Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Keystone RV Forums > Keystone Tech Forums > Tow Vehicles
Click Here to Login

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 03-11-2019, 05:55 PM   #1
wiredgeorge
Senior Member
 
wiredgeorge's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Mico, TX
Posts: 7,392
Chevy C3500 DRW?

Currently have a 96 F250 crew cab with 7.5L automatic. It pulls my fairly small 5ver (27') pretty well but the stopping is another matter. Trailer brakes work fine but the rear brakes on my truck are drums and the front has newish pads but feel a little wooden. Truck tends to get a tad warm when negotiating a lot of hills and I don't think anything is wrong but you can tell it is working. My truck is VERY thirsty when towing and that is all I use it for.


Found a 97 Chevy C3500 dually with about 100K miles less than I have on my truck and has a nicer interior. Has about 150K miles on the clock and has the gas hog 7.4L engine. Tires are good and it has a gooseneck and towing brake controller. It has been well taken care of and there is a Carfax report showing this (no wrecks and regular service).



Should I pull the trigger? Can't afford anything much newer and only use the truck for pulling my 5ver for the most part. Will the Chevy be a better towing truck?
__________________
wiredgeorge Mico TX
2006 F350 CC 4WD 6.0L
2002 Keystone Cougar 278
2006 GL1800 Roadsmith Trike
wiredgeorge is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2019, 06:23 PM   #2
roadglide
Senior Member
 
roadglide's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: nm
Posts: 1,833
I had the 454 in 28 ft 79 class A back in the 80s with 400 transmission and 410 gears . I got 10 mpg . Latter on it was called the workhorse I'm thinking the 2006 the workhorse was discontinued and still sought after .
__________________
2018 1 ton 4x4 c.c standard bed GMC Denali
Anderson ultimate hitch
2015 311 Impact Fusion toy hauler
2018 Milwaukee 8 FLRTU roadglide glide ultra
2018 800 Z force spot BUGGY.
500 watts of solar enough power for boon docking.
roadglide is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2019, 08:06 PM   #3
MattHelm21
Senior Member
 
MattHelm21's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Sussex, NJ
Posts: 471
I had a 2000 Chevy CC Dually with the 454 and a 36 foot fiver at 14K lbs. If you can swing a slightly newer Chevy with the Allison transmission and 4 wheel disk brakes you will be much happier. I had poor performance from the trailer brakes at times and the rear drum breaks were not up to the task. I don’t think you will find that much of an upgrade from the Ford to the Chevy.

Our 2000 Chevy’s transmission(4L80E) started to have problems into its 4th year and we traded up to the Duramax Allison combo and that was a 12 year truck for us.
__________________
2016 Fuzion 414 Chrome
2016 Ford F450 Super Duty King Ranch
MattHelm21 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-12-2019, 10:32 AM   #4
wiredgeorge
Senior Member
 
wiredgeorge's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Mico, TX
Posts: 7,392
Can't swing a newer tow vehicle. Just bought the 97 Chevy C3500 with the funds I could afford. Only use it for towing and we generally don't go very far from home due to personal situation (mainly leaving 9 dogs and 3 cats with a sitter and one old 19 year blind chihuahua who we have to take with us as missus doesn't trust anyone else to keep her). Went ahead this AM and bought the 97 C3500.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	C3500.jpg
Views:	181
Size:	64.6 KB
ID:	20731  
__________________
wiredgeorge Mico TX
2006 F350 CC 4WD 6.0L
2002 Keystone Cougar 278
2006 GL1800 Roadsmith Trike
wiredgeorge is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-12-2019, 12:00 PM   #5
ADQ K9
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Anchorage
Posts: 605
Definitely more rubber on the road looks nice, and I am sure there is a disc brake conversion kit out there for the rear if you so desire and funds are available.
__________________
Mike
2016 Ford F350 CC 6.7 4x4 SRW (Ghost Rider)
2017 Cougar 29 RKSWE (The Tumble Weed)
Connected by a Curt 15K WDH W/Sway Control
ADQ K9 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-12-2019, 01:35 PM   #6
66joej
Senior Member
 
66joej's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: radium hot springs bc
Posts: 2,007
Nice looking truck George.
__________________

