U.S. Truck for S. America

[kiltym]

Wanted to illicit some opinions on a full size U.S. truck to travel through S. America with.

Looking at 2005-2007 GMC 2500HD (Duramax) and 2000-2002 F350 (7.3L).

Are both (or neither) easily serviceable down there? Ability to get parts, even simple things like filters, belts, etc....?

Basically looking for a truck for a truck camper that has the ability to spend much of it's time south.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. If this has been discussed before, I apologize, but hard to find threads based on this.

 

[phsycle]

The thread on this first page may answer some questions. This post I linked below, you may find helpful.

What's your ideal RAM with mods for overlanding with ~2000lbs payload?

Would love your suggestions! I'm looking for a capable reliable 4x4 RAM (either 2500 or 3500) dedicated for hauling my popup camper (Hallmark Milner) and other gear so payload will be around 2000 for camper and gear. The goal is an Alaska to Chile trip and eventually some other countries. This...

www.expeditionportal.com

“ I have done Tuk to Chile. Here my 2 cents:
Don´t take a modern diesel. I have seen lots of diesels with DEF and DPF problems, problems with the ECU at altitude and they are not used south of the US.
You don´t need an extremely capable offroad vehicle, any 4x4 truck in stock configuration will be just fine. It is difficult enough to find spare parts for stock vehicles, aftermarket is next to impossible. You should get shocks with lots of oil though because you will encounter lots of washboard.
You will have to replace your tires. Stay with a standard size otherwise you will have problems getting them. Huge tires look cool but good luck if you have to replace them down south.
Ford has the best network of dealerships of any North American OEM. The F 150 is the only NA truck sold in most if not all countries in Latin America. A F 150 with heavy payload package should have enough payload. A friend of mine has been on the PanAm for 5 years with a stock F 150 and and FWC Granby and had no issues.
Your gas tank should have a range of at least 500 miles, 700 would be better if you want to explore the Puna region in Argentina.”

 

[kiltym]

Thanks.

I agree anything with DPF and DEF is asking for trouble. Main reason I mentioned the years I did.

Seems Ford has the best network, will do a big more digging into this and see what I find. The F150 would not have enough payload for a camper in the back, so looking for something bigger.

Do folks know what the Chevy network looks like in S. America? And if so, are they the same engines used in the U.S.?

 

[Deleted member 9101]

Why not go with a 6.0 Chevy or a 6.2 Ford. They have plenty of power, damn near bullet proof, parts are common and they can run off of the crappiest quality 87 octane gas.

 

[phsycle]

Why not go with a 6.0 Chevy or a 6.2 Ford. They have plenty of power, damn near bullet proof, parts are common and they can run off of the crappiest quality 87 octane gas.

The only advantage of a diesel would be range. But like I said in the other thread, I would actually prefer a couple Jerry cans in the back. Gas engine would be the way to go for me.

 

[IdaSHO]

Yep, any of the big-3's current gassers would do you well, and be less prone to fuel related reliability problems than a modern diesel.

 

[kiltym]

Interesting.

So the more modern gas engines are common in S America?

I assumed going older, which to me means a diesel since older is usually higher miles, which then means old enough to avoid dpf/def, would more likely be supported down there then a 2015+ model gas engine....

Of course, price is also a concern as I don't feel the need to drive a $45k+ truck around in third world locations.

 

[phsycle]

Interesting.

So the more modern gas engines are common in S America?

I assumed going older, which to me means a diesel since older is usually higher miles, which then means old enough to avoid dpf/def, would more likely be supported down there then a 2015+ model gas engine....

Of course, price is also a concern as I don't feel the need to drive a $45k+ truck around in third world locations.

I’d venture to guess that you could buy a much newer truck with a gas engine than what those diesels cost. Plus, you get suspension, axles, etc with less miles and abuse. Engine is just one component out of hundreds.

 

[Deleted member 9101]

Interesting.

So the more modern gas engines are common in S America?

I assumed going older, which to me means a diesel since older is usually higher miles, which then means old enough to avoid dpf/def, would more likely be supported down there then a 2015+ model gas engine....

Of course, price is also a concern as I don't feel the need to drive a $45k+ truck around in third world locations.

