Best 1/2 Ton Truck

I am looking for opinions good or bad of a few 1/2 ton pickups. I plan to use this truck as a daily driver and a on the road office, but also want to haul the puller from time to time.

Looking at a crewcab, 4wd, with a fair amount of luxury opotions:

Now my questions is who makes a better truck, ride, mpg, options, price.

Looking at Toyota, Ram, and Ford, unfortantely the chevy and GMC just dont have the leg room in the crew cab as the others do.

Please at have owned/do own or test driven one if you choose to leave input.

Thank you,
 
Why? Because Toyota puts Americans to work while GM, Ford and Dodge send their parts manufacturing overseas and the final assembly jobs to Mexico!
 
Last I heard dodge is foreign owned now and made in
Mexico. Ford and chevy or mostly made in Mexico. At least
the Toyota may have been made in Tx.
 
(quoted from post at 11:16:21 08/25/11) Last I heard dodge is foreign owned now and made in
Mexico. Ford and chevy or mostly made in Mexico. At least
the Toyota may have been made in Tx.

The Toyota MAY have been ASSEMBLED in Texas, but the parts all came from China or Japan. How many MORE folks would have been employed IF the entire vehicle, including all of the parts, were manufactured right here in the U.S.A.?
 
i am kind of brand loyal to gmc/chevy, and have an 06 chevy w/t as my shop truck. but as far as working on them, i'd lean toward a new ford pickup. good solid built truck, not bad to work on either.
 
The Toyota MAY have been ASSEMBLED in Texas, but the parts all came from China or Japan. How many MORE folks would have been employed IF the entire vehicle, including all of the parts, were manufactured right here in the U.S.A.?

The answer to that question would be a NEGATIVE number.

A truck with 100% American-made content would be so expensive that only the ultra-rich could afford it. Ultra-rich people don't drive pickup trucks, so none would sell. The manufacturer would fold within 6 months.

Between our "spoiled child" attitude about wages and benefits, the cost of complying with OSHA, the cost of complying with the EPA, and the tax men at every level of government with their hands in the cookie jar, the cost of building such a vehicle would be too d*mn high!
 
My choice is Chevrolet/GMC 1st. 5.3L, 6.0L, or 6.2L engines. A distant 2nd would be a Ford. "chucksoliver" just bought a Ford with the Eco-Tec 3.5L, TT. It is looking better as a 2nd contender when I decide to buy another 1/2 ton.

CT
 
the dodge 1500 has rear coil springs and has a low tow rating, the 150 can tow up to 11500lbs with the max tow package which comes with the 3.5 twin turbo v6. i took my tractor to a pull tues. tractor weighed 7600lbs + the weight of the goose-neck trailer. ran 70 mph up rt 81 to harford, pa., a lot of long hills and never went below 70 and never had it to the floor. i can't believe how good this thing tows and there is almost no engine noise in the cab , nice. give me a call for more info, chuck ps, the mirrors pull out for towing, when in the tow-haul mode the trans shifts down automatically when braking and more
 
I use my Silverado 1500 4X4 W/5.3 and tow package like you describe. I get an easy 17.5 - 18 MPG around locally (part expressway, part town), and when I want to tow my rig, 2200 lb trailer w/ 5500 lb tractor, I do OK. It"s not a "big rig", but for 9 or 10 times a year, why buy a gas hog? Oh, another point.... Diesels are nice, but in NY, diesel is 40 cents higher than gas per gallon, plus the extra 10 to 15 thousand for the truck. JUST, my opinion...
 

[size=18:383967437e]Ford 6.2 selectashift Auto with max towing option.
Ford 6.2 6 speed with max towing option.[/size:383967437e]
 
3/4 ton the 1/2 will not handle a tractor and the trailer that is heavy enough to haul that tractor I got them both and a big lawn mower and 16ft car trailer overloads the 1/2 ton. And as for the made in america if all the parts were made in the USA alot more people could afford the truck because a lot more would be employed. They dont all have to make $30 an hour or work in a Union shop
 
Oliver77 never seen a Dodge pickup with rear coil springs. My 1997 1500 with 318 engine and tow package handles my trailer with two tractors on it that weigh just under 9000lbs total with NO problem, at 70+mph on the open four lane road.
 
