What Size Truck?

Ford - Chevy - Dodge

Not trying to start a war here, that is why I am tacking this question onto this thread and not starting a separate one.

I am generally a Ford man with my Ford F150's and Econoline E150's in the very recent past. I was always happy with them. I did notice however that Fords pulling 5th Wheels are kinda rare down here. Seems like everyone we see is pulled by a Ram. Makes me wonder if there is a reason why. That is why I have only been looking at Rams and Silverados. maybe I should broaden my search to include Ford.

I would like just the short version of why you wanted a Ram or if you specifically did not want a Ford.

Everyone has been civil so far, let's hope it continues. LOL

3500 LB SRW with factory rear air ride. Oh don't forget the cummins/AISIN combo!!!

If I was looking at getting a used truck to pull your trailer I would be looking at a one ton SRW. I would choose a 2011 or newer Ford; a '13 or newer Ram or almost anything newer than '06 from GM; and I would buy a diesel. Personally I would choose a 2015 Ford with the 3.31 rear end. I would probably put more weight on the overall appearance of the truck than the mileage, although I would buy a truck with no more than 100k miles on it.

Tony B wrote:
For a little change of pace......

I'm considering a 2011 GMC 2500HD 2wd with about 140,000 miles. The Kelly Blue Book matches what the owner is asking.
This is a gas engine.

QUESTION: If I get a good mechanics report, how much more life does this vehicle have? Either in miles or in years at about 4,000 to 6,000 miles towing 12,500 lb 5th wheel and an additional 6-8,000 personal miles?

Thanks in advance.

We've got some 6.0chevys at work that have more miles than that and they are pretty solid but getting to where they need a lot of work.
If everything checks out, it could be a decent truck that doesn't cost you huge repairs in the next 50kmi but the o,der you get the more a c rap shoot it is.
What I do know is a 12klb trailer is not a small block Chevys forte, to put it succinctly.

Tony B wrote:
For a little change of pace......

I'm considering a 2011 GMC 2500HD 2wd with about 140,000 miles. The Kelly Blue Book matches what the owner is asking.
This is a gas engine.

QUESTION: If I get a good mechanics report, how much more life does this vehicle have? Either in miles or in years at about 4,000 to 6,000 miles towing 12,500 lb 5th wheel and an additional 6-8,000 personal miles?

Thanks in advance.

Properly maintained engine should go 250k miles. Properly maintained transmission 100k-200k miles.

Neglected maintenance has too many variables to comment on life expectancy.

downtheroad wrote:
Those being dry weights....go 350/3500 series....single rear wheel will be fine.

His gvw will be 12192#. Well in line with the new 3/4 trucks. My '05 Montana has a gvw of 12100# and my '04 Dodge has never been overloaded. JMHO.

For a little change of pace......

I'm considering a 2011 GMC 2500HD 2wd with about 140,000 miles. The Kelly Blue Book matches what the owner is asking.
This is a gas engine.

QUESTION: If I get a good mechanics report, how much more life does this vehicle have? Either in miles or in years at about 4,000 to 6,000 miles towing 12,500 lb 5th wheel and an additional 6-8,000 personal miles?

Thanks in advance.

Greentow wrote:
SO, being somewhat obnoxious as I am, guess my Ram 5500 is a bit of overkill for my 39 foot fifth wheel?
Sorry, couldn't resist.

Absolutely, since You asked!! No really, I had looked at the 4500/5500 Rams myself but unless you opted for the higher gear ratio of 4.56 or 4.88 the tow capacity just wasn't there, plus, the HO Cummins isn't available in that series of trucks. I wanted to drive it as my daily driver also so I didn't want the higher ratios and I wanted the HO motor.

350/3500 SRW. Also if you buy new or late used, try and find one with the 5th wheel prep, makes life so much easier!

ljr wrote:

justafordguy wrote:
Any new 3/4 ton if properly equipped would handle it but do yourself a favor and go to a 1 ton SRW truck. Doesn't really cost much more and has more payload/GVWR capacity.

X2 and I speak from, very expensive, experience. My rule of thumb is now to select a TV not for this new RV but the next one. That way you won't find yourself trading in a nice truck well ahead of its time simply because your taste in RVs changed.

X3
If buying used that might be ok advice, but if buying new I would also advise gettting nothing less than a 3500/350 SRW for the minor difference in price!