The time has come for us to start considering a new tow vehicle. So, asking for your thoughts.We currently have a 3500 Chevy diesel. Nothing is wrong with the truck, except it's aging. The body is showing signs of wear (fiberglass cracks) and rust beginning for form at the bottom of the door. I've checked with a couple body shops and they both seem to agree it's not worth fixing. I think it is, but they don't want to be liable when rust begins for form again. Our work situation is changing also. We were considering getting a 3rd vehicle, a small car, but we both think replacing the truck makes better sense, and having only 2 vehicles.So. Here's what I'd prefer to do, but do value everyone's opinion. I'm not asking for a tow vehicle war (well, maybe I am), just your thoughts, what's good, what's not so good?I'd like to stay with a 3500 Chevy Diesel Dually 4 full door, 8 foot long bed and go brand new? (what can I expect from today's models and why is a different brand better) ...So .... what's your thoughts? Let the "war" begin!

DutchmenSport wrote:The time has come for us to start considering a new tow vehicle. So, asking for your thoughts.We currently have a 3500 Chevy diesel. Nothing is wrong with the truck, except it's aging. The body is showing signs of wear (fiberglass cracks) and rust beginning for form at the bottom of the door. I've checked with a couple body shops and they both seem to agree it's not worth fixing. I think it is, but they don't want to be liable when rust begins for form again. Our work situation is changing also. We were considering getting a 3rd vehicle, a small car, but we both think replacing the truck makes better sense, and having only 2 vehicles.So. Here's what I'd prefer to do, but do value everyone's opinion. I'm not asking for a tow vehicle war, just your thoughts, what's good, what's not so good?I'd like to stay with a 3500 Chevy Diesel Dually 4 full door, 8 foot long bed and go brand new? (what can I expect from today's models and why is a different brand better) ...So .... what's your thoughts? Let the "war" begin!No war from me, but if you want to stay away from a RAM, don't test drive one, totally convinced a week ago after test driving the new Duramax that was the truck. Test drove a RAM, and the rest is history never gave that Chev a second look.They all are very nice trucks My previous truck was an 99 Superduty 7.3 nearly 16 years of ownership, The new fords did nothing for me, probably the 16 years with one . Needed a change.

I'll throw the first punch in the this truck smack down.My opinion: brand new 3500 Chevy Diesel Dually 4 full door, 8 foot long bed, highest trim line with all available bells and whistles.

GM is running on an aging design and won't have the new body style until 2015 models. Ford must be due for redesign in the next couple of years. Ram is very new and has probably the nicest and Roomiest interior on the market today. They also have the highest towing ratings out there for 3500 dually But any of them will be a decent towing platform. I suggest you go out, drive all of them hopefully all on the same day and over similar roads. Then using that information, pick the one you like the best and can get the best price on.

I hear you but the EPA requirements on the new trucks still makes me nervous. It's not a brand thing but a EPA thing. The diesel engine was a pretty reliable engine until the EPA, now most of the time we send a truck (class 8)to the shop it's regen system related. Seems like 9 out of 10 times and fixing regen systems is expensive.Like the Chevy trucks, heck my paycheck comes from hauling their parts. RAM 3500 is coming out with air ride rear axle which is about time. I'm sure the others will soon follow. Personally, I always seem to seem to end up in a Ford truck.I own 3 vehicles. My F350 is just to tow my 5er. If you don't have any payments I'd hang onto the truck, find the car you like and wait a couple of years to see what happens in the "truck wars". Give them a chance to get some of the bugs out of the EPA restricted diesel. IN registration is like $120 a year and insurance is also pretty cheap on it cause it's not listed as a daily drive.Good Luck.

DutchmenSport wrote:The time has come for us to start considering a new tow vehicle. So, asking for your thoughts.We currently have a 3500 Chevy diesel. Nothing is wrong with the truck, except it's aging. The body is showing signs of wear (fiberglass cracks) and rust beginning for form at the bottom of the door. I've checked with a couple body shops and they both seem to agree it's not worth fixing. I think it is, but they don't want to be liable when rust begins for form again. Our work situation is changing also. We were considering getting a 3rd vehicle, a small car, but we both think replacing the truck makes better sense, and having only 2 vehicles.So. Here's what I'd prefer to do, but do value everyone's opinion. I'm not asking for a tow vehicle war (well, maybe I am), just your thoughts, what's good, what's not so good?I'd like to stay with a 3500 Chevy Diesel Dually 4 full door, 8 foot long bed and go brand new? (what can I expect from today's models and why is a different brand better) ...So .... what's your thoughts? Let the "war" begin!I'm looking hard at a new truck myself right now, mostly because the truck in my sig has hit 161K and I constantly worry when traveling about having an issue. It's been a VERY good truck to me over the last 4 years, but that's mostly because I've fixed a lot of the known issues. A close friend was turning the wrenches, so it basically only cost me the price of the parts to fix.Anyways, I'm looking at the 2015 Chevy and 2014 Ram. Staying with a 3500 dually, LTZ or Laramie, depending on brand.DW and I have fallen in love with the Ram. We haven't driven a Chevy yet, but everything we've seen about both of them is that they're pretty comparable with mostly brand loyalty providing the difference. We're leaning towards the Ram mostly because we think we can get a significantly better deal on that versus a new body style Silverado. We'll probably order a Ram this week from our local dealer.I was never a Ram fan before because the interiors were just horrid in my opinion. That has changed. They've come a very long way and have arguably the best interiors now with a ton of creature comforts, depending on the level you're looking at.I know you're partial to Chevy, and I get that, but do yourself a favor and at least look at the new Rams. You might be surprised and might save yourself quite a bit of money.Just my $.02.Good luck with your search!

