. In a late model truck, I don't think you'll be disappointed in either. Both are fully capable of towing, and depending on engine and year, mileage is similar.

My personal opinion is that you need to get out and put "A** In Seats", and see what "feels" right. Check for cockpit functions and desired creature comforts.

Sounds like you are already pretty clear on the mission for the truck is, so I say shop for the deal. Keep all options open, browse for the next couple of weeks, and jump on the best deal you can make on the last day of the month!

[mowerman1193 32]

Dodge makes it Cummins shakes it...LOL

Ok now for a unbiased opinion...Get a 3/4 ton in whatever you get..The ride is not much different in these newer trucks...He will kick himself if he gets a 1/2 ton..I could say allot more but then I would be biased so enough said

Kevin

[mowerman1193 32]

Oppss,,,didn't see there was two pages to this topic..Looks as though he got a nice looking truck that will match the horse's

Kevin

[whfan74 2,066]

Well guys he did go with a 1/2 ton. This truck will be more for running errands and the towing will be very minimal. He wanted something that would get the job done when needed, but the need isn't that great.

To be honest he has had the truck a week now and it has only been out of the barn once. I am guessing he will probably only put about 6,000 miles a year on it as they take Mom's Explorer on trips. So starting with 20,000 miles on it, I am guessing it will last him a very long time!

[chesbaycruiser 82]

Oppss,,,didn't see there was two pages to this topic..Looks as though he got a nice looking truck that will match the horse's

Kevin

Appears I made the same mistake Kevin! :hide:

[546cowboy 301]

I read all of these and there was one there saying to look at a Ford with the 6cyl. Echo-boost. Now I want to tell you what, those may be OK for the way most people use their truck( store,work and back) but after working as a mechanic for the 70's, 80's, 90's in a GM shop, a V-6 will not be up to the task of pulling a trailer for the long haul. A V-6 gas engine will not take the abuse for an extended period. A V-8 is the only way to go. GM 5.7 350 c.i..

I am a GM guy and have always been a GM guy. I own a 1988 GMC K-2500 that I bought a year and a half ago for $1250. Couple of rocker panels, cab corners and some paint, a little engine work where the PO had done a botch job, it has a trans that dosen't shift to OD and I get 11 m,p,g, I figure I got around $2000 in it and I still be driving it in 10 years.