The time has almost come to buy a new truck for the family. I was hoping to hold off until December 2016, but after a recent trip pulling the camper 2000 km I think it needs an upgrade before the next big trip. I am looking at a 3/4 or 1 ton diesel. Needing a crew cab for the family. Up until last week I assumed that it would probably be a Ford super-duty, or maybe on the off chance a ram. That may have all changed last week when I test drove a GMC 2500 HD Duramax. Wow, I was surprised how much I liked it! Nice and quiet. Smooth ride. Only issue was the 2400 pound payload rating. I think I need to step up to the 3500, because the 2500 leaves me with not much more capacity then a max payload F150. I didn't get a chance to drive the 3500, but I am hoping the ride isn't that much stiffer. I will then have to take the cute wife and drive all three in a row, Ford, Ram and Gmc. Anybody have any input on the 2015 GMC Sierra Hd's? I never really considered one before, so I don't know as much about them as the Ford and ram.

Love our 2015 3500 loaded out SLT,Nice ride , very responsive, great handling ,tows a 15k fiver effortlessly.Really good mileage empty ,no issues at all .

With exception to the 2500 Ram due to its coil spring suspension, you are not going to notice a difference in ride between the others 250/2500's and 350/3500's. You are headed in the right direction by wanting to step up to the 3500.

All of the new diesel trucks will feel more powerful than a 10 year old pickup. What kind of trailer do you plan to tow? How much will the family weigh before the kids want to stop camping at 18 years old, and will they still fit into the crewcab in a few years?Yes a 3500 pickup will offer much more cargo rating, and this would be required if you ever plan on towing a fifth wheel.. . Good luck,Fred.

I had Fords for 20 years including both a 7.3L and 6.0L diesel. I got tired of all the nagging engine issues and I upgraded 1 1/2 years ago to the truck in my signature. Our fifth wheel weighs about 16k lbs loaded and the truck handles it effortlessly. I have absolutely no regrets with my decision at all. It has tons of quiet low end power, the exhaust brake is second to none, and the Megacab has room to spare for our family. The Cummins is the only medium duty diesel available in a pick up which played a factor in my decision because I plan on keeping this truck a long time.I would highly recommend you test drive a Cummins powered Ram 3500 prior to making your decision.

I love our 2015 2500HD denali cc/4x4/sb duramax. Gave our son the 2004.5 silverado duramax cc/4x4/sb with 130K miles on it, will probably go another 200K. had Zero issues with the 04.Love the 2015, got it in March and already have 11,000 miles on it. Better mileage than the 04 when running empty, and san diego. Towing mileage is basically the same as the 0.4 I will agree, 2500's don't have a lot of payload, mostly due to the class 2 GVWR limit of 10,000lbs. Take that and 4x4 and diesel and crew cab, and payload isn't that high. We would have gone for a SRW 3500 virtually the same cost, but rare as hens teeth on dealer lots. Some 3500SRW long box, but few short boxes. To me, the 3500 rides very close to the 2500 when empty. 3500 does have a second overload spring on top of the spring pack, 2500 doesn't.Our son has had dodge, ford, and GM 3/4 ton 4x4 work trucks. his preference is the GM. Personally I like the GM IFS over the other with SFA, but in reality all 3 mfg make very fine trucks.Drive all of them and pick the one that YOU like the best and best fits YOUR needs.

New diesel shopping | Good Sam Community

63 Replies

noteven
Explorer III
Sep 30, 2015
Cummins12V98 wrote:
"I can't wait until somebody has a first tow review of the 2017 F350, because that is probably when I am in the market"

If I were a PowerStroke guy that is exactly what I would do. I am sure the new Ford platform will be very nice!

Is this the engine that has the reversed flow heads with intake runners in the valve covers and exhaust / turbo on the valley side of the V8?
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Sep 30, 2015
"I can't wait until somebody has a first tow review of the 2017 F350, because that is probably when I am in the market"

If I were a PowerStroke guy that is exactly what I would do. I am sure the new Ford platform will be very nice!
minnow
Explorer
Sep 30, 2015
Kevinwa wrote:
Well, I made a great deal on a '15 F350 diesel, and then with a heavy and stressed heart I was unable to commit. We decided it would be best to pay down some debt incurred doing landscaping this summer and revisit the truck purchase in a year or two time. The truck was a beauty, but the thought of incurring more debt was making me sick. Thanks for all your insight into the HD pickup market. I have learned tons on these forums. I can't wait until somebody has a first tow review of the 2017 F350, because that is probably when I am in the market.

No worries. On the bright side, you were able to get the usual crown of fan boys all riled up and that is always an entertaining way to spend a rainy day at the computer.
blofgren
Explorer
Sep 29, 2015
Thanks for the update and good on you for following your gut feeling. I have had that feeling before too.

One benefit is now you will have plenty of time to research the various trucks and really gain some knowledge of them to be sure you find the right one when the time is right :)
bbaker2001
Explorer
Sep 29, 2015
sorry for the ***** just slipped out 1 letter at a time
bbaker2001
Explorer
Sep 29, 2015
sorry you have to wait, but sounds like a grown up decision. and yes you will sleep better.

well ****, I went to sign paperwork on mine and found out someone just sold it. guess I should have found it closer than 400 miles.
now I am hunting for something. have the 5th wheel in Redding 200 miles from home. I might have to pay someone to deliver.
no more Ram SLT, will have to settle for the Tradesman. this is good, saves me 6500. no just have to drive 600 miles. tomorrow will put down payment to hold.
FishOnOne
Nomad
Sep 29, 2015
Nothing wrong pulling back and living within your means.... Although these trucks are very nice and very powerful... :B
Kevinwa
Explorer
Sep 29, 2015
Well, I made a great deal on a '15 F350 diesel, and then with a heavy and stressed heart I was unable to commit. We decided it would be best to pay down some debt incurred doing landscaping this summer and revisit the truck purchase in a year or two time. The truck was a beauty, but the thought of incurring more debt was making me sick. Thanks for all your insight into the HD pickup market. I have learned tons on these forums. I can't wait until somebody has a first tow review of the 2017 F350, because that is probably when I am in the market.
Kevinwa
Explorer
Sep 28, 2015
Deleted
shepstone
Explorer
Sep 26, 2015
blofgren wrote:
Kevinwa wrote:
Really, all three brands will without a doubt meet my needs if I go with a one ton SRW.

Right now there are three options I am looking at:
*Pick out one of the three brands and buy in the next six months, currently my preference is towards the Chev
*Wait until the 2017 super-duty is available and then go shop the three brands
*option three, there is a dealer advertising an F 350 XLT new at $18000 less then the SLE GM I drove, with similar options, both diesel. It is also $13,000 less then my nearest Ford dealer. I am going to talk to them and if the deal is as is, and not just a gimmick to get me in the door, then I think a new Ford will be in the near future.

I agree with the other posters, just be sure that you get the out the door price prior to committing.

The 6.7L Ford is a good truck overall; it was the HPFP failures and future repair costs due to the complexity of the engine that kept me from buying one. I intend on keeping my truck for 20 plus years so long term reliability and repair costs were a very important consideration for me.

Good luck and please let us know how it works out!

Yep the F350/250 6.7 and 6 spd is pretty much bullet proof

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New diesel shopping

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