2 years of changes:
My beloved compound turbo Cummins and a 11 year old PJ buggy trailer for day trips:
The addition of a dirt cheap toy hauler:
The realization that monster turbos / fuel along with a garbage transmission make for a miserable heavy tow vehicle in the mountains .... a better suited tow pig (HOURS of cleaning vehicles after this trip 😬):
A year of trips w/ the toy hauler, loved the F-350 but despised the toy hauler. Complete PIA loading / unloading 2 machines and provisions for 6 for a week.
Made a change 8 months ago:
The coach and buggy trailer combination works great for our "Brady Bunch" family. We even take it out on day trips.
-The PJ trailer: I assisted my best friend find it brand new in 2009. I don't believe he put 3,000 road miles on it. 2 years ago, he made me a sweet deal on it. I put 4 new tires on it and upgraded all the lights to LED. Been a great trailer. It now hauls 3 dirt toys as we just added a KLX 140.
-The toy hauler: a year, 6 trips... I had enough. Sold it, came out very nicely. No issue pulling it and the F-350 proved to be a VERY capable tow pig. Looked seriously at new toy haulers (Genesis, Eclipse, Pacific Coach Works). Between the PIA load / unload processes and lack of build quality vs cost, we went with an older coach. Plus the coach is a much better traveling platform with her special needs daughter (who loves to ride in the Pioneer
) .
-The Dodge.. I could have thrown a LOT more $$$$$ at it (air bags, Gear Vendors, exhaust brake, better programming..etc) but after 9 years of $$$$$$ and still a small cab it was time. Sold it to my son, made him a sweet deal on it.
-The F-350: still have it, still love it. It's my glorified grocery getter... 😂 ..
-Fuel economy.. 🤣🤣🤣🤣