In the market for a new hd truck, coming from a tundra 5.7, pulling power was never the problem, but payload was once we hooked up the Outback 250rs, filled the 8' bed with firewood, grill, coolers, 4-5 bikes, 2-3 kayaks, 4-5 people, and 50lb dog...want to stay with a gas motor and don't want to spend much more than 35k, seems from the pricing I'm getting locally for each of the big 3, that the Chevy is the most expensive in the 3/4 ton gas powered arena. Stopped by a dealer today and they wanted 45k for a LT CC. Seems like the Ram and Ford are a bit less expensive.I've been looking hard at the ram with the 6.4, but still considering the 5.7I don't need leather...navigation and all that other crap. My Tundra grade truck has served me well for the last 5 years and never once did I wish I had more pulling power, leather or fancy this or that...I know there is going to be someone who says "go diesel" but I really have not want or need for the oil burner given it is my daily driver 95% of the time with no load on it. the 8k price of admission really kills it for diesel also...can't afford it right now...and you only really get half of that back on resale...8k buys a lot of gasoline!would love to hear from anyone who went from a Tundra (or any other 1/2 ton) into a 3/4 ton Ford or Ram gaser, and how much better the 3/4 tows compared to the 1/2 ton. I have no brand loyalty and think they are all pretty good these days.Any input is greatly appreciated

I haven't ever towed with a Tundra, but I am very happy with the towing performance (and everyday comfort) of my Ram 2500 with the 6.4L Hemi. My former tow vehicles were Cummins diesels.

ib516 wrote:I haven't ever towed with a Tundra, but I am very happy with the towing performance (and everyday comfort) of my Ram 2500 with the 6.4L Hemi. My former tow vehicles were Cummins diesels.Thanks for taking the time to document your 6.4 experience. your posts and videos are what got me thinking about the 6.4 in the first place.unfortunately my budget is holding me back a bit on the new trucks. Seems locally the Ram 2500 6.4 is going for about 36k +dealer fees OTD. Which got me started looking for used 6.4's and it seems they are hard to come by still being the 1st production year. there is a used 2014 5.7 at my local dealer for about 30k, but I'm not sure how a 5.7 with 3.73's will do for me? if the 5.7 will be fine I would consider that one since it has the coil spring rear suspension which should be nicer as an every day vehicle.Just about the only thing I didn't like about that used 5.7 was that it had the "cheap" cloth seats, which looked to be already all water stained. My wife pointed it out as her Pilot LX has the "cheap" cloth seats and suffers from the same problem. It is only thing she does not like about her Pilot and wishes she could change.maybe it's not that big of a deal since I use an orvis seat cover for the back since my dog frequently rides in my truck. Has anyone else found the seat material of the lesser trim packages stains easily?

I have a XL trimmed Ford and the Tradesman trimmed Ram is similar. I think there is better value in these trims than the ones that add 100's of lbs and 1000's to the price. If you do not have additional licensing costs, consider the SRW one tons that have overload springs and better tires. Otherwise they are pretty much the same as the 3/4 tons.I have cloth seats without staining but also have no kids to spill or drop things on them. Maybe seat covers or protective spray would work for you.

I have the 2014 Ram 2500 with the 5.7l and 4.10 gears. Plenty of power for towing my SC321BHTS and tows very comfortably. I had the F150EB SuperCrew. Love the change and am very much enjoying my truck. I bought the Tradesman with the Tow Package, Preferred Equipment Group, Tow Mirrors and Brake Controller for right at $31k.

ib516 wrote:I haven't ever towed with a Tundra, but I am very happy with the towing performance (and everyday comfort) of my Ram 2500 with the 6.4L Hemi. My former tow vehicles were Cummins diesels.I have to second this input.

From Tundra to which 3/4 ton | Good Sam Community

Bedlam
Moderator
Dec 28, 2014
My last two orders applied the deals at date of delivery and not at the time of order. If you fully prepaid, you could get an expiring deal otherwise it was not available later.
ib516
Explorer II
Dec 28, 2014
If you order, you get the best of the deals available at order time vs. deals available at time of delivery. At least that's what I was told when I ordered.

Maybe that sounds confusing. If the deals are better when you take delivery, you get to switch.
katoom400
Explorer
Dec 28, 2014
otrfun wrote:
katoom400 wrote:
here is the listing for the Ford in case anyone is interested:

2014 diesel

so I understand the possibilities of buying any used vehicle, and especially a rental, even with it still under factory warranty? I could also purchase an extended warranty??
Nice truck!

Have you looked under the hood of a PowerStroke yet? If you're into any kind of DIY it's pretty intimidating.

