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Tow Machine for Snow Machines


Teet F8SP
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Like most here, I'm getting excited for the winter to come and have some high hopes for a good season with epic snow!  

Have my eyes on a new sled for this year but a truck came first, picked out a new Ford F250.  There are some things I want to do such as better tires, tint, air ride for back, list is growing fast but really excited about the new F250 diesel coming from a bunch of F150s for many years.  Should make for a comfy trip to/from quebec with massaging heated seats if nothing else... ; )

Post up pics of trucks and trailers HERE as we all get them ready for the snow tow season.  

IMG_6963.JPG.d23c8fc98a089b3a1414aa2b92cadf47.JPGIMG_6962.JPG.ded1177e5b56d68af424640bccee3980.JPG

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Nice...Best of luck with her.

I too am in my first diesel - '16 - 2500 - Duramax - for a 2nd season. Nothing in comparison to a gas job - all muscle - no hesitation. 

Travel safe. 

Top to bottom  - #1 - Last week - Dec 2017  I was having the trailers wheel bearings serviced & 2 & 3 photos are from Winter 2017 :  ) 

Dec 2017 Trailer Wheel Bearings Repacked.jpeg

Winter 2017 .jpg

Winter 2017 Saguenay .jpg

Edited by nyskidooerinnewhampshire
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April 7, 2016 last truck in the corral at RDL. I use a 2003 Honda Pilot bought new currently has 143,000 miles and runs like a top. I pull a 2008 Triton 12' clamshell trailer. Now before you fall on the floor laughing I have had other members here chase me from the USA to RDL and were unable to catch me, that was a big Ford diesel. 😉 Actually have been truck shopping but having a hard time writing the check for somewhere North of $50,000 on a depreciating asset. 

That new Ford is quite beautiful thought. 

 

IMG_3776.JPG

IMG_3777.JPG

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Nice looking trucks Teet F8S + nyskidooerinnewhampshire!

No doubt that the GMC/Chevy2500s w/DuraMax and Ford F250s w/PowerStroke diesels are very nice tow vehicles but I would add some caveats:

  • Unless you are towing something bigger than a 2-place trailer (or a big boat/horse trailer/camper in the off-season) and driving more than ~25k miles/yr its very hard to justify the extra $$.
  • Diesels are built for big miles and unless you use it for that, you definitely won't see a benefit.
  • Diesels require different maintenance and care than gas engines and are best cared for by a mechanic with specialized diesel training. Modern diesels are fairly trouble free but when they aren't running right, most mechanics have no clue.
  • Lastly, an unfortunate fact is that these trucks seem to be a particularly high ranking target for auto thieves in Quebec.
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I was a Ford man (Powerstroke and V10) and decided to try a new Duramax 3500 HD.  So far I like it.  I need it for the boat more than the sleds.

smalltruck2.jpg

small2.jpg

Edited by Triggerhappy
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3 hours ago, vt_bluyamaha54 said:

Nice looking trucks Teet F8S + nyskidooerinnewhampshire!

No doubt that the GMC/Chevy2500s w/DuraMax and Ford F250s w/PowerStroke diesels are very nice tow vehicles but I would add some caveats:

  • Unless you are towing something bigger than a 2-place trailer (or a big boat/horse trailer/camper in the off-season) and driving more than ~25k miles/yr its very hard to justify the extra $$.
  • Diesels are built for big miles and unless you use it for that, you definitely won't see a benefit.
  • Diesels require different maintenance and care than gas engines and are best cared for by a mechanic with specialized diesel training. Modern diesels are fairly trouble free but when they aren't running right, most mechanics have no clue.
  • Lastly, an unfortunate fact is that these trucks seem to be a particularly high ranking target for auto thieves in Quebec.

