99Silverz

Hello, I was writing on here about questions for a truck for my mother actually. She is Pilot Escort for oversize load trucks. Basically she follows those extremely large oversize load trucks across the country. There are usually 2-3 escorts depending on how large the truck is. Now shes been doing this for 3 years, she had a 2003 dodge dakota and it just couldnt hold up to anything. Trans went out three times, numerous mechanical problems. She now has a Toyota Tacoma Pre-Runner and it has been solid for the last 60k Miles.

She bought it this year in May with 39k on it, it now stands at over 101k miles in November Dont get me wrong, the little Toyota is great on reliability, but I dont think its going to hold up to 200k+ miles and this is where I thought Diesel might hold the advantage.

She would most likely get
2004-2005 Dodge Ram 2500 5.9L Cummins TD
Quad Cab
Keep stock tires ( not a dually by the way)
4x4

I had a few questions about them..

1: Typically how reliable and how long can you expect the cummins engines to last? She would most likely get a 04-05 with an automatic transmission.

2: She drives for hundreds of miles at a time, shes drove from Michigan to Florida without stopping, can these trucks hold up to that kind of stuff? ( Mind you, she is driving it very easy)

3: Probably one of the most important things, is semi-decent gas mileage possible? Considering she doesnt get reembursed in full for gas, and she drives basically for a living. She ALWAYS drives at 65mph, 99.99% of the time to save gas. I relize there are a few things you can get out there for gas mileage which I'm sure I would advise her to get all of them, every little bit counts in how much she travels.

4: Is their any special required maintenence or major stuff that needs to be done that is different from gasoline engines? I do all the repairs to her current truck, but I do know Diesel is quite a bit different.

5: What upgrades are strongly reccomended to help out MPG wise, as far as intake, programmer,etc?

6: Do you think a Diesel is what she needs in the long run? Keep in mind she will never ever town anything, I was considering them just for the life of the motor.

7: LAST but not least, how do the 4x4 trucks do in snow? She deos quite a bit of heavy snow driving sometimes and I get worried. In worst case scenario how well do the trucks hold up under impact....man the truck she has now is tiny and I could probably pick up the *** end of it with a buddy I dont like the feeling of her driving so much with all the idiot drivers out there if somebody made a mistake I'd feel much better with her in a big *** truck then a mid-size.

Thank you very much.

Chad

TexasCTD

1. Probably a Million miles if she services it regularly and drives it like you describe.


2. It is a machine and it doesn't care how long you run. You can run it continuously as long as you stop it to service it when it needs it.

3. Driving that speed, she should get very decent fuel mileage. Probably at least 18 mpg or maybe better. I would recommend she get the 3.73 rear axle for better highway mileage, as opposed to 4.10s. The automatic transmission is fine and will serve her well.

4. Just change the fuel filter regularly. The rest of it should be similar in regards to oil changes, tranny fluid and differentials. Personally, I change the oil and filter every 5k, fuel filter at 10k, and trans, transfer case and diffs at 15-20k.....but under her driving conditions those could easily be doubled and beyond. Just keep an extra fuel filter or 2 with her to change it if she gets some bad fuel.

5. SMARTY SMARTY SMARTY. http://store.dieseltruckresource.com/smtufor20and.html

6. She probably doesn't NEED a diesel, but they should last much much longer than a gasser of any type. Better mileage for the size truck and much longer service life. More power if she ever needs it for pulling.

7. I would highly recommend the 4x4. Whatever they cost the truck will always be worth that much more. The trucks with the Cummins are so heavy they get excellent traction in the snow with 4x4. They will push on due to the weight, power, and height where others will be stranded.

Bigger is almost always better when it comes to having an accident. So she would be much more safe in a large Cummins 2500 truck than a Dakota toy truck.

Hope that helps some!

Hounddog

I'd stick with a 4 banger Toyotas or Nissans for the job you describe.You'd be surprized at how tough and long wearing they are.I've sold personal Nissans in the high 100 low 200k range and seen them YEARS later with low 300s on them and that wasn't going up and down a freeway all the tiime which is lite work.Lot tougher then a Dakota by far.Just my 02 for lots of reasons.Not that a Dodge diesel not a good truck but for one or two folks folllowing a transport,fuel cost,maintance,intial purchase price and so on.

rammtuff

If she does not need a truck then I would suggest a VW diesel. They will last for 500k and give 45 to 50mpg at 65. And a comfortable car to drive.

As far as the crash theory:

I'd suggest that she investigate crash tests. Many smaller cars (jetta, BMW, Altima) have 5 star ratings. The theory of "bigger is better" was gone in the '80's
Accident avoidance (much harder with a top heavy 4x4) is key to survival. Look for DSC and DTC when purchasing a new vehicle. You will be hard pressed to find these on a Dodge Pickup.

