Davydee

June 27, 2016

Very, very useful. Thinks for all the hard work! David

June 26, 2015

I hope you do. They are nice trucks! David

June 25, 2015

Just my observation when I was researching our purchase of a 2009 6.4 & following the various diesel forums, the 2008 6.4s were horrible on radiators when they first came out. David

PS, we need someone to change my tag. Santa brought the cable reel. I now need a new diesel RAM 3500 dually Laramie Long Horn fully loaded. :)

June 21, 2015

Check & make sure on those tank sizes. I think the short bed Fords have the smaller tanks. When we towed TTs with our 2001 F250, we only had a 27 gal tank. I think the long bed Fords have the 38 gal tank. If you need that range or more, you can add a tank in the bed of the truck or have the original tank (OEM) replaced with a larger tank. Expensive options, but doable. We currently have a 50 gal Transferflow installed in the bed of our truck. There are several brands & sizes to choose from should you decide to go that way. If I had it to do over again, I'd choose the OEM replacement tank as I'm short and it's hard for me to get that fuel nozzle over the bed rail and into the bed tank - especially when using the larger, high-flow "truck" fuel nozzles.

Good luck! David

June 20, 2015

Nice truck. Thanks for posting the pics! David

June 17, 2015

deleted post.

June 16, 2015

duplicate post deleted...rant completed

June 16, 2015

If I could have any truck it would be a 2006 or early 2007 Chevy\GMG 1 ton. You get the pre-emission Duramax motor with the 6 speed Allison transmission....that is the holy grail to me.
If you can find one that has decent miles and hasn't been bastardized with tuners, lifts, tires, pipes, gauges it's worth a hard look. And if it's close to you and you pass on it, send me the details :D

I am one who doesn't understand why people talk about extra cost of maintenance on a newer diesel. I change my oil about once per year, when the truck tell me to, and yes it costs a little more...but it's once per year. I have to add DEF to my truck, I add it 1 gallon at a time and do that a couple times a year at the tune of $12/gallon (yes I know I can find it cheaper). I also have to do fuel filters about once a year, and that is in the $60 range.
So far in the last 12 months I have done 2 oil changes, front diff oil, rear diff oil, transfer case oil for a total of $259.27. I am due for fuel filters so that number will go up about $60, but I don't have anything after that until the next oil change that should be around 2/2016.

Break one and see if you still have that opinion. Have a high pressure fuel pump come apart on you and watch (in my case) as they take the cab off and keep the truck two and a half weeks while they replace the whole fuel system. In the meantime, work with a campground owner who wants you gone, but there's no one willing to loan you a truck so you can move your trailer (it ain't like I wanted to be there, either). (Can't count on Good Sam, either. Your off the road & safe - they wash their hands of you.) BTW, next time you're at a dealer, go to parts and have them price a new high pressure fuel pump for you. I think mine was about $4,000. Just the pump... Still want to go with new diesels are all that inexpensive?

We're a 2009 F450 with the 19.5 inch wheels. It's our only vehicle (we're full timers - we consider the truck part of our house.). Oil changes run $110 and done about every 4,000 miles. Fuel filters about $200 or so and done every 8,000 miles. Oil changes are about every two months with the fuel filters every other oil change - all done on mileage. We're a pre DEF truck, so all dpf cleans are by heat (and lots of it). Don't do those oil changes on time and you run the risk of fuel dilution of the oil which I'm told isn't all that good for your engine. (According to people posting on the www.thedieselstop.com forum, things like dropped valves, broken rockers, etc) I haven't done that, yet, but I know it's out there.

Next time you're out and at a tire store, see if they have 19.5 inch, G rated truck tires in stock. Not likely. Had a problem getting duals replaced in Portland, OR. Had to settle for Michellins XSEs they found in town (that's $500 per tire for 4 tires & not many people I know keep much that in their checking account). Two years later a ford dealer outside Atlanta got us two of the same tires in about half a day ( at $525/tire). But in the store ready to go - nope.

