I hate buying vehicles

[Pathfinder]

I wasn't sure from the OP if he was talking about hauling a trailer tank or having a bed mounted one. You are right, that makes a world of difference in what you can get away with. Ditto with the terrain. With the mud and slush you must deal with on the ranch in Dakota, the dually 350 would be a huge plus with a bed mounted tank.
FQ13

Who said anything about a dually? Duallys are a pain, more stuff to break. They are best for long-haul trailers, better stability with a loaded trailer, but not for rough or wet conditions, where they actually detract a bit.

I have a permanent 5th wheel ball in the bed, when I hauled water, I had to put the tank on a pallet. Fun with 3500 pound of water on a wooden pallet in a 1-ton truck.

Never had a problem - except for the 1 time where I drove it all the way from town (15+ miles) after filling it up with water, then let ex-GF run it into the pasture as I closed the gate. She ran it past the stock tank, up a small rise, and as she backed it down the tank slid off the pallet and rolled off the tailgate doing a slow-mo somersault over the valve/bung. I hadn't strapped it down, you see, but it even stayed put on the hill away from the water filler.

No damage to the tank, valve or bung, lost all of the water though, only damage was to the tailgate which developed a permanent squared-off U shape. The thin wire straps that held the gate to the pickup did not break, so the metal tailgate bent!

[Pathfinder]

I know that when I buy a vehicle 4WD is never even considered an option. If it's not 4WD, it's not even considered. I live in the middle of Wyo, and if you don't have 4WD, you don't move in the winter. You can get away with it in the cities and on MOST of the highways. However I have been on I-80 when 4WD was the only way I got home.

Chains help too, as well as many many 60# bags of sand!!!!! 

[JC5123]

Chains help too, as well as many many 60# bags of sand!!!!! 

I pretty much refuse to use chains unless I have no other choice. I used to use them all the time on hunting trips, but found out that they tend to do a lot of damage to your suspension.

[twyacht]

Don't know what your budget is, but a slightly used F-250 with tow package,...are all over the place.

http://www.carsforsale.com/used_cars_for_sale/Ford_F250

Will do everything a F350 will do, gas or diesel,....get the the trans cooler, if you can...If your plan is to haul "water/stuff" get something that won't sweat it..

Type in your zip, and maybe something is there that could help, I scanned in for a few minutes, and hell I'll take one.

[fightingquaker13]

Amen! Snow in Indiana,  I  bought the kitty litter. Still, I guess chains have their use for those of you who live in the tundra, but I think buying an agressive tire, even if it costs mileage and rides a bit rough is worth  the trade off. I've used Bridgestone Dessert Duelers in the past and been happy. I was recently persuaded to try a set of Kuhmo (sp?) Venture ATs and will post a report. They came highly reccomended and have a good bite. Road noise is ok, but I haven't gone out and gotten them really dirty yet.
FQ13
PS, my bad on the F-350 Dually thing. I read into it something you didn't write, but I thought that for the heavy hauling/fifth wheel configurations that that is the way they came.

PPS. Post a price and specs on your truck. The OP might be interested. Hell, I flew one way from Austin to Tulsa to buy my rig due to price and availability. The $99 it cost me to fly one way on SW Airlines was more than made up for by the savings. Plus, the parts girl who picked me up at the airport was very cute.

[Sponsor]

[Timothy]

rural IL + winter = 4wd very nice to have

Roger that....I'm back in Northern MA but I'll just plow through the crap or stay home...

[Solus]

Was driving through the Alps in December one year in a VW.....

I'd never seen mountains before and was awe struck at the sight of them...but all that snow piled up worried me so I bought a set of chains for the bug in Austria en-route to Italy. 

They really did a great job...I put them in the back seat and with that extra weight I didn't have any trouble getting to Italy and back.... 

[billt]

I found your truck! Bring money.....Lot's of it. Even the towing eyebolts are chromed!

[wtr100]

twyacht - I owe you a cold malted beverage!  I'd been plugging around a bunch of auto sites but www.carsforsale.com was easily the most extensive

I found an 1997 F150 with about 60k miles on it  for about 8k - 8-Cylinder 4.6L V8 SOHC 16V it's got an extend cab and short bed but the dimensions look like they'll work with the water tank.

Oddly it's older than the ranger I'm replacing

Going to see a guy about it - anything to look out for?     

[fightingquaker13]

Other than the obvious not really. If its been sitting awhile, as it probably has been with that low a mileage you might need to get new tires and maybe change some hoses and belts. But at  8K, figure $1k for good tires and alignment, and a couple of bills to replace the rubber and its still a good deal. I might slide underneath with a flashlight to look for rust. However if my '98 is anything to go by you should be happy with it.. I've got the larger V8 but I doubt that will make much difference in longevity or performance. Good luck.
FQ13