FWIW, I'd run the VIN (on any newer vehicle) at a nearby (Ford, Ram, Chevy, etc.) dealership's service department to see if there's any warranty history. Sometimes the results can be very revealing about why the previous owner sold it or traded it in.

If you're considering a 3rd party warrantee, read the very small print and check their "A.M. Best" rating. Pay close attention to "not covered" clauses, especially for diesels.

I took the DW to look at the Ford today...and of course it was sold yesterday!

the search continues...getting frustrated and might just place an order for a new 2015 ram 6.4 with all the options I wanted. at this point might as well wait another week and see what January brings as far as incentives.
otrfun
Explorer II
Dec 28, 2014
katoom400 wrote:
here is the listing for the Ford in case anyone is interested:

2014 diesel

so I understand the possibilities of buying any used vehicle, and especially a rental, even with it still under factory warranty? I could also purchase an extended warranty??
Nice truck!

Have you looked under the hood of a PowerStroke yet? If you're into any kind of DIY it's pretty intimidating.

FWIW, I'd run the VIN (on any newer vehicle) at a nearby (Ford, Ram, Chevy, etc.) dealership's service department to see if there's any warranty history. Sometimes the results can be very revealing about why the previous owner sold it or traded it in.

If you're considering a 3rd party warrantee, read the very small print and check their "A.M. Best" rating. Pay close attention to "not covered" clauses, especially for diesels.
katoom400
Explorer
Dec 27, 2014
here is the listing for the Ford in case anyone is interested:

2014 diesel

so I understand the possibilities of buying any used vehicle, and especially a rental, even with it still under factory warranty? I could also purchase an extended warranty??
goducks10
Explorer
Dec 27, 2014
I wonder where the term " Drive it like a rental" came from?
65aircooled
Explorer
Dec 27, 2014
FYI, A LOT of permanent damage to the drivetrain can be done if no proper break in is done in the first 500-1000 miles, specially with towing. I know my manual states that no towing whatsoever should be done in the first 500 miles...
rhagfo
Explorer III
Dec 27, 2014
FishOnOne wrote:
katoom400 wrote:
ib516 wrote:
Yes the Ford 6.7 has an exhaust brake.

The diesel will be a superior vehicle when towing duty is the only metric you judge it on.

I wouldn't be afraid of buying a 1 year old diesel. Check the hour meter. Most rentals idle a lot.

I plan on doing more camping this year with some longer trips, but for the most part it will be my daily driver ~70 miles round trip. I end up with ~20k miles/yr

In addition when purchasing any used vehicle review the maintenance records and if any repairs have been done to the truck. Also check the conditions of the tires. Sometimes the tires can be a tall tell sign on how the truck was driven.

What type of duty did these rental trucks perform?

Fish, you and I agree on this one, low mileage means nothing on a rental. Not needing to worry about Long term effects of driving hard, over loading, hard take offs, just general abuse are hard to tell.
Rich1961
Explorer
Dec 27, 2014
I just turned in a 2014 F150 from Enterprise. I was driving it while my 6.7 F350 was getting it's engine replaced. This F150 had a little over 13,000 on it when I received it, and the tires where pretty much gone when I got it, interior was filthy. You could tell the truck was used and abused. Really check over any rental truck you're considering to buy.
Rich
goducks10
Explorer
Dec 27, 2014
katoom400 wrote:
FishOnOne wrote:
katoom400 wrote:
ib516 wrote:
Yes the Ford 6.7 has an exhaust brake.

The diesel will be a superior vehicle when towing duty is the only metric you judge it on.

I wouldn't be afraid of buying a 1 year old diesel. Check the hour meter. Most rentals idle a lot.

I plan on doing more camping this year with some longer trips, but for the most part it will be my daily driver ~70 miles round trip. I end up with ~20k miles/yr

In addition when purchasing any used vehicle review the maintenance records and if any repairs have been done to the truck. Also check the conditions of the tires. Sometimes the tires can be a tall tell sign on how the truck was driven.

What type of duty did these rental trucks perform?

I don't believe there are any maintenance records available for these trucks. It seems Enterprise sells their entire fleet after 1 yr at auction and that's how every dealer in the area has one or two of these.

at least they are low mileage, but you have to bring it to a professional to find out if there was any body damage as rental companies are usually self insured and any work done will not show up on a carfax report.

I just can't figure out who is renting these? I mean you can't rent them around me, and if contractors are renting them you would think they would all be "work truck" models with vinyl floors and seats, but these are slt/xlt crew cab short beds?

My son just returned a Ram 1500 SLT after one months use because his Ram 1500 was in the shop getting body work done. He insisted on a truck for a replacement vehicle. Not sure which rental company he went thru. So that's who may be renting these trucks.