Truck decision among the top three

[washley1]

My 350 King ranch is an 08, and I know several things have changed...like the engine! But I just want to say with over 36K I have had no real problems, other than a leaking main seal, which did NOT require them to pull the cab, thankfully. I also have the 430 rear end, and it pulls like a dream. Of course the new 350 does not even offer the 430, and it probably is a mileage killer, but it had the best rating at the time, so I bought it. Also, we love the King Ranch features, so if you do go with the Ford to us it is well worth the extra.

[ExPatNW]

We have a Ford F350 and an Expedition. Have had few if any problems with either of them - so I am Ford believer, but I also have to add that I get X Plan pricing through the company I work for and for me that makes a big difference. I get what I think is a reasonable price without the haggling. I have the factory fitted 5th wheel etc which I am very happy with. These trucks were designed for towing. Just wish they had a camera pointed at the fifth wheel - that would be ideal!

At the end of the day - whatever you buy is likely to be better than what you have now!

[seahunter]

Since I plan on driving mine a lot, besides all the mechanical choices I wanted to be comfortable too. Significant difference in cab dimensions for hip and shoulder room between the brands. I really liked the Dodge, but I was not comfortable driving it. I am tall in the torso, and couldn't even get the seat low enough not to have to lean to see out the front and I'm not that tall. Ford had more hip and shoulder room, can't remember leg room. Just another way to look at it maybe...

[Devildog]

I have driven the ford and really liked it. Ride, seating, set up and all. Dodge ram is next, new dually laramie longhorn drw being off loaded this week.
I have always researched all that I could about all the vwhicles before I have bought in the past.
And I appreciate everyones posts about your experiences with your vehicle and not a brand war.

[Wiesehan]

As you can see from my signature, I have a 2012 Ram 3500 Laramie Longhorn. I love the truck and would buy one again. Milage leaves something to be desired, but what a pulling machine!
If you decide on a Ram, PM me and I can tell you where you can get the best price and best trade on your truck. I drove 3.5 hours and saved $2000.00 over what I could get anywhere else, even where I had been purchasing trucks for the last 10 years.
Don

[Montana Sky]

I have 33,500 miles on my 2011 Ram 3500HD that I bought new in April. I've been a GM/Duramax guy my entire life and back in 2010 bought a F350 King Ranch. Bottom line is I got a lemon on the Ford Super Duty and Ford refused to stand behind their product. In April my intent was to trade it back in for a 11 Duramax. The dealer sold both Ram and Chevy and after driving both, and talking with the service dept, I chose to go with the Cummins. This is my first Ram and Cummins and so far I must admit I am very happy with my choice. The biggest factor that pushed me to the Ram was the Cummins not requiring Urea(DEF). The shop had problems with the exhaust fluid freezing up here in the north country and advised against it. As most folks know, I roll empty 75-80 MPH highway and towing my 3400RL 65-70MPH. Empty I am averaging 16/17 MPG highway and towing I average 11/12 MPG. I've seen as high as 19 MPG empty on my new Ram, but that was a 2 tank exception. Overall I am happy with my choice. Best of luck in your shopping choices...

[sreigle]

Mine is a 2007 Ram 3500 MegaCab with SRW and automatic and 82,000 miles. So, it doesn't meet your criteria. But I'd like to add a couple of comments that do apply to the newer trucks.

1. One thing I love about the Cummins is that it runs much lower rpm when climbing those big hills than did my prior brand with V8 diesel. The Cummmins redlines at 3200 rpm. With our heavily-loaded 3400 along for the ride and we're climbing a steep and long hill, you won't hear it screaming at 3800+ rpm like the others. It'll jump to maybe 2800 or even 3000 rpm and then after a couple of seconds it will shift and rpm drops to somewhere between 2100 and 2400 rpm, depending on speed, steepness of the hill, etc. Nice quiet ride.

2. As for the rails for the megacab hitch, they're the same as for any Ram shortbed. The megacab shortbed is 6.4', a couple of inches less than the Ford (the longest) and Chevy. But the difference is behind the axle. From cab to axle is the same and that's what's important for making those turns. When we bought the superglide hitch, it was ordered with the Ram rails. That was in about 2008. I measured axle to cab on all three brands very carefully since we are fulltimers and it would not do to be unable to tow with the truck.

3. I know some here feel the dually provides better stability and maybe it does in windy conditions. But after all these miles I have never felt "unstable" and I honestly cannot tell the difference between SRW and DRW stability when towing. Maybe I just have not encountered the right situation. We have a friend who laid his Montana on its side but the truck stayed wheels down. He feels the dually is what kept the truck from rolling. But another friend in MOC also laid his Montana on its side and the truck stayed wheels down and his truck is a single rear wheel. So who knows?

4. The six-speed automatic in the Ram came out in January 2007 with the then-updated (from 5.9L and with new emissions controls) 6.7L Cummins. I've heard of no problems with them. Ours has been outstanding and I'm very satisfied with the transmission.

5. Longevity. Well, I think most people know the Cummins wins this one hands down. Maybe someone can verify my numbers, I can't recall exactly where I got them back in 2007. At that time, the published MTBF (mean time before failure (of the diesel engine) - also known as expected miles before major overhaul): Ford - 250,000 miles; GM - 250,ooo miles; Ram - 350,000 miles (or 450,000 according to Cummins). It's not really a relevant number for me as I am unlikely to hit any of those numbers in my lifetime or before I trade trucks.