Man, that's more money on oil changes & tires than we paid for our 2000 C-5 corvette, and you consider that low costs??? David

June 16, 2015

Donna and I have lived with a 6.4L for six and half years. With the exception of a high pressure fuel pump (hpfp) failure and the need to replace the whole fuel system at 103,000 miles to the tune of $10,034 plus some odd cents thrown in back in December 2013, it's been a good truck even though it may fail today as we travel/tow to Two Harbors, MN. So you say you want a diesel. Are you prepared for the expense of maintaining a new 2007 certified emission diesel? If you do your own work on the truck, you're probably OK. If not, be aware and be prepared. The days (circa 1967) of $19.95 for a fuel pump and an hour in the driveway to replace it are long gone. If you haven't done so already, I suggest you get on the Cummins, Duramax, and Ford forums and start reading. (I'd bet you have.) Good luck! David

PS: for those who will ask, the hpfp did rust out. We speculate that when we got a "green wrench" light in September 2009, we may have gotten some water in the fuel that eventually led to the rust out of the aluminum hpfp. Apparently, only I see the disconnect where NASA uses aluminum because it doesn't corrode, Ford makes an aluminum body truck because aluminum doesn't corrode, and GM puts an aluminum bumpers behind the corvette's facias because aluminum doesn't corrode, but apparently only Ford has aluminum fuel pump that corrodes.

February 24, 2015

No input for the quality between the units, but check the height specs on the PrimeTime unit. Haven't seen the Crusader, but there's a couple of PrimeTime's Sanibels (SP?) in the park we're in now & they're pretty darn tall units. We're in a DRV (now Heatland??) Mobile Suites with a height just under 13' 4" and those Sanibels are way taller than us. Good Luck! David

February 20, 2015

I've enjoyed reading this thread and would only add that as long as you feel safe, I'd go with the trailer Momma likes. Have fun! David

January 12, 2015

After BK at Whispering Canyon one morning, we decided to return by boat instead of walking back to the fort. As we all got off the boat & passed by that little playground across from the golf cart parking, there was a family with a young son who just would not get off those bars and go to the boat to go to MK. Each time one of the parents grabbed the kid he'd go into a temper tantrum. We all kinda just stopped & watched the "show" for a moment. As we moved on, I heard the man behind us tell his daughters, "If either of you do that to me, I'll kill you." David

November 14, 2014

5th wheel: DRV Mobile Suites 36RSSB3 with Vanity Slide; travel weight is right at 18,000 lbs the last time we had it weighed.

Tow vehicle is a 2009 F450. You didn't ask, but the truck weight is about 9,750 lbs when full of fuel (88 gals of diesel)

Fuel mileage: We plan for about 8.4 mpg towing. Solo: around town we get about 10, highway 14 to 16.

It's a good full-timer unit, but way too much $ and weight for a weekender or vacation only rig though I know people that use theirs that way. The truck is perfect for towing such a trailer and to run well, it's needs to be working.

If anything, we'd get smaller and go gas power, so this thread's been a good read for me. Our unit is too big to get into many nat'l parks, and it has hurt us when trying to sign up for volunteer stints as NOMADS as we're just too big to fit the volunteer spots that were available. It's also pretty sporting for us to back into any site at the fort. Also, I've made it no secret that I dislike the new diesel emissions. The water separators (Fords 2008-2010) are inadequate in picking up water from the fuel and the aluminum high pressure fuels pumps are susceptible to rust from water. It's about a $10,000 repair and takes two weeks. Been there already and will probably do it one more time before we ditch the truck. In ours, the diesel particulate filter is only cleaned by an active cleaning process which, for us, seems to be perfectly timed to start when we enter either a rest area, stopping at a RV park for the night, or any time time we pass within 5 miles of any location in our in-dash address book. I'm told that not letting that cleaning process finish shortens the life of the emissions equipment on the truck. Oh, well, it's only money...yeah, I ain't buy that line, either.

David

October 23, 2014

Ours, too!

October 21, 2014

Nice rig! Enjoy!

August 27, 2014

Backup camera is in our tailgate handle, so it's up as much as possible. Love my backup camera!

May 11, 2014

All I'm going to do is confirm what others have already posted, but it comes with a little different perspective. We, too, have owned both. When we owned our TTs, they were vacation units. Our first fiver was a "learner" unit and after 6 months of retirement, we ordered & bought our current unit.

