New to Overlanding - Vehicle Recommendations

[MidOH]

Are you only towing with the cummins? I have a 2500 megacab, and with winter diesel I am getting 16mpg hand calculated and in october/november, normal diesel, when I got the truck I was getting 19mpg avg hand calculated. Towing I get between 9-11, with an HQ19 Full watter tanks (about 8800lbs), and quite a bit off road in mud/dirt under 35 mph. I always drive in Tow/Haul with exhaust brake active as well which drops mileage.

This is better than my 1500 I traded, that averaged 6-9 towing and 15.5 mpg mostly highway.

My Ram Cummins weighs 13,000# with a utility box that likely has as much drag as a slide in camper. (Solid, not a pop up) Cruise speed is usually 75mph. 13mpg with a light load is the best it's ever done. 15mpg empty, maybe, if I baby it. But my gas truck can do that.

It would seem, that DRW vs SRW is the same 2mpg loss/gain as gas vs diesel.

Utility box+DRW+gas engine = Just 6mpg. But nearly ALL of my city and county work trucks will be replaced with gas trucks soon. Even the F550 bucket trucks. They'll never see enough highway miles for the diesel to pay them back at all. And the diesels are less than 33% reliable per 5 years.

 

[tjZ06]

In this case we agree, to a point. A GMC truck with the gas 6.0 isn't worth anything. A gas Ford 7.3, 6.2, or a tick free Ram 2500+ Hemi, would be.

If you keep each truck until they're nearly dust though, the gas truck drains your wallet far less. Because a $14,000+ diesel option, still depreciates. Two 6.2l long blocks, installed, costs about as much as one diesel fuel system overhaul.

Again, disagree. A 6.2 gas Ford is worth nothing as well. We had a '06 5.7 Hemi Ram that was super, super clean (I had it fully repainted, top quality, all new every wear item etc. etc. etc.) that we sold about 8 years ago (so it was newer at the time, than my truck is now) and got like $12k. Yes, a 7.3 gas Ford is worth a lot... but they're what, a year old or maybe two at most? The 6.4 8spd RAMs are worth a lot, but I think that only started in '18 or '19. A '18 or '19 gas Chevy is worth just as much. But ANY of them in a gasser as a 2011 isn't worth much at all...

-TJ

 

[MidOH]

Maybe in cali.

Good gas trucks have excellent resale in Ohio.

 

[ajob]

Hey, thanks again everyone. I’m definitely leaning towards a 250/2500 at this point, possibly with a Super Pacific/GFC tent.

@2Mike9, I’d be curious about the main reasons you prefer your 250 over your 2500. I previously had a 2018 Chevy 3500HD, so I have no experience with either. I gave the Ram a slight edge based on research and reviews, but they were generally comparable. I didn’t have a strong preference either way. I did have a very problematic Taurus and Explorer in the late 90s/early 00s, so maybe I have a bit of Ford PTSD lol.

The reason I had considered a diesel was because I would be towing a 10k trailer several thousand miles in each direction. I was planning on living out of the RV in a park or campground, and then spending a day or two on whatever trails were nearby (so not sleeping in the truck bed for more than a day or two; I agree that would get old long-term).

I didn’t think I’d come out ahead on costs, but I was thinking it would be more eco friendly. It doesn’t seem like it may make a significant difference based on the discussion though.

A diesel would probably make a bigger difference if I was pulling a fifth-wheel (I had a 42’ with the 3500) and had much more drag, but I intentionally don’t want to do that here for the camper/tent top.

 

[Deleted member 14476]

@2Mike9, I’d be curious about the main reasons you prefer your 250 over your 2500.

F250s have solid axles front and rear, 2500s have ifs in the front. Not sure if that’s his reason but that’d be mine.

I wouldn’t worry about Ford’s quality too much. I’m a Chevy guy myself, but Ford’s recent releases I argue beat Chevy’s in terms of quality, as much as that breaks my heart to say. Right now a Ford will last you longer than a Chevy.

 

[tjZ06]

F250s have solid axles front and rear, 2500s have ifs in the front. Not sure if that’s his reason but that’d be mine.

I wouldn’t worry about Ford’s quality too much. I’m a Chevy guy myself, but Ford’s recent releases I argue beat Chevy’s in terms of quality, as much as that breaks my heart to say. Right now a Ford will last you longer than a Chevy.

RAM 2500/3500 are solid front axle. I believe the OP was referring to considering a F250 or a RAM 2500, not a GM 2500.

-TJ

 

[Deleted member 14476]

F250s have solid axles front and rear, 2500s have ifs in the front. Not sure if that’s his reason but that’d be mine.

I wouldn’t worry about Ford’s quality too much. I’m a Chevy guy myself, but Ford’s recent releases I argue beat Chevy’s in terms of quality, as much as that breaks my heart to say. Right now a Ford will last you longer than a Chevy.

RAM 2500/3500 are solid front axle. I believe the OP was referring to considering a F250 or a RAM 2500, not a GM 2500.

-TJ

Lol, I need my coffee. Thanks TJ.

 

[MidOH]

The Ford's have some voodoo issues with wiring on some models. Recommend using Woolwax (gloss black) on the axles and frame. Prevents rust, looks great, mice and chipmunks hate it. I touch mine up every other year.

Avoid the stupid moon roof and the highest end trim packages. Any options inside the seat, replace foam in the seat. Base model seats are the most plush. (but we all need to lose weight) Fx4, rear elocker, and tank skid plates are must have items. CCSB has one piece drive shaft. CCLB has a carrier bearing. Raptor/Tremor running boards are a nice touch.

Track bar issues on some. Make sure it's torqued well, infinite unga dunga's. Super tight. Replace with an aftermarket bar if needed.

The 7.3 gas engine had a moron on their assembly line that was eating the piston cooling jets. He's since past on.

Other than the above issues that some have had, I feel the Fords are superior. Strongest front axles, most room inside. And I like the new breed of gas engines. (should have had them 20 years ago)