Advice buying a truck

[rc508pir]

The Mrs is looking to buy a used truck. Something like a F250 Super Duty or the Chevy equivalent. For everyday use, and towing a 2 horse trailer a few times a year. Question is, how many miles on one of these is where you consider it "Iffy" on how long the engine is going to last long enough to make it worth while?

Granted; A engine that has high miles and well taken care of will still last and a engine that wasn't taken care will not.

 

[Chief Sapulpa]

I'd be more concerned about automatic transmissions; engines tend to be over-serviced while transmission services are neglected.

 

[doctorjj]

The Mrs is looking to buy a used truck. Something like a F250 Super Duty or the Chevy equivalent. For everyday use, and towing a 2 horse trailer a few times a year. Question is, how many miles on one of these is where you consider it "Iffy" on how long the engine is going to last long enough to make it worth while?

Granted; A engine that has high miles and well taken care of will still last and a engine that wasn't taken care will not.

What is your budget?

 

[Okie4570]

Because you stated daily driver, as well as the occasional haul, you made it tricky lol Gas vs diesel. MPG, difference in fuel costs, service cost difference. If it weren't for the daily driver part I'd suggest a F250 v10, but the mpg will kill you. The 5.4l in the F250 are dogs hauling, and not that much better mpg than the v10. The newer 6.2l that replaced the 5.4l is what I'd suggest. I had one for a couple of years. No issues, about 14-15mpg. It has some pretty good power numbers but it doesn't even come close to pulling like a diesel, even an older diesel. For a two horse trailer it should be fine though.

Like doctorjj asked, what's your budget and how old?

 

[rc508pir]

Gas vs diesel, isn't an issue. 99% of what I'm seeing advertised are diesels. and most of those are the 6.4L

Budget isn't an issue either. The issue is whether getting one with 250k miles on it and if its going to last another 150k. I know I can buy a Honda, for instance, with 150k miles and still be good (for the most part, if it was taken care)

 

[doctorjj]

Gas vs diesel, isn't an issue. 99% of what I'm seeing advertised are diesels. and most of those are the 6.4L

Budget isn't an issue either. The issue is whether getting one with 250k miles on it and if its going to last another 150k. I know I can buy a Honda, for instance, with 150k miles and still be good (for the most part, if it was taken care)

Well if budget isn't an issue then I'd buy a new one.

 

[mr ed]

Might look at Dodge rams. Last 2 fords I had fell under the
Fix
Or
Repair
Daily
motto.
The chevy 1500 I have now (bought new) is a terd.
I'll probably go back to a Dodge next time.
Had a '93 Dodge 350 diesel for 17 years. that was a haulin' truck.
Had 450k miles when I got rid of it.

 

[Okie4570]

6.4l Powerstroke is on my never buy list, and I owned a 03' 6.0l for 333k miles lol Find a '13-15' 6.7l Ford with a 3.31 or 3.55 rear end and you'll enjoy the mpg and the towing.

 

[D. Hargrove]

The problem I have had with my Ford HD type trucks type trucks is the fuel injectors going out at around 150,000 and the tranny sucks for towing real heavy loads. I have found that the Dodge HD have one heck of a transmission for pulling leaving the Fords in the dust (I have Fords). I have a 2002 GMC 3500 dually that I pull horses with and drive daily that is gas, it get 12-14 between Pumpkin Center and lawton/Duncan and has had no issues at all. Works great for small loads, but anything heavier and I use one of the diesal trucks.

 

[rc508pir]

The problem I have had with my Ford HD type trucks type trucks is the fuel injectors going out at around 150,000 and the tranny sucks for towing real heavy loads. I have found that the Dodge HD have one heck of a transmission for pulling leaving the Fords in the dust (I have Fords). I have a 2002 GMC 3500 dually that I pull horses with and drive daily that is gas, it get 12-14 between Pumpkin Center and lawton/Duncan and has had no issues at all. Works great for small loads, but anything heavier and I use one of the diesal trucks.

I'm guessing a 2 horse trailer (with 2 horses of course) would be considered a light load?