New Diesel Pickup

[schrederman]

Well, the time has arrived. Just 4 short years ago I had no grand children... and now I have 6. Anyway, I have decided to upgrade my RV situation in 2 steps. First I will have to decide between a F-250 and a Ram 2500. I drove a base-model Dodge today and I was impressed, except for the lack of instrumentation and a CD player. I'm old and have a lot of music... and don't want to got to the trouble of downloading all my CDs to an I-Pod or the like. Of course the salesman was a total tool... and told me that DEF was going for $60- per 2.5 gallon jug... Not a good way to sell a diesel truck... He also said people were getting 22 mpg not towing and 16 mpg towing... worthy of yet another...... or maybe even 2......

So tomorrow, I get to drive the F-250 and try to get some pricing and incentives for both.

I truly do not want a pissin' match but I'd like some fresh, real-world experiences from folks that have either, including but not limited to your mileage, towing and not, maintenance costs, problems, etc...

You will probably notice that GM and Chevy weren't mentioned. I do not want to insult anyone that made these choices, but they are not for me. If you have one of these Duramax equipped trucks, I hope you are having good, problem-free service from them. Please don't take this as a slight on your choice of truck... it's not...

Thanks in advance...

[B and B]

Word to the wise. Pick the trailer first, then make sure your truck is big enough. I have owned 4 Ford's and 1 Dodge pickup myself. Also has a real horrible experience with a GMC Van and Oldsmobile. I prefer the Ford for many reasons.
For the added price I would look at at F350 unless the weight of the TV and TT are over your licensable limit. We had a discussion here last about max weight last week.

We are looking at a upgrade in fiver already and I will need a F350 to tow it.

Brian

[clutchd]

Your later model trucks are all very similar in capabilities. Biggest think for me is with a Ford, unless you remove the cab there is no working on the engine other than simple service. Myself I like the Cummins engines and that comes with a dodge wrapped around it. Your likely to see 12 mpg average overall. If you can I recommend looking for a nice southern uses truck. Eliminating all the emission components. I work on them for a living and I won't own a newer truck

[schrederman]

I do not think I will ever go to a 5er... I fly really large models and need the covered bed space. My center wing panels are approaching 6.5 feet, now, and the wing-tip panels are 3.5 feet each. I generally carry 5 models to a competition. I'll be adding a topper to whatever I get to protect them and haul them from campsite to flying field.

I would consider a used one, but with incentives from both Ford and Chrysler, I can buy a new one for what a 2-year-old truck is going for on lots and from individuals... (because of where I work)... And I like having a full warranty period.

[Canonman]

I was lucky enough to find a Dodge 2500 SLT 2007 1/2 with only 29k miles. I upgraded from an 03 F150 and the net difference was only $15k. Love that Cummins power and the 07 1/2 came with the 6.7L engine and the 6 speed transmission. It does not qualify for the DEF thank Goodness. The Dodge handles every bit as well as the smaller Ford and has been a real pleasure to travel in. Newer models have a few more bells and whistles for sure. But for us grandpas, something with a few years on it might be worth looking at. Plus you get a chance to recover from the new truck sticker shock. In the meantime, enjoy those test drives and the salesman training you'll be doing

[PhoneDude 8289]

It will be interesting to read what you have purchased and the reason for your choice.

[Canonman]

Forgot to include milage info in the last post.
Getting an honest 16 to 18 empty mpg depending on how much freeway as opposed to city driving. With the TT 13 was the worst and 16 was the best. Don't forget to include the engine brake in your gottahaves. Love that option in the mountains

[elind]

That Dodge dealer must have large mark up on DEF. I can get it off the shelf at $6-8 a gallon.

[SaskCampers]

Geeze, maybe you can get one of the new 15 models with the 440hp 860ft lb 6.7. That would be fun, heck you could put a set of your model A/C wings on it and it would probably be able to fly.

