Full-time with 19 yr old truck

[Carl n Susan]

Originally Posted by donc1212

<snip>To 1retired06: I'm assuming when you say 6.0 engine you're talking about the 6.8L V10....
</snip>

No, I am sure he meant the 2004-2007 6.0L diesel (aka sick-0). The V10 motor is a known good engine although as a gasser it suffers with heavy loads and hills.

[1retired06]

Originally Posted by donc1212

To 1retired06: I'm assuming when you say 6.0 engine you're talking about the 6.8L V10. I've put 50,000 mi on mine (a lot of it towing my unit) and haven't had any problems with it. Ford stopped using this power plant and people really were upset so they brought it back, only I've heard it's not quit the same power plant for the Ford trucks.

No, 6.0 power stroke diesel.

[RV6A]

Originally Posted by Jaymxr

Hello everyone, I'm new here, I'm glad to see there's a forum for Montana owners. I'd like some input from those that are full-time with older trucks. My wife and I will be full time RVs in 7yrs. I'd like to here from those full timers who tow with older trucks. My F250 currently has 97k and will be 19 yrs old when I leave to go full-time. My truck is in excellent condition with every upgrade possible to help my 6.0 be as reliable as possible. I'd love a new truck but the price and long term reliability worries me. I'm just wondering if keeping my 19 yr old truck is even possible to tow full time. Any advise is much appreciated.

Maintenance is key. My 2002 F250 7.3 Powerstroke has 320,000 miles and is still on the original clutch and injectors. We just returned from a 1744 mile 10 day adventure pulling out 2009 3075RL through CO, WY, SD, NE and back to CO. No problems with truck or trailer. The truck used 1qt of oil for the trip. The truck is outfitted with a DP tuner and 4" MBRP exhaust with muffler. We averaged 12.2 miles/gallon for the entire trip and about 10.4 pulling the rig.

[footz1941]

I have a 2006 2500 4X4 Dodge Laramie
quad cab with 5.9 24 valve No smog or def Changed both differentials, transmission fluid, and coolant when I bought it w/65000 miles Sure beats payments on new TV

[Dam Worker]

Well I am replying even though we are not full time or most of the timers yet. 2016 3160 Montana and a 2000 F350 4X4 7.3 SRW 3.73 gears, 103,000 miles. Towed my old Fifthwheel real well then a 9.9' heavy camper no now my 3160. Truck is at its max rating towing this unit. By the way these new units are way more aerodynamic than the older units. Even with the modifications, lots more horsepower and torque lower speeds, hills and head winds can make towing a third gear trip which is no fun. If I had a five speed (5R100) tranny I would probably just stay with this rig. Over all it usually tows pretty good and my wife really wants me to wait until retirement to upgrade but I will probably upgrade this year as I feel a new truck would probably make towing more enjoyable and probably a bit safer.

Tom Marty

[K0LCB]

Originally Posted by Jaymxr

Hello everyone, I'm new here, I'm glad to see there's a forum for Montana owners. I'd like some input from those that are full-time with older trucks. My wife and I will be full time RVs in 7yrs. I'd like to here from those full timers who tow with older trucks. My F250 currently has 97k and will be 19 yrs old when I leave to go full-time. My truck is in excellent condition with every upgrade possible to help my 6.0 be as reliable as possible. I'd love a new truck but the price and long term reliability worries me. I'm just wondering if keeping my 19 yr old truck is even possible to tow full time. Any advise is much appreciated.

I met a guy who towed with a 1958 COE Ford. He told me had towed his fiver over 80,000 miles with several trips to Alaska. With proper maintenance I think you will be fine!

[Dave W]

Bullet proofing and good past maintenance are the key. That maintenance includes the chassis as well. E rated tires are needed at a minimum too. As far as being an F250 - air bags or, better yet F350 springs or add a leafs plus a HD set of front springs. I don't believe that there is a weight sticker on the 'B' pillar. That truck is for all intent, virtually identical to the F350

[adams7806]

We have a 2002 Ford F350 Turbo Diesel and pull our 3160, which is almost 36' long. The truck has 160,000 miles on it and runs like a dream. My husband had an exhaust brake on the truck several years ago and that has helped tremendously. Generally, we get about 11-12 mph when towing. Yes, we have to get down in to lower gears to pull up some steep grades, but we've always made it. We just take it slow and easy if necessary.

We would love to have a new truck with all the new conveniences but we hate the prices! We'll be sticking with our "oldie but goodie" till it dies on us!

[Bad Moon]

To the OP: You said the truck will be 19 years old when you start full timing. The 6.0 went into production in 2003, which means you will be full timing 4 years from now. How many miles will it have on it by then? There is a reason why the 6.0 and the 6.4 power strokes were only produced for a few years. Their bad reputation was well deserved. In fact there is a cottage industry for swapping Cummins engines into these Fords. If it was me, and I had my heart set on a Ford, I would start searching for a good, low mileage 6.7 power stroke (or a Ram/Cummins or GM Duramax), and sell the Ford while it still has some value.

[jlb27537]

I would figure out a way to get into a newer truck. Also, consider a High Country. They weigh less, thus you can get by with a little less truck capacity.

Your 19 year truck will not have the capacity to safely and legally tow a current Montana.