Newer vs older truck - RV-Dreams Community Forum

kb0zke · RV-Dreams Family Member

Newer vs older truck

BiggarView · RV-Dreams Family Member

Overall it can six of one and half a dozen of the other. We leaned at a new truck, and budgeted for it, but the one we have simply came along at the right time and the right price... sold. If you can find a cream puff used truck, one with low mileage for thousands off then the saved money can be the start of a healthy emergency expense fund that you may or may not need. You are going to have a vehicle maintenance part of your budget anyway so...Let the other guy eat the depreciation. We didn't plan it that way but but we're glad we did.... now. I'll never buy another new vehicle again. What we have is as good as new and we have money in the bank. total win-win.

JMHO

LarryW21 · RV-Dreams Family Member

If you are “going to switch” you’ve the time to look and look for a good slightly used truck. Try that first.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

David,

I think you'd have to go all the way back to a 2008 to find one that was pre-DEF. Our F450 is a 2008, and it is pre-DEF, but I don't remember for sure which year model it was that most manufacturers went to DEF. If it is all the way back to 2008, you are looking at pretty old trucks.

With regards to the Fords, I think the newer engines actually get better fuel mileage than our F450 does. In our case, the F450 is NOT our get-around vehicle, so it is primarily around for towing the fifth wheel. If you are sticking to one vehicle, I'd guess that the newer, more efficient engines might save you money in the long run. DEF at Walmart isn't all that expensive for a 2 1/2 gallon jug. Other places, including truck stops are generally higher. (I only know that about the DEF because the van we drove last year for road surveys in Indiana was a diesel that used DEF.)

If you are just going to diesel for the first time, be cautious of the fuel pumps. We noticed in Indiana that the BP (British Petroleum) fuel stations had green "socks" on all of their pumps, even the gasoline ones. In most places, the green "socks" are reserved for the diesel pumps. I watched a YouTube video a while back where the person thought the third pump handle at a fuel station was the diesel and ended up putting gasoline in their diesel pickup.

Terry

Second Chance · RV-Dreams Family Member

I've owned two "post-DEF" diesel trucks with the emission controls and have had absolutely no problems with either (one a GM/Duramax and currently a Ford/PowerStroke). The cost of the DEF is negligible and it is readily available at the pump at nearly all truck stops now. A big advantage with a newer truck is that all three manufacturers have increased the torque and HP output of the motors almost every year or two. The latest lineup have significantly more umph than even my 2012 does.

Rob

RonC · RV-Dreams Family Member

Rob makes a good point. Pre DEF trucks are also pre horsepower and pre torque. The newer trucks are WAY more powerful than pre DEF trucks. Used is a relative term. I would personally be good with 2-3 years old, but 12 years old is too much for me ... but each of us has a comfort zone. If you can find an exceptional pre DEF truck, then maybe ... but remember that everything is 12 years old, wheel bearings, brake lines, transmission, rear axle, etc.

Brian made a great point ... buy a clean late model used truck so you get the newer technology and power, but avoid the new truck depreciation hit.

Those are my thoughts, but everyone sees things thru their own lens ... just offering my thoughts ... hopefully this was of some help.

Ron

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

DEF is a non-event. As mentioned the older trucks, pre-2013 or so, have less HP / Torque and a miss a lot of other really nice features - not to mention some get really poor Gas Mileage and don't have exhaust brakes (which is not Tow-Haul mode.) You absolutely want a good exhaust brake.

Both my "DEF" trucks had zero DEF issues (one a Chevy 3500HD the other a Ram 5500HD) and besides that the exhaust was clean and didn't dirty the trailer at all.

The fact is some of the older diesel engines had recurring issues. Think Howard's truck. Within budget limitations, the newer the better. Diesel's and transmissions have come a long way in the past 7-8 years and you won't regret going new(er).

jayc · RV-Dreams Family Member

I'm still driving my 2010 Ram 3500, pre DEF. It has exhaust brake (use every time I drive the truck), tow-haul mode on tranny (use every time I tow my trailer). I love it but wish I had the Aisen transmission, although this one has given me no trouble at all. With about 175,000 miles on it I have had very little trouble out of the truck. A couple of years ago I considered deleting it, but since we had a trip planned to go to California and the west coast and had heard horror stories of "fix-it tickets" when a truck blows smoke and I didn't want to chance it.

