Need Truck Reccomendation

I have had all three,2002 Ford 250 4x4 srw, 2011 Chevrolet 2500hd 4x4 SRW & now 2012 Dodge Ram 3500 4x4 DRW, all diesels. All three are great trucks, but my current Dodge Ram is more solid and just that little better, well appointed, than the others.
Please go with DRW, get diesel, 4x4 and for towing a rear differential ratio of 4.1.
There are many things to consider. Take your time. Get vehicle with under 80,000 miles and check what it did and has it had regular servicing. Get engine, transmission, diff, brakes and cooling system thoroughly inspected by mechanic you can trust. Has vehicle had an accident?
What is the condition of body work, truck bed, mirrors & glass.
Good luck!

I wouldn't recommend a dually for the laredo. Laredo is 7' wide and you are gonna need swing outs plus a few inches of extenders to clear fenders.

With a GM diesel truck, there's only one gear ratio available: 3.73

If you want a GM gas truck, then go with 4:10 gears. Gasser = 6.0L in a GM truck for more recent trucks. There used to be an 8.1L but it was discontinued and I don't know what year that happened.

With a TC loaded and trailer in tow that is under 4000 lbs, any healthy gasoline engine should be able to do the job without straining. If you think you will be towing heavier or plan to spend some time in the higher elevations of the Rockies, get a turbo diesel.

The newer you go with your truck, the higher the GVWR for the same model. For example: My 2005 Ford was a step up from the previous years due to a redesign and is rated at 9800 lbs GVW and 23,000 lbs GCW.

There are large Ford and Dodge dealerships in my area. Are there specific axle ratios and engine sizes I need to be looking for OR staying away from? Again looking for late model or current model close outs if $ is right.

Thanks

Radio

If you are patient there are times when someone is selling a gas powered dually with a camper in place as a package deal. Someone is selling a Chevy with a Lance camper for a total of $18,000 on the Lance Owners website at this moment. With this kind of sale you have all the tie-downs and suspension mods and wiring in place which will save you time and money. With the poor fuel economy of these trucks with a camper the mileage on the truck is often unusually low.

They are all good, buy the one you can make the best deal on!

I love my diesel but I drove it every day towing and hauling for work and play. If I was buying a truck for only recreation and occasional hauling and towing I would get a gas engine. Especially with gas getting less expensive and diesel not dropping much.
I've always been a Chevy man and I've gotten near perfect service out of the 4 Chevy work truck's I've owned in the last 10 years. I don't think you could go wrong buying one.
I don't like Chevys from the '90s. When I wanted a truck then I bought a Dodge and I was very happy with it except for the automatic transmission being crap.
I currently work for another company and my work truck is a '03 Ford F-350. I hate it. It starts hard, idles rough, handles bad, has no traction, and no acceleration. I can't recommend a Ford to you. Especially not one with a 6.0 or 6.4 diesel.
Definitely get a dually whatever you buy. TCs are heavy! I drive mine almost every day, thru drive thrus at banks and restaurants, off road, etc. It does great. The length of a crew cab long bed is more of a problem than the width.

I have loved my 2011 Ram 3500 for hauling and towing our camper and toys. Diesel, Crewcab, dually, longbed, etc....55K miles and going great.

Honestly if I was you, I would go test drive all 4 brands: Chevy, GMC, Dodge/Ram and Ford. If you really might upsize your camper I would just be looking at duallies then...usually if you go in test driving new trucks the dealers also have a few newer used ones too.

I would further suggest if you can swing a new truck, pick one you like and do a factory order. That way you get what you want and need and not paying for stuff you don't want.