TV upgrade

RyanZ71 · 08-01-2021, 12:46 PM

Hello everyone. I’m looking to maybe upgrade to 3/4 ton truck. I currently have Sierra 1500. This truck pulls my trailer just fine but I feel it’s going to put a lot of wear and tear on it, and probably won’t get as much out of it later on. So looking for 3/4 either diesel or gas. Haven’t decided yet hopefully you all can help me make my choice easier. So my trailer is 6400 dry up to 7600 max. We go out 5-6 times a year. Would like to go more often and probably will if I get the bigger truck. So what’s everyone opinion on the 6.2 7.3 6.7 Fords, the 6.6 gas and diesel GM or the 6.4 hemi and Cummings. Just would like to get some real world numbers

Thanks

corn18 · 08-01-2021, 04:51 PM

I went HD truck shopping in Feb 2019 and there were a lot of trucks for sale in TX. I had a 2008 Tundra and we wanted a 5er, so I was looking at 3/4 ton gassers to save money. Found my 2015 Chevy 2500HD gasser for $24k with 48,000 miles. I also found a 2016 Ford F-350 diesel long bed with 36,000 miles for $36k. Those were the two I liked the best, and there were many hundreds to choose from back then. I decided on the 2500 gasser because we weren't looking at huge 5ers. Fast forward to today and I am looking for a new truck. The 2500 gasser pulls our 11,000 lbs 5er just fine. So like you, I don't need a new truck. But I want one. I learned my lesson and I'm going to get an F-450 diesel dually. Wish I had gotten the F-350 for $36k back in 2019. Sure would have saved me a lot of money.

EdJunior · 08-01-2021, 10:24 PM

My only experiences are with the Chevy and Ford. My Dad had the Chevy. I will say it towed great. Dad pulled his 34' 5th wheel all over North America, including through Canada. He parked it the last few years before he left us, but still stayed with the diesel, just in case he pulled it again (he never did). My brother ended up buying it, and he pulled a 40' 5th wheel with it, and it did great, but it started to get some miles on it, so he traded it in on a new one. My personal opinion on the Chevy is, it does what it needs to do, but we (my wife and I) found it to be very uncomfortable. It just seemed crowded or something. And it was both his 2007 and his 2011. Just my opinion.

I have had 4 F-250's. My first one was great, and pulled our little 26' TT all over the Hill Country of Texas, and a couple of longer trips, including one to Tennessee. But with a new 5th wheel, I needed something a little more. I went through the 6.4L (great truck, but had a lot of nickel and dime things, including the radiator issues). I traded that for my 2011 6.7L, and it did great for 8 years, but dumped a valve with only 78K on it. I then got my current 2019 6.7L, and love it. But Covid has gotten in the way of a lot of camping. It does pull my 30' 5th wheel so smooth.

The bottom line is, any of the newer diesels, are pretty good. It will probably come down to a personal choice. Now, with your current trailer, a gasser will be more than sufficient. Especially if you go with the 7.3L Ford. But if you plan on something bigger and better later, you should consider a diesel. It may not be necessary for whatever you get, but it could save you from doing some truck swapping down the road.

Good luck, and keep us posted.

hybridlife · 08-01-2021, 10:43 PM

Don't let the truck you buy now be the limiting factor if you decide to get a "different" trailer later. I just upgraded our TV, went from a 2011 F150 EB to a 2018 F350 6.7. I will tow with it in 2 weeks for the first time, obviously with our light hybrid it's going to feel like nothing. I really could have gotten by with another F150 but don't know what our trailer situation will be like in the coming years. I do know this... when we find that dream trailer that we want our TV shouldn't be an issue. Good luck

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1100mike · 08-02-2021, 06:31 AM

My '16 Ram 2500, 6.4 gas has been great. Now has 94000 and has pulled
heavy equipment and my camper all
over the east. I'd get another one..

camper_Lucy · 08-02-2021, 07:23 AM

Only advice I can really give you is purchase the diesel over the gas if you can afford it, has a much better resale value. Any of the big 3 will do the job on the TT you listed, however, if you are considering a TT replacement at anytime while you have this TV I would also take into consideration what that camper may be and size for it, ie. move to a 5th wheel - i would go with an 8 foot box, so you do not have to purchase an expensive slider hitch, or a large heavy camper - consider a 35 vs as 25 TV, etc. These choices will be less expensive now then later. Good Luck

RobRockz · 08-02-2021, 11:58 AM

I upgraded from 1500 5.7 Hemi to the 6.7 Cummins 2500 and don’t have any complaints. The only regret I have is not doing it sooner!

RyanZ71 · 08-17-2021, 10:06 PM

Ok so I just got done driving the new 6.7 Cummins and wow. That thing rode so nice and smooth and got up and went like crazy. But I still ask myself do I need that engine for an extra 12 Gs. The Hemi rode pretty good as well. Man decisions decisions!!!!

RyanZ71 · 08-20-2021, 01:59 PM

Well just pulled the trigger on the Ram. Can’t wait to get the break in period done so I can start pulling. Now I can safely go where ever the heck I want no staying within a few hundred miles.
Thanks for all the info

corn18 · 08-20-2021, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RyanZ71

Well just pulled the trigger on the Ram. Can’t wait to get the break in period done so I can start pulling. Now I can safely go where ever the heck I want no staying within a few hundred miles.
Thanks for all the info

Awesome sauce! I want a new truck but I can't come up with a good answer to my wife's question: "What's wrong with the truck you have?" Drat.

RobRockz · 08-20-2021, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by corn18

Awesome sauce! I want a new truck but I can't come up with a good answer to my wife's question: "What's wrong with the truck you have?" Drat.

Ivy heard this echo in my house a time or two before

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