trade trucks or keep what I have??

[PHS79]

I am confused by what I should do. My parents just bought a 2007 28' Lexington B-plus (by Forest River), triple slides, 17000 miles loaded with extras. They got it for $38000, which I thought was a pretty good deal. Since they bought the B-plus they are going to sell their 2004 Jayco Designer series 5er.

Now is what I am having a hard time figuring out and want opinions on.

Being that they are selling their 5er dad doesn't need his 02 F350 SC DRW 4X4 7.3L PSD with only 65,000 miles which is in great shape and never driven in the winter. Dad mentioned about maybe trading trucks with me, I have a 2004 F150 SC FX4 with 56,000 miles in great shape and never driven in the winter. I was up for trading, just trying to talk the wife into it. Then my mom had said that since I only put about 3000 miles a year on my F150 (about 1/2 of which are towing) and dad only put about 1000 miles on his F350 (when not towing the 5er), she mentioned that maybe we should sell my F150 and keep the F350 then just "share" it (since neither one of us want to see the truck sold being a 7.3L with only 65000 miles and the condition its in).

So I am not sure what I should do...

Granted the F350 would be over kill for a TV for our little 7000lb 26'BH TT, but the F350 also wouldn't hardly know that the camper is back there. Plus if we ever upgrade to a larger camper then we would have enough truck for it.

[sherdep]

if it was me and you had the chance to upgrade to a bigger truck - I would upgrade - you will get better mileage with the diesel over all consistancy

dont know if I would "share" because if something was to happen to the truck then you would be out a TV

[Cajun Po-Boy]

Definitely go with bigger ( diesel) truck...you want regret it!

I bought a gasser to compliment a TT that I thought we'd never move up from...wrong!
I loved my GMC gasser but had wished I had sprung for the diesel version after we went fiver shopping to replace our TT. Since then I sold gasser, just went diesel and wished I had done it sooner...you have a good deal going to get into a diesel .)

[Herk7769]

From a liability standpoint it is never a good idea to loan your truck or car to anyone. Should they have a mishap, you will be "in the mix" if law suits arise.

From a view to asset protection, never loan a vehicle to anyone unless it is an emergency.

IMO, swap the trucks and count your blessings.

[SpringerPop]

Keep that 7.3 and NEVER look back!!!

Then go learn all about it over at FTE.

I LOVE mine, and hopefully will buried in it!

Pop

[EdJunior]

Yup...what they all said above. A low mileage 7.3L is something you shouldn't pass up. Swap with them and let them do something with the F-150 if they want.

[cyclepuck]

The 350 is the way to go for towing but doesn't make a good daily driver depending on where you live.

[GASPEDDLER]

Originally Posted by PHS79

Granted the F350 would be over kill for a TV for our little 7000lb 26'BH TT, but the F350 also wouldn't hardly know that the camper is back there. Plus if we ever upgrade to a larger camper then we would have enough truck for it.

Too little truck can be a problem, but I don't think anyone would have a problem with the additional towing, handling and safety capabilities the f-350 brings to the table. My current 350 is my TV and DD and I have never had any regrets heading into a 30mph head wind fully loaded down with kids and gear. The truck you speak of won't even break a sweat. I've had two 7.3 f350's, a 2000 and 2003 and I can tell you that engine is bulletproof and gets great mileage. Here's a pic of the 2000.

[FreedomTracker]

IMHO, the potential liability of sharing is too great. Trial lawyers make their living.on these cases. Collision protection is minor compared with $$$ at risk from liability.

In fact, may want to consider adding an umbrella policy for extra protection. I have also heard some attorneys recommend having each vehicle in a household titled in a different name vs. Joint ownership.

Good luck on whatever you decide...

[camper_Lucy]

Do the swap and tell the DW she can start looking at camper upgrades, she'll love you.

[PHS79]

Thanks for the input everyone!! Dad and I talked about it again today, we are not going to do anything right away. My wife is in China for 3 weeks for work, and I would probably be in the obituaries if were to do anything with out her knowing. But I may pick her up from the airport with the F350 just to see what she says...

The bad thing about me, I can't leave anything alone. I already have a shopping list of about $2000 for upgrades if we do the deal, wheels, trans cooler, T-stat, intake, exhaust.

If we did "share" the truck, we would title and insure it in my name since I would be the one using it probably 75-80% of the time or more. Then I would also drop the plates down a weight class, since dad has it plated heavy from when he used it for his excavating company.

We will see what happens...

[SpringerPop]

Don't be too quick to jump on the 203* thermostat hype. There are some downsides to it as well.

As I said, go check out the 7.3 guys at the link I previously mentioned. Good bunch of guys, and they are very willing to share the Collective Knowledge with others.

Pop

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by FreedomTracker

In fact, may want to consider adding an umbrella policy for extra protection. I have also heard some attorneys recommend having each vehicle in a household titled in a different name vs. Joint ownership.

This bit of advice saved my house 10 years ago in an "at fault" accident.
Car was in my name; I was driving; my fault.
I had a savings account in my name only (small amount of money - couple hundred bucks) (mad money)

DW car in her name, she had a savings account in her name only from an inheritance.

Everything else we have is jointly held. (House, main banking accounts, brokerage, etc)

While insurance was good to 100,000 (at the time) the person hit claimed she was injured so severely she could not work (headaches) (thought she had hit the lottery) and sued me for 5 million dollars. (damage to cars less than 3,000 dollars total and she was not wearing a seat belt)

When told that she could could not get my wife involved in the law suit because only MY assets could be judged against (not joint assets). (value of the car at the time of the accident and my savings account - they could have gone for attaching my income but I was eligible to retire. In PA they can't judge against retirement assets in a civil case) they settled for what my insurance was offering, TG.) WAY TOO MUCH IMO, but I was happy to have it all behind.

This could have turned out VERY differently if the car was in both our names.
As a joint asset; all joint assets would have been subject to a judgement (no "homestead provision" in PA so the house would have been on the table) if it went to trial and I lost (doubtful, but possible, as she would have sued in Philadelphia where everyone thinks car accidents are the way to financial security).

[Cajun Po-Boy]

WOW...thanks for that info, would have never looked at this that way!

[DF5.4]

I would swap for the diesel.

Then watch out for the strange phenomenon of the camper growing to the capabilities of the TV.