towing trucks, need opinions

[Charlotte]

Ok, we may be forced into replacing our truck. Can y'all give me your experiences with hauling and what size engines will pull the weight you have and still get good mileage in town? I don't want to 'over buy'.

We haul an 18' trailer (aluminum) and I need an easy pull when loaded with 8 horses, the tack compartment filled from floor to ceiling and the truck bed packed to the hilt with 'stuff'. (I'm thinking about our trip to World every year.)

Engine sizes range from 3.something liter to 5.something.

I want to be able to pull through the Arbuckles with ease and there are some pretty steep and long grades in there.

I'm looking at all makes right now so any experience with engine sizes would be great.

Thanks,

Cahrlotte

p.s. also. we have been using a deisel 3/4 ton and I'm wondering if a gas 1/2 ton could do the job if the engine were big enough but I don't have a clue what 'big enough' is.

 

[Becky]

If you want my sisterly opinion

, I would go with either a big V8 in a half ton or diesel again in a 3/4 ton. Worst thing is to be underpowered. I would also want one that has the factory towing equipment already installed. And there you have my opinion.

 

[ruffian]

Definitely don't want gas. Friend bought a 3/4 T gas to haul her 2H GN. Gets 8 - that's right E I G H T miles to the gallon!! Goes down to 6 when hauling.

We have the 2009 Chevy 3/4 HD diesel 4 x 4 with Ally trans and love it. It gets between 15 - 18 hauling or not. All the power in the world.

 

[shalamara minis]

Diesel, and stay with 3/4 ton. Its not just about pulling but stopping. Even with trailer brakes the 3/4 is better. Being over trucked is better tham trying to get some where and wishing you had that bigger truck.

 

[palsminihorses]

I would have to agree with Ruffian. We have a 2005 GMC HD Diesel 4X4 with the Allison transmission. It's got lots of power. Mileage has improved with the miles driven, and we are now getting 20 or more MPG.

Pam

 

[Charlotte]

WOW! good info here! thanks everyone.

Now another question......where do you get your deisels serviced?????

We have had deisel since 2001 and the only place we can find to service it is the dealers, we've tried several including where we bought, and they can't fix ANYTHING! Thousands of $ down the road and it's still not fixed. Where the heck do you look for good service?

Charlotte

 

[JMS Miniatures]

I'm also, sort of looking. Probably nothing in the near future but you never know. My truck is a 2001 F250 with over 200,000 miles on it, its showing its wear and tear.

I heard the newer Ford trucks pull like you know what with a trailer?

I have my eye on a chevy.

 

[Carolyn R]

Charlotte, as far as servicing a diesel, have you tried a place that does big rigs? I know there are many smaller places around here that service farm equipment and diesel rigs (husband was in a partnership with one in the past).

As far as vehicle size I would say a V8 or bigger.

I have a 4wd v6 Nissan SUV that pulls a mini stock trailer (10ft inside, 12+ to the hitch). It does the job fine, the new V6 4wd Xterras can pull 5000LBS and that is one of the largest tow capacities for that size SUV. The V8 should be able to bump you up to the next catagory.

My brother has a Dodge Durango V8 that he uses to pull a hard sided camper, can't recall the weight but I think the cabin space is 18"-20" long, the only time he had any issues was traveling to Maine up a really long steep mountain with the air on in the truck and the camper. Temp gauge went up a little. I would deff. think that an aluminum horse trailer would weigh much less than a fully furnished camper.

 

[susanne]

As Bill mentioned, remember that just as critical as ability to pull is the ability to STOP.

When comparing a horse trailer to boats and other trailers, keep in mind that this is live weight that moves at any time and will add to the difficulty of emergency braking.

Another consideration seldom mentioned is length of wheelbase. A longer wheelbase greatly increases control in stopping.

Beefed up suspension and anti-sway bars are also major improvements.

Ambulance and emergency vehicle companies can tell you a great deal about how best to prepare for the worst driving situations.

