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RE: Just Thinking
In 2002, with the 6.0, and drove it for 20 years, and 3 weeks, and put 268k miles on it. It only had the 4 speed, but that truck was so dependable!!! I went to a Ford 7.3 in 2022, and I love it, the power difference, and the 10spd vs my old 4spd makes towing so much better!!! I hope I can avoid the lifter cam issues, or that they happen soon.
I'd keep driving the old truck, and keep making the old monthly payment into an S&P500 fund, and pay cash for a new one when you retire. I did that for 16 years after I paid off my 2002. That paid for the new truck, a couple of old jeeps for my teens, and I'll be using it on a new camper in the next month or to.
I think you will continue to see improvements in the gassers over the next few years. I almost bought a new one 5-6 years ago, but I waited for the 6.6, but was disappointed they stayed with a 6spd, so I went to Ford and the 7.3 and 10spd.
I'm about 8 years from retirement, so I know the thoughts on when should we do what.
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wowens79
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11/16/23 06:45am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Fifth Wheel Tag Renewal
Just don't com go GA. You pay 6% sales tax at purchase, then the tag is based on the value of the camper. I called to get an estimate on an $80k 5th wheel, and it was $1200 for the tag, with it going down slightly each year as it depreciates.
On a vehicle, including motorhomes, you pay 6% sales tax at purchase, then $20 a year.
I can't understand why tags on a trailer are so expensive.
Bet the State considers it a "domicile" and taxes it like your house. Here in AZ, we can no get a permanent tag for trailers < 10k GVW, EXCEPT, for RVs; only utility trailers.
Lyle
They do the same with boats, they send you a bill based on a percentage of the value of the boat.
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wowens79
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11/09/23 12:17pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Fifth Wheel Tag Renewal
Just don't com go GA. You pay 6% sales tax at purchase, then the tag is based on the value of the camper. I called to get an estimate on an $80k 5th wheel, and it was $1200 for the tag, with it going down slightly each year as it depreciates.
On a vehicle, including motorhomes, you pay 6% sales tax at purchase, then $20 a year.
I can't understand why tags on a trailer are so expensive.
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wowens79
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11/09/23 07:28am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Tow Vehicle w/ Best Back Seat for Passengers - Ram Mega Cab?
My son is 6'2", and says he has plenty of room in the back seat of my 22 F-350 CC.
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wowens79
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11/07/23 02:25pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Where are the snow birds ?
When is the best day/time to drive through Atlanta, Ga?
There are no best times. Honestly sometimes I think its best when traffic is busy, and you just pick a lane and go with the flow. When traffic is light they drive like maniacs. I picked my wife up at the airport about 11pm the other week, and I was running 80mph, and was passed 3-4 times by people doing probably 100mph weaving through traffic. That doesn't count the Charger that came by being chased by 5 cop cars.
You never know when you will hit construction or a wreck. Just hit it with a full tank of fuel, and an empty bladder and hope for the best :).
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wowens79
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11/07/23 07:37am |
Snowbirds
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RE: I'm curious to know what you would do?
I feel foolish for upgrading a 10 year old truck, even though I'm pretty sure I'll need a dually. I can't imagine how I would feel upgrading a 1 year old truck...
There is only one way you can get around inflation ... never buy another new truck. So, although I realize the math doesn't work for most the way it has for me, I still think for those who will some day buy a new truck, the total cost of ownership for those who upgrade more often vs less often isn't terribly different. It does kind of depend on how interest rates affect you.
I upgraded to a 2022 last year from a 2002 with 268k miles that I bought new. My cost of ownership based on price, and repairs is about $0.12 per mile. That doesn't include the money made on investing the amount of a car payment over 20 years.
Granted I don't put many miles on my truck, nor is it used for business where it can be depreciated.
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wowens79
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11/02/23 08:15am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: I'm curious to know what you would do?
I'd keep the one you have and drive it until it hits 250k miles. My last truck I drove for 20 years and 268k miles. Never any internal engine or trans issues.
As long as it stays reliable, I'd rather put the money in a camper, boat, or invest.
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wowens79
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10/31/23 06:22am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: How important is 90 degree turning?
What will "get you" is if you are turning while the truck is going up a slight grade while the trailer is facing down.
Think of pulling out of a steep driveway while turning to enter a lane of travel.
Same thing if you are cutting it sharp while backing into your RV space next to your house- up a 8% grade.
Thanks for the info! I've got the truck, but I do not have the hitch or trailer yet. I'm pretty sure we are going to go with the Brinkley Z3100, and want to get the B&W hitch. Whether to slide or not slide is the question. I'd rather not have the slide to make it easier to take in and out, and have a little more space in the bed.
