Advice buying a truck

[doctorjj]

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.

How does the Ford transmission suck?

 

[adamsredlines]

Having just gotten out of the diesel crowd, I wouldnt buy another diesel unless I NEEDED one. I never hauled heavy enough to actually NEED a diesel, and sure it was nice when I did haul a truck or something else to not even know it was there, but the novelty wore off quick for me. It was a beast, until it wasnt and in my luck it seems I had a bunch of issues at the worst time possible and it really left a bad taste in my mouth.

I wouldnt touch a powerstroke with a 10ft pole either. One trip to the Ford dealer that has 80% of their bays filled with Powerstrokes with motors being replaced sealed the deal for me. No way. First choice would be a manual transmission Cummins.

 

[D. Hargrove]

How does the Ford transmission suck?

Compared to the Dodge, I bog down rather badly under a real load. If pulling a 32 foot trailer with round bales my Fords, both of them would rather take a break and eat a pizza than get up and go. By partners dodges just are much stronger. I am a Ford guy for my farm trucks though, they run great and last forever. But for real pulling power I think there are better options than Ford HD series. Carting around a round bale to feed horses or cattle, the Fords work GREAT, but for long hauls with loads like hauling hay to Texas, The Dodges are my go to.

 

[D. Hargrove]

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

2500-2750lbs, pretty light. But hills and declines that you downshift to control speed for make that tranny work.

 

[adamsredlines]

To haul 3k lbs in a trailer is silly to go with a diesel.

 

[dennishoddy]

To haul 3k lbs in a trailer is silly to go with a diesel.

Yeah, I haul a 3881 pound tractor with attachments that bump it well over 4K on a thousand pound trailer with zero issues using a 1/2 ton Tundra with a gas engine, 4:30 gears, 394hp. Loaded correctly, you never know its back there. Flat land is no problem.
I also pull a 36' travel trailer with an empty weight of 7800lbs. Flat land OK, but getting into the hills of eastern Ok, it works it a bit.

 

[rc508pir]

To haul 3k lbs in a trailer is silly to go with a diesel.

Problem is, most of what I'm seeing out there are diesels for sale

 

[adamsredlines]

Heck my Magnum is rated for 3600#

 

[adamsredlines]

Problem is, most of what I'm seeing out there are diesels for sale

If you're only looking at 3/4 ton or 1 tons, well yeah...
I dont know what criteria you're using but there's TONS of gas trucks for sale out there. And for the price of a used diesel truck you could get a much newer gas truck.

 

[dennishoddy]

Heck my Magnum is rated for 3600#

You run into issues with tongue weight, suspension for said tongue weight, etc that would make that 3600# an issue if the towed vehicle isn't loaded correctly.