Matching Towing Vehicle and TT Beginner

cinker wrote:

Grit dog wrote:
I'd say you're on the right track and yes my reccomendation for a diesel comes with caution and not knowing your budget.
You talking new truck, 2 years old, or the best rig you can get for 10 grand?
Speaking strictly new or new ish, couple years old, all the diesels are solid. I have my preferences and they revolve around the simplicity of an inline 6. Hint hint.
But do your research, especially if going used. Lots of concerns between different models and brands over the last 15 years.

Thanks Grit Dog. yes, I was thinking of a F-250 or Ram 2500 say model year 2013 to 2015 with less than 100k miles. I would be interested in your input of an inline 6 although I strongly suspect its the Cummins RAM, am I right? :-). Thanks again.

You'd be right! My preference there is the simplicity, even in the newer models you're looking at. Any of the big 3 will be capable and reliable in the years you're looking at.
My simple take is this.
Ram vs Ford, chassis/body/ features are a wash. Ford gets the nod for transmission unless you go with the Aisin option or want a manual trans. Ram offers the only manual. Engine goes to the Ram for a couple reasons. Biggest one is a crappy exhaust brake pre 2015 on the Ford and the suspect injection pump, second is the simplicity of the 6 banger.
GM, IMO is the best well rounded package, save for the newer injection pump, same as fords. But with a Duramax, you get a proven drivetrain with little to no downsides. Dmax is the same basic drivetrain since 2001. (Techies, I know they've changed a bunch of stuff, but not as much as the other 2)

Since you're looking at DEF emissions trucks, Ram wins the emissions trophy in cold weather hands down. Period. This has nothing to do with my previous fondness for Rams, rather my experience keeping a large fleet of new diesel pickups, all 3 brands, running in the worst possible emissions torture conditions. All winter, North Slope AK, pretty much all idle and no load hours. Have a thread on it here if you search, but the Ram emissions, while not without its problems, had FAR less and more easily repairable problems. Something not many would experience unless you're running a lot in super cold weather.