Never thought I'd be asking this question ... but?

49 Replies

jevanb
Explorer
Mar 26, 2014
v10superduty wrote:

If you have been "VERY" satisfied with "a" particular brand why would you switch over a price difference that could really be negligible?
This is something you will probably have for 5 to 10 yrs so even an extra couple thou is only $16 - $33 a month

I pay cash for my vehicles so I have to save, and when I bought my GM diesel I paid 35k OTD, brand new, not one single ford or dodge dealership would even come close to this price on their diesels trucks they added 6-8k on top of my price, that is the only reason I bought it, I needed a diesel because the 2004 2500HD gasser would not cut it towing, I wanted to keep the 1999 F250 /7.3 but car seats were filling up the back of the extra cab, and the crew was my only option
v10superduty
Explorer
Mar 26, 2014
jevanb wrote:
when I look at a new truck it will be GM unless ford or dodge can get the price the same, the best truck and cars I have ever owned are fords. aka..99SD7.3, 5.0 mustangs, 79 f100

I do find this a bit confusing?
You could change the brand names around so its not a mine is better than your brand comment I am making.

If you have been "VERY" satisfied with "a" particular brand why would you switch over a price difference that could really be negligible?
This is something you will probably have for 5 to 10 yrs so even an extra couple thou is only $16 - $33 a month

And it sounds like GM is the highest right now anyway.. :h
jevanb
Explorer
Mar 25, 2014
the only reason I buy GM is the employee discount, union discount, repeat buyer... wife's step father is 38 years retired GM from the flint plants and he owns a ford diesel, and her dad is 40 years GM retired flint eng plant, and owns a dodge diesel, when I look at a new truck it will be GM unless ford or dodge can get the price the same, the best truck and cars I have ever owned are fords. aka..99SD7.3, 5.0 mustangs, 79 f100
Bigfoot_affair
Nomad II
Mar 25, 2014
Sounds like you did good, enjoy your new ride!
45Ricochet
Explorer
Mar 25, 2014
Congrats on the new truck, it's a beauty!
parkersdad
Explorer
Mar 25, 2014
My buddy is a Huge Chevrolet fan I just cannot give them any more of my money. I had a Chevrolet truck that I got the lemon law on and another Chevrolet car that I got frustrated with and sold that piece of chit. Done with Chevy for my lifetime. Everyone has their own experiences and that's what makes the world go around.
travelnutz
Explorer II
Mar 25, 2014
parkersdad,

"Actually I've always been told old men drive GM trucks."

May be some truth to your statement because with age comes "wisdom". Like having been fooled before and now are much smarter! Some people simply have to learn the hard way since when they were younger they thought they knew it all. Having owned the offbreeds and then got smarter and now own the best breed!

Congrats DutchmenSport! You have experienced exactly what I had posted about with resale values. Only $4000 depreciation for 8 years use and 100,000+ miles says it so much better than I could have! You and your wife have seen it with your own eyes and in black and white! Lesson learned, you get an A+...
Perrysburg_Dodg
Explorer
Mar 25, 2014
Very nice looking truck Congrats and enjoy!

Don
Mote
Explorer
Mar 25, 2014
DutchmenSport wrote:
Mote wrote:
Nice truck DutchmenSport, I'm sure you'll love driving that new truck around. Did you get that in Anderson? My son goes to college there. When we go to visit I usually cruise thru the Chevy dealer there.

Yes - Anderson, IN. Ed Martin Chevrolet, corner of Scatterfield and 53rd Street.

We'll be up there on the 5th of April for a track meet. I'll stop by the dealer to see if they still have your old truck. I might be interested in buying that one.
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Mar 25, 2014
Mote wrote:
Nice truck DutchmenSport, I'm sure you'll love driving that new truck around. Did you get that in Anderson? My son goes to college there. When we go to visit I usually cruise thru the Chevy dealer there.

Yes - Anderson, IN. Ed Martin Chevrolet, corner of Scatterfield and 53rd Street.