The frame has never been the weak point. Only good Dodges are 3/4 t or larger diesels. Half tons are weak gas hogs. Stick with Ford/Chevy. If going new , get Ford , if 4-5 yrs old or so , go with GM.
 
Clint Youse MO, are you serious? Modern 1/2 tons are more truck than a 3/4 ton was 20-30 years ago. My 1/2 ton Chevrolet with a little 5.3L has surprised me in what it can tow and stop. With a goose neck of course. And good brakes all the way around (true for any tow vehicle).

Allis Chalmers 180 - 360 miles loaded, one-way, right at 18,000 gross weight truck axle had about 4900 lbs on it. I use this combination several times a year. The little 1/2 ton is not scared of 8-11 round bales behind it either.

150,000 miles last week. One fuel pump is the only failed part in 10 years.

CIMG2424.jpg


I think the OP will be fine with a 1/2 ton.

CT
 
im going to add in here because i dont see one thing that is important, while i do not choose to own any new truck, what ive found out from friends, is that almost all new trucks are of similer quality, and given proper care and use they will last quite a while, but what makes or breaks a new truck deal is dealer service, whatever make you eventually choose to buy make sure the dealer has, a knowledgable parts dept with a large inventory of parts on the shelf, and the mecanics out in the shop, make sure there are some experienced mechanics working there, dealerships are the first place that hire mechanics fresh out of school,there supposed to be there to serve under a master mechanic for a few years, but in a case i personally know off, make sure the whole place isnt full of new mechanics fresh out out of school, you dont want to be paying from 500 to a grand a month for a truck thats sitting in the shop with some minor senser problem while some kid is trying to figure out what is wrong with it
 
(quoted from post at 19:07:36 08/25/11) Oliver77 never seen a Dodge pickup with rear coil springs. My 1997 1500 with 318 engine and tow package handles my trailer with two tractors on it that weigh just under 9000lbs total with NO problem, at 70+mph on the open four lane road.

Dodge went to coil springs on their 2008 model RAM 1500, IIRC. Give or take a model year. Might've been 2007 or 2009...

Yeah, though, if you can get the rig up over 70MPH, you're fine because the engine is running in its power band. Can't do that around here... Too much traffic. So you're in 3rd with the engine roaring away at 3200RPM... Plenty of power but you need to wear earmuffs in the cab to hear yourself think.
 
(quoted from post at 20:36:08 08/25/11)
[size=18:953c5f7877]Ford 6.2 selectashift Auto with max towing option.
Ford 6.2 6 speed with max towing option.[/size:953c5f7877]

Nets you 9500lbs towing on the F150 and 12,500 on the F250.

The 3.5L with the same option gets you 11,300lbs towing. 1,200 less than an F250 and 1,800 more than the same truck with your engine choice.

So why did you pick what you did?
 
The Ford with the max tow packages are a nice truck, many of them around the family now. The heavy rear springs and big sterling rear axle do ride rougher than the Chevys or coil spung dodges but they can't get the Ford tow rating.
 
(quoted from post at 10:00:08 08/26/11)
(quoted from post at 20:36:08 08/25/11)
[size=18:c60de729b3]Ford 6.2 selectashift Auto with max towing option.
Ford 6.2 6 speed with max towing option.[/size:c60de729b3]

Nets you 9500lbs towing on the F150 and 12,500 on the F250.

The 3.5L with the same option gets you 11,300lbs towing. 1,200 less than an F250 and 1,800 more than the same truck with your engine choice.

So why did you pick what you did?

Cubic Inches, and large engine torque. And the Fact that he will likely haul 11,300 or more regardless. I Chose what I did Because I come from Heavy Truck and Big Bore engine Technology.
 
