Tow Vehicle Opinions

[Bad Moon]

I’m going to be a contrarian; if your 6.0 has more than 100k miles on it, I would seriously consider trading it in before you have some costly repair bills. The 6.0 is notoriously unreliable. I know someone will chime in with “my six-oh has 900,000 miles and all I ever did was change the oil”, but do your research.

[432bartman]

I would just go out and look at each of the big 3 diesels and see what one you like the best. I think it all comes down to personal preference, cause all 3 can do the job you ask of it. I'm fortunate to have a 3rd car to use or a motorcycle, and with that being said, my truck is only used for towing duties. If I had to go buy a new truck it would be a dually.

[R Bran]

I have pulled three different 5ers with my 05’ f-250 6.0. My latest is the 2022 295. Not the weight of yours but the power and payload of your 350 would be plenty. And as far as your miles go, once it’s bullet-proofed it is bullet proof, don’t listen to anyone who tells you otherwise. Cheaper to fix it once than buy new. If yours is already, then your money ahead!

[Hblick48]

I had a 2005 F250 that pulled our rig, no problem. Did 2 coast to coast trips. Had the truck bullet proofed, ran great. Just one thing, when the 5th wheel was hitched, all of the trucks payload was used up. No payload left for people and our stuff. Upgraded to 2017 F350. Difference in driving when towing is night and day. First, there is payload reserve after rig is hitched and we are weighed in. Add the new technology, 6.7 engine, and turbo brake, it's actually a pleasure driving over the mountains. With the 2005, it was always a nail biteing experience. Just saying.....

[R Bran]

Originally Posted by Hblick48

I had a 2005 F250 that pulled our rig, no problem. Did 2 coast to coast trips. Had the truck bullet proofed, ran great. Just one thing, when the 5th wheel was hitched, all of the trucks payload was used up. No payload left for people and our stuff. Upgraded to 2017 F350. Difference in driving when towing is night and day. First, there is payload reserve after rig is hitched and we are weighed in. Add the new technology, 6.7 engine, and turbo brake, it's actually a pleasure driving over the mountains. With the 2005, it was always a nail biteing experience. Just saying.....

I’m with you on the new tech, we travel from Iowa to the Oregon coast regularly and the extra payload and power would be good but the cost for me is too oppressive. I’ll stick with what I have for now. Planning to switch over to a class A in a few years so may as well stay with what I have. It sure would be nice to have an engine break though…

[Hortense]

I will say something that'll probably upset some folks here, but I'll say it.
Ford has lost it's interest in providing a good product. I've been buying them for decades, but this last one, a 2020 F350 has been hit with two nasty recalls. And Ford really doesn't care.
The worst of these was to simply reduced the cargo capacity for my truck from 4368 lbs to 3787 lbs. If you pull a 5th wheel, you know what that does to the pin weight capacity.

In short, they simply reduced the capability of the truck, with not even an apology. Just "come in and get your new placards - sucks to be you".
Ford does not care that the product is not what you bought.
I'll never buy another (not that I have many more in me anyway, but I can warn others to stay away).

[Montana Man]

If you want the best powertrain, RAM. If you prefer better fit and finish, Ford.

[77cruiser]

And if want all around best GM.

[Cat320]

I'm not in the market for a new truck, but if I was, I'd get a Chevy. The Duramax has been around for years, and the Allison is by far the best transmission. While Chevy and Dodge have been using the same basic engines for years, Ford has been through several iterations....it looks like they finally found a good one with the 6.7.

[bshgto]

Originally Posted by Hortense

I will say something that'll probably upset some folks here, but I'll say it.
Ford has lost it's interest in providing a good product. I've been buying them for decades, but this last one, a 2020 F350 has been hit with two nasty recalls. And Ford really doesn't care.
The worst of these was to simply reduced the cargo capacity for my truck from 4368 lbs to 3787 lbs. If you pull a 5th wheel, you know what that does to the pin weight capacity.

In short, they simply reduced the capability of the truck, with not even an apology. Just "come in and get your new placards - sucks to be you".
Ford does not care that the product is not what you bought.
I'll never buy another (not that I have many more in me anyway, but I can warn others to stay away).

This is better than a best oil thread. So given the daily complaints (just check todays issues) , ridiculous problems, lack of response from dealers, no answers from Keystone, the wait time for repairs etc... with these Montanas. why aren`t you and others warning people to stay away? The best truck is the one you like. And every other opinion can go pound sand.

