[Slick24]

I am looking to buy a truck and would like some input. I have been doing research and there is so much to look into. I am here to express my needs and wants, any feedback is much appreciated.

I am purchasing a 39 foot 5th wheel RV. Here is a link to the RV.

http://www.keystonerv.com/laredo/models/342rd-new/model-mobile

I will be pulling this RV about once every 2 months. I will also be using the truck as a daily driver with an hour commute each way on the highway 4 times a week. I know it may be difficult, but I am trying not to spend more than $20k on the used truck before any modifications.

I want a truck that is reliable but I also want a truck with balls. I have always had a fast car. The last car I sold was my daily driver and ran 11.4 in the 1/4. I am not expecting 11.4 but I don't want to drive something boring, I want to be able to have the thrill of the acceleration if desired.

I was thinking of a 6.4 powerstroke, egr and dpf delete with a tune.

Does this sound like a winning combo?
What would you suggest?

 

[DENNY]

Too much want and not enough money, something will have to give. I WOULD NOT BUY A USED 6.4.
DENNY

 

[fordsforever73]

I think a "bulletproofed" 6.0L is a more reliable and cheaper truck myself. If you can find one that's in good shape and has records to show what's been done, it would be worth it. Keep in mind the '05 and up models have a higher tow rating, having bigger brakes and better suspension. Also, you should have a chunk of money to do any upgrades you might want to do, to make it reliable...such as bulletproofing, if it doesn't already have it. You might have to be patient, trying to find the right truck for you. I took a year to find one for me, flew down and drove it 3500 miles, home. Good luck with your search.

 

[79jasper]

Too much want and not enough money, something will have to give. I WOULD NOT BUY A USED 6.4.
DENNY

I wouldn't buy a new 6.4 lol
For $20k you could get a 7.3 and make it go pretty fast.

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[DENNY]

Looks like he needs a F450 to handle a trailer that big. 7.3 would be great and pull it with no problem, but F450 is not good for a daily driver. I am not up on the tow ratings of the new trucks, might get buy with a 6.7 tow boss but than ya still running a low geared drw. The link is to a travel trailer, they are a lot lighter and you might get buy with a SRW. My 99 F350 has close to 300,000 on it. When I went looking for a new truck money was not an issue but I went back to a used low milage 7.3, they have a few issues but well know and easy to fix. I keep my 5th wheel in the 30-32 ft range. If the trailer weight was around 10-12 grand I would look at a 2000-2002 F350 with 3.73 axle and six speed. You can still find them under 100,000 in the high teens. Lots of autos in that range if you look hard.
DENNY

 

[Slick24]

Do I need a dually? Also why don't y'all like the 6.4, is it not reliable? I have seen plenty of threads where people say they would rather have the 6.4 over the 7.3 so I am getting some mixed feedback which is expected.

 

[DENNY]

Are you getting a 5th wheel or a travel trailer? You really have to tell us how much weight you want to tow!! Than go look at what the MAX GVRW is for the truck you want and see if you feel comfortable towing with that weight. A DRW truck can sometimes have a lower GVWR than a SRW, however, a DRW will have more stability.

A heavy 39ft 5th wheel can be a lot for a SRW to handle in the wind. I am sure a SRW will pull it fine 39ft 5th wheel fine but you will most likely be over weight and margin for error go,s way down at weight, weather, and road conditions combine. A 39 ft travel trailer is a lot lighter, you might even be legal. Once again, if that thing starts to wag you a SRW can be a handful. I have towed a lot of big/heavy loads with a SRW but I don't mind driving at 55 or slower(DO YOU??). So go back and read the threads of 6.4 owners is it power or reliability they like.

Just some stuff to think about.
DENNY

 

[chuckster57]

2000 pound king pin is Before you add battery(s) propane and then all the stuff in the basement. Your loaded king pin will probably be closer to 2500 pounds after you add the hitch weight depending on slider or not.

Having towed with both, I wouldn't tow anything that big without DRW, a NEW truck would probably do it with SRW, but you need at least a 350 for the weight. Going fast is out the window when you tow, trailer tires are rated for 65 MPH.

 

[Slick24]

I included the link to the rv in the original post. You have to remember I won't be towing but once every couple months, the rest of the time I will be commuting.

 

[chuckster57]

I included the link to the rv in the original post. You have to remember I won't be towing but once every couple months, the rest of the time I will be commuting.

Doesn't matter if you tow once or once a week. If your looking for a go fast truck get the lightest one you can. If your looking for a truck to move 15,000 pounds of fiver then make sure you get enough truck to do the job. Is there a compromise? I don't know, but I'll take safe towing every time. Hope you can find one that fits both.


I looked and yeah your trailer choice is a bumper pull. 39 ft will want to wag the dog, get a good WD hitch with sway control. As for tongue weight, same thing applies: weight is before battery and propane.

 

[DENNY]

The link brings me to a travel trailer, So now you are getting into a better weight range for a SRW. I tow a 5th wheel with about the same weight with my 99 F350 CC SIX SPEED 7.73 AXLES. I use the same truck as a daily driver. Not a 1/4 mile hot dog but does just fine.
DENNY

 

[klhansen]

Not a 1/4 mile hot dog but does just fine.
DENNY

Yep, I can smoke him at the track, but it's still a good truck. :grin2:

 

[Slick24]

It's a 5th wheel rv

 

[Slick24]

So what I am gathering is the 7.3 is best for towing/reliability. If I get the 6.4 I have towing/acceleration/comfort but lose reliability.

 

[79jasper]

They're known for creating windows in the block. Lol
You could get a 6.0 for that price, but you would need to do the deletes and head studs.

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[Slick24]

I found a 2012 6.7l extended cab, long bed, 4wd, 118k miles for 23k.

What do you think?

 

[DENNY]

What is the GVWR of that one/ Miles? I think that truck stock has twice the power of my 7.3 so you will save a lot in hot rod mods!! I have a buddy that is running 3 of them as work trucks and overall very happy with them even after 200,000. He loves the power!!
DENNY