[Twisty]

F250 GCWR 10,000 max
F350 GCWR 10,000 and up
A crew cab long bed 4x4 diesel lariat F250 will have very little payload - maybe less than your F150.
You have to watch your payloads very carefully on Fords.

My truck rides and handles really well empty and better when towing.
Great brakes. Plug in TT and get the OK. Yank that thing down the road and make it go where you want.
The XLT package is OK. We didn't want leather or some of the other fancy stuff because we wouldn't use it. I would like to see an XLT Plus or deluxe package.
A simple yet luxurious cab would be nice. Ford wants too much for the other interior packages for me to buy into it.
In many ways the cab and truck are well thought out and well built. However, fit and finish is lacking everywhere, paint is.. uh... pretty good. I wouldn't park next to a show truck.
I did not look at any other trucks.
The SD cab is a showpiece of wasted space and inconveniences.

I suggest that you drive one.
It only takes a few seconds and you'll be willing to overlook the flaws.
I like my big homely hot rod!

[schrederman]

I have an XLT now and I don't really need all those bells and whistles that come on the high-priced packages. Vinyl and cloth are fine. My first truck had rubber mats instead of carpet, and I liked being able to scrub it and hose it out, and let it dry on a Texas summer afternoon.

Pricing online has me already leaning toward the Dodge. We'll see after I drive the Ford, but it will really have to have huge WOW factor to overcome the price difference. I can buy lot of fuel for that difference.

Another thing... Since this is my first diesel, what are you having to pay for maintenance, and how often? I do my own oil changes and fuel filters, etc. should not be a problem.

Thanks for the replies... Please keep them coming.

[asquared]

You will have to do oil changes every 5000 miles. My old 2009 f250 psd took 15 quarts of oil... dealership charged close to $100 per oil change. You will change the fuel filter every 10000 miles (every other oil change) @ about another $110 or so. My era ford required I run cetane boost with every tank of fuel (my new chevy which has def doesn't need this do not sure a out this on newer Ford's). You need to drain your water separator monthly (free, do it yourself).

As for Ford vs dodge.... I had issues with my ford but it was a different engine so irrelevant here. I test drove a dodge 3500 CTD when I bought this truck. It was a nice truck and I would have bought it but the dealership wasn't willing to deal. We got a much better deal on the chevy (not what you want, so I will respectfully stay off that topic).

Pay close attention to all capacities on any truck you get. Pay attention to the tire loading sticker for that trucks payload (my f250 only had 1500 lbs payload but I have seen some in the 2500 range). Also pay attention to hitch ratings as i hAve seen differences in trucks with that as well. I suggest for the little bit more money go for the 3500/350 so you have enough truck for any tt you want. We bought ours because we were looking at tt with 11000 lb gvwr, we changed our minds and are 5ers shopping instead but that's ok because we have enough truck for the 5ers we like.

You mentioned wanting bed space so you would forgo a 5er. Do yourself a favor and check out the b&w turnover ball. You can have your cake and eat it too with that.

Happy hunting.

[Seasonal]

Do yourself a favor and consider an f350. Not much more money but you get more ability to tow.

Sent from my VS980 4G using Forest River Forums mobile app

[BigBaron]

I like the recommendation to choose the trailer first, then the truck. The only other option is to do like Twisty did and just get the best payload/GCWR possible.
Will you tow to the competitions so you can stay in your trailer?
Some pics of your "toys" would be neat to see. (hint hint)
Have fun shopping!

[jimmac28]

Just for your own information schrederman there is little difference between the Ford F250 and the F350. If you get the F250 with the camper package it’s the same truck.

The difference is how Ford classifies the two trucks. The F250 is a class 2B and the F350 is a class 3, to be in class 2B it can’t be rated over 10000lb, and to be in class 3 it starts at 10000lb. the big decision is how do you want your truck to be rated (license, taxes that kind of thing).

