Forum Discussion

Jim_Carolyn's avatar
Jim_Carolyn
Explorer
May 24, 2013

Ford or GM?

I'm looking to buy a used truck for the purpose of utility and to place a camper on when we go camping. The truck will be a 1 ton (350/3500) crew cab, long bed.

I've been having trouble finding something decent but I did find a 2008 Ford F350 SRW King Ranch truck with a 6.4L diesel engine and 108,000 miles in super clean shape. I am told that this engine doesn't perform well in the city but does ok on the highway and does tow well.

I've always been a GM guy and don't know a lot about Fords - especially trucks. But, the Ford has a good looking interior - especially the King Ranch. Since it will be a daily use vehicle during the winter in addition to long drives on the road going camping, having a nice interior is very appealing. But I don't want that to cloud my judgement on buying a vehicle.

So, I need your help - GM or Ford and why?
Truck Campers

26 Replies

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  • skipnchar's avatar
    skipnchar
    Explorer
    May 24, 2013
    Both are nice trucks. Drive them and choose based on your NEED (making sure you have the necessary towing capacity, payload capability) that you need for RVing. Other than that it's pretty much a "you choose the one you like" deal. IF your choice is a model year that used the 6.0 diesel engine (and you are ordering a diesel) then the nod goes to the GM product. I'd recommend you AVOID the Nav Star 6.0 engine.
    Good luck / Skip
  • jimh406's avatar
    jimh406
    Explorer III
    May 24, 2013
    I'd consider gas as well. I wouldn't go for a 2008 and above diesel, due to the smog/DPF changes, unless you need a really new truck .

    One consideration is the camper you plan to buy. If you are talking SRW, only newer GMs come close to the capacity of the Fords.
  • Trackrig's avatar
    Trackrig
    Explorer II
    May 24, 2013
    Since you're looking at used trucks. I always drove Chevy trucks but when I was looking for a new used truck in the 2005 range, I switched to Ford because the cab was much roomier. I really felt closed in with the Chevys in that range.

    Bill
  • DWeikert's avatar
    DWeikert
    Explorer II
    May 24, 2013
    I did a lot of research on trucks before I bought my 2008 Duramax. As I recall, one problem many of the early 6.4l Fords had at the time was diesel diluting the oil in the crankcase supposedly due to fuel getting past the rings during a regen of the DPF. Check how long it has been since the last oil change and pull the dipstick and see if it looks overfull. That was one of the signs. One user reported when they went for an oil change the oil came out with the viscosity of water. I haven't followed up since I made my purchase so I'm not sure what fix Ford came out with. That said, with 108,000 on the clock and still running strong, this vehicle may not have that issue.

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