I am not sure why Chevy is not included, sad face.

Check around for a lightly used truck. I just found a Chevy High Country with low miles. When you move up in packages you will loose cargo weight. It is best to physically look at the door sticker on the truck you are wanting, I am not sure what they will tell you when you order a new one. You will like the long bed for towing the fifth wheel and the extra bed space. This is my second diesel and I would not go back to gas as long as I am towing. The truck lanes are nice when towing as you do not have to fight the traffic around the gas pumps, especially if you have the trailer. There is extra cost with maintenance and such but worth it for me.

Please consider a Chevy, they are pretty nice, but I do like the Cummins.

Brian

Thanks Brian! Yes, I am reviewing the tire/cargo door stickers and running numbers against the GVWR for each model I look at.
I've owned 1 Chevy, a 2017 Colorado that had issues before 20k, got snake bit. So the Duramax holds up ok? I'm not against Chevy/GMC. It's just a preference. I don't care for the current interior setup, and the screen interface is one of the smallest. I've looked at them, maybe I will revisit.
many thanks
Rob

I love truck discussions. But over the years I have become a little complacent on the subject. This is due primarily because the quality of all the major brands has improved, there are no longer huge differences. I know real truck guys will argue this point, but I focus on only one number; Max towing capicity of a 5th wheel. Real truck guys will tell you my viewpoint if over simplistic, they aren't wrong.

9 mpg. Real truck guys will poo poo my number, they'll get 12-15, or better. but 9 mpg is my average over several different vehicles for many years. I pull in the 17,000-21,000 category. My lowest mpg was 2, that pass south of Guadalupe National Park in a 25mph+ headwind.

I have only owned duallies.

My Ford F450 has the same engine and transmission as the Ford F350. 2 of the three Chevies I had ended up with fuel injector issues, recent articles indicated that problem has been fixed. I have never talked myself into buying a Dodge, er Ram. Don't really know why, probably the same reason some folks don't like turnip greens, doesn't make sense.

So my real reason for responding is the diesel option. I will never pull with a gas engine again. The torque with the diesels means you are not winding the engine up real high to crawl over the mountains or jump on the interstate. Then you have the added benefit of the exhaust brake. It is difficult to truly appreciate an exhaust brake until you start pulling in the mountains. But even slowing down for an exit or traffic jam it helps a lot.

Happy hunting for your new truck.

Personally, I would never tow (again) with a gas engine. In my view, and as noted above, the torque curve on the diesel and the added benefit of the exhaust brake are indispensable when towing on grades. The truck lanes are an added bonus, but I rarely use them (our travel days are generally under 1 tank of fuel).

And FWIW, I am very happy with our F350. It's a nice match with the 303RLS.

Hi d2reid, thank you for the input! You definitely are in another class! I don't ever expect to go that heavy on a rig. You trek some serious mountains and grades, I don't expect to do much of that although Virginia and Tenn can get... interesting.

The diesel exhaust braking is definitely a plus! With my Ram 6.4 I can lock out some gears to prep for a grade, but I'll bet exhaust braking is better.

thank you very much
Rob

Thanks KSC!

Way back I towed with a Dodge V10, after two transmissions I went to Chevy 2500 Isuzu/Duramax. Chevy pulled just fine, then I changed to bigger trailer and needed more capacity. Went to a Ford 350 Powerstroke, it was the better deal at the time. The diesels were better, in my mind. Now drive a second Ford Powerstroke, CC, LB, SRW. I always had single rear wheel, 4x4 and long box setup. The exhaust braking assist is a plus. Current average towing mpg is 14 and the 48 gallon fuel capacity is a day's range for me. Big rig islands are easy, although I often fuel up unhitched the night before the next tow day. Towing does eat up the DEF, though. These days brand doesn't seem too devisive. FWIW

Hi Rob,

An interesting discussion and certainly OK on this forum as long as it stays "friendly" LOL!

I stepped up from an HDPP F150 Ecoboost to a Diesel F350. Even with the HDPP options, the F150 was running on the ragged edge of its limits . . . but, it did this for 6 years and about 20,000 towing miles without any problems. I never experienced the high revving to get torque that most gasoline engines have to do, because the turbocharged Ecoboost has a torque curve like a (mini) turbocharged diesel. Something to remember is that all gasoline engines have natural engine braking . . . not to the extent of a diesel engine brake . . . but, still useful.

We shopped GM and Ford for the new truck. Seat comfort and instrument panel layout with the big screen won the contest in favour of the Ford. We have the Lariat package with full cameras including the one for the trailer. Also trailer TPMS. Full cameras without the big screen would not be as good. (To be fair . . . I think GM is adding a big screen in the near future)

Option content and particularly the diesel powertrain will eat up payload in a hurry. All the sales literature is "optimistic". Definitely check the door label on the exact truck you are buying. We couldn't do this because of the shortage of trucks we had to factory order. All the documentation led me to believe payload would be over 4000 lbs. Door label says 3440 lbs. Still more than sufficient for what I will be towing . . . but a little disappointing.

If I had this to do over again . . . I would look more seriously at a Godzilla F250. Same payload as a diesel F350 and probably $15K less expensive. The diesel has amazing power but this is needed very, very few times. Diesel requires more expensive fuel, DEF and significantly more expensive service costs. Diesel does get slightly better miles per gallon but about a wash with gasoline for miles per dollar. If you get a diesel, get the longest factory warranty coverage available (that is one complex powertrain!) . . . another significant cost.