2018 Ram 3500 6.4 Harvest Edition
2018 Cougar 27RESWE
66joej is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-12-2019, 03:10 PM   #7
notanlines
Senior Member
 
notanlines's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Germantown, TN
Posts: 6,306
Good move, George! (It is NEVER wise to move up to more than one can reasonably afford) And it looks like someone took pretty good care of her. I also like what was said about the disk brake conversion when you can swing it.
__________________
Jim in Memphis, Wife of 51 years is Brenda
2019 F450 6.7 Powerstroke
2018 Mobile Suites 40RSSA
2021 40' Jayco Eagle
2001 Road king w/matching Harley sidecar
2021 Yamaha X2 Wolverine 1000
notanlines is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-12-2019, 06:04 PM   #8
5J's
Senior Member
 
5J's's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Schulenburg
Posts: 1,164
Nice looking truck. I don't think you'll have any towing issues with the 454, stopping.....that may be a whole different issue.
__________________
Joey

2017 Hideout 308BHDS

2006 F-350 6.0L PSD CC 4X4
5J's is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-12-2019, 06:32 PM   #9
travelin texans
Senior Member
 
travelin texans's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Picacho, Az
Posts: 6,809
Good looking old truck! Nice upgrade.
__________________
Full-timed 10+ years
Sold '13 Redwood FB
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Replacement undetermined
travelin texans is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-12-2019, 07:24 PM   #10
PARAPTOR
Site Team | Emeritus
 
PARAPTOR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Western PA
Posts: 2,732
Congrats, you are going to notice the more rubber on the road. Good looking TV

Be Safe and Happy Camping
__________________
2013 RAPTOR 300MP w/Rear Patio Deck NO Folding Side Ladder
2013 Silverado 3500HD LTZ CC LB 4X4 DRW
Duramax 6.6L Turbo Diesel; Allison Trans
Reese 20K; Carlisle Radial Trail RH/HD; TPMS (12 Tires)

Veteran


PSU (GO LIONS)
PARAPTOR is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-16-2019, 03:39 PM   #11
wiredgeorge
Senior Member
 
wiredgeorge's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Mico, TX
Posts: 7,392
The ol' F250 was sold today after a full day on the market. Sold it through my missus Facebook account (I don't have one). I did open an account on Letgo.com and there was quite a bit of interest and would have sold it through that site in another day or so. I also had it on CL and lordy, the scammers were out like skeeters on a stagnant mud puddle. If someone asks "is it still available" and then wants a car report, it is a SCAM. On a 1996 pickup? Really? And when you call back on a text message query, you usually will get "the google voice subscriber is not available..." They do this to hide behind a bogus phone number. Geesh. Anyway, it was over quick so all is good.
__________________
wiredgeorge Mico TX
2006 F350 CC 4WD 6.0L
2002 Keystone Cougar 278
2006 GL1800 Roadsmith Trike
wiredgeorge is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-17-2019, 05:13 AM   #12
5J's
Senior Member
 
5J's's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Schulenburg
Posts: 1,164
Congrats. Those OBS are really popular. I had mine sold before it was for sale. '97 F350 4X4 SRW with the 7.3. I sold it with the understanding that I get first right to buy it back.
__________________
Joey

2017 Hideout 308BHDS

2006 F-350 6.0L PSD CC 4X4
5J's is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-28-2019, 11:43 AM   #13
mikz86ta
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Davie
Posts: 331
Good looking truck. Love those older CK trucks!
I would get a trans service, get a bigger trans cooler, add a trans temp gague and a deep pan.
Gague is easy install and cheap.
Pan and cooler are more expensive but worth the investment for towing.
Probably service the differental (s) and transfer case of applicable.
Brake upgrades aren't cheap but are possible. SSBC may have a front kit to increase rotor size and caliper size. Rear disc conversion or get some better quality towing rated compound pads. Powerstop or StopTech may have something.

