Never thought I'd be asking this question ... but?

[DutchmenSport]

The time has come for us to start considering a new tow vehicle. So, asking for your thoughts.

We currently have a 3500 Chevy diesel. Nothing is wrong with the truck, except it's aging. The body is showing signs of wear (fiberglass cracks) and rust beginning for form at the bottom of the door. I've checked with a couple body shops and they both seem to agree it's not worth fixing. I think it is, but they don't want to be liable when rust begins for form again.

Our work situation is changing also. We were considering getting a 3rd vehicle, a small car, but we both think replacing the truck makes better sense, and having only 2 vehicles.

So. Here's what I'd prefer to do, but do value everyone's opinion. I'm not asking for a tow vehicle war (well, maybe I am), just your thoughts, what's good, what's not so good?

I'd like to stay with a 3500 Chevy Diesel Dually 4 full door, 8 foot long bed and go brand new? (what can I expect from today's models and why is a different brand better) ...

So .... what's your thoughts? Let the "war" begin!

[DutchmenSport]

Hi everyone again!

Well, the "deed" is done! Chevy won! When it came right down to where the rubber met the road, my wife and I both just couldn't get away from Chevy! I did learn a lot in the last couple days.

I took the camper over to the dealer. Wife test drove with nothing in tow. Went back, hitched up, and I drove in-tow. Drove around town, then jumped on the interstate a few miles. By the time we arrived back at the dealer, the truck felt like a familiar friend. And then we negotiated with the dealer.

We got a good trade in value for our old truck and because my brother-in-law is a retired GM employee, we got the GM employee discount. We added the 6 year bumper-to-bumper (except for brake pads and windshield wipers) repair service, or whatever it's called. We ended up with a good (very doable) monthly payment for 6 years. When all was said and done, it came out pretty good!

Now, a word about my old 2005 diesel 3500 Chevy Dually. We had the original bill-of-sale in the glove compartment. We purchased the truck in 2006 and it was considered 2 years old. The previous owner had a 2 year lease on it, and we financed it for $20,000. Tonight, we got credit for $16,000 for trade-in! NOW I'M A BELIEVER! Owned it for 8 years and it depreciated only $4000? I don't think too many can beat that.

We drove the old truck home with the camper tonight, because I needed to get the shell of the back, clean out all our junk, and they are going to put running boards on the new one for us. So, we'll pick it up tomorrow. Papers singed and done.

Here's some pic's from the dealer web site:

2014 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD (diesel dually)









I'll need to change my signature block now!

Also: it has a built in back-up camera on the tail gate. The image appears in the rear view mirror. Talk about easy hitching! Oh my, this truck will spoil me!

[ib516]

Lol ^^^ :B

Really, you can't go wrong with any of the big 3 these days in the HD trucks. Buy the one you like - it's your money.

Happy shopping!

[MARK_VANDERBENT]

Those GM truck guys just love dependability over Hype !!!!

[Ric_Flair]

rottidawg wrote:

travelnutz wrote:

You can instantly see the real class and debonaire difference with GM truck owners in any crowd. So cheerful and happy!

Thank you very much Mr. Nutz, I very much appreciate the compliment!
Class, debonaire, cheerful and happy is me....OP your course of action is clear.
Congrats on your new Chevy!

GM owners just smell better. They also seem to garner a unique level of extra attention from the ladies. Whether its appreciation or desire, women inherently understand that real men drive GM trucks.

The facts are clear, the issue is resolved. Lock the thread.

[rottidawg]

DutchmenSport wrote:
However, if the bed rails of the Chevy are too high, I may disregard the Chevy also. The truck with shell still has to fit inside my garage and height is the issue.

Good luck....all three brands sit up there pretty high.
But where there is a will there is a way (plus several thousand dollars).
Mine was too tall and too long.
Fits now.

[rottidawg]

travelnutz wrote:

You can instantly see the real class and debonaire difference with GM truck owners in any crowd. So cheerful and happy!

Thank you very much Mr. Nutz, I very much appreciate the compliment!
Class, debonaire, cheerful and happy is me....OP your course of action is clear.
Congrats on your new Chevy!

[DutchmenSport]

Wow! travelnutz! That's an eye-opener! I think the #1 reason I've been a GM guy all my life (except the time I was 18, my dad bought me a VW bug to run around with when I was at college), is because Chevy is American made. I did't know that about Ram. Their commercials are pretty cool though, but so are the original Popeye cartoons! I've got too many years of GM under my skin, it will be hard to switch, but I really don't want to be closed minded either. Just like my choice of TT's too. I'm hooked into ThorIndustries brands, and would have a very, very hard time switching to Fleetwood now.

After brewing over this all night, and many discussions with my wife since yesterday, we are in agreement it's time for a new truck and ready for another loan. Yes, the old one is paid for. Transmission and engine are wonderful, only 125,000 miles. But at 15 years old now, the body is just failing. So before it goes completely, we should still get a reasonable trade in value. (we hope).

We bought the new Outback camper last September (it was my wife's birthday), so now the wife really wants me to have a new truck (April is my birthday). And actually, SHE's the one that brought up the truck, although I've been thinking about this for a couple years now.

FYI, I'm taking the trailer to the dealer also and hitch it up. Why not put that new Chevy to the real test drive!

Thanks for your honesty! That's what I needed!

[travelnutz]

DutchmenSport,

We're just having a little fun with the Ram crazy's.

