HotShot for another Army guy

I am on my 4th Dodge with a Cummins power, agree that the transmission can be problematic if you attempt to play stump puller or do not take care of it. Now if a person was to find one and rebuild it to use as a hauler there are little problems, sad part is Dodge never wanted it to last and built it so they could sell them at a somewhat reasonable price to compete with Fords. For what it cost for a new rig today and all the issues with the emissions and electronics it is far more reasonable to take and build one. IMO

Just returned from hauling a 35 foot Fountain Lightening, my truck never had one issue. The person which was supposed to haul it had serious issues with is computerized diesel engine, the dealer said he is tired of people having issues with the new trucks and his boats setting on the side of the road or excuses for delays are always with haulers and new trucks.

Where there is a will there is a way, it may not suit others taste but we all figure it out for ourselves.
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I know what you mean about the Dodges. One of my drivers has one and he was out all last week trying to get the A/C working and replacing the rear brakes. Just last night he called to say that one caliper on the front brakes stopped working so the truck was jerking to one side. I had less problems with my Ford 7.3 but Dodges would blow past me on any hill.

Mitch

 

If your a die hard Dodge fan Heres the truck for you, unfortunately it's only a concept but when cummins get their issues resolved I'd sure buy one if available;
http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2011/04/ram-long-hauler-concept-is-the-ultimate-tow-truck.html

I like the dodge but have always found Ford a much better and durable truck.
I didn't like how long it took Ford to get their emissions savvy engines to where they are today as cummins were behind the 8-ball and didn't get into that until recent years but I guess Dodge are going to have their share of hardships now with the problems cummins are having trying to get to today's emissions standards without blowing injectors, turbos or horrible fuel mileage.
As many here have pointed out, they wouldn't change their older Dodges for a newer one, I have to say I wouldn't either but if buying a new heavy duty work truck right now there is only one choice IMHO;
http://www.mlive.com/auto/index.ssf/2014/03/ford_upgrades_2015_f-series_su.html

 

I liked the 2002 Ford F350 I had, but it got costly to maintain.

I will keep the 2007 Dodge 3500 with 5.9. It has over 987,000 on it.

 

I loved my 2002 F350 also but just like you said it was getting too costly to maintain. The only issue I really had was no sooner than I plugged one oil leak another would start.
Couldnt stop the truck from running though, it was a great workhorse.

 

Lost the first motor at 363,000 miles and the second was getting questionable when I got rid of the truck at 507,000 miles.

 

There are low mileage older trucks out there. They are few and far between but if you have patience and time to search you will find them. I'd rather buy a 1998 Dodge with 150,000 miles for $10,000 than a new one for $45,000. Same goes for 1999-2003 Ford 7.3. Lots of trucks are not used for hauling , they get used by private owners for recreation, by municipalities for infrastructure maintenance , by tradesmen for bringing equipment and personnel to job sights.

I bought 4 Ford 7.3s in the last 3 years with between 90k and 150k. The one with 90k I waited for almost a year for it to come up in an auction, but I got it. It was my personal truck and still has the original engine and trans at 300k, 210 of that pulling 26k

Mitch

 

I hate to beat a dead horse but if you can get rid of it for 41k DO IT. The 6.4 is probably the absolute worst motor for this business, really bad mpg and when it brakes it will be very costly. Everyone drives a dodge in this business for a reason. On the trailer side, you never hear people complain about hauling flatbed, that's where the best options are.
And if I had to put everything in order, I would say: start your LLC, apply for DOT and MC, find a insurance company, get your truck and trailer, then buy insurance. Sure there's a other stuff in between but can't remember off the top of my head.

 

I think that might be a tad over exaggerated!

 

Yaa that was a big generalization. I'll say nobody drives a 6.4 powerstroke in this business for a reason. Better?