Tow Vehicle

[lapoldo]

Just bought a FR Wildwood Heritage Glen 300BH and need a new tow vehicle. 38' long and about 8500 lbs. dry.

Dodge Ram 2500 or 3500? Buying used because we will only use this to tow the trailer on weekends. Looking for something about 10 years old with about 150K miles.

I need a crew cab to fit the three kids and small dogs, and am thinking a short bed. Also thinking diesel for the better motor / tranny.

Was also considering the Ford F-250 with the same specs, but most gave the 6.0L engine that I've seen has a multitude of issues that develop at about that mileage.

Thoughts from the TV gods?

Thanks in advance.

Lou

[itat]

My suggestion would be, if you want the diesel, go for the 3500 to get back some of the payload that the heavy diesel engine steals from the 2500.

[cpttimerstraint]

I don't think this is meant for the a frame section.

[lapoldo]

Originally Posted by cpttimerstraint

I don't think this is meant for the a frame section.

Sorry guys. Didn't mean to put it here.

[wmtire]

I'm about to move it.

[elchilero53]

A 350 Super Duty or 3500 HD. You get the payload back plus better tow rating. What's not to like? Plus you can upgrade to something bigger if you like.

[jtstromsburg]

I know you didn't mention it, but the 06-early 07 6.6 duramax paired with Allison trans is a sought after machine. Love my 06. Since you stated looking for about 10 years old or so.

[Wileykid]

Usually the price difference between the the two is very little. For at the most, a couple of hundred, why not get the more capable truck. The size is the same (not including a dually).

Mark

[itat]

Originally Posted by Wileykid

Usually the price difference between the the two is very little. For at the most, a couple of hundred, why not get the more capable truck. The size is the same (not including a dually).

Mark

Agreed, but just so there are no surprises, check with your DMV to see if the 3500 means anything in terms of increased licensing fees and mandatory annual vehicle inspections. Up here in Ontario, a 350 or 3500 will mean a higher registered GVWR and a mandatory requirement for annual inspections which are not necessarily required with a 250 or 2500 if you register the GVWR as under 9900#.

As I said in my earlier post, if lapoldo goes with the diesel engine, then the 1 ton truck will have more payload capacity to make up for the loss in payload capacity in a 3/4 ton truck.

[Paulie1138]

The 6.0's did have issues. However, they are a good engine IF they have had the bullet-proofing done. Most have died off by now that have not been. Many have already been done. I know many on here, as well as locally, that swear by this setup after being done. With all the bad PR the 6.0 has had, there are some fantastic prices on them out there. Just a thought. If you get a low milage one, the kits to fix the issues are not that bad $-wise. Just do not power chip them unless you want to spend a lot of money prepping for the extra power.

I am running a 2001 7.3 that I got about 2 years ago with 67,000 on it, garaged, excellent pampered condition, paid just over 10k. Of course out here, rust is non-existent. Pulls my 9k loaded setup just fine. Not the power the newer ones have, but a like new truck for 1/7th the cost of new!

[lapoldo]

That's what I'm hoping for Paulie.