Diesel truck alternatives

[Night goat]

I want a diesel truck, 3/4 ton or larger preferred but they are so ungodly expensive...

My sailboat is a displacement of 6800lbs so fully loaded if say its in the 7500-8000lbs range... Its just under 28 foot and its a big 27 footer, dont have a trailer yet but thats in the works and i plan on having the boat for quite a while as ive fully rebuilt it and cant buy a better boat for the money.

This tow rig needs to be 4 wheel drive, have a decent cab, something that can haul good but also be a driver for longer trips and hunting and stuff....

Im not sold on a pickup yet and im exploring other rigs like vans, maybe convert an old ambulance to an rv, box truck, delivery truck, maybe a used semi, who knows.... What is out there with a diesel engine that would work? School bus? The idea of having a mobile tiny house and the boat on a trailer appeals as it would allow us to travel to areas we could splash the boat and go cruise. Some of the places we are thinking of checking out are the great lakes, Florida/Bahamas/Caribbean, Nova Scotia, Atlantic coast, maybe even south america

These are just ideas now but I thought id see what yalls could come up with

[Stein]

8k isn't a huge load to tow, you can easily get 1/2 ton trucks rated 9-10k which would do it, 2020 F-150s go up to 13,200 pounds.  A 3/4 ton for sure would handle it.

It also depends on what type of hauling you do.  I tow my boat primarily about 20 minutes to a launch down I-5.  That's much different than dragging it over mountain passes every weekend or up and down big hills.

I wouldn't consider a diesel for 8k.

[7mmfan]

I don't have any experience with rigs like this, but I've been researching because I will be due for an upgrade soon. I originally was looking at 3/4 ton diesels, but have since started looking at 3/4 ton gas engines instead. They are on average 10-15k cheaper, have similar horse power, just less torque. For something in the 8000# range, I think you're more than fine with a 3/4 ton gas engine, and like Stein said, even some of the newer 1/2 tons would probably do it just fine. If I was going to tow long distances though, I'd probably go with the 3/4 ton.

[stlusn30-06]

What is your budget?

[Night goat]

8k isn't a huge load to tow, you can easily get 1/2 ton trucks rated 9-10k which would do it, 2020 F-150s go up to 13,200 pounds.  A 3/4 ton for sure would handle it.

It also depends on what type of hauling you do.  I tow my boat primarily about 20 minutes to a launch down I-5.  That's much different than dragging it over mountain passes every weekend or up and down big hills.

I wouldn't consider a diesel for 8k.

Howabout this.....im a diesel mechanic and believe in the mechanical superiority of a diesel engine? In sold on diesel and nothings gonna change that.

My girlfriend is a chef and has access to a good supply of used cooking oil which you can run in damned near any diesel except the new common rails which I wouldnt advise doing but technically wouldnt hurt

There will be lots of mountain driving as my property where im going to build my house is on Stevens pass up by the ski area

I had a buddy make it to Utah in a school bus on 9$ of actual diesel fuel because they ran used cooking oil on the thing

[Night goat]

What is your budget?

Dont have one currently....thats why I made this post to give me an idea of whats out there

[Jingles]

I downgraded from a 1999 1 ton with a 7.3  with a little over 437,000 miles to a 2015 3/4 ton 6.7 Powerstroke  and with the newer one I am WOW impressed with the difference in power and ability to pull the grades.  One of the reasons I downsized was the cost of licensing the 1 ton verses the 3/4 ton here in WA.  With the newer trucks you're going to have to either cope with the DEF every time you turn around or do a Delete and if you live on the wet side forget that because of needing the annual emissions inspections  Doing a delete will run you just shy of $1700.00 for parts then the cost of labor unless you do it yourself,  the kit I got boost horse power from 440 to a little over 650 and no idea on the increase in torgue.
I understand that Ford is now putting Diesels in their F150's but as you stated new trucks cost an ungodly amount, darned near buy a house for the cost of a new 350 check for used but not abused 2015/2016 with the 6.7

[Stein]

30k GVWR, under 100k miles and only $5,500.  Plenty of room for living quarters, it's even converted to an RV title and comes with a Skoolie how to book.  It might need a hitch, but should tow the boat no problem.

https://skagit.craigslist.org/cto/d/mount-vernon-2002-thomas-bus-perfect/7186636180.html

[blackpowderhunter]

