|
|
 
Location: Big Blue Skies | My truck was just totaled so I'm looking for a used one. I really only haul in about a 100 mile radius from home and usually only 2 horses sometimes 3. Gas trucks are so much cheaper than diesel
1) do I really need a diesel ?
2) do I really need 4x4?
3) what's the bad years of Ford to avoid ?
 |
|
| |
|
Veteran
Posts: 233
| 4x4 is a personal choice dictated by environment.
We pull a 4 horse stock with a 1 ton diesel, and I feel they are well matched. Could probably get by with a 3/4 ton, but I'd hate to wish I had more truck.
Fords to avoid vary by engine and year. Hubby's been turning wrenches on fords for 17 years, and we bought a 2002 7.3 diesel. I don't have driveway room for a 6.0, and he's not thrilled with the 6.4 or the new one either.
The 5.4 gas engine varies by year. Before 06(?) I think, they are fabulous. There's a couple of years in the where they tend to throw timing chains.
The v-10 will pass everything but a gas station. Some years threw spark plugs out of the head, but those have mostly all been fixed.
If you pm me with a vehicle year and engine, I can ask him for the low-down on that model. |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 1718
 
Location: Southeast Louisiana | Sorry your truck got totaled. Glad you're ok.
Whichever truck you're looking at, you can do an internet search for common problems. That's one thing I really like about buying used.
I live in a muddy area, and I use my 4 wheel drive pretty often. Also, resale is better. But, they're more expensive, too. If you don't use it where you're at, you can save some money by buying a two wheel drive. |
|
| |
|
Location: Big Blue Skies | I had a diesel and 4x4 drive. I could save quite a bit by going with gas amid wondered everyone's experiences. |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 2097
Location: Deep South | A gas truck will be fine for what you're wanting. It will do the job, it just won't do it as well as a diesel. You will notice less towing power if that's what you're used to, but again, that's why the diesels are more expensive. |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 364
| For what you're towing, and how far you're hauling, a gasser is just fine. There's a lot of complexities with diesel ownership and it's hard to justify having one of you aren't putting a lot of miles on annually. 4x4 is a must (depending upon where you live). I don't know enough about Ford to tell you what to avoid. Good luck. |
|
| |
|
Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| I love our diesels and we won't haul with a gasser again, but yes you could get by with one. Our 3/4tons handle a 20' stock trailer with 6 head just fine, but we'd probably be under powered with a gas truck.
Ford years to avoid - IMO all of them. I had an '04 5.4L that almost left me stranded more than once the last summer I had it. Granted I put a lot of worry free miles on it, but once it started to wear out we were chasing one problem after another related to timing chains and cam shafts. Hubby had a V10 that was also a head ache. I do have a couple friends who haul with v10's and dont seem to have much trouble, other than no one wants to caravan with them because they stop at every gas station (kind of sarcastic, kind of not).
You will find dedicated fans of every brand of truck though. I think the best advice is to find a mechanic you like, trust, who treats you fair. At some point in the life of any towing vehicle you'll probably have to turn a wrench on it. Find out what your mechanic likes to turn a wrench on and knows the most about. Buy it.
Edited by OhMax 2017-06-09 9:36 AM
|
|
| |
|
 Total Germophobe
Posts: 6443
Location: Montana | blueskies - 2017-06-08 9:30 PM My truck was just totaled so I'm looking for a used one. I really only haul in about a 100 mile radius from home and usually only 2 horses sometimes 3. Gas trucks are so much cheaper than diesel 1 ) do I really need a diesel ? 2 ) do I really need 4x4? 3 ) what's the bad years of Ford to avoid ?
You probably don't need a diesel, but we personally prefer the pulling power of one. Whether or not you need a 4x4 is dependent on where you live and climate conditions...around here, 4x4's hold a lot better resale if you ever want to sell it.
On the 1/2 ton Fords, the 03 and older 5.4's were a good motor , the 2004 to 2010 had a cam-phaser problem, and yet all trucks didn't develop that problem (we have one right now that doesn't have that issue). The 3/4 Fords with the v10 I honestly don't know if they had the cam-phaser issue or not, but they weren't the greatest on gas mileage. The diesels in the Fords from 2003.5 to 2007 with the 6.0 were a bad motor, run far, far away. The 2008 to 2010 with the 6.4 weren't any good either. The newer 6.7 in the Fords seems to be okay so far, and you have to go 2011 or newer for them. The 2003.5 and older with the 7.3 were a very, very good diesel motor, but they are old enough now that many of them have very high miles, and if they have low miles, you practically pay new price.
Our personal preference is the Cummins diesel in the Dodge. The older ones especially were practically indestructible and have the lowest maintenance of any diesel motor and they have great pulling power. |
|
| |
|
 Born not Made
Posts: 2937
Location: North Dakota | We have a 3/4 ton gas GMC. Personally, I always want to have the option for 4 wheel drive. You never know when you might have to pull the trailer through a mud hole.