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wowens79
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10/24/23 06:31am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Side by side towing
With the front wheels secured to the bumper, the rear wheels would have to pivot. There is a company that makes a trailer called a swivelwheel, that does this. I don't think have anything that bid though, as TT bumpers are really flimsy.
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wowens79
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10/23/23 11:32am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: How important is 90 degree turning?
IMO, twisting to 90 degrees is just foolish, adds unnecessary stress to tires/wheels/suspension.
As to the need...being a TT owner now, do you turn or back to 90 degrees? Of course you don't, you would hit truck/trailer.
I have no issue turning/backing with my Ford standard bed, using a B&W non-sliding hitch. I'm more concerned about height clearance, with a FW, than hitting my cab.
Nope, you're not missing anything, except that your overthinking the angle needed when towing a FW. Just like the TT, just a bit of pull forward to straighten, before continuing to back, is just common sense when backing any trailer.
Jerry
Thanks Jerry, that’s what I was thinking that I was only at probably 45 degrees with my TT, so even 75 would be plenty.
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wowens79
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10/23/23 08:59am |
Fifth-Wheels
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How important is 90 degree turning?
We are looking at going to a 5th wheel from a TT. I keep hearing people talking about being able to turn 90 degrees. I really want to do with the standard B&W hitch in my F-350 with the 6'11" bed.
I realize if I turn too sharp I can damage the truck and camper, but I figure if I can turn a 5ver to 80degrees, that is alot sharper than the probably 45 degrees I can turn my TT. My current TT is 33', and the 5ver we are looking at is 35', so actual towing length will be shorter. Am I missing something?
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wowens79
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10/23/23 08:01am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Ford 7.3 engine users?
I've got a 2022 F-350 7.3 with the 4.30 rear end. Currently I'm pulling a 8k lb TT, but I bought the truck to handle a 14-15k 5'ver that I will probably have by spring.
With a 350 your gear options are 3.73, or 4.30 unless it has changed since 2022. I'd get the 4.30 just to be on the safeside, I always like to have some extra capacity. I know when I was looking, the concensus on the forums was that going from 3.55 to 4.30 was about 1mpg difference. So I'd think the 3.73 vs 4.30 would probably be .5mpg. I'd rather have the extra capacity. Realisically I think with the 10 speed, a hill you would pull in 5th with 3.73, you'd pull in 6th with the 4.30, and be turning similar RPMs, and the only place you'd notice would be starting on a steep hill. What I'm not smart enough to understand is if that changes stresses along the driveline.
It tows my TT much better than my old Chevy 6.0 gasser, and with the 10 speed when the grade changes a little, it can downshift a gear and its only about a 300-400rpm change so it doesnt go from lugging along to screaming. It seems to always be able to find the right gear.
The engine brake works well, but it does not as effective as an exhaust brake on a diesel.
I daily mine, and I'm probably 90% stop and go around town unless I'm pulling my camper, so my gas mileage is about 12mpg around town. I did test it on the interstate on a trip, and running 70 on the flats it got a little over 15mpg, and when I bumped it to 80, it dropped to like 14.5. I've seen reports of 16-17 mpg at 55-60.
I think as a daily, and pulling a 15k trailer on the weekends it is a better option than the diesel. It is perfectly capable of pulling that trailer at the speed limit just about anywhere. It's going to turn some rpms on big hills, but normally I'm towing at 2000rpm on the interstate at 70mph, and it will drop 2 gears on a hill and be a little under 3k rpms.
It is like $9k cheaper, gas is cheaper, but less mpg, so that is a wash, maintenance is cheaper. There is none of the diesel emissions **** that seems to be a problem with many diesels, especially if you do a lot of short drives like I do. It just makes more sense for my use, especially since I keep my trucks well past the factory warranty.
If I was towing 15k daily, or 18-20k regularly, I'd probably go diesel, but the 7.3 with the 10spd really fills a great niche for the 10-16k campers.
I will say the transmission does act a little goofy at low speed stop and gos like in parking lots and neighborhoods. It quickly shifts from 1st to 3rd, then its has to go back to 1st sometimes. Its not bad, it just upshifts thinking you will continue to accelerate, but when you don't it gets confused. The shift points towing are great and I have know complaints. There is a shifting update that is supposed to be better, but I haven't had it done yet.
I would buy it again, and plan on keeping this one for 15 years unless my needs change.
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wowens79
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10/19/23 07:50am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Will pipes freeze overnight?
I'm in GA, so we flirt with freezing temps all winter. Like others have said, "maybe" is the correct answer. If we are going down to 28-30 for a couple of hours I don't worry about it, especially if we are in the 70's the day before.