Now that we've got that lesson out of the way..:lazy:

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1 hour ago, Phil 1 said:

I think he is trying to say go buy a Pilot. ❄️🌬❄️🌬

Hi Phil - There will be sticker shock when you look at a 2017 Pilot too since it will be ridiculously more than what you paid for the '03. All new SUVs + trucks are commanding crazy money IMO.

Bottom line is buy something you like and won't hesitate putting some money into after 3-4 years if you tend to keep a vehicle awhile. As you said, its a declining asset so you need to get something that makes you happy while all that money flies away.

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What I don't understand is when the price sheet on the window says 22 mpg and you hook on to a trailer and you get 8 with the gas 2500 and 1500 Chevy trucks. I owned ford 350 6 liter and towed  mini excavators and got 13 mpg towing and not towing anything. Wasn't bad. Upgraded to the 6.4 and got 11. Where is the 22 .

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Bought 6 months ago new 17' f-350 gas. Traded the old 350 with 285,000 miles diesel. Couldn't be happier with the switch. $9000 cheaper for the gas, a little less power but won't have to take out a second mortgage to get to 285,00 miles. Could put in a new crate motor for half of what it cost to keep the diesel running. Plus diesel here is 40 cents a gallon more right now        10 mpg  all day every day but I do have 35" tires on it. Same mpg with the diesel according to my buddys. Cant justify it, my 2 cents

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18 hours ago, nyskidooerinnewhampshire said:

Nice...Best of luck with her.

Thanks my wife always wonders why I call my truck "her" all the time, I say because she likes a good rub down too!! LOL

7 hours ago, Phil 1 said:

April 7, 2016 last truck in the corral at RDL. I use a 2003 Honda Pilot bought new currently has 143,000 miles and runs like a top. I pull a 2008 Triton 12' clamshell trailer. Now before you fall on the floor laughing I have had other members here chase me from the USA to RDL and were unable to catch me, that was a big Ford diesel. 😉 Actually have been truck shopping but having a hard time writing the check for somewhere North of $50,000 on a depreciating asset. 

That new Ford is quite beautiful thought. 

Thanks Phil! I'm certainly not going to try to follow you to RDL either! Slow and steady for me, until the sled is unloaded at least.

6 hours ago, vt_bluyamaha54 said:

Nice looking trucks Teet F8S + nyskidooerinnewhampshire!

No doubt that the GMC/Chevy2500s w/DuraMax and Ford F250s w/PowerStroke diesels are very nice tow vehicles but I would add some caveats:

  • Unless you are towing something bigger than a 2-place trailer (or a big boat/horse trailer/camper in the off-season) and driving more than ~25k miles/yr its very hard to justify the extra $$.
  • Diesels are built for big miles and unless you use it for that, you definitely won't see a benefit.
  • Diesels require different maintenance and care than gas engines and are best cared for by a mechanic with specialized diesel training. Modern diesels are fairly trouble free but when they aren't running right, most mechanics have no clue.
  • Lastly, an unfortunate fact is that these trucks seem to be a particularly high ranking target for auto thieves in Quebec.

Much appreciated, I spend a lot of time in the truck for work. About 55K+ miles a year and the diesel will hold the value better as I click off the miles.  

5 hours ago, Triggerhappy said:

I was a Ford man (Powerstroke and V10) and decided to try a new Duramax 3500 HD.  So far I like it.  I need it for the boat more than the sleds.

Very Nice Truck! 

33 minutes ago, Shore1066 said:

What I don't understand is when the price sheet on the window says 22 mpg and you hook on to a trailer and you get 8 with the gas 2500 and 1500 Chevy trucks. I owned ford 350 6 liter and towed  mini excavators and got 13 mpg towing and not towing anything. Wasn't bad. Upgraded to the 6.4 and got 11. Where is the 22 .

I think those window numbers are downhill wind at back numbers they give you on the sticker.  I averaged 19 mpg going from VA to CT this monday which was first long trip with it, cruise at 75mph most of the way.  About the same or a little better than the old F150 ecoboost.  

