From Tundra to which 3/4 ton

[katoom400]

In the market for a new hd truck, coming from a tundra 5.7, pulling power was never the problem, but payload was once we hooked up the Outback 250rs, filled the 8' bed with firewood, grill, coolers, 4-5 bikes, 2-3 kayaks, 4-5 people, and 50lb dog...

want to stay with a gas motor and don't want to spend much more than 35k, seems from the pricing I'm getting locally for each of the big 3, that the Chevy is the most expensive in the 3/4 ton gas powered arena. Stopped by a dealer today and they wanted 45k for a LT CC. Seems like the Ram and Ford are a bit less expensive.

I've been looking hard at the ram with the 6.4, but still considering the 5.7

I don't need leather...navigation and all that other crap. My Tundra grade truck has served me well for the last 5 years and never once did I wish I had more pulling power, leather or fancy this or that...

I know there is going to be someone who says "go diesel" but I really have not want or need for the oil burner given it is my daily driver 95% of the time with no load on it. the 8k price of admission really kills it for diesel also...can't afford it right now...and you only really get half of that back on resale...8k buys a lot of gasoline!

would love to hear from anyone who went from a Tundra (or any other 1/2 ton) into a 3/4 ton Ford or Ram gaser, and how much better the 3/4 tows compared to the 1/2 ton. I have no brand loyalty and think they are all pretty good these days.


Any input is greatly appreciated

[transamz9]

katoom400 wrote:

Buck50HD wrote:
I think the 6.2 3.73 works out well unless towing really heavy in the mountains. If you tow at 60-65MPH, 2nd gear will put you right at peak power for the hills and also has some headroom for passing(70MPH @6000RPM). The 4.30 can only downshift to 3rd at 60MPH and is nowhere near 385HP when stuck at 4000RPM.

hopefully I'll be happy, I've done a ton of reading and it seems guys towing 10k+ are still reporting great results with the 3.73's and I'm only ~7500lbs wet. guys pulling 15k fivers all say go 4.30..which is understandable.

If I was worried about the possibility of getting a larger trailer in the future I would definitely order one with 4.30's. but I only tow ~10 times a year and our trailer is only 2 years old now and the kids are 12 and 15.... so eventually they will grow out of it and it will just be my wife and dog....so we will only go smaller with the trailer.

HA! That's what we thought too .......about going smaller with the trailer after our daughter.....:W No worries, you'll be just fine with the 3:73's.

[katoom400]

Buck50HD wrote:
I think the 6.2 3.73 works out well unless towing really heavy in the mountains. If you tow at 60-65MPH, 2nd gear will put you right at peak power for the hills and also has some headroom for passing(70MPH @6000RPM). The 4.30 can only downshift to 3rd at 60MPH and is nowhere near 385HP when stuck at 4000RPM.

hopefully I'll be happy, I've done a ton of reading and it seems guys towing 10k+ are still reporting great results with the 3.73's and I'm only ~7500lbs wet. guys pulling 15k fivers all say go 4.30..which is understandable.

If I was worried about the possibility of getting a larger trailer in the future I would definitely order one with 4.30's. but I only tow ~10 times a year and our trailer is only 2 years old now and the kids are 12 and 15.... so eventually they will grow out of it and it will just be my wife and dog....so we will only go smaller with the trailer.

[Buck50HD]

I think the 6.2 3.73 works out well unless towing really heavy in the mountains. If you tow at 60-65MPH, 2nd gear will put you right at peak power for the hills and also has some headroom for passing(70MPH @6000RPM). The 4.30 can only downshift to 3rd at 60MPH and is nowhere near 385HP when stuck at 4000RPM.

[katoom400]

I put a deposit on the Ford, hopefully I'll be happy with the gearing.

I test drove the white ram again this morning (had to drive 3hrs round trip to that dealer), and while it did have more off the line snap than the ford, I liked the overall drive and feel of the ford better, it just seemed to fit me.

ended up at $8k below MSRP with the X plan.

[katoom400]

unfortunately there are no 4.30 gearsets on dealer lots all 3.73

[Bedlam]

You will definitely want tow mirrors and brake controller (aftermarket are not as good). I went from an XL Ford to Tradesman Ram and am happy with base trim level. I prefer the spray liner over the drop in style. As I posted earlier, try a 6.2 with 4.10 gearing before buying one with 3.73's. If that works better for you, you won't regretting taking the time to test one.

BTW: If you join the American Quarter Horse Association, they used to have an additional $500 rebate on Fords.

[Fast_Mopar]

katoom400 wrote:
I'm going to make up my mind by this weekend. I'm down to two trucks that are on dealer lots, 15 Ford and 14 Ram

Both are excellent choices. You cannot go wrong either way. I'm sure you will be happy regardless of how you choose.

