Question on NEW Truck? 2500 vs 3500 Long and Short beds?

[Baja_Man]

Members over on Tow Truck section suggested posting this here....

Considering a new GAS truck. Have owned a '97 Ford 7.3 diesel, '05 Ram with CTD, '10 Tundra with 5.7L, and several trucks over the years.

Preferences: Crew Cab, 4x4, Long Bed, SRW - NO expensive options like leather, navigation, sunroof, etc.

Been thinking that maybe a standard short bed would be fine especially the coil springs on the RAM 2500 series. I hear the ride is great.

I currently have a '04 Sequoia that has been just great! I use it when I tow my boat. I believe it is too limiting for a 27-28 TT.

I tend to be loyal to Toyota for Cars/SUVs/1/2 ton trucks as I appreciate their durability, reliability, and value.

Now I am trying to determine between a 1/2, 3/4. 1 ton (150-250-350). The one ton would be a SRW. I like the added payload of the 350. I also like 4x4 crew cabs, and long beds.

I like the new rear coil overs on the new Dodge 2500.

I am truck man at heart!

My needs: use around the house, tow my 17' alum boat (3000# max), and tow a future used trailer. Would like something around the 27-28' with full size bunks for my 2 boys.

The 250/350 would provide me options later on in the future if I want a truck camper or a 5er. Truck camper is a loooong shot as DW does not like them.

This will be a daily driver (15 miles round trip to work).

I will retire in 5 years and so this may be my last expensive new vehicle.

I like the idea of a TT to have use of the truck bed for storage and what not.

Now......
The Ram 2500 / 3500 are much less expensive than Ford ($6-8K for same vehicle/options.

Example: 2017 Ram 3500, Tradesman, Hemi 6.4L, 4x4, SRW, Crew, Long bed = $34900

2017 Ford F350 XL, 6.2L, Crew, 4x4, SRW, long bed = $41,700

I am not interested in the Chevy/GMC

Is there something about the Dodge that has it much lower priced? Is the 6.4L questionable?

Have any of you purchased these trucks and care to comment on your experiences?

Thanks!

[d3500ram]

My opinion as it relates to the TC questions-

You state:
...later on in the future if I want a truck camper...
Unless you know that a future camper will absolutely fit and work on a 250 then get an 8' bed 3500 series to keep more of those future TC's on your list. Heck, you can even consider a SB camper on a LB truck bed.


This will be a daily driver (15 miles round trip to work).
I think gas engine is a good choice. A good 70 percent on my truck in sig was used for this type of driving and the diesel was too much. Never regretted the power, but more than needed when used as a DD as well.

I will retire in 5 years and so this may be my last expensive new vehicle.
I think the truck I suggest will allows this to happen with less possible regrets of purchasing a wrong truck for what the future TC might come along. Getting the LB 3500 will also be fully capable of your other toy- trailer needs.

JMHO.

[Grit_dog]

Ram has just been hitting that price point for a while and it's noticeable in increased sales. It's pulled more than a couple bluelaid drinkers and bow tie wearers over to the Ram mafia, lol.

I've driven extensively, now in the last few years, current models of all 3. '14 and up ram, '14 and up GM and the last of the old style Fords, '11 F150, '13 and '15 F250.
I don't think any of them give up much to the others in terms of reliability, comfort, road noise, features, etc. boils down to which grille you want to see on the front of the truck when you walk out in the morning to go to work.

[Grit_dog]

Baja man, I think your intuition is spot on. Same uses that make Crew cab short bed trucks the most popular on the market. They're like the Swiss Army knife of vehicles. They do most everything well.
1/2 vs 3/4? For your use 1/2T will do the trick, 3/4T will do most things better except fuel mileage.

If a TC is in the future, I'd be thinking long bed in general and 1 ton if going Ram, simply for the leaf springs vs coils, otherwise from what you've stated, you have zero use for a factory 4-5000lb payload rating. If looking at the other 2 brands of HDs, 3/4 vs 1 ton doesn't mean much to me. Only difference is how many rear leaf springs and tire pressure monitors.

I've had great luck with 2-6.2 Fords but I don't see Chevies or Rams parked on the side of the road with the hoods up either. Don't think there's a turd in the bunch. IMO ford charges more because they can....and all new model for '17 probably factors in.

Your use plants you squarely in the CC/SB gas 3/4 ton if you want a burly truck.

The one other up side to going to a class2 or 3 chassis is service life of chassis and drivetrain components. Being designed for heavier use than a half ton means longer service life under light use = less periodic repairs theoretically.

Example, our old Dodge, in my sig, only has 150kmi on it now, but brakes last about twice as long as the 1/2 ton variants I've had during the same period.

[Grit_dog]

Kayteg1 wrote:

Anyway, engine choice aside, why do you want CC for daily driver?.

Did the OP say wife and 2 kids? That makes 4. No one wants to spend 12 hours in the back of an ext cab on a road trip. not much room there. Even around town, Suicide doors are a pain. That's why 2 door cars aren't really considered family cars.

[Kayteg1]

Now talking about options, I like the $2000 tow package with 5 cameras for parking the beast.
When I usually don't admire gadgets in vehicles and Truck talking to me with female voice gets annoying, I really like GPS with life traffic.

[Kayteg1]

I took delivery of my F350 dually just couple month ago and love the 440HP.
Even you might not need diesel, it gives a kick to outsmoke Mustangs 😉
Anyway, engine choice aside, why do you want CC for daily driver?
I had to custom build my truck as I figured out 1 foot extra length over supercab is going to add lot of parking hassle, not to mention lower fuel economy.
I also choose RWD over 4 WD and am really glad I did as not only it will save me lot of money, but 4WD are way taller comparing to my already tall truck.
Good luck with your choice.
BTW buying at Modesto Ford can save you quite a bit.