TwelveVoltMan
RVF Newbee
- Joined
- Jun 16, 2021
- Messages
- 4
Let me begin by saying I'm new here. I'm not new to RVing, though. Currently, I own a 2006 Ford F-250 diesel and pull a travel trailer that is about 7500 pounds fully loaded. I've loved my truck, but I feel like it's time to go with something newer. I'm not interested in getting another diesel, simply because I don't need that much truck and repairs and maintenance are fairly expensive, not to mention the higher purchase price.
So, in my search for a new truck, I'm finding myself drawn toward either a GMC Sierra 1500 with a 5.3L engine or a Ford F-250, preferably with the 7.3L gas engine. I did test drive the Ford F-250 with the 6.2L gas engine and it seemed powerful enough for my needs. Here is my dilemma... The price difference between the F-250 and the Sierra 1500 is negligible. The difference is, I can get a more "fully loaded" truck in the Sierra 1500 as compared to the F-250. Sierra 2500s are much harder to come by in my area and, if located, are much more expensive than F-250s. I'm really trying to stay with a sticker price of about $55K. I'll then add my down payment and either trade in my current truck or sell it and use the proceeds toward the purchase of the new truck.
My question is this: Would I be okay going with a 1500 (which appears to have a maximum tow rating in the neighborhood of 9,300 pounds) or would I regret not going with the F-250 (which appears to have a maximum tow rating of around 14,000 pounds)? Obviously, the F-250 would allow me to tow my current trailer with less stress on the engine, but would the Sierra 1500 be perfectly capable of towing it? I'll add that the Sierra 1500 I'm looking at shows to have an auxiliary oil cooler and transmission cooler, which I assume would ease the stress of towing.
What if I upgrade to a travel trailer in the 8000-9000 pound range? Would that be asking too much of the Sierra 1500? To give some perspective, we typically tow about 4-6 times per year, with an average distance of about 200 miles. That said, with a new truck, I'd feel more comfortable towing longer distances, but likely not that much longer.
To complicate things, this truck would likely be used as my everyday driver, so I would use it more around town that I would towing. That said, I still wouldn't expect to put more than about 8000-9000 miles per year on the truck. Obviously, the Sierra 1500 would be more nimble and economical for around town driving. If towing my camper, however, would wear it out, maybe I should consider the F-250, even though it's larger, worse on gas, and not as easily maneuverable around town.
I'm really torn and would appreciate some advice.
Thanks,
Jay
So, in my search for a new truck, I'm finding myself drawn toward either a GMC Sierra 1500 with a 5.3L engine or a Ford F-250, preferably with the 7.3L gas engine. I did test drive the Ford F-250 with the 6.2L gas engine and it seemed powerful enough for my needs. Here is my dilemma... The price difference between the F-250 and the Sierra 1500 is negligible. The difference is, I can get a more "fully loaded" truck in the Sierra 1500 as compared to the F-250. Sierra 2500s are much harder to come by in my area and, if located, are much more expensive than F-250s. I'm really trying to stay with a sticker price of about $55K. I'll then add my down payment and either trade in my current truck or sell it and use the proceeds toward the purchase of the new truck.
My question is this: Would I be okay going with a 1500 (which appears to have a maximum tow rating in the neighborhood of 9,300 pounds) or would I regret not going with the F-250 (which appears to have a maximum tow rating of around 14,000 pounds)? Obviously, the F-250 would allow me to tow my current trailer with less stress on the engine, but would the Sierra 1500 be perfectly capable of towing it? I'll add that the Sierra 1500 I'm looking at shows to have an auxiliary oil cooler and transmission cooler, which I assume would ease the stress of towing.
What if I upgrade to a travel trailer in the 8000-9000 pound range? Would that be asking too much of the Sierra 1500? To give some perspective, we typically tow about 4-6 times per year, with an average distance of about 200 miles. That said, with a new truck, I'd feel more comfortable towing longer distances, but likely not that much longer.
To complicate things, this truck would likely be used as my everyday driver, so I would use it more around town that I would towing. That said, I still wouldn't expect to put more than about 8000-9000 miles per year on the truck. Obviously, the Sierra 1500 would be more nimble and economical for around town driving. If towing my camper, however, would wear it out, maybe I should consider the F-250, even though it's larger, worse on gas, and not as easily maneuverable around town.
I'm really torn and would appreciate some advice.
Thanks,
Jay