Building a Dodge, oops, Ford TV

Can't find diesel? Where the heck are they towing? Loads of options for increasing fuel capacity if you really are paranoid.

"we have friends who tow with a diesel, and they have told her that they have had trouble finding diesel on the road."

Sounds like "justification" for not spending the $$$ on a Diesel truck.

Well, I've settled on a F-550 dually and will reinforce the frame. Just kidding. DW won't get a diesel because we have friends who tow with a diesel, and they have told her that they have had trouble finding diesel on the road. I have tried to allay that fear, to no avail.

I built a spreadsheet with differences in all of the big 3 and Toyota, listing MSRP, Payload, Tow limit, MPG and axle ratio. So, I am looking at payload. I just don't need a huge payload. We bought a Winnebago Class C 10 years ago and have loved it. We are now downsizing and plan to keep the Airstream till we quit RVing, then passing it down to Daughter #2. So we don't need to get enough truck for our "next" trailer.

And, I will call it a Dodge if I want to! :p

Take DW to go listen to a new diesel and sit outside the exhaust and breathe. They are not as loud or smelly as they once were.

Well, I NEEDED a sw 3500 with spouse 4 kids 2 150 lb Alaska malamutes, rack, canoe etc to tow a 6500-7000 lb loaded 24' trailer! Loaded 3000 lb onto empty truck weight! OP probably does not need a 35 series truck. BUT if he loads up a canopy, canoe, or other topper style boat, generator etc into bed, along with 700-800 potential lbs of hitch weight, he may very.well have 2000 lbs added to base weight of truck, as I would. A base gvwr 15 series will have pulling power, not so sure about payload capacity.....so a 25 be it an LD or typical HD 25 series might be better option. Also depends on cab style too.
So for most of us, we need to look at payload requirements, NOT series of truck. My regular cab 2500 has 300 lbs less payload per door sticker than my dually crew cab, along with 1200 MORE lbs of payload than the sw cc truck before that. There are some of the 7700 gvwr reg cab f150s with more payload than a diesel cc f250!
OP needs to think about payload needs along with HP gearing needs. Something many forget including myself once or twice.
Marty

Yes to the 3.92 and anti-spin, no to the 4 corner air suspension unless you live where it never gets below freezing. The system gives too much trouble IMO. A Hemi powered 1500 RAM will be a great match for the trailer you plan on towing. Nothing wrong with the Ford either though.

If ordering a 1500/150 IMHO you are PIZZING in the wind!!! Get more truck than you need especially towing a TT.

BYW they are called RAM's since 2013.

Bobbo wrote:
I will try to answer the questions.

Ram 1500 or F-150 towing an Airstream Flying Cloud 23FB with 6000 pound GVWR and 4806 pound dry weight with LP and batteries and 467 pound dry hitch weight with LP and batteries. Reese WDH/sway control.

RAM will have 5.7l V8 Hemi with 3.92 axle, F-150 will have 3.5l EcoBoost V6 with 3.55 axle. DW won't agree to diesel.

Family is just DW, me and a 40 pound dog.

Ford has several things RAM doesn't that I would like, but if priced too high, DW won't go for it. The Ford MSRP is 25 percent higher than the RAM MSRP. I am expecting an offer from Ford today, and will be going to Dodge Monday to get an offer.

Either would tow that trailer well. It's silly how these threads inevitably end up with people recommending a 1 ton truck to tow a 23' long 4800/6000 lb Airstream. My personal opinion is that Ford makes the best half ton and they have for quite a few years. My buddy just picked up his third Ecoboost and it's the new 3.5 with the 10 speed and it's a really nice ride, with the one caveat that the bed and siding feels pretty wimpy. That caveat aside it's a really nice truck. MSRP doesn't really matter, just shop around for the best deal and don't be afraid to hit up multiple dealers because pricing varies a lot.

In the heavy duty world I favor the Ram because of the Cummins factor, but if I were buying a half ton I think the F150 is the way to go right now.

blt2ski wrote:
Skip the 1500 150 option and go with a 25 series if you will be towing over 6-7K lbs or anykind of 5w. You will not have the payload. Power yes, payload NO! Get heaviest gvwr option you can, ie 7200-8400 in a 15 series.

LS yes, air no.

Marty

Skip the 1500/150/2500/250 and get a SRW 3500/350, then you will be ready for the following two larger trailers.

BTW, Dodge has not built a pickup since 2010 or so. RAM is it's own division. Chris

I will try to answer the questions.

Ram 1500 or F-150 towing an Airstream Flying Cloud 23FB with 6000 pound GVWR and 4806 pound dry weight with LP and batteries and 467 pound dry hitch weight with LP and batteries. Reese WDH/sway control.

RAM will have 5.7l V8 Hemi with 3.92 axle, F-150 will have 3.5l EcoBoost V6 with 3.55 axle. DW won't agree to diesel.

Family is just DW, me and a 40 pound dog.

Ford has several things RAM doesn't that I would like, but if priced too high, DW won't go for it. The Ford MSRP is 25 percent higher than the RAM MSRP. I am expecting an offer from Ford today, and will be going to Dodge Monday to get an offer.