Considering new tow vehicle, 2500HD vs Medium Duty 4500 ??

[Napria]

What do you mean I don't have a Mini.

Actually I don't have it anymore. I traded it last year for my wife's Nissan. I really liked that little car though. Unfortunately the DW hated the 6 speed and the rough ride. The Miata is actually my DS' (besides the race team Miatas)

j

Oooooh, and it's an S! You're redeemed.

I love my MINI so much I convinced my husband to get one too. Driving the dually was really costing us when gas was getting near $5.00/gal. But he hated shifting in our Atlanta traffic. In December he traded it for a Subaru Outback. He calls it "the comfy car." Haha.

 

[2goofycampers]

I think the 2500 diesel is a good decision.

 

[Teamubr]

Mississippi, my f-250 tag cost $400 & my tag for my camper is $450...a year...

Is that per year?

Driving the dually was really costing us when gas was getting near $5.00/gal.

That's why I bought the Mini too. I had bought an old Audi when diesel was over $4. Drove it for 80,000 miles until it exploded the transmission at 199,980 miles. (couldn't make it 20 more?) Bought the Mini as a replacement. Last year my wife's BMW started acting up (170,000 miles) and she didn't trust it for her 50 miles, one way drive to work.. I got to trade the Mini on something she liked. I've been driving the truck lately. The BMW had a $3 part fail that took out a cam shaft and cylinder head. I have spent all winter rounding up parts and tools. Now that it is warming up I'll get it running again and stop driving the truck everyday.

Now back to the OP.

Chris, before getting a 2500, look at the 3500s. Not sure on GM products, but the Fords are very similar between the 2 and prices are almost the same on the SRW versions. On the prior generation of Fords (08-10) the only difference between a F250 and F350 was a helper spring on the rear and different tires. The increased tow rating on the 3500 will be nice if you want to move into a bigger trailer.

j

 

[PaHunter]

Is that per year?


That's why I bought the Mini too. I had bought an old Audi when diesel was over $4. Drove it for 80,000 miles until it exploded the transmission at 199,980 miles. (couldn't make it 20 more?) Bought the Mini as a replacement. Last year my wife's BMW started acting up (170,000 miles) and she didn't trust it for her 50 miles, one way drive to work.. I got to trade the Mini on something she liked. I've been driving the truck lately. The BMW had a $3 part fail that took out a cam shaft and cylinder head. I have spent all winter rounding up parts and tools. Now that it is warming up I'll get it running again and stop driving the truck everyday.

Now back to the OP.

Chris, before getting a 2500, look at the 3500s. Not sure on GM products, but the Fords are very similar between the 2 and prices are almost the same on the SRW versions. On the prior generation of Fords (08-10) the only difference between a F250 and F350 was a helper spring on the rear and different tires. The increased tow rating on the 3500 will be nice if you want to move into a bigger trailer.

j

We have been looking at both. Have found a couple 3500's here and there. Not many diesels up here to be found. I would like the 3500, and if we can get the dealer to give us a fair deal would be happy with that also. My car won't be paid off for two years tho, and we don't want to strap ourselves down too tight. Have looked at leasing with the option to buy also.

 

[cousineddie]

Mississippi, my f-250 tag cost $400 & my tag for my camper is $450...a year...

Tags on my Ram 2500 are less than $100 every four years and we get permanent tags for trailers over here in Louisiana. All in all it's not a bad rap.

I'll chime in on the original discussion, too.

I've got a Ram 2500 Megacab and love it. I'm pulling my 30' Airstream with it and getting around 11-1/2 to 12 mpg with the cruise set at 70-ish. Of course, speed is inversely proportional to the distance to destination, especially to the Fort! I've debated getting a newer 3500 for an eventual 5er, we saw some beauties at the Dallas RV Show a couple weekends ago and the call was loud and tempting. Truth be told, we'll probably stick with the "vintage" (read: rescued from the deer woods) Airstream and pay off the truck I have now. I have seen lots of people haul around those 12,000lb 5ers with the 3/4 tons, though.

As far as the 4500 goes, I've met a few couples that get the Lowboys or Top-Kicks or whatever you call them with the crew cabs and they use those to pull around their Deluxe Suite home-replacement fifth wheels. One guy explained it to me basically where he can buy one of those "medium duty" trucks slightly used and hitch up to his "light load" 16,000lb fifth wheel and never wear out the truck all while saving tens of thousands over the late model one ton pickups on the dealer lot.

