Starting the new truck hunt

[dugwms]

We currently pull a Flagstaff 26RLWS, 30' and 7500lbs or so, with a 2002 Chevy 1500HD. Ole Red is getting a little long in the tooth and it's time to consider a new tow vehicle. Looking at Ford, Chevy and Ram 250/2500 trucks. When/if we upgrade the RV, it won't be with anything considerably bigger than what we have. Have been very happy with the 1500HD. It's basically a 3/4 ton truck in disguise. 3080lb payload, 6.0, 4L80 transmission, 8 lug wheels and 373 rear end. Tows very well. Anyway, I would like owners impressions of the differences between the manufacturers. Not just ratings but, having lived with a truck for a few years, what are your impressions and experiences? Reliability? There doesn't seem to be a major cost difference between any of them of any significance and the capabilities are very similar for what we'll be dealing with. Not considering a diesel, just doesn't work for us. Greatly appreciate everyone's input.

[dugwms]

We've got 173k on ours. And no real issues to speak of but are looking at some long trips and a little concerned about the mileage. It's been a great truck. We may keep it for another year. Just can't seem to make a decision and, you know the saying, if you can't make a decision... don't.

[wowens79]

So how many miles do you have in your 1500HD? Any serious problems??
I've got 215,000 miles on mine, and it has been a great truck, but I've got the itch for the ram with the 6.4, but I kinda hate to leave the Chevy since it has been so good, but I would really like more power, but don't want diesel. I drove an f-250 the other day but didn't like it. I really like the Ram.

[dugwms]

wowens79 wrote:
Take a look at where the powerband is on the 5.7 It is at a much higher RPM, and a much narrower rpm range. I really don't think you will be gaining much over your current 6.0 other than less miles, and a bunch of payload capacity. Not sure where you are, but I've been talking to a dealer in NC, and they are over $9k off on a 2018 2500 Bighorn with the 6.4. If you shop around you can get the pricing on what you want.

I bet a 3500 with the 5.7 is a had truck for them to sell.

That's certainly my concern. And the 6.4 comes on much sooner. My only encouragement is that TFL did the Ike Gauntlet with the 5.7 pulling 9000 and it did very well. Still haven't made up my mind though... ug...

[wowens79]

Take a look at where the powerband is on the 5.7 It is at a much higher RPM, and a much narrower rpm range. I really don't think you will be gaining much over your current 6.0 other than less miles, and a bunch of payload capacity. Not sure where you are, but I've been talking to a dealer in NC, and they are over $9k off on a 2018 2500 Bighorn with the 6.4. If you shop around you can get the pricing on what you want.

I bet a 3500 with the 5.7 is a had truck for them to sell.

[dugwms]

Well, we found a left over 2017 Ram 3500 with everything we want except the 6.4. It has the 5.7. The good to that is, no MDS to worry about. The bad is, slightly less power. I'm not sure that is such a problem because we're only towing around 8000 and do not ever see getting any larger RV. There are many state parks we would like to go to now and can't because our trailer is too long. Not really interested in a bigger RV so, maybe the 5.7 will be just fine. The really good part is the truck is almost $10000 off sticker. Payload is 4090 and towing is over 11000. I'm seriously considering it.

[Sportsmen]

BurbMan wrote:
I don't know if the MDS technology is the same in the 6.4 as it is in the 5.7, but I can tell you we bought one of the first 2005 Magnums to come off the line in Sept 2004. First year for the Magnum, first year for the all-new 5.7 Hemi with MDS.

The MDS works in the 5.7 by redirecting oil pressure to deactivate lifters and keep valves closed while the PCM turns off fuel and spark to those cylinders. Sounded terribly complicated, so I got the 7/70 Dodge extended warranty because I had my doubts about the MDS technology. Here we are 13 years later, 142k miles, and the motor has never been opened, not even valve cover gaskets.

I suspect that a lot of problems with AFM/MDS are a result of engine sludge. This technology incorporates several new points of potential failure. The lifters are different than conventional lifters and are a know point of failure in many of these vehicles. Both the GM and Ram engines require that the heads be removed to replace the lifters. I have attached a link that details the GM AFM system, but the Ram is similar....

https://mechanics.stackexchange.com/questions/38005/how-does-cylinder-deactivation-work

[dugwms]

BurbMan wrote:
I don't know if the MDS technology is the same in the 6.4 as it is in the 5.7, but I can tell you we bought one of the first 2005 Magnums to come off the line in Sept 2004. First year for the Magnum, first year for the all-new 5.7 Hemi with MDS.

The MDS works in the 5.7 by redirecting oil pressure to deactivate lifters and keep valves closed while the PCM turns off fuel and spark to those cylinders. Sounded terribly complicated, so I got the 7/70 Dodge extended warranty because I had my doubts about the MDS technology. Here we are 13 years later, 142k miles, and the motor has never been opened, not even valve cover gaskets.

Apparently, it's still the same. Doesn't seem to be any issues with it. Probably extra points for Chevy for not having it but I don't know that it's enough to sway the decision.

[BurbMan]

I don't know if the MDS technology is the same in the 6.4 as it is in the 5.7, but I can tell you we bought one of the first 2005 Magnums to come off the line in Sept 2004. First year for the Magnum, first year for the all-new 5.7 Hemi with MDS.

The MDS works in the 5.7 by redirecting oil pressure to deactivate lifters and keep valves closed while the PCM turns off fuel and spark to those cylinders. Sounded terribly complicated, so I got the 7/70 Dodge extended warranty because I had my doubts about the MDS technology. Here we are 13 years later, 142k miles, and the motor has never been opened, not even valve cover gaskets.

