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 Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
   
Location: Phoenix | Just curious as to what everyone's first truck was? And what you pulled?
I'm trying to get an idea of what I would need based on my activity level.
I imagine I would end up pulling like a 2-3 horse bumper pull, or gooseneck with a basic dressing room. Hubby would drive it the 2 miles to work, and I would occasionally haul out to some ropings/races. Not a lot of hills around here, or inclement weather so I don't think I NEED 4WD. I would want to keep my budget under $15k; closer to 10 would be better. I understand I'm looking at higher mileage trucks at this point. Not hauling hard or rodeoing. Just would need something that will get me from A to B safely. Gas? Diesel? For what I'm doing what is most cost effective?
Feel free to share your stories and knowledge. Just browsing at this point. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 554
| I would say gas at this point. Cheaper to maintain a 1500 or 2500 truck would work. I had 2008 1500 4x4 and it towed my heavy 2 horse bp trailer fine. |
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Expert
Posts: 1561
| 2001+ Ford F250 with a v10, the only down fall is fuel mileage but they run strong and are cheap to fix versus a diesel. As for 4wd I would rather have it and not need it, than to not have it and need it... |
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 A Gopher's Worst Nightmare
Posts: 5094
Location: Southern Oregon | My very first truck as a 16 year old was a 98 dodge ram cab and half 4x4 1500. I pulled my 2 horse trailer all over Oregon with that thing for HS rodeo.I tried hauling my three horse slant with it fully loaded. I learned the hard way, that just because you can pull it forward doesn't mean you can stop it.lol.... 2 horse is the biggest I would go with that. The summer of my 16, my dad bought me an 85 ford F250 2 wheel drive single cab manual diesel pick up. I LOVED THAT THING. I hauled all over the place with that thing, four horses every where. When I got my first job at 18 I bought myself a 4x4 2001 F350 7.3L powerstroke dually! I still own and love love love love love this truck. I haul what ever I want when I want too. |
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 Take a Picture
Posts: 12842
| The first thing I would look at is the rear end. If the truck has a high speed rear end, you get good gas mileage but can't pull a kid's wagon. A truck that is geared very low can pull but sucks gas. You want the gear ratio that is in the middle. The middle one on the Dodge is 373 I believe. I was just looking at new trucks. Mine has that rear end -- Dodge Diesel. I think the rear end is on the tag on the door. |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| I would look at 1996-2002 dodge diesel 3/4. 1996-1998 have the 12 valve which would be my first pick
My area these truck still bring 10-15k even when they have over 300k on them. If you are lucky you can find one for 4500-7500 in good shape.
My dad has 3 of these they are all work trucks carrying slip tanks of fuel on horrible roads and all three have over 500k 2 never had any engine problems, one had electric problems needed a new wiring harness new light switch and has only needed u joints and wheel bearings. The other had to replace a fuel pump due to dirty fuel, and regular wear and tear. The last one has 700k on it and now is having engine problem possibly a cracked head, this will be winters project. Point these trucks last forever with cheap maintenance/repairs as compared to the newer models |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 762
Location: NC | Our first truck was a gmc sierra 1500. It was 2 wheel drive and got stuck a few times in the snow. It pulled 1st our 2 horse open stock as well as the current 2 horse slant with dressing room. Went down to tn with it and then decided it really needed to be upgraded to a 2500 due to the hills and roads there. But the 1500 had no problem pulling 2 horses around local. Towards the end O2 sensor went and the check engine light would come on when hauling but otherwise was fine. 2500 was great but drank fuel like water. Current truck is a 3500 diesel which i love. All were used |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| I would look at 1996-2002 dodge diesel 3/4. 1996-1998 have the 12 valve which would be my first pick
My area these truck still bring 10-15k even when they have over 300k on them. If you are lucky you can find one for 4500-7500 in good shape.
My dad has 3 of these they are all work trucks carrying slip tanks of fuel on horrible roads and all three have over 500k 2 never had any engine problems, one had electric problems needed a new wiring harness new light switch and has only needed u joints and wheel bearings. The other had to replace a fuel pump due to dirty fuel, and regular wear and tear. The last one has 700k on it and now is having engine problem possibly a cracked head, this will be winters project. Point these trucks last forever with cheap maintenance/repairs as compared to the newer models |
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Expert
Posts: 1561
| right here...
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/ctd/5145502339.html |
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Take a Picture
Posts: 12842
| Hey, I have a 2000 24 valve Dodge Diesel I will sell you tomorrow for $15,000. It has 196,000. One owner ---- me. |
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 The BHW Book Worm
Posts: 1768
| Still drive mine going on 15 years and it has stayed in the family . 1997 f 150 in great condition we are looking to step up this comming march but we use the poo out of that thing and never had one problem ... Inching up on 300,000 miles though |
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Expert
Posts: 2685
| I still have my first truck, its a 2500 Sierra v8 4wd. Had 89,000 on it when I bought it. It walked off with my little 3h bumper pull and now pulls my 3h alum gooseneck with small living quarters just fine. I haven't decided if I will keep it or trade up once its paid for. It really has been an awesome truck. Besides keeping up with oil changes, and I broke the back glass on it, the only thing that has been fixed is the oil pressure sensor went out and I replaced it myself for $50. I have had it for 2 years. 1 year to go! lol |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 629
| 1991 Chevy 1500 z71 4wd. I bought it with 150,000 or so miles on it, had it 10 years, replaced the motor at 250,000 miles and sold it for what I paid for it 10 years ago.
I pulled a 96 2H bumper pull with it for those 2 years. |
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Your first truck / good beginner truck suggestions