Hi all. I'm going to be in the market for an HD truck in the next month or so. I'm going to be towing a 15k lb or less fifth wheel with no more than 2k hitch weight. Looking for a used one that will last 10 or so years. Also, I'm not looking to spend more than $50k. I've had 2 2017+ F250s in the past, one gas and one diesel and I know diesel is best for heavy towing, but how many miles is a good stopping point for long term reliability when looking for them for sale? I see some fairly new ones out there with over 200k miles already. Also, how are the 6.2 gas 6-speeds holding up over time? Thanks for the advice.

 

15,000 lbs GVWR and 2,000 lbs pin weight does not compute; a 15k 5er should have 20 - 22% on the pin or 3,000 to 3,300 lbs. For a 5er that size, I strongly recommend looking at an F350, particularly if looking at a diesel due to low payload on an F250 - the common statement on the RV sites is that an F250 is a good choice for a bumper pull trailer but the F350 is a better choice for a 5er.....and if towing a large fifth wheel (over 15,000lbs or so) then a DRW is the best option . The 6.2/6spd is a robust combo from all reports, if not particularly powerful....personally, I'd want to stay under 100,000 miles even if it meant going with an XL or XLT over the higher trim levels.

2 cents,
Dave

 

Thanks. Haven't bought the fifth wheel yet so those are just limits set by me. We are looking at a few "Ultralight" fivers that have around 1500lb hitch weight and 12-13k total GVWR. I'd love to find an F350, but they are few and far between in my area for less than 60k.

 

Number 1 rule - brochures and website specifications for trailers lie. The 1500lb pin weight is most likely based on the empty weight of a bare bones trailer. To match the right truck to the 5th wheel, assume a pin weight of 22% of the trailer's GVWR.

 

Yep; this. If the fifth wheel has a GVWR of 12,000 lbs, expect the loaded pin weight to be 2,400 - 2,640 lbs....batteries, propane and 95% of the storage is up front.

Dave

 

I have to echo the previous comments about pin weight. Brochures don’t tell the truth. I have a “half ton” towable fifth wheel. Empty weight of 7570 lbs on manufacture sticker. Scale weight after loading it for a trip was just over 8500lbs. My pin weight when weighing was 1840lbs. Just over 20% of loaded weight. Manufacture advertised pin weight 1200lbs empty. I tow with a 2019 F250 6.2L and 3:73 gears. Tows this load great. For me if I was going to get anything larger to tow, over 10k, I would look for a 350 with the 7.3 or the diesel. A lot of reviews on here saying the 7.3 does a great job with the 10 speed. Good luck in your hunt for a truck.

 

It's hard to find a used SD truck with lower miles that's worth what a dealer or person is asking. A lower mileage SD is going to run you about what you can buy new. Under $50k with lower miles is a tall task but not impossible. If I were in your shoes I'd be looking for an F350 with the 7.3 but that may be tough for under $50. Good luck!

 

Thank you.

 

Finding a lot of 6-8 year old diesel trucks with roughly 100k - 120k miles on them. Anything special to look out for? They are all 6.7s and obviously taken care of from what I can see.

 

I like the 7.3 gasser with 4.30 gears.
F350, depending on options diesel may not have as much payload as gasser.

 

If 2wd works I am selling my 2020 6.7 f350 with 44k miles on it for $42k, pm me if so.


To answer your question yes you probably want an f350. The 6.2s last forever but get “weak” with high miles. Its not going to be fun towing a 15k 5th wheel with a 6.2/3.73. A 6.7/10 speed will tow it relatively easily. Have had both.


15k x 20% is around 3,000 lbs and thats going to be pushing around or over max gawr in an F250; not to mention payload.

 

Well I used to own a 19 F350 Crew Cab Lariat 6.2 4.30 gears and have pulled a Grand Design Reflection 337RLS and weighed 12-12.5k loaded. We have put 13k miles on the trailer in 5 yrs. I very recently sold my 19 with 25k original miles never seen winters, for 60k. That truck was extremely mint and was in better shape overall than daily driven 20-22 trucks. The guy that bought it from me is very grateful and happy to have it and has added it to his multiple vehicle collection. He will only drive it in the spring and summer. I very recently bought a 24 F350 7.3 4.30 King Ranch.

In your case, finding a 6.2 for under 50k with under 40-60k miles is hard to find, unless it is an XL or XLT and has over a 100k miles. Make sure you throughly inspect it and make sure it has a clean carfax and has good service records. The 6.2 and 6 speed combo is a very stout and reliable combo. You can't go wrong. As long as its properly maintained it'll give you many miles/years of service. If you can find one with the 4.30 gears which is extremely hard to find because you have to special order like I did that would be a huge bonus. That gear ratio is rated to pull 15k lbs and 12.5 with the standard 3.73 gears. In my opinion, I felt that the 4.30s with my old 6.2 is the max I would pull with it comfortably. 15k lbs is pushing it, eventhough it can be done in my opinion. If you have to have a 6.2, look hard for the 4.30 gears since youre trying to pull 15k lbs or less. If you're not in a rush for a truck, take your time and each truck you look at, look at the window stickers. If you need a truck sooner, get a 2020+ with the 7.3 3.73 or 4.30s but you will pay more. Good luck in whatever decision you make. Here is the dash trailer mileage pics.

 

zero in the exact trailer first. You have been warned to not pay attention to the brochures or the saleman.

Look at the DATA plate yourself. then find the GVW of the trailer and do the math. While there look at the axle ratings and then the tires to see if those match up. It is assumed that a portion of the weight will end up in the bed of the truck.

You are certainly in F350/DRW area. You may have to Broden your search area to find one under 100K miles.

 

Hey btw since you want to spend under 50k on a truck, this 2022 crew cab 7.3 XLT popped up for 46k.
https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...8xZem_TPjI9K-m

I think this is right up your alley.

 

^^ better jump on this one!