Here is my take on you guys that want to haul your tractor and want to haul it with a 1/2 ton truck. You are plum NUTS . And you wonder why the DOT wants to come down on us little guys. 90% of you do not have a clue of what your doing. Yea you may get the load rolling with a half ton BUT YOU DO not have the springs or brakes that you need . Oh but my trailer has good brakes , yea wright , they are electric brakes and electric brakes can go out in the blink of and eye BTDT . You can never have tomuch truck inft. of a load . And tires on a half ton are not much more then a car tire. And lord help ya if blow a tire . Or ya loose your brakes . Do you ever think ahead while driving and use the WHAT IF . When hauling a load ya had best be thinking like a pilot of a plane because if that WHAT IF happens ya had best be looking ahead as to where your going to LAND it. Myself i USe to pull a trailer with a 3/4 ton heavy Duty 4X4 , tryed the automatics even hand built one for towing , went back to a standard. Found out even a heavy 3/4 ton was not enough truck. Moved up to a 1 ton 4x4 , BETTER BUT STILL LACKING IN THE WOOOOOOOOO BUT LOTS OF GO . tRUCK WEIGHTED IN AT 7500 LBS AND TRAILER WEIGHED IN AT 7500 LBS EMPTY WITH ALL CHAINS AND BINDERS AND yes I HAD lotS OF CHAINS ALL 5/16THS g70 LIKE 14 OF THEM . So before i even put a load on it we were at 15000 lbs . So you max out the GVW and you are 31000 that is 15 and a half ton about the empty weight of a semi. And you do not have the brakes that YOU SHOULD have. Just like last weekend we used the Durango to pull a little 14 foot enclosed signal axle trailer to move my one daughter from Cinnci to Cleveland , 03 Durango with the 5.9-360 V8 trailer tow package really good BFG tires inflated to propper full load capacity everything was as wright as i could make it but once the trailer was loaded yea it would pull it just fine BUT just not enough Stopping power . I have a leg up on most of you on this hauling thing because i have done it for the last 48 years as being a professional heavy haul trucker . started out on a B61 Mack with a 50 Rogers lowboy hauling construction equipment and just recently retired from hauling what ever was big heavy and ugly With no accidents , some really close calls that make you sick in the stomach and really weak in the knees none of witch were my fault just dumb drivers . So here is my take on this little Half ton truck and a big load you are asking for trouble.
 
everybody tries to state their facts, some go out into left field with stuff that has nothing to do with your topic,,, oh well...as for tractor vets thread, related or not, has merit,,,i drive a 7-axle t/t weighing in at 110k, let me tell you first hand, it scared the sh@@ out of me trying to stop when needed, in local traffic or in the mountains,, like trying to stop a coal train with all those wheel and brakes, it's easy as some think, "yea right",,, get what you need for the purpose, bigger can't hurt. my opinion
 
I"m nuts. 23 years hauling my 5500 lb. tractor with my 1/2 ton trucks. My trailer has 2 6,000 lb axles with brakes that I check every year. I have 550 lbs tongue weight. Knock on wood, never a problem.I"m nuts. Thank you for the insult...
 
I have always had the best results and life with Fords. I always pulled anything I need with a F150 4x4 8 ft bed but I recently purchased a F250 4x4 8 ft bed and I would recommend you consider a 3/4 ton. The 1/2 ton will usually do it but the 3/4 ton will do it better and safer. My previous company had; Fords, Chevy/GMC's and Dodges. Over the past twenty years, the Fords gave by far the best service, followed by the Dodges, with the Chevy/GMC's last.

Harold H
 
Chuck, I think he's trying to say no foreign made parts used would be cost prohibitive. Your new Fords were ASSEMBLED in the Claycomo Mo plant, not BUILT. Parts like seats, alternators, electronic modules, etc are made FOR Ford, not BY Ford. Until the business climate changes in this country, it's cost effective to have many parts outsourced and sourced from outside the U.S.
 
If you can wait a year. The 2013 GMC/Chev trucks are coming out with a new chassis and direct injection V8 engines. Approaching diesel mileage on lower cost gasoline and no $$$ diesel option.
I wouldn't purchase a new-old design truck.
 
That's a loaded question if ever there was. As a professional tech at a Ford/Chevy dealer, I'd say it more boils down to styling and features than anything else. I like the looks of a GM truck better, but Ford's SYNC system is pretty slick. So far, the Ecoboost 3.5 seems to be a pretty good little engine. When it was introduced to the dealers, the Ford people were driving one towing a 30+ft enclosed trailer with another one inside.
Both Ford and GM build a good truck. Which one's looks/features do you like best?
 