I have a 3-horse gooseneck trailer (no LQ) but I usually only haul 2 horses. The gas pickup does fine but I think our next pickup will be diesel. The gas doesn't have quite the power that the diesel does. I usually don't haul that far either so it's fine, but if it's a really windy day and I'm trying to buzz down the interstate ... a little more power wouldn't be a bad thing.
But if you are going to be using the pickup as a main vehicle of sorts, gas will give you better gas mileage and be cheaper to repair. Just have to weight the pros and cons!
|
|
| |
|
 Elite Veteran
Posts: 670
Location: Running my kids somewhere. | I went back and forth on this last year. I went with a gas because I don't haul hard anymore. I looked at both and the $$ was big. I knew what I wanted: at least a 3/4 ton, 4 door, 8 foot box and 4x4 was a must. (Wisconsin winters) I haul 2-3 horses, a couple times a month, local up-to 3 hours. |
|
| |
|
Location: Big Blue Skies | So I found a gas 2012 Ford F-250 just over 100,000. Was a company truck with full maintainance records gooseneck ball, tow package, auto, very clean and with new tires I could get for $10,000 the only drawback is that it's not a crew cab it's a quad cab. But rarely do 3 people go anywhere with me and I have a car as my daily driver. Does it sound like a good deal ? It is extremely clean and good shape. |
|
| |
|
Total Germophobe
Posts: 6443
Location: Montana | blueskies - 2017-06-10 1:48 AM So I found a gas 2012 Ford F-250 just over 100,000. Was a company truck with full maintainance records gooseneck ball, tow package, auto, very clean and with new tires I could get for $10,000 the only drawback is that it's not a crew cab it's a quad cab. But rarely do 3 people go anywhere with me and I have a car as my daily driver. Does it sound like a good deal ? It is extremely clean and good shape.
It actually sounds pretty good to me, however I'm going to assume it is a 2wd? If it was a 4WD, we would be all over it. Is it the v8 gas or the v10 gas motor? Most company vehicles have been well maintained, and that is always a plus. You could look it up on Nada.com...they are the National Auto Dealer Averages, and that would give you a pretty good idea if it was a good deal or not.  |
|
| |
|
  Semper Fi
Location: North Texas | OhMax - 2017-06-09 9:17 AM
I love our diesels and we won't haul with a gasser again, but yes you could get by with one. Our 3/4tons handle a 20' stock trailer with 6 head just fine, but we'd probably be under powered with a gas truck.
Ford years to avoid - IMO all of them. I had an '04 5.4L that almost left me stranded more than once the last summer I had it. Granted I put a lot of worry free miles on it, but once it started to wear out we were chasing one problem after another related to timing chains and cam shafts. Hubby had a V10 that was also a head ache. I do have a couple friends who haul with v10's and dont seem to have much trouble, other than no one wants to caravan with them because they stop at every gas station (kind of sarcastic, kind of not).
You will find dedicated fans of every brand of truck though. I think the best advice is to find a mechanic you like, trust, who treats you fair. At some point in the life of any towing vehicle you'll probably have to turn a wrench on it. Find out what your mechanic likes to turn a wrench on and knows the most about. Buy it.
Obviously Ya'll have no experience with the venerable Ford 7.3L Powerstroke. Made from 1994 1/2 until 2003 1/2. There is a MAJOR reason this production is as scarce as hen's teeth in the used market! In my view (which don't count for much sometimes) The 7.3 Powerstroke is the best engine family Ford ever sold! |
|
| |
|
Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| foundation horse - 2017-06-11 12:56 PM
OhMax - 2017-06-09 9:17 AM
I love our diesels and we won't haul with a gasser again, but yes you could get by with one. Our 3/4tons handle a 20' stock trailer with 6 head just fine, but we'd probably be under powered with a gas truck.
Ford years to avoid - IMO all of them. I had an '04 5.4L that almost left me stranded more than once the last summer I had it. Granted I put a lot of worry free miles on it, but once it started to wear out we were chasing one problem after another related to timing chains and cam shafts. Hubby had a V10 that was also a head ache. I do have a couple friends who haul with v10's and dont seem to have much trouble, other than no one wants to caravan with them because they stop at every gas station (kind of sarcastic, kind of not).
You will find dedicated fans of every brand of truck though. I think the best advice is to find a mechanic you like, trust, who treats you fair. At some point in the life of any towing vehicle you'll probably have to turn a wrench on it. Find out what your mechanic likes to turn a wrench on and knows the most about. Buy it.
Obviously Ya'll have no experience with the venerable Ford 7.3L Powerstroke. Made from 1994 1/2 until 2003 1/2. There is a MAJOR reason this production is as scarce as hen's teeth in the used market! In my view (which don't count for much sometimes ) The 7.3 Powerstroke is the best engine family Ford ever sold!