[steiny93]

Fully loaded your under 17k lbs; any of the diesel dullies will be fine; braking will be the limiting factor.

Before our last Montana we had a 41ft Cyclone tow hauler, pin weight was 4500lbs and with 3 quads on the deck total weight was just over 25k lbs. We pulled that with a Volvo HDT and infrequently a GMC 2500 and a Ram 2500 Mega Cab. The 2500's really didn't like the pin weight but power was fine, braking and wind stability wasn't great.

Our last Montana was GVWR of 16.5k lbs; both the 2500's handled the weight fine but in high winds having duals would have been better. Personally an HDT is overkill for only 17k, but they are significantly better than any of the pickups and really suck the stress out of high winds, mountain passes and emergency stops.

[ElizaBeads]

We have a 2020 3931Fb which is 41foot.. we tow with a 2019 F-250 ..truck doesn’t even know it’s back there .. F-350 would be great too ..the issue is if you can find one now days ..all the lots seem to only have F-150s ..

[Cat320]

You guys using 250/2500 pick ups for heavy Montana's, check the Tire and Loading Information sticker on the drivers door post. It will have the max load for that truck...check that number with your actual pin weight.

[BB_TX]

F250 payload ratings are considerably higher than a few years ago. But almost all configurations are still under 3,000 lbs max load rating. A 40’ 5er pin weight plus everything else you load in the truck is almost assured to exceed that rating.

[Lee-CI]

Originally Posted by BB_TX

F250 payload ratings are considerably higher than a few years ago. But almost all configurations are still under 3,000 lbs max load rating. A 40’ 5er pin weight plus everything else you load in the truck is almost assured to exceed that rating.

Precisely why I had to take it in the shorts on a one year old 2500. Thankfully I found my 3500 "dream truck" with only 14K on the clock. Loved my 3/4 ton but cringed looking at the sidewalls bulge on the rears even when aired up to 80 psi. Lots of folks pull with single rears, but there is a comfort factor in having duals. I'm extremely partial to inline 6, so baby has a Cummins.

[scottz]

Originally Posted by Cat320

I'm not in the market for a new truck, but if I was, I'd get a Chevy. The Duramax has been around for years, and the Allison is by far the best transmission. While Chevy and Dodge have been using the same basic engines for years, Ford has been through several iterations....it looks like they finally found a good one with the 6.7.

They are all good trucks and all of them will have issues; especially with the EPA getting involved. I think the first Ford power stroke (7.3) was the best of all. Not huge on power (unless chipped) and the transmission was weak, but once those issues were taken care of, it was bullet proof. Wish I still had mine.

We'll just let the 6.0 (and to some extent the 6.4) fade into history along with the GM 5.7 (350).

[BB_TX]

Saw a Ram 3500 dually today, guessing around 2005 model, that was completely rusting out around the fender wells and bottoms of the doors. It had an Illinois license plate. Rarely see anything like that here in TX. Is that common on a truck less than 20 years old in the north country? Not specifically Ram. They have started using a brine solution to pre-treat roads in this area when possible snow/ice is in the forecast and continue when it starts falling. Fortunately only 2-3 times a year. Used sand in the “old days”. Is rusting something we can look forward to in a few years?

[Hortense]

Originally Posted by bshgto

This is better than a best oil thread. So given the daily complaints (just check todays issues) , ridiculous problems, lack of response from dealers, no answers from Keystone, the wait time for repairs etc... with these Montanas. why aren`t you and others warning people to stay away? The best truck is the one you like. And every other opinion can go pound sand.

I did not state an opinion. I provided info on how Ford handled a significant safety level degradation in their product. They simply handed that degradation to the purchaser, and obsolved themselves of liability by changing the placard.
I would think someone looking at buying a new truck would want to know that Ford is not standing by their products. That is why I posted it.

[dfb]

Actually, we have a 17 Ram 3500 dually longhorn. Fit and finish is outstanding. Powertrain 6.7 Cummins h.o. and aisin. We Love it.. 4:10s, auto level..

[jeffba]

Options may b the deciding factor. my '18 has the 360 camera package with Trailer camera/TPMS. so I have rearview trailer camera and TPMS integrated in the dash. this means less dash clutter. Chevy has a similar product that came out in 2020.

Ford longbeds have a 48 gallon fuel tank. (many will agree more fuel is better)

So when shopping I would look for options that will make your life better