Otherwise the 454 is strong for a gasser, uses alot of fuel, and is fairly cheap to rebuild down the road.
mikz86ta is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-28-2019, 11:46 AM   #14
mikz86ta
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Davie
Posts: 331
https://www.circletracksupply.com/eg...ruman-van.html

https://lugnut4x4.com/product/14-bol...onversion-kit/

Look at also Blackbird DRW disc conversion
mikz86ta is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-28-2019, 01:49 PM   #15
Northofu1
Senior Member
 
Northofu1's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Markham, Ontario
Posts: 1,942
Good looking truck George.
__________________
Dan & Serena

2019 GMC SIERRA 2500 HD SLE
2015 Cougar X-Lite 29 RET
Northofu1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-28-2019, 02:18 PM   #16
Frank G
Senior Member
 
Frank G's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Dade City
Posts: 1,039
In our neck of the woods a 21 yr old truck like yours would be pure junk due to the salt and chemicals they use on the roads. Yours is a nice looking truck and should serve you well.
__________________
2021 Surveyor Legend 19rble
2017 Laredo 325RL
Travelers Rest Resort
www.travelersrestresort.com
Frank G is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-28-2019, 02:20 PM   #17
Laredo Tugger
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: South US
Posts: 712
Nice TV George.
For the towing you plan, that truck will be perfect.
I recently sold a boat on CL and listed on a few other sites. I had the "I will pay full price" people a few times myself. Wanted me to take the ad down and accept, a cashiers check or Pay Pal. I checked with my bank prior to listing and they said cold hard cash or wired funds (to my account) were the only sure bets for a legitimate transaction. They added that even certified cashiers checks were being fraudulently passed.
Bunch of sorry sacks of crap duping good folks every day.
Just a word of caution to anyone on here selling anything. Be careful.
RMc
__________________
2018 Ram 3500 SRW Aisin Trans. HO CTD
Air Lift Bags -Curt 16K Slider Hitch
2017 Laredo 350 FB
Laredo Tugger is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-28-2019, 07:49 PM   #18
cookinwitdiesel
Senior Member
 
cookinwitdiesel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Fairfax
Posts: 507
Quote:
Originally Posted by Laredo Tugger View Post
Nice TV George.
For the towing you plan, that truck will be perfect.
I recently sold a boat on CL and listed on a few other sites. I had the "I will pay full price" people a few times myself. Wanted me to take the ad down and accept, a cashiers check or Pay Pal. I checked with my bank prior to listing and they said cold hard cash or wired funds (to my account) were the only sure bets for a legitimate transaction. They added that even certified cashiers checks were being fraudulently passed.
Bunch of sorry sacks of crap duping good folks every day.
Just a word of caution to anyone on here selling anything. Be careful.
RMc
Money orders from USPS are usually reliable no? But have a limit of $2000 each so you may need multiple depending on the transaction.
__________________
2019 GMC Sierra 3500HD Denali Diesel DRW (Crew Cab | 8 Ft bed | OEM Puck System | Curt Gooseneck Ball for OEM Puck)
(OLD) 2018 GMC Sierra 2500HD Denali Diesel (Crew Cab | 6.6 Ft bed)
2019 Grand Design Solitude S-Class 3740BH-R Fifth Wheel (Onan 5500W LP Generator | MORryde SRE4000 Suspension | 3x Cross Members | Sailun S637 ST | Reese GooseBox 20k 2nd Gen)
(OLD) 2018 Keystone Hideout 28RKS Travel Trailer
cookinwitdiesel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-30-2019, 03:25 PM   #19
wiredgeorge
Senior Member
 
wiredgeorge's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Mico, TX
Posts: 7,392
Turned out, the C3500 deal fell through. Dealer was on the hook to fix a leaking exhaust manifold and a big of sag in the headliner. This process drug on to the point where I got my deposit back and bought a 2006 F350 crew cab 4x4 with 6.0L and automatic long bed. Only has 140K miles and no check engine lights. The truck had an EGR delete but the cooler was not blocked off properly and I am going to fix that next week. Had a 12-13 year old gooseneck kit installed and no ball but I eventually found one. Need a couple of tires and a few small things to take care of but the truck is pretty sweet and runs like a dream.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	F350.jpg
Views:	146
Size:	174.3 KB
ID:	21133  
__________________
wiredgeorge Mico TX
2006 F350 CC 4WD 6.0L
2002 Keystone Cougar 278
2006 GL1800 Roadsmith Trike
wiredgeorge is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-30-2019, 05:08 PM   #20
5J's
Senior Member
 
5J's's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Schulenburg
Posts: 1,164
With all the right work done on that thing you'll love it. I've got the same basic truck.
__________________
Joey

2017 Hideout 308BHDS

2006 F-350 6.0L PSD CC 4X4
5J's is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Keystone RV Company or any of its affiliates in any way. Keystone RV® is a registered trademark of the Keystone RV Company.


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 02:02 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.