One Step Closer

[McIntraveler]

On Friday we finalize the purchase of a 2016 Grand Design 317RST to be used full time after retirement next year. It is 35' weighing 10,138 empty carrying a GVWR of 13,995. The dealer agreed to store it for us until next year. Now comes the hard part - buying a truck.

Years ago we had an '03 F250 PS used to haul a 24' 5er. Worked like a champ. But the new diesels really scare me with all the problems they've had. Regardless, I've decided diesel is the way to go. The Cummins seems like a great engine, unfortunately I've read way too much about front ends and wheel bearings and am concerned about Ram's build quality in general. I like Fords, but the prospect of having a problem which requires ripping the cab off the truck bothers me.

Pretty much, I've decided on Ford. Right now they're offering 0.00% financing up to 72 months and some great pricing on left over 2016 models - that is hard to ignore. I found two trucks of interest. The first is a F350 PD crew cab short bed SRW with 3.55 gears. The 2nd is a F350 Supercab long bed SRW with the same gearing. I know length is our friend when towing, but the 2 trucks are within 2 inches of each other with respect to wheel base. The 2nd is about 6k less expensive.

As I am unfamiliar with towing 14k, so I am interested in input from those who are. What say ye?

Thank you.

[larry_barnhart]

Hope you enjoy the new truck.

chevman

[transamz9]

FishOnOne wrote:

Fast Mopar wrote:

FishOnOne wrote:

Fact is Ford is a US based company that is still ran by the Ford family and Ram/fiat is a foreign company that is ran by macaroni. In addition it's comical that you brag that your B&W hitch is "Made in the USA" but you always leave out that nasty detail that your ram truck is "Made in Mexico" by a foreign brand.

Spin it however you like.

BTW...Your like a liberal in that 2+2= Whatever feels good.

RAM truck plant

Ford truck plant

Fish, your post here is accurate. However, and please correct me if I am wrong, but I seem to recall in a recent post that you stated you run Michelin tires on your truck. The fact is that Michelin is not a US company. They do build tires in the US, but they are definitely not a US company. Goodyear is a US company. They build tires in the US and in other countries, but they are a US company. In addition, Goodyear produces the synthetic rubber in the US that is used in those tires that are produced here in the US and at their plants in other countries. Don't argue with me on this - this is the business I am in. If you really want to walk the walk on doing business with US companies (which is something I respect as well), then you should change your brand of tire next time around. Heck, if you're nice, I might even offer you one of my employee discount codes.

Sorry to hijack the thread. You may return to your normal programming.

My truck came from the factory with Michelin tires and now I'm running Goodyears. :W

Thanks in advance on that discount offer. I do agree that buying "Made in the USA" and equally important buying from US based companies is the respectable thing to do.

And your boat motor is what brand again?

[DakotaDad]

Now that's a truck! Very nice!

[Cummins12V98]

YOU DID GOOOOOD!!!

[McIntraveler]

It's monolithic. Color is dark brown but even in person at a distance or certain lighting it looks black.

[MFL]

No one is going to say "YOU NEED A BIGGER TRUCK"! That is a looker, black & chrome, it don't get any sharper than that!

Enjoy,
Jerry

[McIntraveler]

Picked up this rig on Friday and so far am really happy with it. One exception, the dealer managed to deliver it to me with a side marker light out...

[FishOnOne]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

dirtydan57 wrote:

IdaD wrote:
Congratulations and good choice. You would have been happy with any of the diesels, but I think you'll be particularly happy with the Cummins. :B

Thanks. I believe that's true about the other brands. The Cummins and engine brake is why got Ram the nod.

A tip of the hat to Cummins12V98 for showing me that I needed to test drive more than one brand.

You are welcome, I was skeptical when I bought my 98 12V from a Friend. At 360K I sold it to my Son. Same friend turned me on to the B&W hitches and I thank him to this day for steering me in the right direction on both.

Ah yes the 5.9 cummins was the last good engine under the hood of a Dodge...errrr ram

[Cummins12V98]

dirtydan57 wrote:

IdaD wrote:
Congratulations and good choice. You would have been happy with any of the diesels, but I think you'll be particularly happy with the Cummins. :B

Thanks. I believe that's true about the other brands. The Cummins and engine brake is why got Ram the nod.

A tip of the hat to Cummins12V98 for showing me that I needed to test drive more than one brand.

You are welcome, I was skeptical when I bought my 98 12V from a Friend. At 360K I sold it to my Son. Same friend turned me on to the B&W hitches and I thank him to this day for steering me in the right direction on both.

[McIntraveler]

IdaD wrote:
Congratulations and good choice. You would have been happy with any of the diesels, but I think you'll be particularly happy with the Cummins. :B

Thanks. I believe that's true about the other brands. The Cummins and engine brake is why got Ram the nod.

A tip of the hat to Cummins12V98 for showing me that I needed to test drive more than one brand.

[IdaD]

Congratulations and good choice. You would have been happy with any of the diesels, but I think you'll be particularly happy with the Cummins. :B

[McIntraveler]

spud1957 wrote:

dirtydan57 wrote:
After much research and hand wringing, we pulled the trigger on a truck purchase today and get to pick it up next Friday. It seems perfect for what we're towing. It's a '16 Ram Laramie CCLB dually in Luxury Brown; options include:

AISIN trans
3.42 gearing
5th wheel towing package
Air bag leveling system
LED bed lighting
Leather bucket seats
Heavy duty snow plow prep
Cargo view camera

I believe the air bag suspension rides a little nicer than non-air bag trucks I drove and the AISIN shifts great, too. ...really dig that truck. Can't wait to get it out there and work it some. It's going to be a long week!!

VERY nice. You do know pictures are required.

I have heard rumors. I'll put some up after picking it up next week.

[spud1957]

dirtydan57 wrote:
After much research and hand wringing, we pulled the trigger on a truck purchase today and get to pick it up next Friday. It seems perfect for what we're towing. It's a '16 Ram Laramie CCLB dually in Luxury Brown; options include:

AISIN trans
3.42 gearing
5th wheel towing package
Air bag leveling system
LED bed lighting
Leather bucket seats
Heavy duty snow plow prep
Cargo view camera

I believe the air bag suspension rides a little nicer than non-air bag trucks I drove and the AISIN shifts great, too. ...really dig that truck. Can't wait to get it out there and work it some. It's going to be a long week!!

VERY nice. You do know pictures are required.

[McIntraveler]

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