In reality, there's a reason both Ford and GM each sell and have sold twice as many of their trucks each and every year since the 1950's and still do today. A few Dodge/Ram owners have always been loudmouths on forums but it hasn't changed their actual percent of the market's yearly sales hardly at all and truck owners know why! Then added in is the FACT that Ram is not American owned or made in America. Chrysler/Ram is owned by Fiat of Italy. All Dodge/Ram HD pickups are made in Mexico and have been for so many years and then imported for sale here. So are all Hemi engines that are installed in the trucks. Dodge/Ram's required/frequency of repair has been the highest of the BIG 3 for as long as they have tracked it (over 30 years) and still is. Eats tires and brakes and lots of suspension issues plus fast rusting and so much more.

The gains or losses posted in the monthly sales for each month are gains or losses in sales for that brand/model compared to their own previous year. What is not posted is the resale values for those same models as they tell a real story and it's your money that you had paid for the vehicle and resale value means something since very few vehicles are one owner until junked other than those in accidents or natural disasters. Some vehicles hold their resale value much higher than others.

Also be aware of the deception tricks Dodge/Ram has used for years and there have been several threads on this and many other forums about it for years now. They will usually lower the tire pressure to below min recommended so the unsuspecting trial run buyer feels the truck rides very good but it a whole other world when you inflate the tire properly. Bring your own tire gauge to all dealers you visit and drive one of their trucks so you know it's apples to apples.

I for one don't give two hoots what you buy but at least you should be given the truths and the long compiled facts. Truth be told! After all, in the end, it's your money spent and your decision totally.

[DutchmenSport]

v10superduty wrote:

DutchmenSport wrote:
The time has come for us to start considering a new tow vehicle.
So .... what's your thoughts? Let the "war" begin!

So here are my 2 thoughts...

--You really are NOT going to let a bunch of people you don't know on the internet pick your new truck are you? :h

--You just like reading the WAR comments.. :B :B :B

No and No.

I really am interested in hearing the "opposition" (non-GM owners) what their thoughts are.

And I am reading everything.

FYI, I have a test drive scheduled for a Chevy 3500 dually today (Monday) at 4:30. They also sell RAM, and saw a 3500 in their parking lot too yesterday. I may try both tonight and see what happens. However, driving to the dealer lot yesterday, I am more in favor of Chevy, it had some features we really liked. I have my shell also, I want to make sure it fits. Paid almost $2000 for it new many years ago, and do want to keep using it. If it won't fit the Ram, I probably not consider the RAM. However, if the bed rails of the Chevy are too high, I may disregard the Chevy also. The truck with shell still has to fit inside my garage and height is the issue. On my current truck, I had to cut the ladder rack "tips" off the back because they were too tall and hit the top of the garage door. I have about 1/2 inch clearance, and when there is ice in front of the garage door, I have to clear it off, or the extra height of ice on the drive way raises the rear tires where the 2 remaining "tips" will hit! I use that shell way too much to just toss it out! So, have to consider this also.

Still, I'm weighing in on all 3 brands! (unfortunately, it seems there's not much enthusiasm for Ford here. The excitement seems to be Ram!)

Thanks, I appreciate the responses! Gives me more to think about!

[travelnutz]

Ric Flair,

Right on Ric, X3

You can instantly see the real class and debonaire difference with GM truck owners in any crowd. So cheerful and happy! They simply don't have that "wannabe" wishful look the other cave dweller truges constantly display. So many of them sporting ground in dirty greasy fingers and turned down mouth corners from their continous repair tabacles on their non-GM rides!

[Ric_Flair]

downtheroad wrote:
I'll throw the first punch in the this truck smack down.
My opinion: brand new 3500 Chevy Diesel Dually 4 full door, 8 foot long bed, highest trim line with all available bells and whistles.

That's an intelligent man right there. I'll bet he's also handsome and sophisticated, as are most GM owners.

(not a cave dwelling troglodyte like the "others")

[v10superduty]

DutchmenSport wrote:
The time has come for us to start considering a new tow vehicle.
So .... what's your thoughts? Let the "war" begin!

So here are my 2 thoughts...

--You really are NOT going to let a bunch of people you don't know on the internet pick your new truck are you? :h

--You just like reading the WAR comments.. :B :B :B

[fla-gypsy]

Perrysburg Dodgeboy wrote:
They all build good trucks, do yourself a favor and test all three, then let us know what you buy. You might be surprised at what you end up with! Sounds like up2nogood was.

Don

This is the correct answer

[modern_family]

up2nogood wrote:

TucsonJim wrote:
I've owned Chevy's most of my life. Some were good, some were dogs. I bought a new Ford last year, and just got it back from the shop after having the upper end of the engine repaired due to a turbo issue (18K miles). But even though it had a problem I still like the Ford.

I'd venture to say that any of the big three will meet your needs. It comes down to personal preference on options and styling.

Biggest reason I stayed away from Ford this time , too many problems reported, granted they all have problems, but the ford seems to shine thru with problems more then the other two with their 6.7

That is due to the numbers sold.... Ford sold over 100,000 more than Chevy and 200,000 more than ram in 2013. You are gonna hear more when they outsell the competition by that much!

[mobilefleet]

who says you have to buy new? I'll keep my 99 f250 till it dies..but if you insist on new, a friend of mine just bought a new f250 and was able to get a good deal AND a LIFETIME warranty bumper to bumper. Not a powertrain only. The whole truck is included, everything on it. He said that was the only way he'd do it. make the dealers fall over themselves to sell you a truck.