Tips on Buying Cars: Need advice, model gas engine, diesel truck

Question
This may be out of your area, but I thought I'd give it a shot anyway as I have been flip-flopping between alternatives.

First off, I can retire (early) six years from now, and the plan was to have all my toys bought and paid for, before I'm out of a job. My wife and I would like a travel trailer, and a truck to pull it, so we can “see the country” and what-not. We've got a trailer picked out, an Amerilite or Aerolite, I forget which, that is self-contained and fits our needs for now, but at some point, we might consider upgrading to a larger, longer, heavier trailer or fifth wheel. It's a possibility, but not a certainty. The trailer we're looking at weighs in around 3,500 pounds empty, and the wife's SUV is rated at 5,000 pounds towing capacity, so, SHE could pull it. My truck however, has the 4.9L inline six, with a 3.08 rear end. To get the towing capacity I need, I'd have to change out the rear end to a 3.55 or higher. That would get me 5,500 pounds towing capacity. We've recently sold our pop-up and have the money in the bank. I have my truck up for sale for now.

My plan was to take the money from both sales, and by a ¾ ton truck, possibly with a diesel. I wasn't looking at a NEW truck, but something in the $11K-$15K price range. For that money, I can only get a 1999, or possibly a 2000 model, with the diesel. A gas engine vehicle is about $4,500 less, so that would let me buy a newer truck for the same amount of money, but no diesel. I had wanted a diesel engine because they last much longer, and my thoughts were this is the last truck I'd buy. I plan on running the tires off of it. Plus, the diesel has more pulling power if we should upgrade our trailer at some point.

So here's my question:

1) Sell the pop-up and my truck; buy the older model diesel truck and pay it off; then finance the trailer we want and have that paid for within the six year time frame, or;
2) Sell the pop-up and my truck; buy the newer model gas engine truck and pay it off; then finance the trailer we want and have that paid for within the six year time frame, or;
3) Sell the pop-up; keep my truck but change out the rear end; buy the trailer (since both vehicles could now pull it), and worry about another truck (and maybe a bigger trailer) after I retire.

What are your thoughts? Any other suggestions?


Answer
Hi Bob
Yes your question is not my expertise , but since you asked for my thoughts here are some for you to ponder on

Re...# 1 question
There is nothing wrong with buying a diesel truck right now thats about 7 yrs old, however your long term plan is to have full benefits starting 6 yrs from now and will have a truck thats about 13 yrs old, i know diesel engine's are long lasting but there are many other parts that will have taken its toll

Re... # 2
I would choose this option over # 1

Re...# 3

For you to consider to change the rear end tells me you like the truck and its in good condition , cost factor comes into play as a concern...

SUMMARY
Bob... With the only facts to go with written in this e-mail here is what i would most likely do
I would not let transportation be a present factor for something to happen 6 yrs down the road
I would keep both present vehicles and buy the trailer and have it paid for by the time i retire
I would not consider having the truck modified as the SUV at present will take me on trips
I would trade both vehicles when i retire knowing i will get close to a current model year, and the # 1 factor  between now and retirement is paying out the new trailer and saving some extra cash to pay the diff from my 2 trades

My expertise is getting valid value when buying a car check out my website sometime  http://usedcartips.bravehost.com/
I will be interested to know which direction your head is going...good luck Bob
   Regards
     Ray