On Friday we finalize the purchase of a 2016 Grand Design 317RST to be used full time after retirement next year. It is 35' weighing 10,138 empty carrying a GVWR of 13,995. The dealer agreed to store it for us until next year. Now comes the hard part - buying a truck.Years ago we had an '03 F250 PS used to haul a 24' 5er. Worked like a champ. But the new diesels really scare me with all the problems they've had. Regardless, I've decided diesel is the way to go. The Cummins seems like a great engine, unfortunately I've read way too much about front ends and wheel bearings and am concerned about Ram's build quality in general. I like Fords, but the prospect of having a problem which requires ripping the cab off the truck bothers me.Pretty much, I've decided on Ford. Right now they're offering 0.00% financing up to 72 months and some great pricing on left over 2016 models - that is hard to ignore. I found two trucks of interest. The first is a F350 PD crew cab short bed SRW with 3.55 gears. The 2nd is a F350 Supercab long bed SRW with the same gearing. I know length is our friend when towing, but the 2 trucks are within 2 inches of each other with respect to wheel base. The 2nd is about 6k less expensive.As I am unfamiliar with towing 14k, so I am interested in input from those who are. What say ye?Thank you.

I am not towing 14K, but did order a Supercab to get it with what I wanted. I had no need for a CC truck, even though it will have better trade/resale. I bought it for MY use, and plan to keep it. I think the 8' bed would be nice when full timing. The 350 6.7 will work great with that size trailer. You just need to decide which style CC SB, or SC LB.Jerry

Regarding prices......I recently had occasion to visit both a Dodge dealer and a Ford dealer.....to check out the in stock 2016 truck models.The Dodge dealer offered up a $10K discount off MSRP on the spot and with zero negotiation on my part. This was for a 3/4 ton crew cab with Cummins diesel.I have that in writing....That same day, I went to the local Ford dealer.....3/4 ton F-250 crew cab, diesel.....I told the sales manager about the Dodge dealer quote of $10K off the MSRP on the spot.Without one hint of hesitation, this sales manager said "We can do that"...I do believe that $10K off the MSRP is very doable..

clarkster wrote:Regarding prices......I recently had occasion to visit both a Dodge dealer and a Ford dealer.....to check out the in stock 2016 truck models.The Dodge dealer offered up a $10K discount off MSRP on the spot and with zero negotiation on my part. This was for a 3/4 ton crew cab with Cummins diesel.I have that in writing....That same day, I went to the local Ford dealer.....3/4 ton F-250 crew cab, diesel.....I told the sales manager about the Dodge dealer quote of $10K off the MSRP on the spot.Without one hint of hesitation, this sales manager said "We can do that"...I do believe that $10K off the MSRP is very doable..That's about what I'm seeing here, too.

I will always be a crew cab person, just don't like the cramped rear of a SC.

I don't like SC because the doors open backwards. Hard to get access when in parking lots. I had an SC on two previous trucks and will never again. The extra room for gear and the easier access opening the doors is the clincher. I'm retired and only haul the GKs once in awhile so there's really no reason to have a CC. But the ease of use is the main reason.

One Step Closer | Good Sam Community

MFL
Nomad II
Oct 11, 2016
I am not towing 14K, but did order a Supercab to get it with what I wanted. I had no need for a CC truck, even though it will have better trade/resale. I bought it for MY use, and plan to keep it. I think the 8' bed would be nice when full timing.

The 350 6.7 will work great with that size trailer. You just need to decide which style CC SB, or SC LB.

Jerry
clarkster
Explorer
Oct 11, 2016
Regarding prices......

I recently had occasion to visit both a Dodge dealer and a Ford dealer.....to check out the in stock 2016 truck models.

The Dodge dealer offered up a $10K discount off MSRP on the spot and with zero negotiation on my part. This was for a 3/4 ton crew cab with Cummins diesel.
I have that in writing....

That same day, I went to the local Ford dealer.....3/4 ton F-250 crew cab, diesel.....

I told the sales manager about the Dodge dealer quote of $10K off the MSRP on the spot.
Without one hint of hesitation, this sales manager said "We can do that"...

