Advise in truck upgrade

[finelyshedded]

I’ve been waiting till I retire to buy a newer truck and wouldn’t you know now that this time is here the market is way over priced. It’s just like the housing market, if you sell your house no matter the size or condition someone will be willing to pay more than it’s really worth but you’ll be paying more than what your newer house is worth when you buy. Whether it’s inflation, supply chain or price gouging we’re all in the same boat together but I’m really wanting a newer truck in the near future so I’m hoping y’all can give me your thoughts and suggestions. I’m also apprehensive with the push of this administration to go full bore towards all electric vehicles in the future and who knows what that’ll do.
Anywho, I’ve never owned a diesel truck and I’ve seen a lot of them on the market but they are very high in value as y’all were mentioning in the Tow Rig thread. I do like the power a diesel has for towing but I worry about the cost to fill it up at the pump in the future. I do plan on upgrading to a bigger trailer for hauling firewood and maybe get the wife talked into a camper so any extra power for towing is a plus. I’m wanting to get something 2018 or newer as this will be my last vehicle I plan to buy. My current truck is a 2006 Ford F-150 with 205K on it. I’ve had a lot of work done on it recently and it runs great so if I have to wait longer to buy something that’s not a problem either.
I really like the F-250’s and 350’s but as you know they’re probably the most expensive trucks on the market or at least they look like it. I know we have guys here that drive a lot of different makes and models so please give me your honest take based on your experience on what to buy.
Should I wait till prices come down or try and find the best deal I can find now and pull the trigger? How much is too much for a newer truck with 50-100K miles on it? Diesel or Gas? Ford, Chevy, Dodge or Toyota? Should I keep my truck or trade it in?
Thanks to anyone commenting..

 

[giles]

How big of a camper are you thinking?

 

[Mickey Merrie]

If he gets his way, 18' if she gets her way, 36'

 

[Redhunter1012]

I've got limited knowledge on all the specs of new trucks, but if money was not an issue, I'd probably go with a Toyota

 

[jagermeister]

Me personally, if I’m buying new, I’m getting a gasser F250. You can get into an XLT for under 50k… which is cheaper than a lot of half-tons. But way more truck.

 

[hickslawns]

Our next work trucks will be gas unless I find a screaming deal on a diesel I can't pass up. If I were buying brand new I would go gas. You don't "need" a diesel. More expensive maintenance. More emission issues. Fuel savings isn't a game changer anymore. In fact, you'll probably pay more for diesel.

 

[Sgt Fury]

I’ve owned 4 fords in my life and all 4 were money pits. I wouldn’t own another even if it was given to me. Toyota and Chevy has always performed well. I just got rid of my Chevy Silverado 2500 diesel. Unless you’re hauling/towing a lot, it’s really too much truck…plus it’ll cost over $100 to fill. Chevy has some new gasoline powered silverados at my local dealership for $45-52,000. With the inflated price of used vehicles, you may as well buy new. I’d take a look at the Toyota Tundras also. And for us older folks, heated seats are a must!

 

[Johnny44]

I have an 05 Crew Cab Silverado. Never had to toe anything of note. However it has been so unbelievably good to me, Chevy probably has a customer for life. 270K Miles and only major issues I've had was a water pump and wheel bearings. Everything else has been regular old maintenance. I will say I think I benefitted from having it in Georgia for 12 of those years so I never had to deal with the salt wear and tear.

 

[Jamie]

I'm a Toyota Tundra owner and will be for the rest of my life as far as I'm concerned today. Every full-size truck I've ever owned I bought new. I had an F250 gas hog for about three months and traded it in for an F250 diesel. Diesel trucks have their place, but most of us simply do not need that kind of power, plus the more expensive routine maintenance, and fuel cost. I cannot complain about my GMC Sierra, but it only had 75,000 miles on it when I sold it. I've owned three Tundra's and they have all been great trucks except for the fuel economy. That is only complaint I have about Toyota trucks. I cannot get better than 15mpg average for all of my driving, and in this day and age, that is fucking lame. Toyota's reputation for quality and longevity is for real.

 

["J"]

If you can Ric, I’d ride this out as long as you could. This bubbles going too pop here around 2023 and you’ll be sitting good. Sock that money away and keep your eyes open. Never know what can come your way.

 

[finelyshedded]

How big of a camper are you thinking?

I hadn’t even looked into them yet Dave but knowing how much comfort my wife would like and hoping our daughters and BF’s would want to join us I know it would probably be something comparable to what you and the other TOO family hauls. Doubt it happens but you never know.
I would like to get a dual tandem dump bed trailer for hauling though and would want something with enough ass to haul that full of firewood.

 

[finelyshedded]

Great responses and opinions, keep em coming!!!

 

[giles]

If you can Ric, I’d ride this out as long as you could. This bubbles going too pop here around 2023 and you’ll be sitting good. Sock that money away and keep your eyes open. Never know what can come your way.

IDK...only a few of those legendary 5.7 trucks left in New models..

Ric, my camper is stupid and way overkill for even the 5 of us. Which always turns into 6-7. I wouldn't ever buy something of this size, but the wife did. Also, if you buy a Toyota, that limits the size for her. Which saves you money on both sides.

 

["J"]

In the meantime, do some seat time in as many trucks as you can find. I’ve never had a need for a diesel so I can’t speak on that front. Seems most folks who have the diesel don’t use it for its intended purpose. Keep an open mind, do your homework and ask any questions you come up with.

 

["J"]

IDK...only a few of those legendary 5.7 trucks left in New models..

Ric, my camper is stupid and way overkill for even the 5 of us. Which always turns into 6-7. I wouldn't ever buy something of this size, but the wife did. Also, if you buy a Toyota, that limits the size for her. Which saves you money on both sides.

The limit the size of the camper based on your purchase currently is a brilliant idea Sorry honey, that’s not going too work with what we have for a tow vehicle

 

[giles]

The limit the size of the camper based on your purchase currently is a brilliant idea Sorry honey, that’s not going too work with what we have for a tow vehicle

These big campers are a waste, they really are. You don't spend a bunch of time in them. Take Adam for example, he has half the camper he used to and had just as much fun. It only takes up half the space. He can get in just about any parking lot and fuel station. Uses way less fuel to drag it around. He can get in any site (this is an issue with a camper of my size, sites just aren't deep enough). Less space to carry crap you don't use anyways.

I also agree with the big hell no on diesel. Unless you plan to get a fifth wheel and do some out west trips, it's a waste of money. They extra $10G's it cost at purchase is a BUNCH of gas...like $10,000 worth. You'll never cover that cost difference as you never plan to sell it.

 

[finelyshedded]

Excellent points on the camper Dave and those who brought up points on the coal rollers.
I thinks I’ll just keep an eye on the price trends and do some test driving and kick a few drives starting this spring.
THANKS for y’all’s insight and please those who haven’t chimed in please respond at your leisure.

 

[giles]

BTW, I also own the updated version of what you currently have. So of you wanted to take it for a week, come get it and use it. These newer half tons ain't what they were in 06'. I would have zero issues hooking to a dump trailer loaded with firewood.

 

[hickslawns]

I agree on the point of "hold out as long as you can." They start producing chips and a ton of vehicles will flood the market. Prices will drop. Ford 6.2L gas impressed me. I hear the 7.3L gas is an absolute beast.

 

[giles]

I agree on the point of "hold out as long as you can." They start producing chips and a ton of vehicles will flood the market. Prices will drop. Ford 6.2L gas impressed me. I hear the 7.3L gas is an absolute beast.

7.3 is...at 4 mpg...