F350; Ram 3500 or GMC 3500 ?

[Joe in Texas]

Starting our research for a new truck:
SRW - yes - dually is out (we only have one vehicle)
diesel - yes
axle rate - ?

I would appreciate experience comments and recommendations.

[Larry-P]

I have a 2008 RAM 2500 diesel. First diesel I've ever owned. Love it.

The more I pull our Monty 5th wheel the better it runs.

[BB_TX]

I don't think you could go wrong with any of them. Mostly a matter of which one really grabs you the most. And of course which one the DW likes best.

Our 2012 F350 SRW CC LB 6.7 3.55 FX4 is great. Got the King Ranch with most of the bells and whistles. Love it. Cruises at 70 at about 1,600 rpm in tow/haul towing the Monte and never shifts out of OD on flat to rolling country. And pulls Colorado mountain passes with no problem. And the engine brake makes going down the other side a breeze.

Had an '07 F350 6.0 before that I thought towed pretty well. Amazing how much more power the 6.7 has.

If shopping a Ford, check pricing on Prestige Ford Garland web site. When I bought mine July '12 they were advertising $14,000 off sticker on any superduty on the lot. Last year they were up to $16,000 off sticker. They were down to $10,5K off recently. But that number changes frequently. Discounts go up toward end of model year. You can use their price to bargain with other dealers if Prestige does not have exactly what you want. That makes that $60K plus sticker look a lot better.

[Ramblin Roadrunners]

I have been studying them for about a year now. If you are looking at 2012 or newer its hard to change ratios on srw trucks. They have so much power it doesn't matter much what ratio you have. I like all 3 trucks. They are all good. No bargains out there. There is a shortage of used diesels. I think they got so expensive that only the people that need them buy them now and they hold on to them.

[Slufoot733]

Todays diesel tow vehicles from the "BIG 3" are all great trucks. It boils down to styling and price. I drive a Ford, friends have the Dodges and GM products. We have fun joshing each other about who will have to help who up the hills but none of us have any problems keeping up with the other. And so far (knock on wood) the mechanical issues have been minor. Good luck in your quest. As long as you buy one with the proper capacity for your RV you can't go wrong.

[c214dick]

Currently have a 2003 Dodge with only 136,000 miles. Diesel, auto with 4:10 rear end. No problems pulling our 3400RL up or down. However I am seriously considering a Ford though would not rule out GM or Dodge. Looking for a pre DEF requirement so it will be one less thing to remember. I understand the 4:10 is no longer required with the newer trucks.

[Tom S.]

As a former GM employee, you know what my choice is, however, I recommend you go look at each one and decide which one you like the best. All three will do the job and do it well. Just one word about the GM/Chevy though: the new ones won't be at the dealers until around mid February. GM has retooled the body and is introducing them in mid to late February as 2015 models. You may find some 'old' 2014 at dealers, and they are offering some really good deals on them.

Most important is to make sure the truck matches the trailer weight specs. Your 2500 pulled it, but legally, it wasn't up to the task.

[Rondo]

JOE---JMHO-- You can't beat the Duramax/Allison combination that Chevy and GM have! I've had 1500's,2500's and 3500's and have had no problems at all with any of them. Currently have the Chevy 3500HD and have no problem towing the Monte both pulling and/or stopping! Tom is correct on possibly holding off for a month or so to see the new and redesigned GMC and the new Chevy's also!

[DQDick]

Don't think it matters which you choose, but for us, we wouldn't trade our Dodge.

[mlh]

Nobody can tell you what truck to buy. We all won't and need something different. The only way you are going to get the best truck for you is to drive them all several times and then decide which one is best for you. Most people would like others to have what they have. I won't all the power I can get. My truck has over 600 HP. Not many won't that much power. Go get what you won't then you will have the best truck.
Lynwood

[Hooker]

For that model Montana, a 3500 would serve you best...IMHO.