[dugwms]

Tvov wrote:

dugwms wrote:

Ltrip wrote:
Great discussion!! I have a 2018 Ford F250 Crew Cab, 6.75' bed, diesel, 4X4 on order, so I don't have experience with it yet.
One poster said "I will never buy a Ford because of...." Well, I had a bad experience with Dodge, and feel the same way. Probably irrational.
It also depends on what features are important to you. We each have individual preferences beyond all the specs.
For me, I want the high tech that the Ford has. Cameras, blindspot and especially the adaptive cruise control.
Good luck in your search!

We're going exactly opposite. As plain and simple as possible. This truck's sole purpose in life will be to tow our RV and keep the dog out of the nice cars. The less stuff to break, the better. That's what I like so much about our 02 1500HD. Simple as a rock and very little to go wrong when you're miles from anywhere camping.

dugwms, don't be so quick to not look at all the available options today. Most of them are REALLY nice to have when towing / camping! To the point where you wonder how you got along without them. And many times they come with the "tow package" options anyways. Sometimes a dealer will give you a discount on a nicely optioned truck to get it off the lot - special ordering a less optioned truck may actually cost more.

Keep an open mind, and good luck on dealing with the dealers!

We've speced out a Chevy work truck and Ram Tradesman with all the goodies for towing. It's hard to find one on a dealer lot around here because we don't want 4WD, only 2WD. We don't need diesel for what we are towing and where we go. Would it occasionally be nice? Sure but can we justify the cost? Not at all. While the 10 camera setup with the Ford is impressive it's just not worth it to me. Ram is much easier to spec out with what you need without having to add "packages" that cost thousands just to get the towing mirrors you want. Although I'm a Chevy guy, our current HD has been awesome, I'm seriously leaning toward the Ram. That Hemi is the berries. Doing my research on MDS now. If I read everything correctly, the Chevy doesn't have AFM in the HD trucks, only 1500 series. I haven't looked into it too much just yet. Overall, I was more impressed with the Ram than the Chevy.

[4x4ord]

dugwms wrote:

Ltrip wrote:
Great discussion!! I have a 2018 Ford F250 Crew Cab, 6.75' bed, diesel, 4X4 on order, so I don't have experience with it yet.
One poster said "I will never buy a Ford because of...." Well, I had a bad experience with Dodge, and feel the same way. Probably irrational.
It also depends on what features are important to you. We each have individual preferences beyond all the specs.
For me, I want the high tech that the Ford has. Cameras, blindspot and especially the adaptive cruise control.
Good luck in your search!

We're going exactly opposite. As plain and simple as possible. This truck's sole purpose in life will be to tow our RV and keep the dog out of the nice cars. The less stuff to break, the better. That's what I like so much about our 02 1500HD. Simple as a rock and very little to go wrong when you're miles from anywhere camping.

Ive had fully loaded vehicles for years. My 03 Duramax is junk....everything has failed on that truck. But, with all the trucks I've had since that piece of junk I have not had a single problem.

[Tvov]

dugwms wrote:

Ltrip wrote:
Great discussion!! I have a 2018 Ford F250 Crew Cab, 6.75' bed, diesel, 4X4 on order, so I don't have experience with it yet.
One poster said "I will never buy a Ford because of...." Well, I had a bad experience with Dodge, and feel the same way. Probably irrational.
It also depends on what features are important to you. We each have individual preferences beyond all the specs.
For me, I want the high tech that the Ford has. Cameras, blindspot and especially the adaptive cruise control.
Good luck in your search!

We're going exactly opposite. As plain and simple as possible. This truck's sole purpose in life will be to tow our RV and keep the dog out of the nice cars. The less stuff to break, the better. That's what I like so much about our 02 1500HD. Simple as a rock and very little to go wrong when you're miles from anywhere camping.

dugwms, don't be so quick to not look at all the available options today. Most of them are REALLY nice to have when towing / camping! To the point where you wonder how you got along without them. And many times they come with the "tow package" options anyways. Sometimes a dealer will give you a discount on a nicely optioned truck to get it off the lot - special ordering a less optioned truck may actually cost more.

Keep an open mind, and good luck on dealing with the dealers!

[Sportsmen]

I am not trying to start a war here, but before I would buy ANY new truck do your homework on cylinder deactivation. GM it is called AFM, Ram it is called MDS. I personally won't buy any vehicle that has it. Sure, there are some that will run flawlessly for a million miles, but do your homework on it before you buy. Lots of good videos on You Tube on it.

If you do chose a vehicle that has it you need to be meticulous with your oil changes.

Buyer beware !

[LowRyter]

I'd probably consider a good used Duramax.

[Powerdude]

Any one of the GMC/Ford/Ram heavy duty trucks I'm sure would do that you are asking of them.

Drive each one, and see how each of them feel.

As for the whole steel vs. aluminum bed thing, that's just worthless marketing right now. Aluminum may or may not be the cat's meow, but we won't really know how it will hold up for another 5-7 years of real world testing by customers.

As for dents in the bed, anybody can put a dent in the bed. If they really cared about the company equipment, the company would have at least put a half-inch plywood covering on the bed, or paid to have a bedliner put in.

Cheap way to avoid dents.

It pretty much shows that neither the owner nor the operator give a rat's behind about their equipment. Both are to blame, IMHO.