ToddD wrote:
JTrac wrote:
It took a few sleepless nights to convince myself to go with Ford as a long time GMC guy. Disregarding the difference in options, there are some differences in the 15 GMC Denali dually I traded vs the Ford. The Ford is noticeably quieter and the ride is better as it handles the rough bumps a little gentler. So far the mileage is about the same. It does sit taller by an inch or so but still fits in my standard height garage door. The one thing GMC has over Ford is its independent front suspension. Ford uses a solid axle and I can feel the hard bumps in the steering. That didn't happen on the GMC. I also think the brakes on the GMC are a bit more responsive.
So I went and test drove back to back an 18 3500 Duramax Denali Dually and a 17 F350 PS Lariat Dually a couple days ago.
Thought I was test driving the Ford just to cross it off the list. Still not a huge fan of the overly angular styling found everywhere from the body panels to the badges.
But I'm willing to look past those visual features because the electronics package blew me away. Besides the interior redesign they did in 17, which would have brought them close to Denali level, the electronics package put Ford squarely over the top.
Ride wise I found the Ford to be a tad rougher, even with only 60psi in the tires. And slightly louder under throttle. And seats were not quite as well padded as the Denali.
But driver functionality superiority is real, it's not just gimmicks and gadgets. Then I sat in a Platinum with the massaging seats. And I was sold.
Looks like I'm a Ford guy on my next truck.
And it made my 04 GMC Duramax Dually feel like a toy when I got back into it. What a difference in scale.
Confused on some options online. Camper package seems to add stiffer front springs on the DRW trucks. Why stiffer fronts? Seems like it would just hurt ride.
And from what I can see, massaging seats may not be available on Lariat package?
Same thing happened to me. The test drive just to check off the Ford didn't work out so well for my GM loyalty.
Don't hold me to it but I think the camper package only adds a rear sway bar and heavy duty front shocks to a dually as the springs are already upgraded. I think the ride on mine is significantly better than the 2015 GMC Denali dually I had, but that is subjective. You are right about the massaging seats. In the 17's they can only be had in a King Ranch or Platinum. The pricing on my KR was pretty close to the Platinum similarly equipped. Most Platinums had black interior and I really wanted the brown. I had decided to order to get what I wanted when mine popped up on a dealer website I visited regularly. It came in on a Thursday and I bought it on Friday.
For more information than you can stand go to the Ford truck enthusiasts forum, 2017 models, www.ford-trucks/forums/forum279. You can find the answer to most any question you may have.