 

[MountainMeadows]

We have a 3/4 T Dodge Diesel and love it -- lots of power, lots of "torque" and it gets great milage -- I drive it to and from work everyday and average around 21 MPG - towing it goes down to 16-18, but remember when we go to Nationals/Worlds there are several mountain passes to climb and that cuts into our MPG average.

I get my truck serviced at the Dealer for anything "big" - but in reality these trucks are made to go 200-300,000+ miles, plus, so at 75,000 my truck is just getting broken in and I have had no service needed other than oil changes and tires/brakes which Les Schwab will do for me.

I really like the Dodge as far as overall performance -- but I don't think it is a comfortable as the Chevy's that I have ridden in -- however, I can deal with a harder seat in order to get the better performance.

Gotta admit tho - the diesel added about $10K to the price tag - and diesel isn't inexpensive anymore like it used to be - so I am hoping that this truck lasts a long, long time!

If you ask the horse haulers what trucks they run I think you will get some good feedback.

 

[Charlotte]

You guys are great! Keep it coming. Giving us a lot to think about.

As far as Deisel service goes, we have tried everything we can think of here in the OkC area. Everyone says to take it to the dealer and that has been a total rip off!

C

 

[MindyLee]

My husband is a certified specialist in diesel performance and is one of the best here in Michigan. He works on folks trucks from all around the state as well as surrounding states and he says...

3/4 ton (2500) Dodge diesel with a Cummins. We have one and it pulls like a dream. He also put bigger injectors in it with a chip as well and I get 20+ miles to a gallon pulling a 2 horse bumper pull. I can go to a show 1 1/2 hrs away, drive all over all weekend long and come back home and only use 1/2 tank of fuel.

We also took this same truck to the UP of Michigan (way up there to Ontonagon), spent all week there for vacation. Then drove down to the middle of Wisconson to pick up a new mini stud. Came back through the UP and back home to Lapeer MI towing a 16 ft travel trailer and only used $350-$400 in fuel.

NOT BAD AT ALL IF I SAY

As far as service goes... NO DEALERS!!! They will RIP you off so badly and not even fix the issue at most times or worst, fix the wrong thing. I see it everyday!

Find a good small macanic shop that has a great reputation with this kind of services. You can ask around to folks you would never think to ask like cops, EMS, and such as they only go to the best. Also ask the local auto parts store as they personally know the macanics too and will recomend you to someone good. My hubbys shop works on all of these types of folks personal/work veichels (cars & trucks) here as they trust him and his crew, which in return have became repeat customers for yrs now and also help spred the word.

Good Luck in you shopping for a new truck!

 

[palsminihorses]

You guys are great! Keep it coming. Giving us a lot to think about.

As far as Deisel service goes, we have tried everything we can think of here in the OkC area. Everyone says to take it to the dealer and that has been a total rip off!

C

I guess we are lucky to have several reputable diesel mechanics in the Springfield, MO area.

Pam

 

[garyo]

Gary and I had a V8 Chevy Avalanche which was rated to pull a trailer the size and weight of our 3 horse steel bumper pull loaded w/horses and all the crap. We loved the truck. However in four years we had to replace the rear differential, front wheel bushings, and finally have significant transmission work done. The dealer and transmission shop told us that despite what the manual and other paperwork said the SUV's (Avalanches are really a suburban) are not really made to tow. We got a great deal on a used Ford F-350 crew cab, extended bed (with drawer and lid)dually. We love it !! It pulled the trailer loaded with large ponies through the mountains in Tennessee in the snow this past February with no problems. We drove it out to Texas in June pulling the trailer in hot temperatures at 65 to 75 MPH. So far we have never gotten less than 12 MPG that I know of even through the mountains fully loaded. A local mechanic does our regular servicing, but the mechanics at our local FORD dealer have been a great source of info too. These trucks are fairly common here. Oil changes are a shocker at first, almost $100 VS $20 or so for gas vehicles.

Ruth

 

[Julie/Azariah]

Well my friend... let me just tell you what I think....

