Next year Im looking to get a full size pickup that will be used for some daily driving and will need to be used for towing bikes for track days and events and most likely some medium duty snow plowing.


Its a good 5 or 6 months before I buy the truck I just want to know some opinions on what to look for.


My budget will be anywhere from 10-20k

The trailer set up will end up being 14-17ft v nose and I expect to log on anywhere from 5-15k miles a year towing.



Im not looking for specifics yet but just what to look for in a truck that can last me 5+ years without to many worries.

i just bought my f250 psd for 19k.

yah, id suggest a 03+ 4WD silverado. the 5.3's in them run forever with minimal problems and they are pretty powerful out of the box. not to mention the huge aftermarket for them...

:cough: Diesel.

ditto, although I'm a fan of the 6.0 (hehe). I wouldn't go diesel unless your gonna drive it 12k miles or more a year. I love my 04 Chevy.

BUY A 7.3L F350 BEST DIESEL EVER MADE!!!

I was considering diesel but the cost is a little out of reach for what I need the truck for.


One thing I want to know is how much abuse would it be on a 5.3 silverado to take a 16ft trailer with 4 bikes 4 people and luggage/tools etc.

I have an 03 avalanche with the 5.3 and have towed a 89 tahoe with it. It didn't have a problem with it but the 2500 avalanche has an 8.1 in it. Plenty of leg room and a full size pickup is nice to have. If you want to take mine for a drive just let me know.

silverado or sierra with the 6.6 dmax.





/thread

I have a 2003 GMC Sierra with a 5.3 and 69k miles....4WD and a towing hitch setup...only issue is plowing, since the nose was converted to the denali nose!!!!

Looking for $14,500
That price includes any maintenance needed, new exhaust and new factory seats installed!!

Damn I should have proof read that one I forgot to mention not local but on a cross country trip.

Im not looking yet and Im probably going to go with a bigger motor than the 5.3 now that I have been thinking about it.


Thanks for the replys guys Ill be asking more questions as time gets close now that I have an idea of what Im looking for.

diesel would be even better i get 19-20mpg it this beast and 15-16 towing

Same with my fathers F250.. Lugging my Cougar it was getting 16ish.

you will get far better mileage towing with a diesel than a gas motor. not to mention the better torque, higher cargo/towing capacities, etc.

If you are wanting a diesel then my vote goes to the Duramax and then second choice would be a 7.3 PSD. The early Fords with the 7.3 can be had a whole lot cheaper than any Duramax, if you are looking to just have a work truck and don't plan on doing anything to it (programmers, exhaust, or other mods) then I say 7.3 if you want to get a little more power or plan to mod it at all the Duramax will take better to the mods. IMO the GM truck is a nicer ride, more comfy and rides nicer. I plow snow with my 01 2500HD with a Duramax its an awesome truck. If I can help you out with any info let me know.

only true if your load is light and aerodynamic.

my 8.1 gets better mileage towing through the mountains than my buddies duramax.. as for the 6L they should be limited to half ton trucks because they suck ballbag in 3/4 tons when driving normal never mind towing.

the 6.0's i've seen do very well towing (anywhere from 6k to 15k lbs regularly) with very few issues. much better truck and motor then the shitbox dodges we had for years.

http://shannon-auto-sales.ebizautos.com/de...xl-4829390.html

http://shannon-auto-sales.ebizautos.com/de...lt-4864980.html

couple of nice trucks right there both in your price range.

i havnt heard many good thing about the 6.0s if you ask ford guys theyll prob so go with 7.3 over 6.0 9 out of 10 times

i've read all the problems with the 6l, but our trucks at work just dont seem to have em. and they are used every day to tow and idle for long periods of time regularly.

i've also had a bit of time behind the wheel of the 7.3's, great motor but you can tell the difference in power between it and the 6.0. night and day difference.

I think you guys are talking about 2 seperate 6.0's. The 2500 GM's use a 6.0 gas engine. Are they that bad Spence? I see a lot of them on the road and have considered them for my next truck. I would like a D-Max but they are big money.

ever drive an s10 with a 2.8?

the 6L is the equivelent, and with the heavy truck they get crappy mileage.

even the new vortec max 6L don't have enough nut. went to NH with a 2 place sled trailer and one in the bed and the thing had to downshift into 3rd with the 6 speed to make it up the hills. the same trip with my 8.1 with 4 sleds on a car trailer without a sweat.

Never drove a 2.8. The heaviest thing I tow is my 3500 camper. I've been told that the 6.0 gets about 16mpg. That's what I get with my s10.

http://www.powerstroke.org/forum/trucks/12...e-le-cheap.html

Spence your buddies Dmax must be screwed up if your 8.1 is getting better mileage, those things are gas hounds!!

thats a great site im on their all the time

diablos30 is my handle on there. someone stole fordfanatic on me, bastard.

i've towed plenty of car's with my father's denali with the 6.0, plenty of power, not the best fuel milage at 13mpg. i've had adams gto behind as well as a ta, grand am, and even zacks 24' enclosed trailer