BiggarView · RV-Dreams Family Member

"restoring"(your words) an older truck or maintaining a new one... comes out about the same in the big picture.

Agree with Bill on the DEF. Non event... 2-3 gallons every month or two is only 10-15 cents a day plus the hassle of putting it in. No biggie.

RonC · RV-Dreams Family Member

Terry and Jo wrote:
David,
I think you'd have to go all the way back to a 2008 to find one that was pre-DEF. Our F450 is a 2008, and it is pre-DEF, but I don't remember for sure which year model it was that most manufacturers went to DEF. If it is all the way back to 2008, you are looking at pretty old trucks.
With regards to the Fords, I think the newer engines actually get better fuel mileage than our F450 does. In our case, the F450 is NOT our get-around vehicle, so it is primarily around for towing the fifth wheel. If you are sticking to one vehicle, I'd guess that the newer, more efficient engines might save you money in the long run. DEF at Walmart isn't all that expensive for a 2 1/2 gallon jug. Other places, including truck stops are generally higher. (I only know that about the DEF because the van we drove last year for road surveys in Indiana was a diesel that used DEF.)
If you are just going to diesel for the first time, be cautious of the fuel pumps. We noticed in Indiana that the BP (British Petroleum) fuel stations had green "socks" on all of their pumps, even the gasoline ones. In most places, the green "socks" are reserved for the diesel pumps. I watched a YouTube video a while back where the person thought the third pump handle at a fuel station was the diesel and ended up putting gasoline in their diesel pickup.
you said “ DEF at Walmart isn't all that expensive for a 2 1/2 gallon jug. Other places, including truck stops are generally higher” actually, DEF at the truck stop PUMPS is way cheaper than the WalMart 2 1/2 gallon jugs ... and less of a hassle.

BiggarView · RV-Dreams Family Member

DEF prices really depend. Locally, DEF at the pumps nearest me(not worth it at this stage since we aren't on the road yet) is 2.99 gal but I can buy DEF at Blains for 6.99 for a 2.5 gal box. (or 2.80 gal.) Walmart has it for 7.79 or 3.12 gal. More expensive yes, but handy so I save on fuel. But if I was travelling and I needed DEF and the station I pulled in had it at the pump, I'd buy it there. The need for DEF is so infrequent that it can be combined with other purchases, negating the pump savings in most applications. But that is me... YMMV. Plus most places that have DEF at the pump are typically on a highway or close to a highway stations that charge more for fuel so they get you one way of the other. JMHO.

-- Edited by BiggarView on Tuesday 10th of March 2020 04:14:53 PM

RonC · RV-Dreams Family Member

I actually go to a truck stop just for DEF. I unhook the trailer after a 200 mile day (typical for us), use Gasbuddy to find local diesel that is almost always less than the highway truck stops.

Glenn West · RV-Dreams Family Member

I have towed with an HDT for a few years now. But before I towed with a 2005 Duramax. Great truck. Put nearly 300k on it. Wanted a new truck with the increased hp and got a 2012 Duramax. It was very unreliable. Warranty paid for the work but "reduced power in 50 miles" when you are towing is a bummer. Now I hope the newer ones have been fixed but I have a very sour outlook on them.

arcaguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

I'm not looking at a TV but at a motor home. Same issue different vehicle. I have talked to several diesel mechanics who work on this stuff every day. From what I have heard is that the only trucks that have issues are ones that don't get out on the highway and let the truck regen. For the use I see for you I don't think that DEF should be an issue and you get the added stuff the new trucks have. My vote is a very clean 2-3 year old used truck. They're out there just be prepared to buy it when you see it, they will go fast.

Glenn West · RV-Dreams Family Member

I was towing with mine and daily commute to work. It was unreliable. That was the 2012.