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It is hard for me to spend the money on a diesel. I have a 2001 Chevy 2500 with a 6.-0 gas. 328,000 with at least 9000 pounds in tow for most of its life, sometimes 13,000 when i pull the race car trailer. I put a trans in at 275,000 and later found out it was only the torque converter that was bad. Dad has a 2003 with close to 300,00 and never a big part changed. We have been through two ford diesels and both let us down.Now I have a 2015 6.0 gas and can't be happier!

Now some people have good luck with diesels. But I sure don't. Either way good luck with your new one. I can't say it doesn't look good! 

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19 hours ago, vt_bluyamaha54 said:

Nice looking trucks Teet F8S + nyskidooerinnewhampshire!

No doubt that the GMC/Chevy2500s w/DuraMax and Ford F250s w/PowerStroke diesels are very nice tow vehicles but I would add some caveats:

  • Unless you are towing something bigger than a 2-place trailer (or a big boat/horse trailer/camper in the off-season) and driving more than ~25k miles/yr its very hard to justify the extra $$.
  • Diesels are built for big miles and unless you use it for that, you definitely won't see a benefit.
  • Diesels require different maintenance and care than gas engines and are best cared for by a mechanic with specialized diesel training. Modern diesels are fairly trouble free but when they aren't running right, most mechanics have no clue.
  • Lastly, an unfortunate fact is that these trucks seem to be a particularly high ranking target for auto thieves in Quebec.

Agreed.....

I have an 800 mile r/t from home - NYC suburb - to camp in Pittsburg NH and the suburban was not cutting it as far as pulling the 4 place Blizzard enclosed Trailer....Loving the power :  )  - No regrets "yet". I only use the truck for same as we have other cars for everyday errands....

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20 hours ago, PLAYHARD said:

McLuvin me some Duramax (but no towing since the receiver got swapped for the rear winch)...

https://youtu.be/jUeCuI8owyA?list=PLKndPzj10DlPg-RsZv0BXe0EC__nAEeGo

 

WOW....Impressive but never in a million years would I "intentionally" put something I owned through that....

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22 hours ago, Phil 1 said:

April 7, 2016 last truck in the corral at RDL. I use a 2003 Honda Pilot bought new currently has 143,000 miles and runs like a top. I pull a 2008 Triton 12' clamshell trailer. Now before you fall on the floor laughing I have had other members here chase me from the USA to RDL and were unable to catch me, that was a big Ford diesel. 😉 Actually have been truck shopping but having a hard time writing the check for somewhere North of $50,000 on a depreciating asset. 

That new Ford is quite beautiful thought. 

 

IMG_3776.JPG

IMG_3777.JPG

I'm ready for you this year! Added another turbo just in case. 🤣🤣

IMG_20170803_164557715.jpg

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Phil

If Honda made a Full Sized SUV that could Tow  a 4 place, I'd be down with that. We have had Chevy's and I couldn't take the downtime\Warranty time. The Dodge has been good so far.( knock on wood).

I use a Honda Fit to commute to work, I burn 36-40k a year in it, I'm on the the 3rd one I think, 150k+ miles and turn it in for the next one. The only reason it ever went to the dealer was when I was viciously attacked by Deer and Rodents!

GutZ

 

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I was never a big Mopar guy and had many Chev's but in 2011 I bough a Durango and it surpassed my expectations until I kit 190K km and then had issues. Traded to a 2015 Grand Cherokee with the eco diesel. This is by far the best vehicle I've ever owned. I have 123Km and all I've done is change the oil and a set of tires. Everything else is stock. I drive about 50K a year and in summer its 8.6 l per 100 and about 9.6 in the winter. It pulls by 23' larson like nothing and fuel then is only 13.6 l per 100, triton style enclosed, same a breeze. I will but another but I am interested in the new Ford 150 diesel that will be coming. Apparently it will have about 3000 lbs more towing than the Ram

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