Recently someone decided to challenge the theory that two objects cannot occupy the same space at the same time. When that failed Newton's Laws of Motion became prevalent and the end result was that our truck and trailer were both totaled. As soon as we receive the settlement from the other driver's insurance company(and we feel it's safe to get out and about)we're going to look for replacement units. I was towing with a '04.5 Dodge 3500 with the 5.9 Cummins. The trailer was a Carriage Cameo. The next trailer will be similar and the loaded weight will probably be in the 12-14k area. I'm considering 1) a Ram 3500 with either the 6.7 Cummins or the 5.7 Hemi; 2) Chevy Silverado 3500 with either the 6.6 Duramax or the 6.0 gas motor. It'll be a SRW drive. We only tow about 3000 miles a year; 2000 miles round trip to Texas and back each fall/spring and less that 1000 miles locally during the summer.I'd be interested in anyone's expereiences with the above power units regarding sufficient torque and power on hills as well as fuel economy. The truck will probably be a 2010-2014 depending on the negotiated price. I'm partial to the diesels but open to the gas models if they would be sufficient.

Would you also consider the 6.4 hemi instead of the 5.7 hemi? I think the gas motor choices you listed will be a little lacking on power. The 6.4 may also be lacking with those weights.

Your description of what happened made me chuckle a little. :) Sorry to hear about your truck and trailer, and hope you and yours were ok. The years you are looking at make it kind of a tough choice. The diesels will perform much better but in those years the emission systems could be problematic. Many have been trouble free, though. The gas engines should be very reliable but will rev high and burn lots of gas while towing.

Having been looking at a replacement myself, IF you can swing it.....the gas versions from 2014 on seem to have better HP/torque specs in general. ALong with better mpg's. For 25/35 series trucks, not as much mpg....but 15 series a 20-30% improvement in most brands and models. They still got the power boost of upwards of 30% depending upon brand etc. Example, I've been looking for and at GM 1500 dual cabs with the 4.3 V6. 2013 and before, 4 sp trans, and 220'ish hp/torque motor. 14+ is a 6 sp trans, 285/305 hp torque spec abd about a +4 mpg gain across the spectrum.With that said, the years you are looking at, the diesels will have better performance overall. For the miles you are driving.....I have to be honest, not sure you will EVER get the initial cost back of the upfront costs. Yes you do get some back at the end. But depending upon how long of time frame, how many miles you drive......How many factors in the which fuel to use vs the other you want to throw into the equation.....WIth the above said. Find the best priced, nicest, your spouse likes, fits your buts seats you can find, buy it! and enjoy the drive to and from. Yes a lower powered rig might take you a few hours more. I will assume you are retired, most do not seem to mind the extra time here and there. as others have mentioned, glad neither of you are hurt!Marty

Bummer dude. Hope y’all weren’t injured. It’s even harder to swallow if someone totals an older vehicle of yours compared to newer, as it’s hard to recoup all the “value” of your vehicle if it’s in great shape and/or low miles. For your described use, a diesel makes zero sense, and an older gasser like your considering, will do the job, “just ok.”If you think you’ll have it for a long time and pulling that kind of weight, I’d personally rule out a 5.7 Hemi if going Mopar and I’d take a 6.2 Ford over a 6.0 GM. Between the 6.4 Hemi and 6.2 Ford, it’s a coin flip, IMO. If you were considering the cost of an equal year and miles diesel though, with that budget you might be able to squeak into a 6.4/8 speed Ram. But don’t test drive one back to back with the others unless you plan on coming home with it!!

I appreciate the replies. Yes, we are retired. I’m aware that from an investment standpoint the diesel is much more long term and probably a poor decision. We’re past the point of getting somewhere in a hurry so we can check that off. Though I still do enjoy the “grin factor “ of taking on inclines without effort. We’re planning on continuing to spend our winters in Texas for the next 5-10 years, God willing, and I don’t want to have to consider trading trucks in that time. I have no opposition to gas motors if they’ll continue to perform according to my needs. The truck probably gets driven 15k miles a year, 3k of which are towing. From an economy standpoint it’s obvious that the gas motor is the way to go. But I also want to consider the maintenance and whether the gas motor will endure the next 10 years. And thanks for the well wishes. Fortunately everyone involved in the collision literally walked away from it without so much as a bruise or bump. The other driver had stopped at a stop sign and then continued into the intersection. At 55 mph there just isn’t much you can do. He stated later that he must have been driving with his head up his a**. I simply said that I was hard pressed to disagree with him. All this stuff can be replaced at a cost...lives can’t. Thanks again for the replies and information.