I downgraded from a 1999 1 ton with a 7.3  with a little over 437,000 miles to a 2015 3/4 ton 6.7 Powerstroke  and with the newer one I am WOW impressed with the difference in power and ability to pull the grades.  One of the reasons I downsized was the cost of licensing the 1 ton verses the 3/4 ton here in WA.  With the newer trucks you're going to have to either cope with the DEF every time you turn around or do a Delete and if you live on the wet side forget that because of needing the annual emissions inspections  Doing a delete will run you just shy of $1700.00 for parts then the cost of labor unless you do it yourself,  the kit I got boost horse power from 440 to a little over 650 and no idea on the increase in torgue.
I understand that Ford is now putting Diesels in their F150's but as you stated new trucks cost an ungodly amount, darned near buy a hose for the cost of a new 350 check for used but not abused 2015/2016 with the 6.7

no more emissions testing state wide.

[Fl0und3rz]

You sound pretty handy, especially with diesels. 90s era crewcab 1 ton, long bed, diesel, and work your magic. A camper set up can come later, if needed.

[Mudman]

GAs??  NO.  Long distance to florida will be a $$ load of gas used compared to diesels.  I just bought 2020 Ram diesel.  Awesome.  My old 2006 Dodge 5.9 was great as well.  I reccommend a older Dodge 5.9 with a manual trans if ya can find one.  mpg and reliability will be great and towing an 8000lb boat will be no issue.  I would not tow a big boat down freeway at 65mph with any light duty truck.  More to towing then HP/engine..

[300rum]

For those looking at a 1/2 ton versus a 3/4+ ton when towing, forget the power plant for a minute and take a look at the difference in the brake calipers.  1/2 tons are great for picking up a couple things at home depot for the apartment, they aren't built for serious towing.   

[Special T]

For those looking at a 1/2 ton versus a 3/4+ ton when towing, forget the power plant for a minute and take a look at the difference in the brake calipers.  1/2 tons are great for picking up a couple things at home depot for the apartment, they aren't built for serious towing.   

As some one whom has hauled  plenty of trailer miles i will agree that caliper size is important. HOWEVER, the trailer your towing over 6klbs is mandated to have some kind of trailer brakes. The only time my big  one ton disks got smoked was a heavy load and the e brakes went out. If i had an ehaust brake i would have been ok.

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[stlusn30-06]

What is your budget?

Dont have one currently....thats why I made this post to give me an idea of whats out there

Well. I know you're after alternatives, but I was in this position about 5 years ago. I ended up buying a 97 Dodge Ram 2500 with a 12valve cummins, mechanical injection, 4WD, Manual transmission. cost of ownership is minimal. Not cheap, not crazy expensive. I traveled to Idaho to get mine. I would've flown anywhere in the country for rust free, and I was after less than 100k on the odo. If you can find something that has been super well maintained with records, and not stored in the sun, I'd buy anything w less than 250k on it. Bullet proof. 22 miles to the gallon on flat highways at 60 mph. 17mpg doing 85 from Seattle to Montana.

[Special T]

What is your budget?

Dont have one currently....thats why I made this post to give me an idea of whats out there

Well. I know you're after alternatives, but I was in this position about 5 years ago. I ended up buying a 97 Dodge Ram 2500 with a 12valve cummins, mechanical injection, 4WD, Manual transmission. cost of ownership is minimal. Not cheap, not crazy expensive. I traveled to Idaho to get mine. I would've flown anywhere in the country for rust free, and I was after less than 100k on the odo. If you can find something that has been super well maintained with records, and not stored in the sun, I'd buy anything w less than 250k on it. Bullet proof. 22 miles to the gallon on flat highways at 60 mph. 17mpg doing 85 from Seattle to Montana.

I am a huge fan of the Dodge cummins, Ive owned 5 of them. the only problem with the older mechanical sticks is the 5th gear get pulled off towing heavy loads. I stripped it off 3 times before trading in on the 6 speed stick which is super, and I belive you could stuff one of those in an older dodge. 

Bang for the buck if you can re-purpose some kind of heavy diesel and have it registered as a recreational vehicle then lots of school buses, or military surplus vehicles could do quite nicely, but that is an investigation to Motor vehicle law than what kind of vehicle is best for your purposes.

Im imagining a a convered bus of some sort that has been modified to carry your sail boat. granted it would have to be slung on and off, but depending on how often and where it will be used may not be that hard to accomplish for a VERY reasonable sum.