Most of us that use 1/2 tons to tow have been doing it a while. We have 8-10 ply "LT" tires and maintained equipment. Not 4-6 ply "P" tires.

Electric over hydraulic, vacuum over hydraulic, surge, ect can fail just like electric brakes.

My sisters FIL was helping us haul milo hay this weekend. He is a DOT licensed, nursery plant hot-shot. He has a 1-ton and a trip-axle 33' trailer. We were discussing brakes. He had heard of some drivers switching to electric/hydraulic brakes. His concern was if a wheel cylinder fails or line breaks, what then? 1st time you need to brake there goes ALL brake fluid... NO BRAKES!

If a wire or magnet fails, he still has 5 brakes. If a short happens, he is SOL just like the above scenario. That's when you try to "LAND" as you put it. Short of air brakes they all have their flaws. Air brakes, they just lock up and you are stuck among other flaws they have as well.

OP, follow the advise others have given. Follow your desires 1st. Pick one with good service and reliability 2nd.

CT
 
THANK YOU ALL for you opinions and input. As it was mentioned many of these trucks are very similar now so it becomes a factor of who has the best package for me as Brian stated.

However, I have to admit that I am very curious as to what the Dodge, Chevy, and Ford ratings will be next year when they adapt the universal standards for weight/tow classification. Toyota has alrady adjusted and lost about 1,000 lbs as a result, so it will be interesting to see how the others are affected.

Again thank you all for the input, from buying american (which we all try to do as much as possible, given the situations), saftey concerns, and just good old opinions.
 
(quoted from post at 06:49:11 08/29/11) THANK YOU ALL for you opinions and input. As it was mentioned many of these trucks are very similar now so it becomes a factor of who has the best package for me as Brian stated.

However, I have to admit that I am very curious as to what the Dodge, Chevy, and Ford ratings will be next year when they adapt the universal standards for weight/tow classification. Toyota has alrady adjusted and lost about 1,000 lbs as a result, so it will be interesting to see how the others are affected.

Again thank you all for the input, from buying american (which we all try to do as much as possible, given the situations), saftey concerns, and just good old opinions.

Those universal standards are something I was going to mention. Didn't know if they were in effect yet, but apparently they are not. Kinda makes think that maybe those outrageous claims for towing and hauling with a 1/2 ton truck are just attempts to get as many trucks sold as possible before those standards DO go into effect.
 
The Unified Towing Standard is called, SAE J2807. It is interesting to read, but I have not found a lot of data on it yet. Other than it has taken 4 years to establish.

CT
 
Outlandish or not the standards mean its still legal when the DOT pulls you over, that is unless you gross more than their homemade ratings. I personally don't like to push it with tow ratings as the PA DOT have been really cracking down.
Like I said I am interested to see what happens when all the truck makers test with the same standards, who will win then?
 
Manufacturer's ratings have NOTHING to do with DOT law, even hauling commercial. What's important is what your tags/registration say.

The only correlation is your axle/tire ratings provide the maximum limit when you go to fill out the paperwork at the DMV for your tags/registration.
 
Looks like I'll be getting that '98 KW conv. long wb , down the road for sale and put a tilt bed on and will be just the ticket for hauling my 4000# JD "B" !!! Sleeping quarters and all! ( yea,right!)
 
I think most of the newer 1/2 ton trucks are equally built in quality . I've been around all of them. The only thing about the tundra the biggest complaint has been fuel mileage. I have an old f 350 big block (1981) that gets almost as good of mileage as my father in laws tundra. He gets around 12 in town and my old big block gets averages a liitle over 11. Everybody I talk to loves the tundra but same complaint has been a little short on mileage.
 
(quoted from post at 04:52:53 08/30/11) What is the projected life of the direct injection V8? Will they run 500K like a diesel?

