OK $20,000 to spend which diesel do I buy??

First topic message reminder :

(opens can of worms)

OK, so I'm getting a new truck.... and I have analysis paralysis.

I'm not an experienced truck / 5th wheel driver but I have my UK HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) license so I can drive what you lot call big rigs over here.

I'm going to be hauling a 31TS from the east coast to the west (not the one in my avatar - I just sold up to do an American road trip)... so has to be capable of hauling, um what, 15,500 lbs?

I have already figured out I want a diesel with the low differentials.... 4.1 in the case of Chevrolet.

I figure it is a choice between Ford, Dodge & Chevrolet.

I reckon 20k will get me about a 2002 ish model??

Also, does anyone know if I can just come in to the states and drive a 15,500 lb rig on my UK license or would I have to do some kind of test. I have spent hours Googling about licenses and it seems anyone can pretty much drive any RV? Doesn't seem right to me!

Dually or not? What are the pros and cons?

F250 / 2500HD seems to be the minimum??

What words of wisdom can you offer? Please help!!

when I Retire (at least I hope I can) I will be leaving it. My wife used to say she would not leave but she is slowly changing her mind. Don't know what state I want to go to but not ready yet to start looking.

31TS_in_England wrote:As an immigrant I am entitled to absolutely NOTHING for a minimum of 10 years.. so the fact that the state is broke means less to me than your average Joe.

I'm going to be making my own luck. One mans rubbish is another mans gold and all that...

I really do wish you the best of luck. California just isn't the land of opportunity that it was years ago.

I wasn't pointing out the problems in CA to say you won't be getting any benefits.... no one benefits from living there. Well, no tax payers benefit from living there. The state is broke, so that means more taxes to the residents - income tax, sales tax, property tax. All those taxes have a negative effect on the cost-of-living also, because the merchants have to get it back somehow. Will you be exempt from paying taxes for 10 years?

Well I'll tell you I moved out of Southern CA last year after 14 yrs there, so happy to get out. Back to your question though, I had an 03 Dodge, traded it for an 07 Dodge, worst decision I've ever made (not because the 07 was bad, it just wasn't as good as the 03), traded that for an 05 F-350, second worst decision. I'm looking to go back to an 03-06 Dodge when I can afford to cut my losses with this Ford. Good luck!!

Just bought a 2004 dodge 3500 cummins ho 600 for 15,000. Low miles. It pulls our 32 ft wildcat like a dream. 4:10 gear auto 4x4.

Great, glad to see you stayed away from the Ford diesel.
Congrats!

I pick up my 07 Silverado, with the Duramax and Allison.

Bary why. Ford diesel better than nay chevy diesel. The only one on top of a ford is a dodge.