Even an older diesel will have expensive problems with crap quality fuel. Their pumps and injectors have very little tollerance for dirty/poor quality fuel.

The gasser will also have a higher payload rating due to the motor weighing hundreds of pounds less.

Honestly, other than oil changes, any modern gasser will go years with out needing any attention.

We have a 2017 at work with the 6.0 in it and in 75k it's needed exactly 0 repairs. 1/2 of those miles were pulling a trailer at 70+ MPH.

 

[sg1]

3/4 ton or 1 ton trucks are not sold between Mexico and Chile. The only 1/2 ton truck available in basically all countries is the F 150. I agree that for anything bigger than a small pop up camper you need a 1 ton truck. All of them are very rare in SA. Get a good reliable truck and hope you don't need major repairs. If you do parts will most likely have to be shipped from the US.

 

[kiltym]

3/4 ton or 1 ton trucks are not sold between Mexico and Chile. The only 1/2 ton truck available in basically all countries is the F 150. I agree that for anything bigger than a small pop up camper you need a 1 ton truck. All of them are very rare in SA. Get a good reliable truck and hope you don't need major repairs. If you do parts will most likely have to be shipped from the US.

Thanks, this is helpful.

Basically, nothing bigger then a 150 is going to be supported anywhere. Are even the 150's the same truck/engine in the U.S. and south?

So the question would then come down to what is going to be easier to get worked on, something 15+ years old, or something newer. If we are travelling for 1-2 years, there will be a need to a part at some point. We can only carry so many spares. Certainly a newer truck should break down less, but anyway you look at it, it is a gamble. I assume an older vehicle will more likely be serviced down there, but maybe it needs to be 25+ years to fit that criteria.

Certainly reliability is key, but older vehicles can be just as reliable as newer ones.

Also, a few comments about dirty diesel fuel causing issues. Why would it be a bigger issue then dirty gas causing issues? Seems to me that dirty fuel would be bad all around, no?

 

[kiltym]

I’d venture to guess that you could buy a much newer truck with a gas engine than what those diesels cost. Plus, you get suspension, axles, etc with less miles and abuse. Engine is just one component out of hundreds.

That is not entirely true from my research. A search for the older diesels (the two I mentioned), easily purchased < $20k.

Newer (2015+), are going for more then that (~$30k+). I am sure there are exceptions both ways (see a Ford 7.3 asking $43k (crazy)), but I think financially either option is OK with me, but would prefer to have the vehicle that might get some support if needed. Which sounds like perhaps neither would.

 

[Deleted member 9101]

Also, a few comments about dirty diesel fuel causing issues. Why would it be a bigger issue then dirty gas causing issues? Seems to me that dirty fuel would be bad all around, no?

The direct injection systems in a diesel are very sensitive... Port injections on a gasser are very forgiving. They are also muuuuch cheaper to repair. Price both and see, direct injection pumps and injectors are not cheap.


If it was me, I would go with a relatively new crew cab, 3/4-1 ton, gasser and not worry. Look at how many of them are abused and neglected as work trucks and they keep running. The things that fail will probably be steering and suspension related...not engine or transmission.

 

[Deleted member 9101]

That is not entirely true from my research. A search for the older diesels (the two I mentioned), easily purchased < $20k.

Newer (2015+), are going for more then that (~$30k+). I am sure there are exceptions both ways (see a Ford 7.3 asking $43k (crazy)), but I think financially either option is OK with me, but would prefer to have the vehicle that might get some support if needed. Which sounds like perhaps neither would.

A 20k diesel is going to probably have lots of worn out parts on the truck...lol.

The new 7.3 from Ford is a beast...but you don't need that much power. A 6.2 would do just fine. If you get the STX package, you'll be out the door for under 40k for a brand new 1 ton.

 

[phsycle]

That is not entirely true from my research. A search for the older diesels (the two I mentioned), easily purchased < $20k.

Newer (2015+), are going for more then that (~$30k+). I am sure there are exceptions both ways (see a Ford 7.3 asking $43k (crazy)), but I think financially either option is OK with me, but would prefer to have the vehicle that might get some support if needed. Which sounds like perhaps neither would.

I wasn’t saying you need a 2015+. Merely saying compared to a diesel, you can get a much newer gas truck with less miles for the same price.