It doesn't really matter if you only drive 25k or less a year. Chances are the body and frame will be completely rusted out or it is totaled by hitting a deer or other car long before the 20 years it will take to get to 500k miles.
Actually, what is most likely will be that the wiring harness will have so many problems that the truck will not run right and it will take many thousands of dollars to fix.

I am not worried about mechanical problems on today's engines - gas or diesel.
 
(quoted from post at 17:32:27 08/31/11)
(quoted from post at 04:52:53 08/30/11) What is the projected life of the direct injection V8? Will they run 500K like a diesel?

It doesn't really matter if you only drive 25k or less a year. Chances are the body and frame will be completely rusted out or it is totaled by hitting a deer or other car long before the 20 years it will take to get to 500k miles.
Actually, what is most likely will be that the wiring harness will have so many problems that the truck will not run right and it will take many thousands of dollars to fix.

I am not worried about mechanical problems on today's engines - gas or diesel.

I have 10 years and 151,000 miles (15k year). I have no rust (south), no mechanical issues, no electrical issues, nor any other issues. I fully expect 300k and 20 years from my 2001 K1500 Chevrolet. I have 32 years on my 1979 C20 with minor rust (non regular use mainly).

CT
 
It's absurd to argue about foreign made vehicles and equipment. The brand does not imply anything.
The name Ford,Chevy & Dodge is the only part that is american made. I bought a Kubota compact tractor a few years ago. A friend said why not buy an American Made tractor like a John Deere. Ther hasen't been a compact John Deere tractor made in the US in 30 years or longer. I have owned every kind of truck and Toyota is by far the best I ever owned.
 
Wait for the all new 2013 GMC/Chev pickups. The direct injection V8 will meat or beat the diesel cost per mile over the life of the truck.
Order the 1/2 ton with the HD tow package.
Even for the 2012 year. Comparing HD 1/2 ton 400+ HP, 4X4 crew cab with the tow package is approx $38,000. The 2012 3/4 diesel 4X4 crew cab is $56,000.
How is the higher cost per gallon diesel going to beat the cheaper to fuel and cheaper to purchase gasser? Then lets consider the extra maintenance of the diesel.
 
What extra maintenance are you talking about in a diesel? No spark plugs? Longer oil change intervals? If direct injection gas is so great then why dont heavy industry use it? 2011 GMC Duramax diesel avg fuel mileage 16.5. 400hp 800lb ft torque.
 
(quoted from post at 07:27:56 10/25/11) What extra maintenance are you talking about in a diesel? No spark plugs? Longer oil change intervals? If direct injection gas is so great then why dont heavy industry use it? 2011 GMC Duramax diesel avg fuel mileage 16.5. 400hp 800lb ft torque.

I think B&D was looking at the cost to repair when the 800 ft/lb diesel blows a head gasket, needs injector/pump work or just grenades. Gassers can get 200k-300k miles with nothing more than oil changes and spark plugs. All this while climbing to the top of the hill 5 mph slower with cheaper fuel.

Heavy industries use diesel because it is not practical to use gasoline in those applications. A 3/4 ton "toy hauler" or "camper tow rig" is not heavy industry. Most people with diesels maybe tow 3-4 times a year. The rest of the time it is a grocery getter. I'd buy a new 8.1L if GM started making them again.

Direct injection is real and has been around. Many smaller engines are using it (our 2008 MINI Cooper S, 1.6L) for increased power and fuel economy. Example, the MINI has 172 hp and 177 lb-ft with a flat torque curve from 1800 to redline out of a 1.6L! All while getting 30 in town and 34 hwy, real mileage numbers with me hanging my foot in it most of the time. Who knows, once direct injection gas engines become more popular, they may replace small diesels.

Look at the Ford Eco-Boost V6, it delivers V8 power and V6 economy with direct injection, turbo charging. Imagine if this was done with a gasoline V8? Competition for diesels? I thinks so. Cheaper per mile to operate, I think so.

I am not trying to step on toes here, but I feel that direct injection gasoline is more practical in light duty (one ton and smaller) than diesels. These vehicles are subjected to stop-and-go driving, short distances, and frequent cold starts. Industrial equipment and road tractors run for hours on end under load, thus suited for diesel combustion.