After hauling all over the country with a 3500 gas (it was a DOG!!! I felt like we had to help it pull), then a 2500 GMC diesel and now a 3500 Chevy Sierra dually... I have tried them all.

My humble opinion...DIESEL ONLY!!! I am not sure of the size you would need for your trailer... because mine will pull anything. But what I have found is that there is nothing like the Duramax transmission for pulling a trailer. I travel over mountains of WV, VA, NC, PA....like I am pulling NOTHING.

Just recently my husband put a chip in our diesel engine... without telling me.... what did I notice??? typically I had to stop about every 3 hours for diesel..now I make it 5 hours, haven't calculated the mileage yet. But when I said something to him that I wondered what happened to my truck he just smiled. That chip is worth it's weight or more in gold!!!

I can't believe you are still having trouble with your truck....how frustrating!!!

We also bought used... found one at a local dealer with 11,000 miles on it. knocked thousands off the purchase price, still had a warranty ...

still smelled new ;o), the engine was already "broken in".

Hope you can find one soon... you have had enough headaches with your current one!!!

 

[whimsical]

Interesting thread. We are thinking of upgrading our truck. Right now we have a 1/2 ton with a V8 and it does okay with the limited towing we need it for. But I want to know I can haul anything as we are getting into hauling more for the big horses.

But we just talked to our mechanic locally about our choices and he said go with a 2007 Dodge diesel or older as the newer ones have some issues. And stay away from the newer Fords all together. He has gotten where he won't even work on those.

As for working on them, sometimes it takes some talking to people around you. We have several mechanics that have their own places but don't do much in the way of advertising because they are so busy with the work of mouth referrals. If you want to come down to North Texas I am sure he could help and he has been reasonable for us.

 

[MindyLee]

But we just talked to our mechanic locally about our choices and he said go with a 2007 Dodge diesel or older as the newer ones have some issues. And stay away from the newer Fords all together. He has gotten where he won't even work on those.

As for working on them, sometimes it takes some talking to people around you. We have several mechanics that have their own places but don't do much in the way of advertising because they are so busy with the work of mouth referrals. If you want to come down to North Texas I am sure he could help and he has been reasonable for us.

My hubby will 2nd this one he said!

 

[Echo Acres]

Tought I would add my experience with trucks. I was always a ford person had everything from a F150 to a F350. Loved the F350 it was gas with I believe a V10 in it. I got what I thought was good gas mileage for a big truck. 12 hwy and about 10 towing. Then I met my fiance and he is a dodge person. He traded his truck and wanted a 1500. I insisted he get a 3500 and we settled on a 2500 diesel. Let me tell you I was not convinced on a dodge or a diesel but I LOVE IT! It has plenty of power to pull and stop. We pull a 3 horse slant Kiefer built trailer with an extended dressing room (basically a weekend package size) He put a chip (can't remember what it is called off the top of my head) in it and that increased the mileage by quite a bit. Now we get 22-24 hwy miles and 16-18 pulling. The chip he put in we bought at a local car parts store and cost around 150.00 and took 10 minutes to install. I am definately convinced this is a much better truck. I took it on a 6 hour trip to a show and with my old truck I would fill 3-4 times. We filled 2 times. What a savings. I am looking forward to seeing how it does in a few days on our 14 hour treck to nationals.

 

[Nathan Luszcz]

I would stay away from Dodges at all cost. I've had nothing but trouble. The engines are phenomenal, last forever, but the truck will fall apart around it way before the engine shows wear. I've had very good experiences with the newer Chevy's and pretty much any Ford in the last 10 years. I loved the 2008 F350 diesel I had, pulled my 20' trailer without even showing symptoms of being hitched up. I also hauled with a 06 Chevy allison, and it did quite well too. Not as nice as the Ford, but I'd consider one. I don't know anything about the 2010+ trucks, they changed a lot of emission requirements. The 2011 F-series comes with a factory gooseneck hitch, which seems pretty awesome to me.