IF - and that's a big IF - when the kids are out of high school in 4-1/2 years and we make good on our threat to make ourselves scarce and spend more and more time camping we might revisit this discussion later but for now I've got to tote my home on the bumper and not with the truck bed.

 

[sirenia88]

Hi,

I can relate to your trip. I did my 1/2 ton trip in 2012. After that trip, my wife and I sat down and agreed that long trips will need a larger platform. Once I became fully employed again and bills got knocked down, we went truck shopping. I came across a nicely equipped F250 in 2013. This truck saved my parents vacation that same year on a trip to SC. In 2014, we all went back to WDW. The towing experience was an overall a vast improvement. As for my trips, WDW is the long one at this time. Our short trips are within 3 hours of home. Most of the time, the trips to Knoebel's are the longer ones. If this trip was the longest pull I needed to do, I would have kept my F150 or bought later model if needed.

I tend to be within the Ford camp. I pull my trailer with a 2011 F250 6.2 gasser. I know many within the towing crowd want/need a diesel. To each his/her own. My wife and I looked at our future trailer upgrade and we really don't see anything striking our fancy...yet. We figured having the bigger truck would allow us some flexibility when or if the time comes. Plus when we move, the 3/4 ton is great for the rental yard or an enclosed trailer. good luck with your vehicle search. I think any 3/4 or 1 ton will generally accommodate most towing needs out there in the market for a good length of time. It's all in what you want to spend.

 

[tigger92662]

Seems the laws are crazier state by state. In Illinois I need a CDL to drive the dump truck at work, but no special licensing to drive my coach which is heavier than the truck. My Suburban is 6500# 3/4 ton but the title actually says "station wagon". It's every bit as heavy as most bigger pick-ups, but I'm only required to have passenger plates. And here in Illinois, you can't drive trucks on Avenues in downtown Chicago, so all the tradesmen put RV plates on their very obvious work trucks that even have the names of their businesses right on the side of the vehicle. I'm just afraid the state is gonna catch on to this and jack up the cost of RV plates. And Teamubr is correct. You can call the state offices day after day and get a different answer every day. As soon as you tell them it's an RV, no one seems to know the answer. I'm done venting. Thanks.

 

[PaHunter]

Hi,



I tend to be within the Ford camp. I pull my trailer with a 2011 F250 6.2 gasser. I know many within the towing crowd want/need a diesel. To each his/her own. My wife and I looked at our future trailer upgrade and we really don't see anything striking our fancy...yet. We figured having the bigger truck would allow us some flexibility when or if the time comes. Plus when we move, the 3/4 ton is great for the rental yard or an enclosed trailer. good luck with your vehicle search. I think any 3/4 or 1 ton will generally accommodate most towing needs out there in the market for a good length of time. It's all in what you want to spend.

Sirenia88, Disney for now is also our long trip. Most of the time they are trips within the Commonwealth so it is not too bad with the 1500. But we know her vehicle is needing to be replaced and we are planning on at least hitting WDW a few times for the foreseeable future. And yes a bigger truck would come in handy for renting a large enclosed trailer if we have to move. With her job always a possibility of that happening. Like Knoebels, although when I am there it is usually on the motorcycle for the Children's hospital run. May have to plan a trip there this year to ride the new roller coaster being installed, it is only 2 hours away after all. Well it is all in what we want to spend and we are hoping to make this our last truck purchase.

 

[FigmentIsTheBest]

Must remember to stay out of IL.

Just renewed my VA registration on my 95 F250 HD Turbo 7.3L IDI for $132. That's for three years!

 

[Teamubr]

Must remember to stay out of IL.

If you have out of state l plates and license, you'll be fine. They have no idea what the rules are in the issuing state and don't care. According to the state trooper that lives across the street, unless you are speeding, he doesn't worry about you being legal in your own state.

I told him, good to know.

j

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) OK, silly question.
2) Instead of buying a big tow vehicle, why not just rent one from Enterprise or somewhere else when it is time for hauling/camping?
3) Spending $1000 per log trip is probably cheaper than $45,000, plus insurance and maintenance.

 

[tiggerdad]

Renting is an option. In my case I use the truck on the farm as well, so it isn't just for the camping. I haul the tractors around and hay when needed.