1) What you want will largely out weight a logical decision. A setup, no matter how logically thought out and researched, that you hate isn't fun. (Been there.) What do you dream about? What does Mom (Happy Mothers Day!) want?

2) If you plan to travel out west with high winds or in/around large metropolitan areas where you're in a lane with 18 wheelers on either side of you, the 5th wheel is the most stable. Donna does 95% of our driving while towing and a lot of that is due to the stability of the 5th. However, I have spoken with one couple that felt the 5th was too dangerous and bought an Airstream.

3) While there's always an exception, 5th wheels have more room & storage (and that's probably why they're typically heavier). I totally get the complaints about being unable to use the bed of the truck. However, if you need that space while towing - consider a toy hauler. Also, research the 5th wheel hitch to ensure you get one that's easy to remove and leaves the pickup bed floor flat so you can use your truck bed when not towing...unless you don't like helping people move. In that case, leave the hitch in and use it as an excuse.

4) I've always felt the TT was the best for first time users. Generally cheaper to purchase and easier to get rid of if you find RVing just isn't your style. They great learning tools. Also, many people just don't want a pickup, so that kinda limits you to what you can tow, anyway. We had a ton of fun with a 25 ft Sunlines (no longer made) and Suburbans.

5) Why did you rule out a motorhome? Money? Due to size limitations, we're finding that we're having to rule out volunteer opportunities because we're just too large. A smaller class A with a small vehicle is what we're thinking. (There are fiends on here who can give you expert advice on these setups.) Way more expensive that a SUV & TT, too. We've rented and traveled in class As, and good units are out there. We've found them easier to set up or prepare to move. Easier to park a small car that a 22 ft long, 101 inch wide pickup. I wouldn't be so hasty to rule that set up out. We do see - from time-to-time - Views pulling small utility trailers. Just a thought.

Just my rambling thoughts. Good luck! David

May 11, 2014

All I'm going to do is confirm what others have already posted, but it comes with a little different perspective. We, too, have owned both. When we owned our TTs, they were vacation units. Our first fiver was a "learner" unit and after 6 months of retirement, we ordered & bought our current unit.

1) What you want will largely out weight a logical decision. A setup, no matter how logically thought out and researched, that you hate isn't fun. (Been there.) What do you dream about? What does Mom (Happy Mothers Day!) want?

2) If you plan to travel out west with high winds or in/around large metropolitan areas where you're in a lane with 18 wheelers on either side of you, the 5th wheel is the most stable. Donna does 95% of our driving while towing and a lot of that is due to the stability of the 5th. However, I have spoken with one couple that felt the 5th was too dangerous and bought an Airstream.

3) While there's always an exception, 5th wheels have more room & storage (and that's probably why they're typically heavier). I totally get the complaints about being unable to use the bed of the truck. However, if you need that space while towing - consider a toy hauler. Also, research the 5th wheel hitch to ensure you get one that's easy to remove and leaves the pickup bed floor flat so you can use your truck bed when not towing...unless you don't like helping people move. In that case, leave the hitch in and use it as an excuse.

4) I've always felt the TT was the best for first time users. Generally cheaper to purchase and easier to get rid of if you find RVing just isn't your style. They great learning tools. Also, many people just don't want a pickup, so that kinda limits you to what you can tow, anyway. We had a ton of fun with a 25 ft Sunlines (no longer made) and Suburbans.

5) Why did you rule out a motorhome? Money? Due to size limitations, we're finding that we're having to rule out volunteer opportunities because we're just too large. A smaller class A with a small vehicle is what we're thinking. (There are fiends on here who can give you expert advice on these setups.) Way more expensive that a SUV & TT, too. We've rented and traveled in class As, and good units are out there. We've found them easier to set up or prepare to move. Easier to park a small car that a 22 ft long, 101 inch wide pickup. I wouldn't be so hasty to rule that set up out. We do see - from time-to-time - Views pulling small utility trailers. Just a thought.

Just my rambling thoughts. Good luck! David

April 29, 2014

Okay... found another sticker on the outside front. I think this is the one, because it says GAWR front 2500 and rear 2500. Under Tires, it says ST205/75R14 B. Rims it says 14x6J.

Is that it??

BINGO! So B or C sound fine. D would work, too. FWIW We're rated for H tires, but we've got Js on now. David

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