Need recomendations on a work truck....

[masek77]

I need a work truck. I'm looking for something in the 3000 to 6000 dollar range.

It will be used to pull a double axle trailer. The trailer has electric brakes, and will be used to carry about 5000 to 8000 pounds of cargo on trips ranging from 200 miles to about 500 miles.

I would prefer a good hefty transmission that can easily handle this much weight.

What size truck can do this?

Can an F150 or similar sized Chevy or Dodge or Toyota do this?

[Graybeard]

I believe that's pushing it for any half ton truck old enough to be in your stated price range. Most any 3/4 ton truck should be up to it as should any one ton rated truck. The newer trucks in the half ton range likely will be won't be in your price range. I know some folks over load their trucks badly and do pull such weight with them and get by with it but I'd hate to do so for the distances you're talking about. I'd suggest you look for a decent 3/4 ton Ford, GMC or Dodge truck in your price range.

[R.W.Dale]

I agree with Greybeard, You need a 3/4 ton truck about the only thing to watch out for would be to stay away from any Dodge if it has an automatic transmission.

[SHOOTALL]

I have driven a ford , dodge and chevy. with diesel engine and a dodge with a V10 , the ford got the best mpg ,the diesel dodge pulled the best and the chevy. was the quickest  ! the V-10 pulled good but 7 mpg ! I also have between 47 and 50 other trucks on the road all are light trucks most p/u , some vans and a couple stake body ! we run them at least 150000 and like to make 200000 miles , we use synthetic oil and trans. fluid for everything , change trans. fluid every 25000 miles and 98% of our trucks go the distance without trans failure , we have a good mix of chevy. , dodge , ford and 2 Toyota all are automatic ! all are loaded heavy all the time whether towing or not we are mechanical contractors ! stick with 3/4 ton or 1 ton for towing , maintance is the key to long life of a truck !

[ihookem]

  What ever you buy get a diesel ! With those loads and distance you will go broke with a gasser . Even an old 10 year old Dodge diesel with the 235 horse will run circles around any new gasser out there.  I run an 05 gmc diesel and it pulls  4,000 pounds like nothing and I tend to forget I got a load on the back on flat roads. Don't ever get a half ton for a job like that. With a 7,000 pound load gaser you will get 7 miles per gallon, with any diesel you will get 14mpg. Half the fuel bill. Run it empty with the CORRECT size tires and you will get 20-22mpg.

[Buckskins & Black Powder]

  What ever you buy get a diesel ! With those loads and distance you will go broke with a gasser . Even an old 10 year old Dodge diesel with the 235 horse will run circles around any new gasser out there.  I run an 05 gmc diesel and it pulls  4,000 pounds like nothing and I tend to forget I got a load on the back on flat roads. Don't ever get a half ton for a job like that. With a 7,000 pound load gaser you will get 7 miles per gallon, with any diesel you will get 14mpg. Half the fuel bill. Run it empty with the CORRECT size tires and you will get 20-22mpg.

It doesnt even have to be a 1/2 ton to get crappy gas milage. Pulled  76 buick 225 electra to denver with our 1800lb flatbed trailer and a 94 ford f250 with a 351 gas motor. Holy crap! talk about  a weak son of  a gun and a whopping 8mpg!

[BANG_OW]

Don't just consider gas mileage and pulling power, it is also a matter of stopping. BRAKES! There is nothing worst than not being able to stop due to brake fade. The 3/4 and one ton trucks have live axles and bigger brakes, well worth the money. Ask some of your seasoned (older) buddies. I'm sure each as experienced this.
Don

[30-30man]

I don't think they make a bad truck now.  The Dodge transmission thing has been blown out of proportion. Ford and Chevy have had problems too.  The only truck I've had transmission troulble with was a Nissan.    I too would look at a 3/4 ton.  Any 1/2 ton will tow that load but the question is will you be comfortable with it for 200-500 mile trips?  The Dodge 2500 with an old non turbo  Cummins is hard to beat. The Ford 7.3 powertoke in the f250 is good as well.  If you are buying a used diesel with any miles, demand service records.  200,000 miles on diesel is about like 50,000 on a gasser, it just started to get broken in.  After all, diesels are the only engine that run off a lubricant.  That is why they last so long.

[R.W.Dale]

The Dodge 2500 with an old non turbo  Cummins

 A N/A diesel in a dodge?

[ken2222]

buy a 3/4 ton truck....I'm pretty much a Chevy guy til it comes to hauling....I've not found anything that will beat a F250 with a Power Stroke....

Ken

[30-30man]

 I should have said non high output.   

[OLDHandgunner]

Don't beleive all you hear about the Dodge automatics. I own a 2000 Dodge Ram 2500 HD Diesel 4wd with automatic. Bought it new & have plowed snow ( 60 driveways per storm ) and towed a tandom trailer with my equipment since it was new. The only thing I have done to the tranny was change to Amsoil synthetic oil as soon as the 36,000 warranty was off. Transmission is still strong. On the open road towing it averages about 18-20 MPG with all the power you need on hills.
I'm not saying to buy a Dodge but make sure you buy a diesel if you are towing. The gas engines just don't have it when you need it. And you will go broke paying for the gas. I know this for a fact because I also own a Ford F-350 Dump truck with a 460 motor. It has all kinds of power but I have to take out a loan every time I tow with it. 
GOOD LUCK

[SHOOTALL]

rears give us the most trouble ,