How to Pick a Pickup - Car Forums

You have saved this page | See all saved pages

How to Pick a Pickup - READ ONLY

265 messages, Last post on Apr 15, 2000 at 1:10 PM

You are in the Pickups - Archived Discussions Forum.

Your Host is kcram

This discussion is ARCHIVED. To reactivate the discussion, post a request in the Javascript runtime error--TypeError: obj has no properties-- see logJsError453.html for a stack trace discussion.

What is this discussion about? Truck

#246 of 265 Gas or Diesel by jonathanr

Jan 05, 2000 (8:53 pm)

I am getting ready to retire and want to chase blues and drum along the atlantic coast. I want to get a 3/4 extended cab 4x4,automatic and a small slide in camper. This will also be a daily driver. I am confused as to get a gas or diesel. Since I want to travel some is the extra expense for a diesel worth it? Is there an advantage to a diesel over a gas for what I want? I have enjoyed comments in this column and decided to ask your opinions

#247 of 265 Gas vs Diesel by rs_petty

Jan 14, 2000 (5:28 pm)

There are other topics on this same subject and advantages and disadvantages to both. Given what you said here are some things to consider. If while you are fishing do you have a requirement to operate appliances/electrical in the camper. You can leave a diesel at idle much better than a gas engine. Is your driving range a consideration (i.e. would you rather have 600 miles on fillup or 300 miles)? Is diesel fuel or diesel service available where you want to go? Is the engine noise/smell a problem for you or spouse? How long do you intend to keep the truck (75k, 100k, 300k)? I would tend to say that price is probably your last consideration and that how you use the truck is more important to the question of gas v. diesel. Good Luck.

#248 of 265 The right used truck for towing by kmkmak

Jan 18, 2000 (2:05 pm)

Does anyone have experience with either the Dodge ram 2500 5.9 or the Ford f250 towing approx. 7000lbs. TYIA.

#249 of 265 by kspringer

Jan 18, 2000 (5:26 pm)

I need help finding the right kind of truck. I previously owned a '87 Ford F-150 with a 302. It recently died with 170,000 miles. Occasionally I tow a utility trailer (approx. 5000# filled). The Ford had problems with this. I don't know if this was due to age and wear, or what. It ran hot on the highway and had trouble with wind resistance. Now I'm unsure if I need a 3/4 ton, desiel, or just a bigger motor on a 1/2 ton. I occasionally haul 1/2 ton or more weight also. This new truck will be used for daily short trips, and cross country trips with the trailer. I am looking at used trucks, and the cost of repairs on the desiels scare me some. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

#250 of 265 5000 too much? overheating? by dberry

Jan 25, 2000 (4:33 am)

There are some important pieces of information missing.

A manual transmission, on a 302 Ford 1/2 ton or other make of 1/2 ton with a similar size engine, would have tow load a range of 2,000 to 3,100 lbs. An Automatic with the same engine would have a tow load range of 5,300 lbs to 7,200 lbs.

I can guess you probably didn't have air conditioning. If so you would have a higher capacity radiator and probably not likely to run so hot. When running hot performance decreases. Even so 170,000 is not bad considering the high temperature.

Short trips - get the gas, the diesel would just start getting warmed up. If the 302 seemed a little lacking go the next size up.

Good luck !

#251 of 265 gas vs diesel ramtuff1 by jonathanr

Jan 26, 2000 (8:48 pm)

How do youlike the ford diesel? I asked above about using an automatic. People have seemed dissapointed with the dodge auto but I have not heard any comments on the ford. I want 3/4 ton 4x4 extended cab. I am an old gm fan but they don'tmake this truck, I want extra doors on the cab. What is your take on the ford automatic and what rear end would work best.

#252 of 265 First Time Truck Owner by tom167

Jan 30, 2000 (4:04 pm)

My wife and I are looking to move up to a Sundowner gooseneck horse trailer that accommodates sleeping. The sales person indicated the trailer weight around 8800lbs. Our two horses add another 2200lbs bring the weight to around 11000lbs. What size truck will I need and with what options to safely tow the trailer. I would like to add we are only recreational campers/trail-riders meaning we would likely be towing the trailer around 12 times during the year, mostly less than 100 miles at a time. This truck will be my wife's vehicle so it will need to be something she can handle. She currently has a Grand Cherokee and pulls a two horse bumper pull. She loves the idea of driving a truck so that is not viewed as a negative. My research so far has been limited to the Ford F250/F350 trucks. I'm not interested in a diesel so we can eliminate all the debate around gas verse diesel. Both have very strong points and I respect both views. I guess the bottom line is I'm looking for the most comfortable truck with the best amenities that can get the job done. Any advise is welcome.

#253 of 265 WHATS YOUR FABORITE TRUCK? by ramking

Jan 30, 2000 (9:02 pm)

WHATS YOUR FAVORITE TRUCK?
MINE IS THE DODGE RAM

#254 of 265 5.3L or 4.8L by payner

Jan 30, 2000 (10:18 pm)

I ordered a Chevy 1500 4X4 Ext Cab with the 4th door I have until Fri. to change my order and I am trying to decide if it is worth getting the 5.3L motor or should I stay with the 4.8L?
I have heard that the 5.3 is getting better mileage, has anyone found that to be true?
Oh and how are the factory tonneau covers?

#255 of 265 Re : #277 by afs93

Feb 01, 2000 (4:52 am)

I think that you won't regret selecting the 5.3 engine. I ordered the 5.3 after driving a pickup with the 5.3 engine. This engine will get more mpg's & move your truck like a sports car!

You won't regret this engine. I have a extented cab on order. It's about 500+ lbs heavier then the regular cab. That's something to think about!!!

Forum Tools

Search Forums

Enter Keyword(s):

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle

Browse by Board

Browse by Topic

View All Topics

Learn More, Do More

Edmunds Community

Explore Edmunds