Dodge vs Ford vs GM 3/4 ton diesel

[Sandbagger]

Thanks everybody for your responses as they were insightful and helpful in allowing me to decide on buying a 2015 or 2016 GMC Donali 3/4 ton diesal. I read the comments on needing a 1 ton but after talking to dealers for all three domestic manufactures and researching further online I do not see anything supporting the need for a 1 ton. A dealer that sells only trucks made the best analogy by stating that if I wanted to haul bricks I could haul more with a 1 ton versus a 3/4 ton but for towing purposes they both do the same as pin weight and towing weight capacities are nearly identical. All dealers I talked to said the difference is that the one ton gives you an additional leaf spring but engines, rear end ratios and brakes are all the same. In the end it was between Ford and GMC and I like the reputation of the Allison transmission along with the GMC Duramax diesel being quieter. The one negative for the GMC is that they do not come prepared with under the bed railings for fifth wheels whereas the Fords and Dodges do. I hope I can say in a year that this is this the right decision for us. If I planned on upgrading to a bigger RV a dually may have been the way to go.

[aceinspp]

Only thing I can add is you pay more for the GMC than the Chevy . Later RJD

[dj3spots]

You won't regret the purchase. Have the one ton and love love love it. Very comfy for those long drives and the Duramax with Allison transmission is a tough combo to beat. We have SRW, 4 x 4, 6.5 bed with crew cab. Pullin 40' Salem Hemispere. Our truck tows like there's no trailer behind it. The mileage is pretty good too. Sometimes averaging up to 13 mpg. Course depends on terrain and speed. Have fun and stay safe.


Sent from my iPad using Forest River Forums

[CWSWine]

I had Chevy 2500HD Diesel and when I put my Crusader on the Cat Scale it was 780 lbs over the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating and very close to be over the Rear Axle Weight Rating and Tire Max Weight Rating. My 2500HD Diesel had 2475 Cargo Capacity and my F350 has 3744 Cargo Capacity. Yep they both tow the same weight but 2500HD couldn't accept the pin weight and stay within Manufacture Specs. Now with the F350 I have over 500 lbs under my Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings. If you want I would be glad to post the Cat Scale tickets....

[CWSWine]

I looked up the link and here is the numbers I got from weighing the 5er and finding the numbers give by prime time are suspect at best.

Actual Weights - Fifth Wheel Weights from CAT Scales - Towing Planner

[X96mnn]

Problem with "talking with the dealers", they only want to sell you something and will tell you anything will "pull the side out of a house".

I think your going to be spending more money then the cost of the 3500 upgrading your 2500 and left with something that still does not cover you in some situations.

There is a guy in the park I am at right now with a similar set up but his truck is a 2012 2500 crew. Asked him how it was and he stated he had to add air bags and knows it is behind him. Plenty of power but not the most stable especially in wind.

[Adh203]

2015 f350 dually 6.7 platinum 373 gear 4x4
Towing Spartan 1239 42' 15,000 dry weight 5r. I have no problems towing at all. lacks no power and cruising at 70 mph I'm getting 10 mpg. 440 hp and 865 torque with the second generation 6.7 they got it right. I used to be a Chevy guy.


Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

[wicked1]

Originally Posted by Adh203

2015 f350 dually 6.7 platinum 373 gear 4x4
Towing Spartan 1239 42' 15,000 dry weight 5r. I have no problems towing at all. lacks no power and cruising at 70 mph I'm getting 10 mpg. 440 hp and 865 torque with the second generation 6.7 they got it right. I used to be a Chevy guy.


Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

Yes I agree, if I go Dieselbit is Ford then Dodge, GM is not an option, since I am thinking Toy Hauler Heartland Cyclone, or Prinetine Spartan, I am thinking of an F450 Platinum Loaded, this way I can go up to 31,000 with toys and gear, plus 4-6 people and 1-2 dogs. I just have to get one before 2017 do not like the look of the new F series HD trucks and I want Sync, not that crap from Blackberry that Ford signed onto for 2017


2014 F150 FX4 Crew 4X4 EB
2015 Roo 23IKSS

Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

[Quasipato]

I have the 2012 GMC 2500 HD and I love it. You really couldn't go wrong no matter what brand you choose though. I have a buddy with a new F350 and it is a nice machine. The only thing I can say is I have a larger fuel tank and have to stop less than he does. Other than that... all new trucks are nice.