If she does want a pickup truck and always runs the interstates she should look at a gasser from Toyota. A gasser will last as long as a diesel when driven like this, with less cost per mile (fuel), less initial outlay, and no USLD/emission first year headaches.

mijpa

In my opinion the diesel will definently get more miles on the motor, But don't think that little toyota can't gey another 100k, I've seen alot of them wit ha ton of miles on them. real good gas motors.

nelrod

Unless she is pulling, she does not need a 3/4 ton diesel truck. Keep the tacoma. Or like rammtuff said, if truck not needed, a VW diesel. I love my VW tdi it gets 43.9mpg driving 80 mph with a/c on AND its an automatic. Germans build good diesels I've had several. The Tacoma should go over 300k easy the way she drives it.

99Silverz

I get what your saying. Something I forgot to mention is, she's has 3 RAM's in her life ( all gas) and loved them. She loves the room in them and I see the quad cab 2500's are quite large. Sometimes on 3 week long trips she may have to sleep inside of her truck because she gets to a drop off point at 2 am and getting a hotel for 5 hours would be pointless. You guys try sleeping in a Toyota Tacoma for 3 nights

She also is the only truck that has to stop because alot of the escorts use diesels with 35 Gallon + 50 gallon storage tanks that can go for like 1500 miles without stopping When she stops it slows everybody down so she feels bad.

Yes it has to be a truck because it has to be high up. She has a "Oversize Load" sign on the top of her truck which has to be seen far and wide.


She paid $12,000 for her Toyota truck now. I'm expecting it to last into the 200,000 mile period easy. The thing is, for 12,000$ more...say $24,000...she could have a much bigger, nicer interior,safer truck. I guess I just thought from the way they look and how lnog they last, you cant beat a TD 2500 RAM.


Not to mention her current truck is about as good as a mustang in the snow considering it weighs 2800lbs curb weight. Ive put 200lbs of sand in the bed and it still likes to slide around, that has me worried when shes traveling she does alot of her runs in the mountains, etc.


Thanks so much for all the repsonses, TexasCTD that was exactly what I needed. Feel free to post up what you think, but also consider this truck would be more of an upgrade just for her to have a nicer truck considering she spends 1-3 weeks in it at a time, know what I'm saying?


Thanks again

Chad

topless

TexasCTD said it right. I will absolutely vouch for the 4x4 QC in snow, however I replaced the stock tires at 7 miles so I never drove them in snow.

donhov

I agree, go with the Dodge diesel. In the long run the way you describe her driving she should average 20+ MPG after break-in, about 10K-20,000 miles or so. Also be aware that on the 04.5 and up trucks even though Dodge dosent recomend this long that Cummins recomends up to 15,000 miles between oil & filter changes (light duty whic fits her driving i would say) but like her gaser at 5 qts oil the Cummins takes 12 qts and a more exensive filter (stay with the Fleetguard brand). The engine comes with a 100K transferable warranty so that in itself should say something. Also as above change the fuel filter every 10K or sooner if you notice poor running or dirty fuel. The fuel filter is an easy item to change so get her a 1 1/8 socket and show her how. Roadside should take all of 15 minutes to do. I always keep 2 under my front seat and a socket in the glovebox, just in case. So far in 58000 miles only needed 1 once but if I had done it at the dealer it was $60 to change, on the roadside it was $15 from Cumminc dealer for filter and 15 minutes....

Diesels cost a little more for maintaince but also the intervals are longer so my guess is that things eventually even themselves out.

JMHO Don

rustyshakelford

IMO bigger is better in the safety stand point. 99% of the time a 7000lb truck will be far safer than a 3500lbs truck or car. yes car manufactures have come a long ways as far as side impact airbags and vehicle stability, but that only does so much. i used to drive a car and i wont ever do that again. if i was to have a head on w/ my truck now, the grill might end up in the drivers seat.

have her get the diesel. shell love the power

brett

99Silverz

Eh, I still find it that if I hit a 3/4 or 1 ton truck in my camaro the truck is going to win by far

Thanks for the replies!!

Bearwhiz

Sounds simple to me. If she wants it and can afford it then let her have it. Life is not always about what you need but what you want.

redspider

if she is sleeping in this thing I would recommend a mega cab those seats fold down in the back and make a nice size bed!!!! that and a transfer flow tank for the bed.

JRG

For the extra $ she could buy 2 Toyotas! Also historicly Toyotas are AWESOME in the snow, I feel this could be a tire issue plus 200# is not very much. I have a bit of exp with Toy 4x4s.

JRG

BigDave12768

I think you all over looked the Jeep. She wants 4x4 and a diesel. Check out the Jeep liberty limited with the diesel. As for a Dodge look at the 04 not the 04.5 or 05 for fuel mileage. And make sure to get the 3.73 rear end