Just my $.02

CT
 
Yes but gassers loose power faster over time due to engine wear. My gas pick up with 200K doesnt have near the power it did when it was new. Compared to my diesel with 300k on it, still feels like a new engine. Gassers dont climb the hill only doing 5mph less.
 
Stuart, i think the direct injected gas engines may last longer than the old gas engines because the gas is injected near the top of the compression stroke and not during the total intake stroke, therefore not washing the oil off the cylinder walls. i think that's how it works, but i'm not sure. the torque band on my f150 ecoboost is 1700 to 5000 rpm, much like a diesel and pulls the hills better than you could imagine. just my 2 cents, chuck
 
You may think you are mother trucker hauling 60ton on the interstate across both mountain ranges. And driving 125,000 miles per year.
News flash. You have a light duty application with intermittent use as a truck and 95% usage as a passenger car.
We are not talking about municipal diesel generator sets or marine diesels.Operating at 100% power 24/7.
Ever compare the cost of the diesel fuel, oil and trans filters vs. the gasoline filters? Ever note the difference in the amount of oil at each change?
You seem to be stuck in 1985 with carburated 350 four barrels making 148HP. With a non lockup three speed automatic. Vs. a Dodge Cummins with just a P pump, a non waste gated turbo and a 5 speed manual.
Lets roll the clock ahead to reality in the 2012 /2013 models years.
Lets see? A diesel with glow plugs, variable vane turbo, cooled EGR, 30,000psi injection system. Particulate filter, cat converter, two batteries, two alternators and urea injection.
Vs a direct injection gasser with spark plugs that last 100,000 miles. Or do you still change gasser plugs every 3000 miles? No distributor. No carb. No choke plate or choke linkages. No heat riser valve. No V-belts. No EGR valve. One battery, one alternator.
Which truck will require $$$ parts to keep rolling?
How much better mileage does the diesel have to have to make up for the 40cents per gallon higher price. You are beat there before we even mention the extra 10 grand for the diesel option.
 
(quoted from post at 00:27:53 09/01/11)
(quoted from post at 17:32:27 08/31/11)
(quoted from post at 04:52:53 08/30/11) What is the projected life of the direct injection V8? Will they run 500K like a diesel?

It doesn't really matter if you only drive 25k or less a year. Chances are the body and frame will be completely rusted out or it is totaled by hitting a deer or other car long before the 20 years it will take to get to 500k miles.
Actually, what is most likely will be that the wiring harness will have so many problems that the truck will not run right and it will take many thousands of dollars to fix.

I am not worried about mechanical problems on today's engines - gas or diesel.

I have 10 years and 151,000 miles (15k year). I have no rust (south), no mechanical issues, no electrical issues, nor any other issues. I fully expect 300k and 20 years from my 2001 K1500 Chevrolet. I have 32 years on my 1979 C20 with minor rust (non regular use mainly).

CT

At only 15K a year. You have money to waste on a diesel as a status symbol.
In 2021 if the EPA has not banned or regulated diesels off the road. How complex will that die$el engine be?
 
No I dont use it as a status symbol. By the way if you havent noticed, Deere is using all that tech that you say is no good in there tractors with several thousand hours of trouble free use. Neighbor already has 6000 hrs on his. Stop putting words into my mouth. Prove it with actual facts and not hyperbole.
 

Hey Stuart -

Don't worry - I'm wishing I had a diesel for the exact reasons you laid out...

I've had two F250s with gas engines and by the time you hit 200,000 they just DON'T have the power they used to - just like you said...

I've taken good care of both pickups, too... The 6-9 mpg loaded also gets old...

I don't give a flip about "status symbol", either... Or I'd be driving a new burnt-orange Camaro instead of buying up old tractors...

Howard
 
(quoted from post at 17:17:01 10/25/11)
(quoted from post at 00:27:53 09/01/11)
(quoted from post at 17:32:27 08/31/11)
(quoted from post at 04:52:53 08/30/11) What is the projected life of the direct injection V8? Will they run 500K like a diesel?