[mud yapster]

We just updated out Tow truck, went from a 2001 F350 7.3L diesel to a
2015 Ram 3500 6.7L diesel 4x4 dually 3.73 gears and tow our 18,000 5er no problem set the cruise on 65 mph and getter done. Doesn't even slow down for a hill.
I was always a Ford guy but closest dealer was 60 miles away but the Dodge dealer was 8 miles away so I'm got the new Ram 3500. Very quiet nice ride.
I don't think you can go wrong with either a Ford or Ram. Here's a few pics of out new Tow Truck

[evansmedine]

We have a 2014 Sanibel 3500 (40 ft) and tow it with a Ford F-250 Diesel 6.7. The only mod that we did was to add a set of adjustable air bags to the rear suspension system. We have used this rig for 2 years now making 2 extended trips of 6300 miles each into Yellowstone and Montana on both trips. Average fuel mileage is right at 12 mpg towing. We are also averaging one trip a month around home of 300 miles or less.

[DDC]

I just got a new 2500 chev high country (chevs denali) 6.6 duramax and intend getting a new fiver in the future, the only thing I can add to this is the OP forgot to exclude the weight police as well as the (found on road dead) group.

[Kenny kustom]

Originally Posted by CWSWine

How do you get around the Cargo Capacity of less than 2500 lbs on diesel 2500/250 and the pin weights on the 17,180 lbs 5th wheel? If the SAE J2807 standard more realistic should all numbers be followed not just the ones that fit?

Bingo!!!

Useless truck. I had one.
2100lbs payload.
Loaded up my family, 800lbs left.
Hooked up my TT. BOOM... Over weight.
Pulled great! But with such a low payload, there's no reason to chose it, over a 3500.


2008 F350 CCSB V10
2016 Sabre 36QBOK

[CWSWine]

Originally Posted by Kenny kustom

Bingo!!!

Useless truck. I had one.
2100lbs payload.
Loaded up my family, 800lbs left.
Hooked up my TT. BOOM... Over weight.
Pulled great! But with such a low payload, there's no reason to chose it, over a 3500.


2008 F350 CCSB V10
2016 Sabre 36QBOK

Yep, if I was going to by another 3/4 ton I wouldn't put diesel in it. My Chevy diesel 2500HD had cargo capacity of 2475 on on the door sticker and less than 1900 loaded ready to camping and that is scale weight and not a guess.

10,000lbs 5er with average pin weight of 20% = 2000lbs pin weight.... I would be over manufacture cargo capacity by 100lbs.

[toslow]

the age old question that nobody really has the answer to...lol

[aceinspp]

Originally Posted by CWSWine

I had Chevy 2500HD Diesel and when I put my Crusader on the Cat Scale it was 780 lbs over the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating and very close to be over the Rear Axle Weight Rating and Tire Max Weight Rating. My 2500HD Diesel had 2475 Cargo Capacity and my F350 has 3744 Cargo Capacity. Yep they both tow the same weight but 2500HD couldn't accept the pin weight and stay within Manufacture Specs. Now with the F350 I have over 500 lbs under my Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings. If you want I would be glad to post the Cat Scale tickets....

Kind of comparing apples to oranges. You go from a 2500 to a 1 ton Ford? Later RJD

[CWSWine]

Originally Posted by aceinspp

Kind of comparing apples to oranges. You go from a 2500 to a 1 ton Ford? Later RJD

Yep sure is!!! That is my point of the post was to compare a 3/4 ton to 1 ton and the difference in cargo capacity. That buying a 2500 limits your selection of 5ers do to its cargo capacities.

[bob caldwell]

As I have an extra 85,000 lay'n around, think I'll wait for the new 2016 Dodge w/ max tow package.........NOT!

[OldCoot]

From STRICTLY noise standpoint, the only diesel I'd have is a Duramax. Ford and Dodge sound like a bucket of bolts rattling around in a steel bucket.

But, I'll never own any of them, my old Silverado is the "Last of the Mohicans"

[toslow]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

From STRICTLY noise standpoint, the only diesel I'd have is a Duramax. Ford and Dodge sound like a bucket of bolts rattling around in a steel bucket.

But, I'll never own any of them, my old Silverado is the "Last of the Mohicans"

one thing i will say, is the duramax don't have enough torque or power to break any driveline components. so they are reliable that way