I do believe that $10K off the MSRP is very doable..
McIntraveler
Explorer
Oct 11, 2016
clarkster wrote:
Regarding prices......

I recently had occasion to visit both a Dodge dealer and a Ford dealer.....to check out the in stock 2016 truck models.

The Dodge dealer offered up a $10K discount off MSRP on the spot and with zero negotiation on my part. This was for a 3/4 ton crew cab with Cummins diesel.
I have that in writing....

That same day, I went to the local Ford dealer.....3/4 ton F-250 crew cab, diesel.....

I told the sales manager about the Dodge dealer quote of $10K off the MSRP on the spot.
Without one hint of hesitation, this sales manager said "We can do that"...

I do believe that $10K off the MSRP is very doable..

That's about what I'm seeing here, too.
fla-gypsy
Explorer
Oct 11, 2016
I will always be a crew cab person, just don't like the cramped rear of a SC.
goducks10
Explorer
Oct 11, 2016
I don't like SC because the doors open backwards. Hard to get access when in parking lots. I had an SC on two previous trucks and will never again. The extra room for gear and the easier access opening the doors is the clincher. I'm retired and only haul the GKs once in awhile so there's really no reason to have a CC. But the ease of use is the main reason.
IdaD
Explorer
Oct 11, 2016
For 14k lbs you'll want a diesel.

As far as the Ford vs Ram, the biggest thing that pushed me toward the latter was the Cummins. It's simpler, has fewer moving parts and the injection pump is more reliable and cheaper to fix. I did also like some other things on the Ram better, and it's been a great truck to own so far through the first 20k miles, but honestly if you swapped the engines I'd be driving a Super Duty today instead of a Ram. From a towing capability standpoint you'll be happy with any new diesel truck - they're all great in that regard.

$10-12k off is what I'd expect to get off on a new diesel truck.
donn0128
Explorer II
Oct 11, 2016
Death wobble is/was only applicable to 4X4 trucks. Build quality? No such a problem. My 07 ram is great, pulls like a mule, gets excellent fuel economy for a 4.10 rear ended dually, and can out run a lot of so called hot rods in a street light drag race.
Ford? Still using a failure prone lift pump. GM. Uses the same pump but is replacing them under warrenty.
IMHO the Ram interior is far nicer than the other two. But you need to drive them all before spending 70K.
McIntraveler
Explorer
Oct 11, 2016
IdaD wrote:
For 14k lbs you'll want a diesel.

As far as the Ford vs Ram, the biggest thing that pushed me toward the latter was the Cummins. It's simpler, has fewer moving parts and the injection pump is more reliable and cheaper to fix. I did also like some other things on the Ram better, and it's been a great truck to own so far through the first 20k miles, but honestly if you swapped the engines I'd be driving a Super Duty today instead of a Ram. From a towing capability standpoint you'll be happy with any new diesel truck - they're all great in that regard.

$10-12k off is what I'd expect to get off on a new diesel truck.

Thanks for the input.
McIntraveler
Explorer
Oct 11, 2016
donn0128 wrote:
Death wobble is/was only applicable to 4X4 trucks. Build quality? No such a problem. My 07 ram is great, pulls like a mule, gets excellent fuel economy for a 4.10 rear ended dually, and can out run a lot of so called hot rods in a street light drag race.
Ford? Still using a failure prone lift pump. GM. Uses the same pump but is replacing them under warrenty.
IMHO the Ram interior is far nicer than the other two. But you need to drive them all before spending 70K.

Thank you, too.
McIntraveler
Explorer
Oct 11, 2016
What I got from talking to a couple of sales people is that the great pricing I'm seeing is contingent upon not using 0 percent financing. If you opt for that the price goes up quite a bit. I'm unimpressed. But the SC LB is still a decent price. I'm going to look at it over the weekend. Gonna have to take a look at Ram, too.

Forum Discussion

One Step Closer

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

One Step Closer

purchasing getting closer

Tailgate Step

Went looking...getting a little closer

Has Evergreen Closer down?