Late model truck for hauling a 5th wheel.

I also think that the seats and mirrors are more important than the badge on the front of the truck. After the new wears off, they all do about the same thing, but a comfortable seat on a 10-12 hour day sure makes a difference.

Thanks everyone and yes I know how guys are with their truck brands

"I have a 12,500 GVW 5th wheel and the pin weight is 3500+-."

OVER 28% pin! Or are you actually over 12,500#?

This truck in good condition with a 6 speed. GOOD LUCK!!!

I finally gave up and bought a 01 Sport 2500 4x4 Cummins auto. I paid 15k with 123k original owner well maintained miles.

I have a 12,500 GVW 5th wheel and the pin weight is 3500+-. I have pulled it with a 2012? 1 ton Ford Diesel, a 2016 1 ton Ram diesel, and the current Ram dually. I would go past a 2500. To me the Ford and Ram have different personalities. The Ford V-8 seemed to be a fast revving hot rod compared to the Cummins straight 6. I had some issues with the Ford. It would stall at the worst possible moment. Like pulling into heavy fast moving traffic. Dealer reflashed it twice. No hiccups from the Rams, other than a few recalls.

Yeah, my trailer is about 11,500 ready to camp and on the big passes I have to slow down and down shift. Everywhere else I just set the cruise on 70 and go. 7.3/6speed/3.73. It did take a lot of looking to find a crew cab with a standard transmission. I don’t think it is the best combination out there, but it is one of the best. If money were no issue, I would have a newer 6.7/automatic.

LanceRKeys wrote:
How far back are you talking and what is your budget? A ford 7.3 power stroke with the standard transmission or a dodge 5.9 with a standard transmission would be a good choice. I agree you are close on the 3/4 - 1 ton decision. I say go ahead and get a 1 ton.

I would agree on the 7.3, with the standard transmission, although probably few ,and far between with a standard tranny. 12K towing is right at the limit I would want to tow with a 7.3


I spent nearly 16 years with a 7.3, 350 automatic. CPS was an issue, the recall pretty much got that straightened out. Transmission HAD to have some extra cooling towing heavy, went with the 6.0 cooler

I towed four different RV's with it , not a problem until I reached 13K plus then thats where the lack of power of the 7.3 showed up. Just didn't have it here in the mountains of the west.

Most any of the current crop of diesels are good except for the Fords with the 6.0 and 6.4 diesel engines. These have proven to be troublesome as reflected by their low resale values. You do get what you pay for.
B.O.

How far back are you talking and what is your budget? A ford 7.3 power stroke with the standard transmission or a dodge 5.9 with a standard transmission would be a good choice. I agree you are close on the 3/4 - 1 ton decision. I say go ahead and get a 1 ton.

Define late model. If you're going newer than 2011 they are all pretty good. Prior to 2011 avoid the Ford diesels. If you're going way back avoid the Duramax from 2001 to 2004.5 the injectors were problematic. If you're going for a late '90s to mid 2000's Dodge avoid the automatics.
In my personal experience GM trucks have proven themselves extremely reliable. I don't buy them because I like the name, I buy them because they give good service in my business over and over again.