6. I think any of the Big Three trucks will do a good job for you. You'll have to make your decision based on your own priorities.

7. Well, shoot, since the Cummins in the 2007 models, like mine, met today's current emissions standards, I guess my mpg numbers are probably still relevant. Now that the truck has broken in, we get 11 to 12.5 towing, most of the time, depending on conditions and speed. Occasionally less, sometimes more. My Ram has the 3.73 axle. My Cummins is the 650 lb-ft torque version, not the newer 800.

[drsmart]

Steve. You may want to make a note to self. Self, do not try to pass friends while they are pulling Montana trailer

[stiles watson]

As you can see in my signature, I have the 2011 F350 King Ranch SRW with 3:73 rear end. In my 2008 F350 dually, I had a 4:33 rear end. The terrible mileage on the 2008 6.4 L engine is what made me trade. The 6.7 L engine with the 3.73 handles mountains every bit as well as the 2008 dually w/4:33. The tow/haul works better. The 6 speed transmission works better. Tow mileage is 33% better at 3 to 5 mph faster speed. I don't miss the dually and find the SRW stable. I stay within the posted speed limit and 4 to 5 mpg better than the 2008. Of course the 2011 is about 1000# lighter. It is a very comfortable travel vehicle and a joy to drive. We enjoy all the extra goodies in the King Ranch package. It is not hard to recommend this fine vehicle.

[fauch]

If you just look at buyer's choice on this forum Ford/Chevy is the favored.
look at the poll: what do you tow our mantana with
http://www.montanaowners.com/forums/...ad.php?t=24061

[helmick]

It would be nice to have a new updated poll, a lot of trucks have changed since then.

[rvghostdriver]

You should look at the new truck sales figures published every month in pickuptrucks.com and you will see the Ram has been the biggest gains every month for 2011 or close to that many months. Ford is second and the GM trucks are lower but still gained over the prior year. The thing to notice is the Ram has increased its market share a bunch more than the others this year and that says something. A lot. All of them are good trucks thogh.

[maximo]

I have looked at all three and not able to tell anyone what truck is the best but will say that the Dodge is no where near the cost of a Ford or Chevy.

Frank

[Paddler]

Prior to purchasing my 2011 GMC Sierra DRW, I test drove the Dodge and Ford. Loved the interior of the Ford, feared the brand new diesel engine and transmission (both new Ford designs, decided to let someone else test it for Ford). Was going to buy the Ram, except I couldn't locate one with 4.10 rear. The Ram DRW with a 3.73 is only rated to pull 13K (had to scratch my head about that one...my 07 GMC 2500 was rated to pull 15.5K) Anyway, purchased the GMC and even with the DEF, no regrets. The DRWs make for a much more relaxed towing experience...just not the best daily driver. You probably be very happy with any of these trucks.

[mlh]

The DEF is not bad. You get better fuel mileage to more than make up the cost, and something most people don't know about. All three have about the same amount of torque, 800 pound feet. On a dino the Ford and Chevy have about 690 pound feet of TK at the rear wheel. On the same dino the Dodge has 560. The Ford and Chevy rely on DEF to reduce the NoX emisions while the Dodge uses exhaust gas recirculation to reduce combustion temperature and the reduced temperature reduces the NoX emissions.
Lynwood

[2007dura]

Just went through this. Had an "07 Duramax that was great. After trying all three out, I am now driving a 2012 F-350 DRW King Ranch. All were nice, but I didn't have any trouble deciding which one after the test drive.

[Bonaventure]

So far I love the RAM 3500 Laramie long bed dually. The engine brake is awesome and the pulling power is incredible. It is tough to beat the 6.7 cummins turbo. I got the 3.73 rear end and it is just fine. Better mileage than the 4.10 so I am told. I am getting 10-11 pulling. Have 4500 miles on the truck pulling our 2012 Montana 3665Re Big Sky. 2700 miles on the Montana.

Rick B

[et2]

We settled on the Dodge Ram Dually in 2010. The GM inside lacked comfort and we felt looked cheaper,seats were narrow compared to Ford or Dodge. It's power application did not feel anymore than the Dodge or Ford even though it technically is on paper. We liked the Ford but wasn't crazy about the exhaust brake. The wife thought the dashboard had to much going on compared to the the Ram and it confused her (yep she drives the truck).

So we bought the 2010 Ram. We went with the 4:10 over the 3:73 as our older Dodge dogged on some mild inclines and down shifted. The 4:10 pulls the same hills without downshifting. Not much of a drop in MPG from the change.

No real problems in almost two years later. We have had as high as 12mpg towing, and as low as 8.5 towing out west.On average we see 10 - 11.5 towing. Love the truck. Price wise, Ford and Chevy were thousands more.

[5ER]

I see that you are towing a 3295RK which would be less weight than a lot of the newer models. Just make sure that what ever truck you choose can handle the new tow and pin weights in case you ever decide to replace the fifth wheel.

[Devildog]

Probably will go with the dually. Test driving the new dodge on Saturday. Pin weight on the 3295 at factory shows 2500 lbs. One of the heavier pin weights in that model year.