I know nothing about diesels. I will be buying a 5th wheel trailer soon and know that I need a diesel to pull it as it is over 12,000 pounds weight. All the used 2-3 yr old diesel trucks I am looking at seem to perform pretty good. I will be on the road a lot as I live in a trailer currently and looking to upgrade. For that weight trailer I want something good on mpg as well as pulling power.
Any suggestions at what I should be looking to get into? What should I be looking for in a diesel.
I hope these are appropriate questions to ask on this forum.
I currently drive a 1/2 ton suburban (gasoline)

Thanks
Irish

 

That's a really tough question in all reality. All I can say is start reading up on the differences between the different brands and their respective models as all the trucks have their own issues. Depends a lot on what you are looking for in a truck, and what you are willing to put up with. Sorry I can't be of more assistance!

 

It all comes down to what you like to spend time in

i'm gonna put in a plug for a duramax duallie with some airbags.

 

Thanks for responding back to me. I was looking at the duramax as I felt it rides nice and seems to have the power. I am told that a dually will be more stable pulling a large trailer. Dont know if I want to go with a dually though. What about the allison transmission, can you tell me more about that type of transmission?

Irish

 

The allison's are a great transmission, but for pulling I have always liked a manual. I would suggest a dodge 3500 either a dually or single rear wheel with a 6 speed. They get great mileage stock, and with the addition of intake, exhaust, and a programmer youll be suprised. My suggestion would be to drive all of the big three and decide which you like the best. Hope this helps

 

I would also suggest driving all three and seeing which one you like best. They'll all do the job fine, (the Cummins seems to get the best mileage though) but since your going to be in the drivers seat a long time, test drive them all and make sure YOU like it.

I'll also say, towing that much weight, and that often should be done with a dually in my opinion. They are much more stable than a SRW truck, and the pros far outweigh the cons in my opinion.

 

welcome! i also suggest a dually and test driving all three to see what you feel comfortable with. if you will not see off roading, stay with the 2wd models.

 

I have a Ford and love it to death and havent had any major issues with it once and I've put on over 160k myself. I havent spent much time in a dodge but have in a duramax as an old buddy has one. I think the Chevy/GMC are the most comfortable by far, but for myself I will always have a Ford as I grew up with them and love the way they look.

 

each one does have its benifits and down falls.

price, most to least (typically for the same options)

dodge
chevy
ford

i personaly like the look and interior and engine of the chevy over the ford, but i do like the look of the new dodge as well, plus the cummins can't be beat. if your going to see alot of affroad time and don't plan to get a programmer(only if its a 6.0L tho) then fords solid front axel with leafs is the toughest offroad setup.

basically it all comes down to what your after

 

welcome to diesel bombers a great site lots of good opinions so far cant beat the people on here out of any thing said so far here no pitches or slams of other peoples rides that is just one of the good things here at db