It doesn't really matter if you only drive 25k or less a year. Chances are the body and frame will be completely rusted out or it is totaled by hitting a deer or other car long before the 20 years it will take to get to 500k miles.
Actually, what is most likely will be that the wiring harness will have so many problems that the truck will not run right and it will take many thousands of dollars to fix.

I am not worried about mechanical problems on today's engines - gas or diesel.

I have 10 years and 151,000 miles (15k year). I have no rust (south), no mechanical issues, no electrical issues, nor any other issues. I fully expect 300k and 20 years from my 2001 K1500 Chevrolet. I have 32 years on my 1979 C20 with minor rust (non regular use mainly).

CT

At only 15K a year. You have money to waste on a diesel as a status symbol.
In 2021 if the EPA has not banned or regulated diesels off the road. How complex will that die$el engine be?

I am on the gasoline bandwagon... Not diesel.

CT
 
(quoted from post at 18:00:20 10/26/11)
(quoted from post at 17:17:01 10/25/11)
(quoted from post at 00:27:53 09/01/11)
(quoted from post at 17:32:27 08/31/11)
(quoted from post at 04:52:53 08/30/11) What is the projected life of the direct injection V8? Will they run 500K like a diesel?

It doesn't really matter if you only drive 25k or less a year. Chances are the body and frame will be completely rusted out or it is totaled by hitting a deer or other car long before the 20 years it will take to get to 500k miles.
Actually, what is most likely will be that the wiring harness will have so many problems that the truck will not run right and it will take many thousands of dollars to fix.

I am not worried about mechanical problems on today's engines - gas or diesel.

I have 10 years and 151,000 miles (15k year). I have no rust (south), no mechanical issues, no electrical issues, nor any other issues. I fully expect 300k and 20 years from my 2001 K1500 Chevrolet. I have 32 years on my 1979 C20 with minor rust (non regular use mainly).

CT

At only 15K a year. You have money to waste on a diesel as a status symbol.
In 2021 if the EPA has not banned or regulated diesels off the road. How complex will that die$el engine be?

I am on the gasoline bandwagon... Not diesel.

CT

Sorry, mixed you in with Stuart accidentally.
 

Drop into the garages that service light highway 2007 and later diesels. Highway tractors are a high priced, high down time issue too with the emissions equipment.
 
Yeah, B&D sounds like he is bitter about people who make more than him or have nicer stuff. Very sad. When my friends and neighbors buy nice things I am happy for them.
 
(quoted from post at 08:49:10 10/27/11) Yeah, B&D sounds like he is bitter about people who make more than him or have nicer stuff. Very sad. When my friends and neighbors buy nice things I am happy for them.

I'm talking about people who are penny wise and pound foolish regarding cost per mile. Others are unaware that a 2012 emissions diesel is less reliable and more upkeep than a 2002 Cummins. Then there are the remainding who want the status/ look at me of a diesel. I bought a gasser based on it being a logical decision.
 
B&D, I have to agree with your logic! I run a Chev 3500 SRW 4x4 with 8.1 gas and Allison because I only put about 8000 MPY on it! Prolly 90% of that is running around empty at 10.5 MPG. Yes, it would be great to have a li'l better mileage, but I can't justify the additional cost of the diesel, or a second vehicle with great fuel mileage, but the additional cost of ownership, maintenance, insurance, etc. just for 7500 miles of fuel savings.
JMHO, Dave
 
(quoted from post at 18:03:21 10/31/11) B&D, I have to agree with your logic! I run a Chev 3500 SRW 4x4 with 8.1 gas and Allison because I only put about 8000 MPY on it! Prolly 90% of that is running around empty at 10.5 MPG. Yes, it would be great to have a li'l better mileage, but I can't justify the additional cost of the diesel, or a second vehicle with great fuel mileage, but the additional cost of ownership, maintenance, insurance, etc. just for 7500 miles of fuel savings.
JMHO, Dave

Interesting. My truck is a dually 3500 with the 8.1 and 6 speed manual. It is 10 years old with only 60,000 miles. MPG is comparable to yours. Seems rathe silly to have a rig like that for just two or three short trips into town per month, but occasionally the truck has a job to do that simply could not be handled by anything that gets 30+ mpg.
 

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