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.

[Ltrip]

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!

[goducks10]

I hate bed liners. The cheapo plastic ones are too slippery when wet. The spray in type are hard on the knees and so are the ribbed type plastic ones. Going on 5.5 years without a bed liner and the beds just fine. If the next owner doesn't like the look of the scratches then he can get his own bed liner to cover them up. 🙂

[LanceRKeys]

Samsonsworld wrote:
Who the heck spends $40-$70k on a new vehicle and doesn't get a bed liner?

I would. I have had trucks without bed liners, and now I have one with a bed liner (spray in type). I have also had trucks with the cheap plastic liners and rubber liners in the floor. If I have a choice, I would rather not have one. I just got done hauling a transmission in my truck, I have washed and washed and there is still oil in the liner that I just can't seem to get to go away. With a metal bed, a single wash would have taken care of it. I've never really had a problem with stuff sliding around with either set-up, because I just tie things down, so that is a non-issue for me. Not much moisture or salt here, so rust is not an issue.

All that being said, my preference is a metal flat-bed, and I would never spend $40-$70k on a truck anyways, but if I did, I wouldn't have a spray in bed-liner.

[DutchmenSport]

Ah shucks Dugwms! Just go for the "gusto". Get the 3500 dully long bed, crew cab diesel. You'll never need another truck again!

[wowens79]

dugwms wrote:
I'm researching the MDS on the 6.4. Haven't decided yet about the long term concerns, if any, of MDS. I had also found several statements that the 4.10 rear seemed to be a better match for the 6.4 than the 373. Need to educate myself on how MDS works.

On one of the Ram forums there is a thread for high mileage 6.4's there is one guy that is a car transporter, and he has over 200,000 on his. He puts about 16,000 miles a month on it, mostly hauling 2 cars on a trailer, and he seems to love it.

[dugwms]

I'm researching the MDS on the 6.4. Haven't decided yet about the long term concerns, if any, of MDS. I had also found several statements that the 4.10 rear seemed to be a better match for the 6.4 than the 373. Need to educate myself on how MDS works.

[wowens79]

dugwms wrote:
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.

I've got the same truck, and about the same size camper. I'm starting to look since I've got 214,000 miles on it. It has been a great truck. I've been reading about the RAM 6.4 also, and it really has my interest. I'd like a little more power, and the 6.4 I think would be great. Also if you can find a 4.10 rear end I've read that really helps with the shift points, and fuel economy when running light is basically the same. They say the MDS is used more, and it equals out.

I hate to leave Chevy since it has been such a good truck, but the 6.0 has a little more power than it used to, and the 6spd tranny now, but I really wish it was just a little stronger.

I really just don't like the looks of the F-250, but the 6.2 seems to be pretty solid.

Good luck in your search!

[Ralph_Cramden]

troubledwaters wrote:

Samsonsworld wrote:
Who the heck spends $40-$70k on a new vehicle and doesn't get a bed liner?

Sounds like the Park Rangers do. They picked up someone's errant soccer ball along the road and threw it in the back and low and behold it put a hole in the truck.

LOL......I heard it was one of the Pickleballs from the place they refer to in the "where not to stay" thread.

[dugwms]

That's good info to have. I also have a 2013 Durango that I've been pleased with. No quality issues with it at all. There are still several left over 2017 2500s in the area. Maybe I can get a deal.

[ksss]

Pickup errant soccer balls? You must not be familiar with what Park Rangers or BLM Rangers out West do. Believe it or not there is still a segment of the pickup market that actually works out of a pickup. We will know soon enough whether the Al. beds hold up to hard work.

[guidry]

When I had a 2013 Chevy one ton turned in for a lemon issue, I test drove the Ram and found it to be just OK. The inside was not as nice as the Chevy. I would never touch a Ford after having an issue back in 1980's where they knew there was an issue with engines stalling but tried to just sell me another car. So, back to Chevy I went and got a 2016 one ton LB. Absolutely love it and never any issue what so ever. I will say that if you like the Rams, I did find through my research that the majority of commercial RV transports are Rams. Good luck

[troubledwaters]

Samsonsworld wrote:
Who the heck spends $40-$70k on a new vehicle and doesn't get a bed liner?

Sounds like the Park Rangers do. They picked up someone's errant soccer ball along the road and threw it in the back and low and behold it put a hole in the truck.

[Samsonsworld]

Who the heck spends $40-$70k on a new vehicle and doesn't get a bed liner?

[troubledwaters]

donn0128 wrote:
... The truck is driven by only a few employees, and while it is used for work they do take pride in their equipment.

If they took pride in their equipment there wouldn't be holes in the bottom. It may not be as strong as steel but It's not made out of aluminum foil either. Despite your best suggestions that it is fragile, let's get real; and the reality is it takes some real effort to put a hole in it. Pride in their equipment indeed. Did you ask them how it got the holes in it, I doubt it. But you just somehow know it was treated with due care and somehow just got a hole in it. Sounds like your everyday teenage kid to me.

And you can't shovel 5000 lbs of gravel out of the back of your truck without scratching the paint with the shovel either, unless your using a kid's plastic sand pail shovel.

[4x4ord]

I have had six HD 1 ton SRW diesel pick ups since 2010. We had a 2010 GMC and a 2011 Ford both were great trucks. In 2016 we replaced them both with Fords. In 2017 one of the new trucks got stolen so we replaced both with new Fords again. As much as I liked the old style Ford I like the new one even better. I'm still trying to sell my 2016 if you happen to be interested....30,000 miles and mint condition fully loaded Platinum, 51000 US.