General tow pig concerns

[maulcruiser]

I'm in the market, have it narrowed down to a 6.0L F-series or a 5.9L Dodge (2000-06ish). I would prefer a manual, but don't HAVE to have it. My concern stems towards body configuration and how that affects towing. I would prefer to have a SRW regular cab long bed, but I am wondering if the lack of wheelbase will cause some adverse handling. I'll be towing either my '96 Tacoma or my 85 K30 on a 16' Hudson trailer. I don't feel like I'll have too many problems if I'm not being wild and fast with it.

I don't have a wife or kids or anything, so the extra cab space is not big factor. I had planned on a camper shell for the bed to keep things out of the weather. Essentially, just trying to break into the ranks without going overboard, but still doing it safely. Every truck I've ever towed with was extended cab or larger, both SRW and DRW. This won't be a daily driver, either.

I like rubber floors and simplicity. Just give me cruise control and A/C. Everything else can be manual. I'll add any creature comforts later on.

What would you say is your stopping point is as far as the miles the truck has on it before it loses reliability? Most I've been looking at are in the 150-200K range.

With that said, if you have any added knowledge or suggestions, I'm all ears.

 

[Spence]

I can't speak to all the brands, but i know at least the 3rd gen dodges share the same wheelbase on the RCLB and QCSB trucks, so you really don't give anything up there, except to a QCLB.

 

[Charles Smith]

reliability wise the 5.9 is proven from generators to class 7 trucks there are 2nd gen dodge trucks that have over a million miles on them I'm not being a cummins fanboy I'm a diesel mechanic a 6.0 is pretty awesome when its running good I've been in a few that had high miles and towed just fine but I've seen more with lots of issues my opinion anything at or under 200k Will be ok on the 5.9 might need a few sensors here and there nothing major mechanically as far as the 6.0 it seems to be luck of the draw as far as miles I have noticed that all the ones that I've seen without problems were driven hard I think it keeps the egr cooler and turbo cleaned out this is all just my experience and opinion hope it helps

 

[shawn]

I can't speak to all the brands, but i know at least the 3rd gen dodges share the same wheelbase on the RCLB and QCSB trucks, so you really don't give anything up there, except to a QCLB.

If they're not "the same", they're pretty close.

 

[CasterTroy]

6.0 plan for $3000 head gasket/arp stud/egr delete regardless of miles (If it hasn't been done already)
That's your only premium with the Fords. With the Cummins your "bro tax" should be $5k-$8k over any 6.0 price. You do the math on which one gets you ahead financially but you're likely to find many more 6.0s with decent miles than the dodges. And for much less. I personally hate the wrapper that surrounds a Cummins but it's a damn fine engine.

Your call, but I don't think you're giving anything up with a single cab long bed. May be harder to find though. They'll mostly be vinyl seat work trucks

 

[77GreenMachine]

Place up the road from me where I bought my wife’s van has what I consider a neat/rare truck. It’s a 6 speed too. I’ve stopped and looked at it, it’s quite nice, seems to have been painted at some point. I love the simplicity of this truck.

https://www.carolinaautosalesnc.com/2005_Ford_F250 Super Duty_Trinity_NC_13288690.veh

 

[Croatan_Kid]

My only concern with any of this would be that short ass trailer and all the tongue weight you'll have to deal with.

 

[shawn]

6.0 plan for $3000 head gasket/arp stud/egr delete regardless of whether or not it's been "bulletproofed")
With the Cummins your "starts every time you turn the key tax" should be $4k over any 6.0 price

FIFY.

Apples to apples, the 03-06 Dodges are worth $4k more than the Fords.

 

[CasterTroy]

Fanboy

 

[shawn]

Fanboy

Fuck yeah. I'd buy a second one, but I can't get my head wrapped around the idea of paying more for a 10yo truck with 180k on it than I paid ten years ago for a 4yo truck with 80k on it.

 

[CasterTroy]

Brotax... bro

 

[Bhudgins]

Fuck yeah. I'd buy a second one, but I can't get my head wrapped around the idea of paying more for a 10yo truck with 180k on it than I paid ten years ago for a 4yo truck with 80k on it.

Can we get a [emoji107] button for caster Troy's comments lol

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[Chris_Keziah]

I honestly don't think the bro-tax on a rclb truck will be that bad. Should be less if you go with a drw truck. As far as Ford vs. Dodge just buy what you want, if you don't have a bias one way then this doesn't help. In the end you'll be happier and still be just as broke with either.

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[jeepinmatt]

I don't have a wife or kids or anything

Buy this before you end up with a wife!

I think i just found the perfect truck 2001 FORD F550 Super Duty 4 WD Quad Cab Dump Bed

 

[jeepinmatt]

Place up the road from me where I bought my wife’s van has what I consider a neat/rare truck. It’s a 6 speed too. I’ve stopped and looked at it, it’s quite nice, seems to have been painted at some point. I love the simplicity of this truck.

https://www.carolinaautosalesnc.com/2005_Ford_F250 Super Duty_Trinity_NC_13288690.veh

Nice truck, but the ad says sold.

 

[maulcruiser]

Place up the road from me where I bought my wife’s van has what I consider a neat/rare truck. It’s a 6 speed too. I’ve stopped and looked at it, it’s quite nice, seems to have been painted at some point. I love the simplicity of this truck.

https://www.carolinaautosalesnc.com/2005_Ford_F250 Super Duty_Trinity_NC_13288690.veh

Too bad it already sold, but yes, that's what I'm aiming for. I like the simplicity of work trucks.

My only concern with any of this would be that short ass trailer and all the tongue weight you'll have to deal with.

That is a concern I have had to deal with before. It usually involves me loading the truck on backwards. I'll sell it soon enough and get a trailer that's more fitting.

Buy this before you end up with a wife!

That is a sweet 550, but a little too much truck for me. I have my eyes on two RCLB F250's and one Ram CCSB 2500. I'm not keen on the rust I'm seeing on the Ram, though.

 

[Bhudgins]

Check cab corners and rockers on the Ford's I would almost bet you find rust

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[CasterTroy]

Check cab corners and rockers on the Ford's I would almost bet you find rust

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grasping for straws

 

[Bhudgins]

grasping for straws

The truth hurts[emoji6]



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[CasterTroy]

You and Shawn go park at the Sheetz with the rest of the flatbillers and touch mirror tips and swap triple fuel mileage claims

 

[BigSouth]

Ram Tradesman. Nuff said!

 

[77GreenMachine]

Nice truck, but the ad says sold.

My bad. Didn’t realize that, it was literally there yesterday morning on my way to work. This morning it’s gone.

 

[Jody Treadway]

Check cab corners and rockers on the Ford's I would almost bet you find rust

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People do that every time a Ford diesel needs a belt change.
You know, the whole "pull the cab for proper access" thing.

BTW- why doesn't the interweb have information on the socket size needed to remove the cab bolts on a Cummins equipped truck?

 

[Jody Treadway]

You and Shawn go park at the Sheetz with the rest of the flatbillers and touch mirror tips and swap triple fuel mileage claims

I mean they do have a pretty mean chicken burrito. Don't get me started on the pumpkin rolls!
Looking forward to our annual Christmas sabbatical to Raleigh. Primarily for the Sheetz piss breaks since my Cummins generates fuel as I drive down in elevation.

 

[CasterTroy]

BTW- why doesn't the interweb have information on the socket size needed to remove the cab bolts on a Cummins equipped truck?

Because they know dodge owners can't use the internet