Newbie looking to upgrade Truck.

[Kevin40]

I am looking to upgrade to a larger truck, I have looked at Diesels for some time and am looking for a little bit of input based on experiance. Fords have a impressive interior, but their 6.0's and 6.4 Engines raise a serious concern for reliability. I've been looking at the Dodge Ram 2500/3500 (F250/2500, being the base choice) series with the 6.7 in manual (2007-2009), just a little concerned about the back seat room in the crew cab. I currently have a 2006 Extreme 23LT and also a race car hauler, but would like to upgrade the ToyHauler to a DesertFox, possibly a 5th wheel. my eventual goal is to be midwest to out west trips.
any input on Truck reliability would be appreciated

[C_Schomer]

I'd be camping as soon as I had a hitch in it ! Craig

[Kevin40]

Yes, I will post some picks when I take them!

[Kevin40]

Whoops, I moved back to the Midwest. Will need to update the old profile!

[1oldtruck]

Can you post a pic or two of your new ride?

[fx2tom]

rhagfo wrote:
Congrats, not sure why if you live on the pacific coast, you are going to wait for spring to go Camping? We plan on being on the Coast (Oregon) for Christmas and New Years.

x2. We're in Southern California and camping for 5 days at New Years

[Grit_dog]

You got one of the best diesel pickups out there. Congrats!

[rhagfo]

Congrats, not sure why if you live on the pacific coast, you are going to wait for spring to go Camping? We plan on being on the Coast (Oregon) for Christmas and New Years.

[FishOnOne]

Congrats.... At least you steered away from the 05 Duramax trucks.

[Kevin40]

I would like to start off 1st thanking everyone for their input and recommendations. This weekend I went and picked up my truck. I was very lucky to locate a 2007 Chevy 2500HD LT Crew cab, 4X4 with the LBZ, the truck is immaculate, low miles, wasn't driven during the winter months and well maintained (the body and underbody has zero rust to speak of). I sure can't wait till spring to start travelling to do some weekend fishing trips! Once again thanks and Have a great Christmas everyone!

[Kevin40]

Wintersun, Thank you for that information!

[wintersun]

Diesels from any of the three manufacturers from 2011 and on are going to be above average in reliability. They are also going to have stronger frames, except for the Ford trucks. GM beefed up its frames starting in 2011 and Ram did the same starting in 2013 for the 1-tons and in 2014 for 3/4 ton trucks as well.

80% of the 5th wheel travel trailers being towed on the highways are pulled with SRW trucks. Stock tires are fine with a 2500 class truck for 5th wheels up to 14,000 lbs. in weight. Above that a DRW or 19.5 tires are needed.

Not widely known by the general public but Ram sells more 1-ton trucks than Ford and GM/Chevy combined. Probably a good reason for that to be happening year after year. I like the GM trucks with their independent front suspension but my second choice would definitely be a Ram 3500.

With Ford the F-350 and F-450 pickups are virtually identical except that the F-450 pickup has lower gears and the 19.5 wheels and a smaller turning radius. Payload is actually less for the F-450 pickup than for the F-350. You have to get the F-450 chassis cab version to get a higher payload rating.

I would also compare both the largest stock fuel tank provided with the models you are considering as well as the availability of replacement tanks for the OEM one, like the Titan 60+ gallon tanks.

[Kevin40]

I have looked far and wide and have located a GMC 2500 ('07) with the LMM engine in beautiful condition, especially the underbody & frame (not the norm for a Midwest truck). I guess the previous owner used it for pulling a 5th wheel as it still has the rails in the bed. Now to see if the dealership who took it in on trade will deal.

[PA12DRVR]

RoyJ wrote:
See, GM HAS been hiding the problem for a LONG time after all...

Rumor even has it that a Tundra was sent to rescue the remaining herd, but started accelerating unintentionally and was never seen again.

Only partially correct: 😉 Folks should understand that a Tundra was used to launch the Ark; and while they were doing shakedown tests on the Ark, the Tundra was sent looking for the missing herd. The Tundra never found the herd and was left behind when, in the last safety test completed ahead of schedule, the Ark sailed 3 days early.

Unfortunately, Methusaleh, who was the Jobsite Supervisor for the launch the Ark project, didn't live quite long enough to see them steal his idea and have the Tundra pull the Space Shuttle. Y'all thought the Rosetta stone was Biblical? Not really.....it was rigging instructions for the Tundra..thousands of years later, steel cables were substituted for papyrus ropes and voila! the Shuttle moves.

FWIW, I owned 2 F350's with 6.0 (2004) and put circa 120,000 miles between them (1 was stolen and I sold the other with my RV). I also have circa 25,000 miles on my snowplow rig with the 6.7. Not a bit of problem with any of those nor with my 2009 Duramax.

Back in the day, I used a Chevy 6.0 gasser as a tow rig. Decidedly unimpressed. FWIW.

[Kevin40]

Everyone, Thanks, I'm still looking and I do take notes and also prowl the other forums, trying to get a better understanding of what to look for and what to avoid. Man, didn't know the whole story about the unicorns, SMH......