[Denfinger]

Our 2012 F250 SRW CC LB 6.7 3.55 FX4 is great. We have the Lariat fully loaded version. I have friends with Dodges and GM's and with proper maintenance, they are all respectable quality dependable haulers. Ours does not strain in the least. We get about 19 MPG normally and 13 towing. Never exceed 65 towing.

[steelpony5555]

I agree either of the big 3 would do the job but I would look a sgl wheel 3500. Myself I would not shy away from the duallies. I mean you do live in Texas and lots of us have them as our daily drivers. Not that big of a deal but when I hook up to the trailer it is wonderful lol lol... Towed with both a 2500 and now have had 2 3500's and love them. Well at least till it comes time to buy tires lol lol

[JandC]

We went with a F350 SRW. The newer 6.7 pulls really great and I have gotten as much as 13mpg pulling our Monte. We are full time and over half the year our F350 is our only transportation so there was no way I was going to deal with dually parking issues. But that's just me, I know there are a ton of folks that have them and love them. Like others have said, I would look carefully at each of the big three.

[davidaf]

Any of the big 3 will do the job very well. Up until recently I knew my next truck would be another Dodge, no doubt about it 100% certain, it has served me well. But, with all the fun i've had with Chrysler and parts availability for my 2012 Jeep I seriously doubt I'll be buying another Chrysler vehicle. I can't risk being out of service for a couple weeks at a time if something as simple as a water pump goes out. Maybe Ram is different than Jeep in that regard as I've, knock on wood, not had much wrong with it but I can't risk it again.

[Artemus Gordon]

Look just belly up to the bar and get the F450. It has a greater turning radius (due to different front geometry ) than the F350, by a long shot. I can park it with no problems. It's got power and torque that's incredible. A ride that's vastly improved over eailer F Super Dutys! But, I suggest you wait for the 2015. All three truck makers have all but abandoned the 2014's and planing big changes for early release 2015's! Bigger turbo chargers, several upgrades across all lines. My 2014 is great and I love it, but my dealer has suggested I trade for a 2015. At price I paid, it will be a wash, no brainier, I may or may not be tempted?

[1retired06]

All three will certainly do the job. Consumers Guide recommends the GMC over the Ford and Dodge because of maintenance issues. Not sure what they are talking about, have had no issues with mine.

[timandsusan]

I drive a F250 2012 with the 6.7 diesel. I agree with others--any of the big 3 will do the job. I also like my dealer--So that might play into the decision. Check the fuel capacity on each one. I have exchanged the internal 26 gal for an internal 50 gal tank,upgrade the software--great decision. DEF is not an issue--available virtually everywhere. Also, I believe Ford puts the 6.7 in the F250, F350, F450 and F550 series. Obviously the trans and suspensions are different. Anyway have a great time shopping!

[TAKPAK]

Yes, any of the big three will work fine. The one thing I would definitely recommend is to get at least the one ton version. There is not much extra cost, and little if any milage penalty. It just works out better for towing the big trailers. Myself, we got the GMC 3500 SRW. It is a 2008, and we love it. Dodge is good too, with the Cummins engine. I would have gotten a Ford, but when they quit using the 7.3 proven diesel, things went downhill real fast, and I'm still watching the new 6.7 to see how it does. One thing about GM, they started with the 6.6 over 10 years ago, and have not changed it other than for emission requirements and some other "tweaking." The mechanic at the dealer and I were talking the other day, and he's "souped" his Durmax up, literally trying to see what will "destroy" it. He's up to over 600 HP now, and he said he still can't break it. Must be nice to have money and full repair facilities.

[jlb27537]

As has been said. Any will do the job. I refuse to buy anything GM. The wife did not like the Ford interiors. The Ram has the weakest transmission (68RFE), but the cast iron engine is bullet proof. (the '13 and up have the Aisin tranny available and is bullet proof to match the engine) My opinion, Ram has the best exhaust brake.

Ford has had reports of the fuel filter/water separator passing water and the result is 12k of repairs that Ford will not stand behind.

Ram, now owned by Fiat, has reports of parts availability issues. So like the guy said, you pays your money, you takes your chances.