It's actually the only one we'd consider owning, but as we've had zero issues with the 3 Duramaxs currently in the family and don't want to deal with the other problems and maintenance that come with a truck that old, it's unlikely we'll ever own one.
Our neighbor is our mechanic and he specializes in Duramax tuning and performance, so that's what we own. |
|
| |
|
 Elite Veteran
Posts: 690
Location: Georgia | My fiance is a mechanic. I do not know the reasons why but hes always said he would not take a gas burner truck if someone gave it to him. So id stick with a diesel. |
|
| |
|
Veteran
Posts: 233
| blueskies - 2017-06-10 2:48 AM
So I found a gas 2012 Ford F-250 just over 100,000. Was a company truck with full maintainance records gooseneck ball, tow package, auto, very clean and with new tires I could get for $10,000 the only drawback is that it's not a crew cab it's a quad cab. But rarely do 3 people go anywhere with me and I have a car as my daily driver. Does it sound like a good deal ? It is extremely clean and good shape.
Might be okay. What engine does it have in it? |
|
| |
|
The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| blueskies - 2017-06-10 2:48 AM
So I found a gas 2012 Ford F-250 just over 100,000. Was a company truck with full maintainance records gooseneck ball, tow package, auto, very clean and with new tires I could get for $10,000 the only drawback is that it's not a crew cab it's a quad cab. But rarely do 3 people go anywhere with me and I have a car as my daily driver. Does it sound like a good deal ? It is extremely clean and good shape.
100,000 miles on a gas truck. I wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole. The problems will start now with the motor.
I am partial to the cummins diesel, as the engine will outlast the body. You will be doing front end, rear end, etc but the engine in general is solid.
|
|
| |
|
 Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
| LabRat - 2017-06-09 8:54 AM
For what you're towing, and how far you're hauling, a gasser is just fine. There's a lot of complexities with diesel ownership and it's hard to justify having one of you aren't putting a lot of miles on annually. 4x4 is a must (depending upon where you live). I don't know enough about Ford to tell you what to avoid. Good luck.
This |
|
| |
|
Veteran
Posts: 233
| cheryl makofka - 2017-06-12 1:29 PM
blueskies - 2017-06-10 2:48 AM
So I found a gas 2012 Ford F-250 just over 100,000. Was a company truck with full maintainance records gooseneck ball, tow package, auto, very clean and with new tires I could get for $10,000 the only drawback is that it's not a crew cab it's a quad cab. But rarely do 3 people go anywhere with me and I have a car as my daily driver. Does it sound like a good deal ? It is extremely clean and good shape.
100,000 miles on a gas truck. I wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole. The problems will start now with the motor.
I am partial to the cummins diesel, as the engine will outlast the body. You will be doing front end, rear end, etc but the engine in general is solid.
Um, no. Gas motors are good for 300k+. The "100k means dump it" went out with carburetors. |
|
| |
|
Veteran
Posts: 217
| I'm not well versed in vehicles, I know enough to be dangerous. Cummins is typically cheaper to fix than a Duramax or Powerstroke in means of injectors or other stuff like that. With that comes the scare of the transmission going bad. Our buddy got a 2012 (I think), had small amount of miles, and already had to replace his transmission and turbo. Might've been a bad egg.
My mom hauls with a 2009 Chevy 2500 gasser. Pulls a four horse gooseneck usually with three horses, takes a fuel cell to the fields when it's not hooked to the trailer, and I don't believe she's had much, if any trouble with it. It does get underpowered going up some of our bigger hills with a full load on but she hauls locally.
We have a 7.3. Small maintenance things have been repaired but I absolutely love this truck.
Run from 6.0's if you go towards diesel like stated previously :) |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 2531
Location: WI | hannahbug - 2017-06-12 1:34 PM cheryl makofka - 2017-06-12 1:29 PM blueskies - 2017-06-10 2:48 AM So I found a gas 2012 Ford F-250 just over 100,000. Was a company truck with full maintainance records gooseneck ball, tow package, auto, very clean and with new tires I could get for $10,000 the only drawback is that it's not a crew cab it's a quad cab. But rarely do 3 people go anywhere with me and I have a car as my daily driver. Does it sound like a good deal ? It is extremely clean and good shape. 100,000 miles on a gas truck. I wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole. The problems will start now with the motor. I am partial to the cummins diesel, as the engine will outlast the body. You will be doing front end, rear end, etc but the engine in general is solid. Um, no. Gas motors are good for 300k+. The "100k means dump it" went out with carburetors.
Agree! I bought my '97 F250 gasser (V8) in 2007 with 101k miles on it. I still drive it now, 10 years/37k miles later. I've put maybe $1200 into it over the years (not including oil changes). |
|
| |
Looking for used truck gas vs diesel ?