Now to your original question, I like the Cummins and the suspension on the Dodge, but I don’t like the styling. I own a Ford and I like it, man it’s a beast, but its old school. The torque on the Ford and Dodge Diesels trucks is very close so it should be a push.

You will like both, by the way I would not count out the GM trucks their very good too.

[BigBaron]

A spacer on the rear axle (4" vs. 2") and an extra leaf spring.

That's according to a guy that works on them for a living.

[jimmac28]

Originally Posted by BigBaron

A spacer on the rear axle (4" vs. 2") and an extra leaf spring.

That's according to a guy that works on them for a living.

I agree, but when you buy the camper package you get the extra leaf spring, but the 4" lift is on the F350 only.

A lot of 250 guys like to put the 4" lift on their trucks and its a simple Ford add on or so they say, I like my 250 right where its at, its high enough LOL.

[EdJunior]

$60 for 2.5 gallons of DEF! The guy is crazy. The average at Sams, Wal-Mart, and most other places is between $9 and $13 for 2.5 gallons. If you have it filled at the dealer, the price goes up dramatically. Don't ever have it filled at the dealer.

I am also skeptical about the mileage numbers for the RAM. I average just short of 19mpg daily driving my F-250, and right around 11mpg towing my 11K 5th wheel. I consider that pretty exceptional mileage. Of course, your numbers will vary depending on what and where you are towing. But you asked for real world, and here it is.

[BeeGee]

I faced the same dilema. I owned 5 Dodge trucks in a row so I bought a new 2011 Dodge F150 with a 10,000 lb tow limit. It fell flat on it's face (hemi engine) trying to pull 6,000 lbs. So I looked at the 2500 Dodges and they were cheap looking with crummy interiors. I looked at Ford F250 super duty's with the 6.7 liter diesel. I was impressed. The dealership also had some 350s that were similar and the uptick wasn't much. Looking for trouble free towing after all the trouble with the Dodge so I bought the F350 Super Duty. That was nearly 2 years ago and I'm so happy I did it. Yes the mileage is 10-12 towing and yes diesel fuel cost $3.50-$4.00 a gallon and yes the truck takes a lot of oil on an oil change. But, damn!, it'll pull anything I hook to it, I covered the bed with a cap and I can stuff it full and take 4 people too and there's never a whimper or a wiggle. The dealer has not seen me since I bought it. It's a big tough truck but pretty and soft on the inside. I can't imagine why anyone would buy something other than one of these Fords. I have a CD player too. The only thing on the truck that was crap was the Sirius XM service. I let that expire - what a waste of money

[Planostu]

I have probably have more data on this subject than I can spend time typing. For my business, I have 3 2013 F450's PSD's, a 2006 F350 PSD (yes, a 6.0, that won't give it up) a 2010 Ram 5500 Cummins, a 2011 Ram 2500 Cummins, and a 2014 Ram 2500 Cummins. All are 4x4 crew cabs. I have large bumper pull trailers for the business with toppers on them. Only the 2014 2500 is set up for my 5th wheel. It is also the only one with a 3:42 rear end so must be one of the reasons it gets 20 mpg on the highway daily. Around town is 16 mpg unloaded and 12 mpg towing. The 2011 Ram is non DEF and gets 13 mpg on the highway unloaded but has a gear set that keeps the RPMS's high as do the HD Fords and 5500. All of them loaded and towing get around 11-12 MPG towing. All of these have been comfortable (except the 5500, we use for pulling an enclosed car trailer) trouble free and spend their lives driving from coast to coast towing large diesel gens or 12K equipment trailers. I don't know how much longer the 2006 F350 will keep going at 250K miles but it has the best ride of all of them, loaded or empty. I don't think you can go wrong with either brand. We do have more leg room in the rear of our Ford crew cabs. I feel the new 2014 Ram has a slightly better fit and finish inside than the Ford's but that will probably change when the new Super Duty models arrive. Let us know what you choose!