Diesel truck discussion

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I'd figure 85%. I stand by my statement that soccer mom's and guys that think trucks help them look cool or help with masculinity issues, have completely ruined trucks! What am I supposed to do with a 4' bed? Or even a 6' bed? I hate short bed trucks, have to leave the tailgate down to haul much of anything or bring a trailer. I'm looking into buying a newER truck, 3/4 or 1 ton, as it will be my delivery truck for my welded goods and haul equipment when needed. 8' bed, again to haul what I need without needing a trailer. Crew cab, one for a growing family, and 2 to keep my expensive stuff in the cab, locked.
I need to to much research before buying but I have time. Was thinking diesel but after reading some real good points such as the fuel cost and maintenance costs I'm second guessing that idea. Not that I was ever totally set on it.

 

Like you said, for a few times here and there with a trailer, you'd be hard pressed to ever justify owning one. As long as your current rig has the ability, you're good to go. I use mine for work mostly. Kubota weighs 8k, and gets drug around once every couple weeks. Camper weighs 8 or 9k, gets used once a month. I feel doing what I do, if I had the 6.0l, I probably would've needed a transmission by now.

 

I dont think you will ever see gas powered semi's again. The grunt just isn't there.

I wish you could still get the V10 in a 1 ton. I loved my 1999 F250 with that engine.

 

Yes, I forgot about them...I have a buddy that wrenches for UPS, he said they have been phasing out diesels in the route trucks for a while already...UPS has some top notch bean counters too!

 

IMO the reason for companies going to gas power is the new EPA regulations which have taken the simplest engine that would run forever and turned it into expensive, high maintenance engine that does not last much longer than a gas engine now.

I am seriously considering switching over to the 6.4 Hemi. but the wife likes the rattle and is objecting.

 

I live in the snow belt and have had 2 wheel drive trucks for the last 15 years. The best siped winter tires and chains in the tool box.Ive used the chains 4 times in ice storms.

 

I bought a low mileage 2WD southern truck long ago (13 years ago)for $3500. Put a used contractor tool cap on it for $300 and bought a 5x8 trailer for $1100. It did everything I needed it to at 15-19 MPG. Replaced it as my needs changed this last year . Would do it again in a heartbeat .
Saved 10's of thousands.

 

I bought a v10 2500 (2001) new.
What a smooth running truck!
Dont think i ever got over 10.9mpg with it though. I just sold that truck 2 years ago

 

It isn't a truck unless it has a 8' bed on it or longer. No offense to the guys who own the short beds.
I just don't believe you are using it to the fullest potential with anything less.
Drywall and plywood is 8' long so are studs.

 

I have a buddy that has a 2003ish? 1 ton duelly cummins with a std tranny. That truck is a beast with all the epa crap deleted and a chip.

I have a few buddies that have campers that switched from a 6.0 chevy gas and hemi 3/4 tons to duramax 3/4 tons, they will never look back for hauling.

 

No offense but who picks up their own drywall and plywood? Any decent building supply store delivers that stuff for free.. I can't think of a single contractor that buys sheetrock at a BBs because they will not come with a boom truck and put it in the Second Story!

 

I do. I usually do one room at a time and get 15-30 sheets. Menards charges like $40. I'm too cheap to pay that when I drive by the store several times a week.

I get 12' sheets and haul in them in my 6.5' pickup bed. All you have to do it put 3 12' 2x4's under it and it works just fine.

 

contractors doing small jobs, ppl doing their own work that doesn't justify the cost of delivery.
You're right, people building houses, use boom trucks. people adding an addition don't always.

 

I've hauled 16' 2x8 form boards all over creation in a 6'8" bed. You have to tie them down anyway. But the added storage room in an 8' bed would've been nice

 

Torque for days, but man was it flat up top! I couldn't walk away from my friends chipped 2001 7.3 F250 on the highway.

And he was pulling our STEEL 4 place enclosed snowmobile trailer loaded with sleds and gear.

 

lukem and In the Pines, interesting, I must be spoiled, my local building supply store will deliver 20 sheets of sheetrock for $5 and help load it in the house. Believe there's a $150 minimum charged but that's easy to get to.

I've GC several buildings/projects. Done numerous of my own. All subs, drive trucks and have products delivered. Must be a regional thing.

 

Ford just announced some type of partnership with VW today. Might be an interesting combo. VW diesels in Ford trucks ,,,, if that's the plan .

 

When I need my building supplies, I need them now.