Another problem can actually be getting the vehicle when the time comes to rent. Enterprise in particular has a bad reputation with me. They are the go to renter for my auto insurance when I need a backup vehicle. Both times I have needed a vehicle, they have failed to produce it. They are the reason why I dropped the part of my coverage that pays for them. Too unreliable for me.

These are just my reasons, but yes, the option to rent does exist and I do know of somebody who does this. He has also had to borrow my truck in the past because the rental company did not come through. I prefer the peace of mind that it is there when I need it.

 

[Teamubr]

2) Instead of buying a big tow vehicle, why not just rent one from Enterprise or somewhere else when it is time for hauling/camping?

Many of the rentals don't allow towing. You're also not guaranteed they will have one when you want it. Lastly, if you have a 5th wheel, it is almost impossible to find one hitch ready.

3) Spending $1000 per log trip is probably cheaper than $45,000, plus insurance and maintenance.

$45,000. That's cute. In 2010, my 2011 F350 stickered for $62,000. Thankfully bought it on a Ford racer X-plan.

Before we started racing, my teammate would go on camping trips with us. He said it was cheaper to rent a motorhome 2 or 3 times a year instead of buying one. Does the same thing with a lawn mower. He claims paying a service is cheaper than buying a ride on mower every 5 or 6 years. I'm not sure about that one.

j

 

[tiggerdad]

I gave $36,000 for my 2013 F-250.
Teamubr, you just made me feel better.

 

[PaHunter]

One of the dealerships quoted me a price of 58,000 on a 2015 3500 Dually, another 46,000 for the same vehicle. So gotta shop around.
RustyScupper, it is nice to own your vehicle then you don't have to worry about it. It would also get used for other things, it being 4wd provides for those times when the SNOW falls and is simply too much for my 4wd Suzuki. For bringing home the deer after a successful day of hunting would be another good reason.

 

[Teamubr]

I said it stickers for $62. Until this season I was a sanctioned Ford and Mazda factory driver. One of the perks is getting "parts" at cost. "Parts" includes whole vehicles.

I think I actually paid just under $51,000. It is a Lariat with almost every option you can get.

j

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . It would also get used for other things, it being 4wd provides for those times when the SNOW falls and is simply too much for my 4wd Suzuki . . .

1) Yep.
2) Sorry about NOT thinkoing about snow.
3) Living in Florida has a tendancy to allow us to forget such experiences.
4) But, we do see snow on the evening news shows every now and then.
5) Brings back memories long (and thankfully) forgotten.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I said it stickers for $62 . . . I think I actually paid just under $51,000. It is a Lariat with almost every option you can get j

1) I also have X-Plan rights.
2) But, in two past instances, it was cheaper to pay/deal "retail" with all the other discounts available.
3) Now, I am a GMC man, with the same discount level.

 

[Teamubr]

1) I also have X-Plan rights.
2) But, in two past instances, it was cheaper to pay/deal "retail" with all the other discounts available.

Ya,

There are lots of "X" plans out there. I had a "Friends and Family" x-plan that a friend got me. He was some sort of supervisor at Ford. My racing team mate is an executive with Enterprise Rental. They buy more Ford vehicles than anyone in the world. He used his companies x-plan when he bought his 2011 truck at the same time I got mine. Both instances, our racing plan was the better one. It was $4000 better than the Friends and Family one I had. Mark didn't say how much better than his company one.

A lot also depends on the vehicle too. Last year we bought a Nissan Rogue for my wife. My best Ford x-plan only saved about $2000 off a Focus hatch or an Escape. The Nissan was running end of year $3500 discounts. Couldn't beat that price.

Either way, anything you can do to get it down from MSRP is a good deal.

j

 

[sirenia88]

PA hunter,

One thing I should mention, think about an extended warranty on the new purchase. These days diesels are not as simple as they once were. Now the manufacturers have been mandated to have certain emission requirements. Also with the change in diesel fuels, there have been changes to the fuel delivery systems. Then you also have to think about all the tech going into the truck. Some control modules cost 100s or even 1000s to replace. These are just a few things you should educate yourself prior to purchase no matter which brand you choose. If you plan on having the truck a long time, having a 7-10 year extended warranty might not be a bad thing especially if you plan on low miles with the truck. (towing or weekend work)

Good luck!