(another) Rob

Friendly?????? We are talking our beloved truck brands

Bigdog3162
Do not exclude Chevy's if you looking. See Brian I am being nice You dont say where you live, but shopping around, including out of state can save you a bundle. Prices are coming down a bit and dealers are now taking Ford X-Plan and some are now offering % below dealer invoice again. If you see a dealer mark up walk away.

All of the big US 3 (Chevy, Ford. Dodge) all have solid diesels. I feel Ford and Chevy have the stronger drive lines and better body hold up. I have a 2022 F350 CC 6.7 SRW with the 3.55 gearing. I can get 20's solo and 10 towing. I have also gotten in the mid teen towing to.

If you search here there are several threads on the Ford 7.3 gas - it is a beast and solid, but the diesel has better towing numbers. Downside is higher fuel and maintenance costs. Upside is longevity and power, especially at altitude and mountain towing. However Ford did have a 7.3 diesel, so be shure you check to be sure the are talking about the 7.3 Gas (Godzilla nickname)

If this truck is to last you order so you get what you want. I would max out GVW, springs, factory towing package, etc. Ford has the new HO 6.7 - a real beast or the stock which I have that has plenty of power. Gearing is important too I got the 3:55 e-locker as a compromise between the tall 3:31 and the low 4:30 options. I don't know what Dodge or Chevy offers. Ford has the 10 speed auto - a huge plus. Chevy the same. I believe dodge stuck with the 6 speed. All this adds up to quality towing.

Last and most important - does the truck fit you. Seats, layout. Can you see out of the mirrors?

Good luck

Do some research. There are lots of threads on the topic here in the Towing Form. Also look over at the GD owners and IRV2, and other web sites and forums,

I am very happy with my Ford

Keith

Bigdog3162 I have an F250 with diesel. Door sticker shows 3166# payload which is probably about the highest payload you will ever see with a 3/4 ton diesel, so a 1 ton is probably the right direction for the 4000# payload you're looking for.

As far as brands, We looked at mostly Ram and Ford. Don't know why we didn't look at GM. I liked Ram a lot. I'm a big fan of Cummins. I found the Ram I wanted and the Ford I wanted then took the wife to look over both trucks. First stop was the Ram. Great truck, but my wife asks me "did you look at the back seat?". When I looked I understood. With 2-3 kids in the back it would have been a real tight fit. When we looked at the FOrd she approved the rear seat. MUCH better than RAM. Flat floor, seats were better, great leg room.

So for us it came down to the dynamics of our family situation. I would definitely look at all 3 major brands and see which fits your dynamics best.

As far as engines, I prefer diesel for the reasons already listed, but the 7.3 gas from Ford would be what I would choose if we went with gas. I heard the fuels injector problems with the Duramax (cylinder 4 I believe) are resolved with the newer engine, and the fuel pump issues with the CP4 have been resolved because they are no longer using the CP4. Ram is also recalling all CP4 engines and replacing with updated CP3 pumps avoiding the fuel pump issue. Ford still uses the CP4. Ford claims they won't have the same issues with the CP4 based on their engine design....I still use fuel additives in every tank to help lubricate the components (the claimed reason the CP4 detonates is the low lubrication content of Ultra Low Sulfur diesel in the US) which I hope helps avoid the issue altogether.

I really don't think you can go wrong with any of the 3 major brands. Just find the one that fits your needs.

Bigdog3162

First priority is the truck must have the right capability, and I'm not talking about bells and whistles. You're buying it to tow, so suggest that be the primary focus. Once the list is pared down, it's what you like the best that fits in the budget.

I find the adaptive cruise on my Ford a true benefit on tow days. There's not much on my '17 I don't like. One that immediately comes to mind is the camera system, but I've overcome the issue with an aftermarket add-on. On my truck, as it came from the factory, the cameras are unavailable over 5 mph. Kind of ridiculous, thus why I've bypassed the nanny-hand holding.

Good luck with the hunt. Please come back and tell us what you choose (and why).

Howard

I'll second the opinion for truck integrated trailer tire pressure monitoring. On my Ford it's great, the sensors are in the wheels with batteries good for ten years. No extra box on the dash with TPMS info, just right in the main display. I love mine.

All very good point and advice, I thank you all! I think I'm leaning towards a choice, but no plan survives first contact with the enemy - - my choice will have to pass my wife's approval (ha)!!! Things could turn on a dime quickly!!! It is interesting that basic pricing here in northern Virginia shows I could get a dually for a little cheaper than the SRW ?!? I can throw a rock and hit a dually nearby but SRWs are a little scarce. Supply and demand rules.
thanks everyone!

The 24 model GM's will have a much more integrated larger touch screen system.

All of the big 3 have their strengths and weaknesses. If you are going with the 4wd, both Ford and Ram use a trailing arms system that is known for death wobble. This is some what curable by keeping the tires wet balanced and at any signs of play in any of the front end components have them replaced. Double steering stabilizers just hide the problem longer, they are not the fix.

GM has had injector issues (all of them have, some just hide them better). Most of what I am seeing on those were in the early changes to the L5P platform. Seems like there may have been a bad batch of them as the list varied from 1 to 8 with little to no consistency on the number being changed per engine. The New Allison Approved trans is supposed to be stout. Tie rod ends are known to be a weak link if you go with big tires and off-road a lot. There are a couple of fixes for this, and relatively cheap and up in price.

This day in age, it's more of what you want in a truck. All 3 have strengths and weaknesses.

One other thing, a LWB will take getting used to as the truck is between 18" and 20" longer with most of that being added between the wheels. This means increased turning radius making parking a bit more challenging.