With your camper at the house, running the furnace at 50ish is cheap and easy insurance.
I normally winterize 3-4 times a year since we will have a nice weather mid winter. I've got winterizing down to a 10-15min job, not counting getting the camper from storage, and leveling in my sloped driveway.
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wowens79
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10/18/23 06:28am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: How do you decide how much to spend on an RV
We buy things for long term. I drove my previous truck for 20 years, and we had a pop up for 9 years, and our current TT for 7, and would keep it, but it’s been pretty crappy.
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wowens79
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09/28/23 08:58pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Truck / 5th Wheel Combo - Do the numbers add up?
I bought a 2022 F-350 7.3 4.30 Lariat last year, with plans to pull a similar 5th wheel in the future. Honestly it rides better than my 02 1500 did. The rear springs I think are the same until you get to the overload leaf.
My truck has 4204lbs of payload, and rated to tow 20k. I figured a little extra capacity is a good thing, I hate to have to push it to the limits.
It was less than a $1000 to go to the 350, and I have no regrets. My wife loves taking it on road trips even though it gets less than half the fuel milage of her Honda.
I don't think you will notice the ride difference not towing, get the 350.
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wowens79
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09/28/23 08:16am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: How do you decide how much to spend on an RV
Live for the day, you never know what tomorrow will bring.
Ahhh, and there is the issue. You might have many years of carefree life left. Or you may suddenly find you have major life events occur that suddenly turn your financial situation upside down and you struggle to make ends meet.
Having cash doesn’t necessarily mean you can go buy what you want when you want, unless you have plenty of it. Accidents and unexpected major illnesses do occur, often times severely affecting a person’s financial stability. I hope to never be a financial burden on my children. If only we could plan life so our last dollar was spent on a bottle of good brew to toast our passing. :B
Agreed, we are pretty conservative financially, so this is kinda out of our comfort zone. We could buy what we want cash, and still have a years expenses in cash, and like someone suggested, it would be less than 5% of our net worth. But we are in our mid 50s and working for another 7-8 years, so would only be able to use it for probably 30 nights a year.
This made me look at the cost per night over 10 years, and it would probably be $200 a night when you calculate depreciation.
I think I just talked myself into a $40k travel trailer :)
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wowens79
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09/28/23 08:00am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Gulf coast things to do!
Orange Beach area is a great area. We will be down there in a little over a week. It will be our 4th trip there this year.
Gulf State Park is great if you are staying there, lots of walking/biking trails. The beach is great, fishing should be good. On the way from MS, if you go the interstate, you can stop at Battleship park and see the USS Alabama from WW2, and some other military history.
Instead of the interstate, there is a Ferry you can take across Mobile Bay from Dauphin Island over to the eastern shore of the bay. On the Dauphin Island side is a Sea Lab with lots of ocean/fish/ecology exibits, on the Eastern shore, is Ft Morgan as civil war fort.
Fair Hope is a easy and nice drive up the eastern shore of the bay and is a cute little town if you like those.
Oct 13-15 is the Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores. Its fun if you like festivals.
Its a great area, normally it is not very crazy, the Shrimp Fest will be busy.
The Gulf State Park Pier is nice to walk out on even if not fishing, normally you can see fish cruising around, and it is free if you are staying at the state park campground.
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wowens79
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09/26/23 06:41pm |
RV Parks, Campgrounds and Attractions
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RE: Help identify high volume truck dealers
My 2022 F-350 gasser has 4204lbs of Payload, and with the 4.30 gears, towing of like 20k.
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wowens79
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09/26/23 07:16am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Help identify high volume truck dealers
I'm not sure if Granger Ford in Iowa is considered high volume, but they have the best Ford prices I've seen. On ordered trucks they sell them for 2% below invoice, and only a $200 doc fee. They have a super smooth order process.
I flew from ATL to Iowa to get my 2022 F-350, and saved over $6,000 even with travel expenses. They pick you up at the airport, and have the truck out front waiting for you, and show you around the truck and answer any questions, then the paper work took 5 min, and then we were on our way home. It was the best car buying process, and the best price.
The actual building is a little small town dealer, but they know how to sell trucks.
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wowens79
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09/26/23 05:29am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Truck was totaled, looking at GM 6.6 Gasser
Based on your username, you may not be interested in this comment, but take a look at the Ford 7.3. It is basically a copy of the LS. I had a 6.0 that I drove for 20 years, and it was incredibly reliable.
I bought a Ford 7.3 a year ago, and it is a beast. It seems like GM has a lot of torque management on the 6.6, and it seems to hold it back.
Sorry about the old truck.
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wowens79
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09/21/23 03:24pm |
Tow Vehicles
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