[katoom400]

I'm going to make up my mind by this weekend. I'm down to two trucks that are on dealer lots, 15 Ford and 14 Ram

Here is the Ford:



the specs on the Ford I drove Wednesday were:

2015 F250 XLT CCSB $37,600 after rebates (msrp $45,205)

6.2
3.73
black side steps
upfitter switches
isync radio
xlt interior package
tow mirrors
brake controller
drop in bed liner

I'm pretty much leaning toward the 15 f250xlt 6.2/3.73 that I test drove last Wednesday.. the off the line power didn't strike me as anything "exciting" but if it is truly a work horse and actually get's better when working, then I'm fine with that as I drive very conservatively most of the time anyway. I would consider placing an order if I NEED the 4.30 gears though....

I'm going to test drive one last Ram 2500 before making up my mind...



This one is: $34,200 (after rebates) (msrp $43,060)
2014 2500 CCSB ST tradesman (no chrome bumpers or grille)
6.4
4.10's
wheel to wheel side steps
5.0 touchscreen radio
spray in bed liner
trailer brake controller
no tow mirrors
painted steel wheels

[katoom400]

otrfun wrote:

ib516 wrote:
If you order, you get the best of the deals available at order time vs. deals available at time of delivery. At least that's what I was told when I ordered.

Maybe that sounds confusing. If the deals are better when you take delivery, you get to switch.

Bedlam wrote:
My last two orders applied the deals at date of delivery and not at the time of order. If you fully prepaid, you could get an expiring deal otherwise it was not available later.

Every Ram sales/finance manager I've posed this question to has said the MSRP and incentives in effect on the date you take physical possession of the truck applies and will be reflected one way or another on your final invoice.

There *are* dealers that will commit to the MSRP and incentives in effect on the day an order is placed. However, if they do, I assure you they're doing so knowing there's enough markup on the deal to still come out ahead even if the incentives disappear or there's an MSRP increase.

The way it was explained to me by my local dealer was that I would get the the incentives available now locked in, and if they get better by delivery, then I get what is available at time of delivery...was told this by both Ford and Ram delaers.

if the incentives where good enough now I might be inclined to take something off the lot without some of my "required" options...such as backup camera, side steps or spray in bed liner...which could of course be added later

[otrfun]

ib516 wrote:
If you order, you get the best of the deals available at order time vs. deals available at time of delivery. At least that's what I was told when I ordered.

Maybe that sounds confusing. If the deals are better when you take delivery, you get to switch.

Bedlam wrote:
My last two orders applied the deals at date of delivery and not at the time of order. If you fully prepaid, you could get an expiring deal otherwise it was not available later.

Every Ram sales/finance manager I've posed this question to has said the MSRP and incentives in effect on the date you take physical possession of the truck applies and will be reflected one way or another on your final invoice.

There *are* dealers that will commit to the MSRP and incentives in effect on the day an order is placed. However, if they do, I assure you they're doing so knowing there's enough markup on the deal to still come out ahead even if the incentives disappear or there's an MSRP increase.

[Bedlam]

My last two orders applied the deals at date of delivery and not at the time of order. If you fully prepaid, you could get an expiring deal otherwise it was not available later.

[ib516]

If you order, you get the best of the deals available at order time vs. deals available at time of delivery. At least that's what I was told when I ordered.

Maybe that sounds confusing. If the deals are better when you take delivery, you get to switch.

[katoom400]

otrfun wrote:

katoom400 wrote:
here is the listing for the Ford in case anyone is interested:

2014 diesel

so I understand the possibilities of buying any used vehicle, and especially a rental, even with it still under factory warranty? I could also purchase an extended warranty??

Nice truck!

Have you looked under the hood of a PowerStroke yet? If you're into any kind of DIY it's pretty intimidating.

FWIW, I'd run the VIN (on any newer vehicle) at a nearby (Ford, Ram, Chevy, etc.) dealership's service department to see if there's any warranty history. Sometimes the results can be very revealing about why the previous owner sold it or traded it in.

If you're considering a 3rd party warrantee, read the very small print and check their "A.M. Best" rating. Pay close attention to "not covered" clauses, especially for diesels.

I took the DW to look at the Ford today...and of course it was sold yesterday!

the search continues...getting frustrated and might just place an order for a new 2015 ram 6.4 with all the options I wanted. at this point might as well wait another week and see what January brings as far as incentives.

[otrfun]

katoom400 wrote:
here is the listing for the Ford in case anyone is interested:

2014 diesel

so I understand the possibilities of buying any used vehicle, and especially a rental, even with it still under factory warranty? I could also purchase an extended warranty??

Nice truck!

Have you looked under the hood of a PowerStroke yet? If you're into any kind of DIY it's pretty intimidating.

FWIW, I'd run the VIN (on any newer vehicle) at a nearby (Ford, Ram, Chevy, etc.) dealership's service department to see if there's any warranty history. Sometimes the results can be very revealing about why the previous owner sold it or traded it in.

If you're considering a 3rd party warrantee, read the very small print and check their "A.M. Best" rating. Pay close attention to "not covered" clauses, especially for diesels.