buying advice

Coming from Belgium I don't know all the in' s and out's of each brand
and model, but I've managed to set up a list of requirments for our
future pickup. Plan is to shop around for a second hand used one i one
of the sunny states ( no offense, but they told me to get my truck in a
"dry state")

- crew cab ( back seat with at least one door)
- long bed ( the longer the better)
- tow package
- 4X4
- preferably Diesel
- Dually ( body width is determined here by outer tire, so I have more room.


Goal is to remove the bed and construct on the back chassis a custom box
that will hold my dogs ( sled dogs), equipement, but I also will us the
truck to tow large trailers with wood.
Diesel is still cheaper here then Gas, and I think they're sturdier
anyways. Gas engine could be converted to natural gas, but I'm not sure
about the towing capacity/torque.

untill now I've looked at F-350's, Silverado 3500HD, RAM 3500, but I'm
wondering what are the reliability records of those trucks. Are there
known or suspected problems ? Maybe another brand/model I've forgotten?
( BTW, I've looked also at the latest truck from International, but I'm
not sure I'll find a second hand one)
Also, aprt from EBAY I'm sure there are other, and maybe better places
to look at possibilities, any info on that also welcome.

Eagerly awating your input,

gijs

"user1701" wrote:
> Coming from Belgium I don't know all the in' s and out's of
> each brand
> and model, but I've managed to set up a list of requirments
> for our
> future pickup. Plan is to shop around for a second hand used
> one i one
> of the sunny states ( no offense, but they told me to get my
> truck in a
> "dry state")
>
> - crew cab ( back seat with at least one door)
> - long bed ( the longer the better)
> - tow package
> - 4X4
> - preferably Diesel
> - Dually ( body width is determined here by outer tire, so I
> have more room.
>
>
> Goal is to remove the bed and construct on the back chassis a
> custom box
> that will hold my dogs ( sled dogs), equipement, but I also
> will us the
> truck to tow large trailers with wood.
> Diesel is still cheaper here then Gas, and I think they're
> sturdier
> anyways. Gas engine could be converted to natural gas, but I'm
> not sure
> about the towing capacity/torque.
>
> untill now I've looked at F-350's, Silverado 3500HD, RAM 3500,
> but I'm
> wondering what are the reliability records of those trucks.
> Are there
> known or suspected problems ? Maybe another brand/model I've
> forgotten?
> ( BTW, I've looked also at the latest truck from
> International, but I'm
> not sure I'll find a second hand one)
> Also, aprt from EBAY I'm sure there are other, and maybe
> better places
> to look at possibilities, any info on that also welcome.
>
> Eagerly awating your input,
>
> gijs

A couple of things to consider, If you plan to remove bed from truck
and build a custom bed for it why not get a cab and chassis with dual
wheels as it will have a much narrower tire/axle width in rear and
therefore manuver a lot better plus you could get a longer chassis yet
to have more than 8ft too.

On cabs, if you get a GM truck, the extended cab has a very usable
rear seat and doors that open too. Ford and dodges extended cabs pale
by comparision. With crew cabs, the difference are not as great.

Diesel cost more here and is current 35 cent more per gallon than gas
were I am at and during the winter it was 50 cents a gallon more.
Right now gas is 1.90 and deisel is 2.25 gallon.

With GM truck you can order them from factory to run on alternate
fuels and a with a 8.1 you will have no lack of power towing issues
regardless of fuel type. It may get a few MPG less than a Dmax but it
is a beast power wise.

Good Luck finding what you need.

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