Truck question

Wow! I'd like to find one with that mileage. Still shopping, and refininf more and more exactly what I want. Someone made a point about the Off Road package on the white one, think I'll try to find one without that. Still leaning towards the 350, looking into the future and my desire for a bigger trailer, which will be a gooseneck with living quarters. Think a 350 will handle that better.

__________________
My Dad always told me, "Honey, you can do anything you put your mind to." He was right.

2horses - as someone who owns a gas 2500 HD with tow package that is now 6 years old and paid for, I'd say this:

Go for a diesel, you'll save money in the long run.

Go with enough truck to do the job but not so much truck that you are "over trucked". If I remember correctly you don't haul more than 2 horses at a time, do you? What's your trailer weigh fully loaded - think horses, feed, hay, living quarters, tack, other equipment and then calculate just how much truck you need.

Are you going to be hauling in the woods, on swampy areas? Then do you really need 4 wheel drive? I've gotten by just fine with regular drive and I do a LOT of hauling and haul a 3 horse gn sometimes fully loaded and my truck handles just fine and does a great job.

Another thought, shop around gal..trucks are going begging here in GA..due to the economy. Call a few banks in your area and see if they have any that have been taken in on foreclosure. I found one the best trucks I ever owned that way and got that F250 long bed with less than 100,000 miles for 3800. which was what was owed on it.

Check dealer lots for trades, negotiate like you were buying with cash..even if you are not! Ask what the cash price is then go from there.

Oh and leather/vinyl seats are a blessing and no carpet is also..never have to worry about mud! I love that about my stripped down truck, it's what I have been told is a "man's truck" functional and powerful, not frilly and does the job. Sometimes the less "frills" the better off you are in repairs down the road.

Just sayin..

Now if I were rich, I'd have myself a tricked out dually with leather seats, no carpet, four doors, long bed, diesel and it'd be a towing machine..lol..but since I am not, I have been very happy with my Chevy HD2500..it goes and tows just fine.

Oh..and better to have a little more truck than you need than find yourself needin more truck..after all horses have their own ideas about hauling and sometimes that includes shifting weight all over the trailer. Invest in a bedliner if the truck doesn't come with one, you WON'T be sorry about that, saves that bed a lot of wear and tear!

good luck - I'm envious but then again, my truck is paid for so I'm happy too!

PS - go to horsetrailerworld.com and go to the "truck" forum. Ask there about your possible trucks and give them the weight of the trailer..you'll be surprised at how helpful they are over there!

__________________
Be yourself - no one can tell you that you're doing it wrong!

Uh huh, I thought so..you are starting down THAT road..bigger truck, then bigger trailer which all comes down to:

MORE HORSES..lol...

Yep, I see it coming, 'for long you gonna have six horses and be on here askin about a six horse GN with LQ..just cause..you never know, might have to evacuate..lol...

just teasin you..but I do KNOW that trucks lead to trailers which lead to more stalls which lead to more horses..

it's the cycle of horse life as we have come to love and know it!

__________________
Be yourself - no one can tell you that you're doing it wrong!

LOL Sidepasser! I'm just trying to get a nice rig so I can come get Girlie!!

__________________
My Dad always told me, "Honey, you can do anything you put your mind to." He was right.

That Diva is going on the market for sale soon, she's back in pro training and is doing great.

I'll meet you halfway..just how far is it to your house? Might sneak her into your barn..lol..

She's a princess that is for sure and the trainer is working her hinney off..can't wait to see her after 30 days of dressage work!

Have fun truck shopping, I sure did, but I tell ya, I don't want to do it again for a LONG time. It drove me nuts trying to tell people what I wanted and they wanted to sell me what I didn't want. Finally went to the commercial (fleet) division and got them to understand that "NO I REALLY DO NOT NEED SEAT WARMERS!" lol..

got my stripped down plain Jane truck that runs great (knock on wood) and have been a happy camper ever since. BTW - every time I get a truck with auto windows, the auto window motor hickey breaks..and it costs me 400. to get it fixed..uhm no thanks! No auto windows or doors for me on this truck..

sorry to ramble..send pics of the new truck when you get it!

__________________
Be yourself - no one can tell you that you're doing it wrong!

Well, this one has made it to the top of the list so far:

http://houston.craigslist.org/ctd/1048457703.html

There's a tool out there called an OASIS report - anyone heard of it? It takes the VIN and lets you know if the vehicle has had any warranty work performed on it. Found a blue one I really liked, but when I asked for the OASIS, it spent a LOT of time in the shop. But this one's OASIS came back clean! Do I need a dually? Prolly not, but dang, this is a nice truck!! Still only 2wd, but it has the 4.3 rear axle thingy ratio whatever, which is supposed to be good. Also, have done a lot of research and evidently the newer 6.0 diesels are not nearly as problematic as they were when they first came out. So a 2006, with low miles and still under factory warranty, is looking like a sweeeeeeeet deal to me - all for under 20K!!

__________________
My Dad always told me, "Honey, you can do anything you put your mind to." He was right.