It's time for a replacement truck | Good Sam Community

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Mar 31, 2020
ACZL wrote:
Lots of good advice and based on what you intend to do and perhaps not mentioned but may do so down the road, opt for a 1 ton SRW w/ the diesel. More than enough power and able to tow up to 15k safely should you decide to get a larger RV. Again, based on your needs, don't think you need anything larger than a DRW IF you ever went w/ a very large coach. Should you want to do that, THEN consider a 4500 and up. Think you'll be very happy w/ the type of truck your looking for.

Well I sure see ZERO reason to go to a 4500. I think I tow heavier than anyone on here and my DRW handles the load GREAT. I tow WestCoast and have been in some insane winds and the truck is imply planted to the ground.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Mar 31, 2020
Dennis58 wrote:
Disclaimer: I'm not a RAM fan and never have been.

If I was dragging 14K arounf the country it would only be behind a 3500 DRW truck at a miniumn. I would even look at the 4500, 5500, 6500 HD Chevy trucks.

He said 14k, not 34k Lol.
A dually is firmly overkill, but you must have never driven a class 4-6 truck.
Not daily drivers to put it mildly.
Why not just roll a bobbed class 8 ftw?
8ntw8tn
Explorer
Mar 31, 2020
A few years ago I had the opportunity to tow our trailer with a 3/4 ton Duramax several hundred miles through Oklahoma and Texas and it performed very well. My preference is a 1 ton, SRW or DRW, but I can be equally good with a 3/4 ton truck based on that experience.
ACZL
Explorer
Mar 31, 2020
Lots of good advice and based on what you intend to do and perhaps not mentioned but may do so down the road, opt for a 1 ton SRW w/ the diesel. More than enough power and able to tow up to 15k safely should you decide to get a larger RV. Again, based on your needs, don't think you need anything larger than a DRW IF you ever went w/ a very large coach. Should you want to do that, THEN consider a 4500 and up. Think you'll be very happy w/ the type of truck your looking for.
Dennis58
Explorer
Mar 31, 2020
Disclaimer: I'm not a RAM fan and never have been.

If I was dragging 14K arounf the country it would only be behind a 3500 DRW truck at a miniumn. I would even look at the 4500, 5500, 6500 HD Chevy trucks.

I have a 2019 Chevy 3500HD DRW 4X4 D/Max High Country that is one nice ride with more power than I will ever need. Havn't done much towing yet but I know it will get the job done when I start doing that. Unloaded I get 14 around town and 18 highway.
2012Coleman
Explorer II
Mar 30, 2020
I've pulled 12K with a late model 6.4 hemi. Could watch the gas gauge traveling from F to E as it screamed up the hills and terrain changes.
GWolfe
Explorer
Mar 30, 2020
8ntw8tn wrote:
This has been, and continues to be, a moving and shifting target. I started out really considering one of the gas units. But after some of the advice here, and doing some follow-up research of my own, I'm pretty well convinced that I'm staying with a diesel; Ram or Chevy. Whether it's a 3/4 ton or 1 ton (SRW or DRW) remains to be seen. Budget will play a large influence as well as what is actually available when we're able to actually start looking to buy. I really do appreciate all the information that has been passed my way. It's really helpful to be able to benefit from someone else's knowledge/experience. Thanks!

I'm sure it's been said in here somewhere but when looking at 3/4 ton diesels watch the payload ratings, some are under 2,000lbs.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Mar 30, 2020
larry barnhart wrote:
what about the pump GM is using. Any issues? chevman

I have not heard a negative comment on the Denso pump.
larry_barnhart
Explorer
Mar 30, 2020
what about the pump GM is using. Any issues? chevman
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Mar 30, 2020
Ok this make you feel better? I have not heard of a single 2019 or 2020 RAM OR Ford Bosch pump failure.

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